Caffeine Fix: 10 Coffee Shops You Must Visit in TorontoBy Alicia Grimshaw
Toronto is a city fuelled on caffeine – there’s a Starbucks and a Tim Horton’s on every street corner. Before you slam Tim Horton’s, I must say that their chocolate and cream doughnut number is pretty sensational. But, hey, we’re all about the independents at About Time, and Toronto is home to a number of excellent coffee shops – you only need to go out and find them. Good news, we sipped our way through endless lattes, dairy-free coffees and other caffeine beauties to find 10 coffee shops you need to visit. Happy drinking, people:
1. For Cold Brew: Early Bird Espresso & Brew Bar
The Lowdown: Early Bird Espresso & Brew Bar is a chic spot on Queen’s Road West, with another outpost in the garment district. These guys not only make their own cold brew creations, but they also have a vast selection of coffee beans that change monthly. They have many different coffee machines from bean grinders to professional semi-automatic espresso machines to make any coffee you like. Their coffee shop is the freelancers dreams – there’s fast wifi, ample amount of tables and comfy seating. Not in the mood for caffeine? They also serve a range of teas and cold bevvies too. Or if you’re in the neighbourhood for something different their French Press coffee is freshly pressed which brings out strong and flavourful notes.
Eat and Drink: Their iced coffee with an extra shot of espresso is seriously good, as is their flat white. For the dairy-free amigos, they’ve got plenty of alternative milks on offer. We’re never one to turn down a soya latte. Their chia pot is epic, and they’re avocado on toast is also worthy of a mention.
Gimme More: They sell a range of gluten-free baked goods, and they stock vegan treats from the Flagship bakery. Order the peanut butter cookie and a coffee. Dreams.
Where: 613 Queen Street W, Toronto, ON M5V 2B7, Canada
2. For an Iced Coffee: Jimmy’s Coffee
The Lowdown: With three branches in Toronto, and no doubt more on the way, Jimmy’s Coffee are spawning like breeding dogs. We’re not complaining; Jimmy’s Coffee brings a sense of community to their coffee shops with their friendly staff, art adorned walls and solid cups of hot Joe.
Eat and Drink: Their iced coffee make the iced, venti, soya, extra shot, no cream, easy on the syrup frappes from Starbucks taste like a car crash. The Jimmy’s Very Own (JVO) is an iced vanilla latte with caramel drizzle, and it’s made in the way it should – good coffee and just a dash of caramel sauce. The Rosemary’s Baby is a rosemary lemonade; a fruity cold number perfect for the warm Toronto days. All of their coffee is fair-trade and it won’t cost you the earth.
Gimme More: The iced chocolate chai is the menu highlight, and for $4.50 for the large you really can’t go wrong.
Where: Locations here
3. For Dairy-Free Coffee: Quantum Coffee
The Lowdown: Quantum Coffee is that effortlessly cool person you just want to be mates with. Their coffee shop is super hip – low lighting, clean interiors and an overall relaxed vibe. If this coffee shop was a person, they would definitely be able to pull off the double denim look. Kudos to them. They’ve curated a selection of single-origin beans from some of the best coffee producers across the globe, all served by knowledgable and helpful baristas.
Eat and Drink: I’m all about a nut milk in a coffee, and their almond milk latte certainly doesn’t help my addiction. It’s that good. They also serve a pretty mean hot chocolate, which goes nicely with one of their cookies. And their gluten-free brownie is not to be laughed at.
Gimme More: They have an outdoor patio, I’ll say no more.
Where: 460 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1L7, Canada
4. For a No Frills Coffee: Balzac’s Coffee Roasters
The Lowdown: Balzac Coffee brings the sophisticated celebration of coffee and the ambience of the Grand Cafes found in Paris to the streets of Toronto. All of their coffee is fair trade and organic as is their sugar and cocoa. It’s the kind of coffee shop you’d take your mum or granny – not overly trendy, just solid coffee, traditional decor and no frills.
Eat and Drink: Their almond chocolate croissant is so buttery and delicious that it gets quite rich towards the end. The ham and mustard roll is an Balzac staple and a perfect lunchtime option. Even better when you’re munching it on the steps of Toronto Library (they have a branch just next door). Grab one of their soya milk chai lattes to go. Perfection.
Gimme More: Their espresso ain’t too shabby, and for $2 you can’t really complain.
Where: Locations here
5. For an Espresso: Dark Horse
The Lowdown: I’m not going to say that Dark Horse has the most amazing coffee, but it’s consistently good (it must be as they now have five locations in Toronto, with another one in the oven). They stock beans from Detour and 49th Parallel to create diverse, and interesting espressos, as well as stocking their 24 hour cold brew coffee. Dark House has large communal tables and plug sockets aplenty. Word of warning: their Chinatown branch gets busy – so dart for a table or get your coffee to takeaway.
