Maxim’s Bakery

Small bakery, small selection, crowded parking lot.
Relatively well staffed, this bakery seems to be lacking some of the staples of larger bakeries. For example, this Maxim’s doesn’t have Pineapple buns with custard. That said, they do have a decent selection of many other popular pastries.
The limited selection probably makes it challenging for Maxim’s as there are several nearby bakeries that have a wider, if not different, selection. Maxim’s is self serve, however, so you don’t necessarily need to wait for someone to get your goods like many other bakeries.
If you can’t get what you want at Maxim’s, walk across the street.

It’s a hit or miss kinda thing. I’m a bit of a regular as I live nearby so I come by when I’m craving something. I saw portuguese egg tarts a bit ago, a new item. Bought 6 to try. All the crusts were raw.. . Perhaps they’ve improved over time, but I probably wouldn’t buy them again.

At $ 4.95, their walnut butter pound cake is terrific value. The square apple pie is a personal favorite, while the sticky rice ball with either red bean or peanut filling a family fave. But generally speaking their prices are noticeably higher than Pine House two blocks away, hence the 3 star rating. Parking is nerve wracking outside, probably worst in Vancouver. I’d rather risk a hoverboard fire than to come in a car.

Chaotic parking. I don’t come here often because of the parking. Came here because we had one of those gifts card and it pretty much forces us to go to maxim. Well again, there are no maxim where I live and just happens to pass by this one.
Staff are friendly. The buns to me are all pretty much the same as the other maxim in Richmond center and metrotown.

Chinese sausage with cheese bun 1.50 is ok, a different cheese than most Chinese bakeries. The ham and green onion bun 1.25 is good but it makes my breath stink so I stopped getting it. The tuna bun 1.50 is one of my favourites but they’re never warm when I go and buy them in the afternoon. My family buys birthday cakes from here because the chestnut cake is always fresh. I tried a lot of items here and they’re mostly good like the dried pork bun, garlic bread slices, the cream bun with coconut sprinkles.
The worst item I’ve tried so far and PLEASE AVOID is the croissant. Doesn’t taste like a croissant and trust me you would just dump it because it’s like eating the crust on the loaf of bread. :(

Convenient location. The buns are good here and selection is good too. I usually buy a bun here when I have a coffee at Starbucks. Parking is ok but can get very busy sometimes. Cash only

The service is good. Friendly and courteous. You grab a tray and tongs and you choose what you want, rather than them picking it all. I find this better as you don’t have a bunch of people trying to get one of the workers to grab your items.
The small cakes are good, not too sweet and fresh. Some places, the cakes are over powered with sugar. The buns are smaller than other places like Pine House and St. Germaine but that’s because they are cheaper. You can get 3 mini coconut or pineapple buns for $ 1.50. At other places, it would be 1 slightly bigger bun for $ 1.00. So if you want smaller buns, it’s good to go here. The taste is a little less flavorful but the quality is consistent across all Maxim locations.
I don’t mind it as it is still good. Plus sometimes I don’t want a big bun to snack on.
Parking wise, the lot can get hectic. I usually park on the upper lot beside London Drugs. The entrance can be tight but I usually exit towards 43^rd as trying to go from 41^st or Victoria street, there sometimes a traffic jam.
If you don’t mind smaller buns for a good price and picking up what you want yourself, then this is the place. Also note that it is cash only.

This is a great Chinese bakery. I love their cakes, not super sweet and quite light. The prices are great but they only take cash. If you love Asian baked goods then this is your bakery. They have a few locations.

Maxim’s bakery has been around for many years, at least 10 years, and they have several branches in the lower mainland. It has been my little bakery place to dash in for snacks.
My favorite baked goods have a long list, but a few stand out more. The egg tart is probably the most popular item in the store. There are two types, crispy tart and non-​crispy tart. I liked the crispy tart more than the other one. Watch out when you eat and make a mess on the table ! Suggested serving with a plate for it.
My second item is the chicken pie, a fairly tiny pie, slightly smaller than the size of your palm. However, when you eat it fresh, and hot, it tastes delicious. I remember in the early days, I would park my car in the car park and rushed into the store to buy a couple of bakery items, and went back to the car to finish them off ! One was not enough for a hungry person!
Another item to mention is the Swiss Cake Roll. The cake is a perfect companion with a cup of coffee or tea. For the amount paid, the size is huge. Call a few of your friends to your home for the afternoon chat, and it will serve well and finished quickly. There are several flavours of it: regular, chocolate, and chestnut. I like them all.
There are several tasty items pop up in mind, I will share some more items later.

Service: good. Especially the younger girl. She was extremely friendly and cheerful.
Location: good! Right in the Parking lot with other stores like London drugs, Starbucks, kens kitchen, etc.
Food: this is where I have to dock a few stars off. The buns were lacking quality. They seemed old. (I tried three different ones). The filling was half empty and the sizes were small. Wasn’t just the dough lacking, there wasn’t much flavour in the actual ingredients. I was pretty disappointed.
I probably won’t come back for the buns. However the cakes looked pretty good. But I definitely won’t go out of my way.

Their portions have gotten smaller over the years but when I crave those pineapple danish twists I have no choice but to return there. Their egg tarts are good and their cakes are delicious too.

This is my go-​to bakery. The quality is always good and the prices are unbelievably cheap. I love the sesame balls, egg tarts, and any bbq pork offerings.
Location is convenient (41^st and Victoria) and clean.
Staff is indifferent and parking lot in front of the store is nightmarish.
*tip– there is an additional parking lot beside london drugs that isnt great either but much better than using the front lot.
Walk or bus it if you can.

bakery is good.
service is so so surly.
this is a haiku.
um… more details? they are not overly concerned with selling things — as in they’ll close a cpl mins early and if you knock on the glass door they’ll ignore you.
⁴⁄₃₀ Unilocal challenge

Maxim’s Bakery is probably one of the biggest Chinese bakery chains around. Biggest meaning they make the most money in town, not referring to the size of their bakery.
The price is a steal, the bakery items are great and service is always quick. Friendliness depends on the mood of the staff that day, but generally I’ve never had issues.
The only thing to watch out for in this location is the damn parking lot. It’s a nightmare since the plaza shares spots with London Drugs, McDonalds, Ken’s Kitchen and a clinc.

Not into baked goods? Have the mini spring rolls! I love them. 3 for $ 1.50, I think.
They also have the usual Chinese bakery-​type toppinged buns,
sponge cakes, roll cakes,
loaves of bread.
Cash only.
Be patient with the parking lot… It always seems full.

* Another location, with the same quality *
Maxim’s is a truly reliable Chinese bakery. I had never been to this location before, but the freshness of the product held up nicely to the location in Chinatown, yet in a slightly more modern setting.
Service was quick and efficient, and the pineapple pork bun was still warm from the oven. The crunchy surface was deliciously crumbly, and the roast pork was sweet and juicy without being overdone or sickly sweet as is sometimes the case at other bakeries.
Nice to find this location, where the parking is a LOT easier than Chinatown!