Bready is a bustling, bright space where a splendid array of pastries and sturdy sandwiches, loaded brunch plates, coffees, juices and more lead to indecision at the register.

Thanks to a team that starts baking and brewing as the sun rises, the heady scents of cinnamon and butter, fresh coffee and yeast now beckon from Bready's new Exchange Tower home.

Opened in late February, the all-day café is a second location for the growing chain.

"It actually started up north, in Concord. We opened it last year, in February," explains operations manager Carla Costa.

"Since they're doing so well in Concord, they decided that they wanted to do something downtown," she continues. "The Financial District was the perfect spot for it."

Owned by Eran Shram, Bready was envisioned as a cross between a bakery, café and patisserie, says Costa. "He wanted to sort of blend all three worlds together."

Comfortable and warm, with a range of seating options, elegant fixtures and a display counter that's positively stuffed with attractive nibbles, Bready neatly fulfills its owner's original goal. To a frenzied Financial District crowd, the spot's parallel roles as takeout hub and quick-service restaurant must feel like a godsend.  

Built from quality local ingredients, menu items extend from just-baked breads to a surfeit of laminated pastries and refined desserts.

Those wishing to linger can side hearty fare with frothy lattes, steaming cups of tea or fortifying shakes, such as the amethyst-hued Blueberry Detox ($8.95), a drink of blueberries, activated charcoal, whey protein, yogurt and a mischievous cap of coconut whipped cream. 

Visit early, and you might spy suits grabbing a sweetened Pistachio Latte ($6.25) with a rotund Pistachio Cornetto ($8.95).

With its dual pleasures of vanilla cream and chocolate, the tightly-layered, lacquered Pain Suisse ($6.95) is best tackled after morning meetings, when the flurry of crisp, golden flakes it produces won't cause quite as much wardrobe anxiety.

Standouts among a showy assortment, the creamy Tiramisu Croissant ($9) and Vanilla Berry Cube Croissant ($6.95) are signature items that reveal the team's playful side.

"We want to do the classics with a twist," says Costa, adding that inspiration comes from "our team and our different backgrounds, and social media. We're always saving dishes and sharing them."

On an all-day menu designed for big and small appetites, for those looking to behave and those craving a little dietary rebellion, dishes range from broad slices of vegetable-dotted quiche to saucy mounds of mac and cheese.

Salmon Benny ($17) begins with sturdy slices of house sourdough. From there, the team layers sautéed spinach, ricotta and smoked salmon under poached eggs and a liberal pour of buttery hollandaise.

Prefer to start the day on a sweet note? A trio of Banana Nutella Pancakes ($18) adequately fits the bill.

Fluffy and fruity, with an ample amount of chocolate hazelnut spread, they're accompanied by fresh banana, a flask of maple syrup and a drift of sweetened cream.

Salads, such as Fig & Pear ($16), provide greens, if not the moment of discipline diners may expect. What begins with spring mix is amped up with tender sweet potato, tangy goat cheese, caramelized pecans, dried figs and pear into a tasty, sweet and savoury jumble that feels far more indulgent than simple salads ever do.

Still, with a boba-dotted Lychee Iced Tea ($5.75), it's a solid lunch sure to fuel a productive day.

You may not crave more sugar yet, but the time will come. Instead of leaving empty-handed, grab a Blonde Macadamia Cookie ($4.95) or a Mango Passionfruit Cheesecake ($10) tart. Smaller than some of the pastry case's other draws, they're better suited to midday energy slumps and moments of boredom.

With a liquor license on its way and the café’s hours of operation expected to increase, Costa promises a broader evening menu in the very near future.

Bready is located at 130 King Street West.