Best Toronto Coffee Shops Near Yonge & Eglinton
Although Yonge & Eglinton is currently in it’s middle evolution Pokémon stage (once that construction is done… hello Charizard!), the businesses in the area have already glowed up in response to its up-and-coming status.
If you need a shot of caffeine to get through that stressful intersection, here are the top spots within walking distance. Enjoy!
1. Crosstown Coffee Bar
Oh, Crosstown Coffee Bar. It’s hard to say something negative about this relaxed spot that’s a walk away from Eglinton subway station.
The service here is always top-notch, and the space itself is very welcoming.
There are a variety of Gluten Free/ Vegetarian treats sourced from different places (such as the popular Dufflet Pastries), and there is a wide variety of alternative milks offered (my favourite is cashew).
This café is a great place to choose if you want a quiet place in which to read a book, or have an intimate conversation with a friend.
Crosstown Coffee Bar has a great atmosphere, and it’s a gem within walking distance of Yonge & Eglinton. If you’re looking for that “local coffee shop” feel, look no further than here!
Nearest Subway: Eglinton
Location:
187 Highbourne Road
Noteworthy Feature:
Crosstown sells treats from Dufflet Pastries, and have kombucha on tap - yum!
2. De Mello Palheta
Even if you haven’t been to many cafés uptown, chances are you’ve still tried De Mello Palheta’s coffee beans before.
As the suppliers for many cafés in the city, you can almost guarantee that any cup of coffee here will be well made. The coffee shop sells it’s own beans for those interested in roasting them at home.
The cafés is comprised of front room with a communal table and bar stools, and a back room with seating for pairs or groups. There is also a small patio space in the front for those who wish to sit outside in the warm spring / summer months.
The walls and tables of the café are infinitely cool, as they are decorated with fascinating graffiti art. The ceiling in the front room is also worthy of mentioning, as it is made up of multiple umbrellas.
Although De Mello Palheta is on the pricier side for a Toronto café, the coffee beans used are their own, and the desserts are mostly made in-house. Their top treat in my opinion is the matcha chocolate brownie - it’s super decadent.
With a cool space and dessert options for different dietary restrictions (Gluten Free/ Vegetarian/ Vegan) this café is a palhet-YA from me (don’t hate me for that awful joke, please. It’s 2 am).
Nearest Subway: Eglinton
Location:
2489 Yonge Street
Noteworthy Feature:
De Mello Palheta has fantastic graffiti art all around the café - cool A.F.
3. Istanbul Coffee Shop
This Turkish café & espresso bar delivers strong coffees in an intimate and dimly-lit atmosphere. This ambiance, coupled with it’s setup of couches, communal tables, and smattering of small-group tables make it an excellent choice for friends looking to socialize and couples going on a date.
On top of your standard coffee shop offerings (lattes, cappuccinos, espresso, etc…) Istanbul Cafe & Espresso Bar make an authentic Turkish coffee that isn’t for those with weak tastebuds. Another bonus? They have plenty of vetgan/ vegetarian/ gluten-free/ dairy-free food choice!
Their most instagram-friendly drinks are most definitely the “Goth latte” (charcoal-infused) and the “Rose latte” (rose syrup and rose petals). Both are delicious, and worth a photo. Overall, it’s a nice place to check out!
Nearest Subway: Eglinton
Locations:
174 Eglinton Avenue Eeast
Noteworthy Feature:
If you want authentic Turkish coffee, look no further than here!
*4. J.J. Bean (Now closed)
NOTE: Due to COVID19, the J.J. Bean at Yonge & Eglinton has unfortunately closed. There are still other J.J. Bean locations in Toronto, and Vancouver.
(Originally a Vancouver based coffee shop, J.J. Bean has brought some of its charm to the 6ix with multiple locations. Great brews, and a slew of delicious treats and bites that cater to Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten-Free customers, there isn’t much with which to find fault with this café.
It’s an optimal space in which to work, with spacious tables that can fit both a textbook and a laptop. There are outlets if you’re planning on staying for a substantial amount of time.. Bonus points for the Wheelchair accessible table and washroom!)
You can read about J.J. Bean and other great studying coffee shops by pressing this link.
Nearest Subway:
Locations:
—
197 Bartley Drive (Uptown)
2 St Clair Avenue West (Midtown)
130 Adelaide Street West (Downtown)
390 Bay Street (Downtown)
Noteworthy Feature:
There is always a large selection of in-house baked goods available.
5. The Social Blend
The newest Midtown café on this list is none other than The Social Blend. Don’t let it’s newbie status fool you, though - this coffee shop packs a mighty punch!
They do their bit of good by supporting local roasters. Their smooth beverages begin with delicious beans from Hatch Crafted.
They’ve begun to offer treats, and you can find typical café fare such as croissants and muffins on which to nibble. A unique touch is that they offer to heat them up for your before serving; yummy!
If you’re gluten-intolerant and crave something sweet, they also serve Korean macarons in a variety of delicious flavours - matcha, strawberry, and peach, to name just a few.
The best part? They are open LATE! It’s rare to find such a great uptown find open from 7:00 am to 9:00 p.m. daily. Both students and professionals alike can enjoy the space to motivate their minds late into the night. The plethora of outlets helps a great deal, too.
I can’t wait to see this new place grow!
Click here to discover other late-night coffee shops, and press here for other midtown coffee shops worth checking out.
Nearest Subway: Eglinton
Location:
130 Eglinton Avenue East
Noteworthy Feature:
The “Social Wall” is a fun way for the customers to advertise their own “social” word about something important to them. Fun!
OK… BUT WHAT DO I PUT INTO GOOGLE MAPS?
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