Milk and Cookies is a cafe and bakeshop whose name says it all, but you won't find these recipes in your grandma's cookbooks.

Located near the north end of Kensington Market, this aptly-named business is the newest addition to the neighbourhood's collection of cafes, spearheaded by a pair of self-described "market folk".

Brock Shepherd is the backbone of both Kensington Flea and the Bazaar Gift Shop. His business partner, Anthony Phoumivong, is an experienced baker, whose resume includes stints at 84 Nassau Street, Mood Cookies and more.

Though the owners were intent on going into business together, Anthony recalls struggling to conceive a unique concept.

It was only after receiving a cryptic text message from Brock, which simply read "cookies", that he settled on the idea of a bakeshop.

"Kensington's all about hand food," Brock explains, clarifying that most people prefer walking around the market with a snack, rather than sitting down to eat a proper meal. 

Anthony adds that there aren't many specialized cookie shops in the area. Consequently, Milk and Cookies fills a niche that the neighbourhood has been sorely lacking.

Milk and Cookies first opened its doors in April of 2026. Housed in a sunny yellow space, decorated with cookie-themed merchandise, the cafe has a quirky, nostalgic charm reminiscent of the '60s.

In spite of its retro aesthetic, the cafe's offerings are thoroughly modern, with unique flavours such as ube coconut pandan and "reverse" chocolate chip.

Brock tells us that many of these flavours will rotate throughout the year, with only a few staples sticking around from month to month.

All cookies range between $4 and $5 a piece.Matcha cookies with white chocolate and strawberry combine the creamy flavour of a strawberry matcha latte with the chewy texture of a freshly baked cookie. Miso cookies with peanut butter and apple jam offer a unique "umami" taste, courtesy of their soybean-based seasonings.Homemade "Skor" cookies are designed to evoke the flavour of the fan-favourite chocolate bar. 

Though no actual Skor bars are used in the baking process, a droolworthy mix of toffee and dark chocolate provides a reasonable approximation of the candy's flavour.

The cafe also carries an array of savoury cookies, modelled after foods such as poutine, pizza and pickles.

Poutine cookies are made with shredded cheese and mashed potatoes, evoking the flavour of the classic Canadian dish. A gravy-flavoured gummy bear rests on top, completing this unusual, though far from unpleasant, snack. 

Pizza cookies are topped with a tomato-flavoured skull gummy, which complements the cheese and oregano-flavoured dough perfectly.Pickle cookies are by far the simplest of the savoury cookies, but still pack a serious punch. Though the texture is soft and crumbly, like a cookie should be, the flavour is almost identical to a briny dill pickle.Cherry green tea ($4) is a seasonal drink, with a refreshing flavour that toes the line between sweet and sour. Its deep red colour is another major selling point and contrasts nicely with the cafe's brightly coloured decor. Cold brews ($4) come topped with a layer of sweet cream, which helps to keep the coffee from tasting too bitter. Of course, if you prefer to keep things simple, you can just ask for a cup of milk. After all, it’s in the cafe's name!Milk and Cookies is located at 283 Augusta Avenue.