Eat and Drink: Espresso, obviously. Or if you’re in the neighbourhood for something different their French Press coffee is freshly pressed which brings out strong and flavourful notes. The food here is pretty standard, so stick to their baked goods.
Gimme More: They’ve started baking fresh pastries on site. A fresh croissant, espresso and a good newspaper. Bliss.
Where: Locations here
The Lowdown: Crema Coffee is run by individuals, for individuals. They’re all about sticking the two fingers up to soulless chain coffee shops, in favour of individually brewed coffee, each with a range of individual flavours and textures. If you have’t already guessed, this place is full of individuality. The cafe on Bloor Street is more of a pop-up within Freshii restaurant, so if you don’t want to feel like you’re sat in what feels like a glorified Subway (the sandwich shop, not an underground pavement), swing by the Dundas St branch.
Eat and Drink: Their breakfast vegan muffin is actually, very good. And they have a dedicated pastry counter with all sorts of baked numbers going on; pumpkin muffins, pecan butter tarts, cookies and scones. They’re skilled in the art of cortados making (espresso mixed with a small amount of warm milk). If you find a Crema Coffee, I’d seriously recommend you trying one of their cortados or their iced mocha.
Gimme More: Their latte art is on point. They’re practically wizards, and pretty coffee always tastes better. Fact.
Where: Locations here
7. For a Latte: Sam James Coffee Bar
The Lowdown: If an interior nerd had a baby with a beauty queen, it would probably turn out to be Sam James Coffee Bar. I know you shouldn’t judge a shop on how Instagram-worthy the interiors are, but they just scream out to be photographed – clean cut and minimalistic – you get the picture. Seriously though, the decor makes us drool, and their home brew coffee is a taste sensation.
Eat and Drink: Their Park Shop location is not just light and airy, it’s also home to cookies, poptarts, twinkies and more, all made in house by Lindsey Gazel of LindseyBakes. Their latte is a serious contender for the best latte in Toronto. You heard it here first folks.
Gimme More: Come to this place and people watch – Sam James Coffee Bar is frequented by people from all walks of life.
Where: Locations here
8. For an Americano: Capital Espresso
The Lowdown: Located on a corner of Queen Street West, Capital Espresso is more than just a coffee shop. This place brings people together – the locals, students and hipsters of the area all come to hang out and work here, and we guarantee a smile along with your cappuccino. The communal long wooden table at the back is ideal for remote working or having a gossip with the gals.
Eat and Drink: Cake and coffee go hand in hand, but fear not vegan friends, as they always make sure there’s a plant based treat on sale at all times. If you go to Capital Espresso and not order one of their muffins, it’s just blasphemy. Their sandwiches are like doorstops – thick cut bread stuffed with loads of delicious goodness.
Gimme More: They produce all of their baked goods in house. Pop down early to avoid disappoint, these buttery beauties sell out fast.
Where: 1349 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6K 1M1, Canad
9. For a Choice of Beans: Fahrenheit Coffee
The Lowdown: If you’re only in Toronto for a short space of time, make sure you visit Fahrenheit Coffee. This place is the mother of all coffee shops. Why, I hear you ask? Because not only is the owner an absolute coffee nut, but they house roast their beans and they even allow you to select beans from three different origins when ordering. Coffee isn’t just served here, it’s a scientific procedure.
Eat and Drink: The food offering is a simple one: turkey filled croissants, a few pastries for good measure and cookies. You don’t come here for food, you come here for the coffee. The cappuinco is insanely good, and the latte is super smooth (and a decent iced one too). The staff are dedicated, helpful and just an all round great bunch of people.
Gimme More: The banana chocolate chip muffin will make you go weak at the knees.
Where: 120 Lombard St, Toronto, ON M5C 3H5, Canada
10. For an Espresso Over Ice: Dineen Coffee Co
The Lowdown: Coffee is served with a slice of sophistication at Dineen Coffee Co. The furnishings transport you to the pavement cafes in Europe. The staff are smartly dressed, the marble countertop is the focal point of Dineen, and the floor to ceiling windows brings light and warmth to the restaurant. If you make it down early doors, the place is already jumping. Don’t panic, you won’t have to wait too long. The staff are speedy, but the coffee standard doesn’t falter.
Eat and Drink: From the coffee menu, their iced latte is pretty stella. If you’re in need of something on the comforting side, their mocha will certainly help. Made fresh every morning, their parfaits are topped with fresh berries or honey and they are everything.
Gimme More: Their brie and walnut sandwich is a veggie delight.
Where: 140 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5C 1X6, Canad
