Top 10 Toronto Late-Night Independent Coffee Shops & Cafés
Cafés that close early are so 2008, and sometimes you just want something that’s open more 200-late (ok, sorry for that horrendous Black Eyed Peas reference).
The coffee shops & cafés mentioned are all independent (not franchises like Timmies or Starbucks). My criteria for this list? The main function of each spot must be caffeinated beverages (no board games cafés suggested here, though I do love those) that are open until at least 8:00 p.m.
If you need that extra time to study, work, or bullet-journal it up, here are my picks for the night owl caffeine spots!
If you want more specific suggestions based on your location, press one of the links below:
1. Pilot Coffee Roasters (Ossington)
Operating Hours: Friday (7:30a.m.–8p.m.) Saturday (8a.m.–8p.m.) Sunday (8a.m.–6p.m.) Monday (7:30a.m.–6p.m.) Tuesday (7:30a.m.–6p.m.) Wednesday (7:30a.m.–8p.m.) Thursday (7:30a.m.–8p.m.)
Pilot Coffee Roasters’ beans are well sought-after in Toronto, and many cafés across the 6ix make use of them (Odin Espresso, FIKA, Voodoo Child Espresso & Cocktail Bar, etc…). As such, it is no surprise that you can expect quality when ordering a cup of coffee directly from Pilot’s own shop.
Their roasted beans are delicious, and the brand prides themselves on “sourcing ethical, Direct Trade coffee and building transparency in the process from farm to cup.”
The café on Ossington is open late, and the airy space helps fuel the mind and soul.
Pilot Coffee Roasters’ beans make your taste buds soar, and I enjoy the flight with each sip I take. Check it out!
Location:
117 Ossington Avenue
Noteworthy Feature:
Pilot use and sell their own roasted coffee beans, which, I need to mention, are fantastic!
2. Voodoo Child Espresso & Cocktail Bar
Operating Hours: Friday (7:30a.m.–2a.m.) Saturday (8:30a.m.–2a.m.) Sunday (8:30a.m.–8p.m.) Monday (7:30a.m.–8p.m.) Tuesday (7:30a.m.–8p.m.) Wednesday (7:30a.m.–8p.m.) Thursday (7:30a.m.–1a.m.)
This rustic café in Little Italy is as cool as it’s name. A comfortable space, this small café has free wifi and cozy seating. Whether you want to sit by yourself, with a date, or at the communal table in order to make friends, there’s an option for you!
The café makes excellent cups of coffee, and you can pick between Pilot Coffee beans, or De Mello Palheta beans.
The real stellar part of the café-cum-bar are the SKULL CUPS that can hold either caffeinated beverages or alcoholic ones. One thing to note is it doesn’t accept card under $5.00, so be aware of that if you don’t tend to bring any cash with you.
Shoutout to the barista who offered me a free class of cream! I felt like a cat, it was great. A-meow-zing!
Press here for more information on Voodoo Child and other coffee shop offerings.
Location:
388 College Street
Noteworthy Feature:
After hours, this place switches up it’s brews for cocktails! They also have these badass skull mugs that are worth ordering for the aesthetic value alone.
3. The Social Blend
Operating Hours: Daily 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The newest 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.
The Social Blend is quickly cementing its status as a mighty midtown café that’s open late (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 and evolve over time, especially as a powerhouse in the uptown/ midtown café scene.
Here’s a link to more uptown/ midtown coffee shop recommendations.
Location:
130 Eglinton Avenue East
Noteworthy Feature:
The Social Wall is a fun way to advertise your Instagram, Facebook page, or website. Just write your information on the sticky notes provided and post away on their (actual) wall!
4. Istanbul Café & Espresso Bar
Operating Hours: Friday (7a.m.–10p.m.) Saturday (8a.m.–10p.m.) Sunday (9a.m.–8p.m.) Monday (7a.m.–9p.m.) Tuesday (7a.m.–9p.m.) Wednesday (7a.m.–9p.m.) Thursday (7a.m.–9p.m.)
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!
Click here for more uptown/ midtown coffee shop suggestions.
Locations:
174 Eglinton Avenue East
Noteworthy Feature:
This café makes some of the best Turkish Coffee you can get in Toronto. Give it a try (if you can handle strong coffee!)
5. NEO Coffee Bar
Operating Hours: Friday (7a.m.–8p.m.) Saturday (8a.m.–8p.m.) Sunday (8a.m.–8p.m.) Monday (7a.m.–8p.m.) Tuesday (7a.m.–8p.m.) Wednesday (7a.m.–8p.m.) Thursday (7a.m.–8p.m.)
NEO Coffee Bar is one coffee shop that never disappoints. Time and time again, they offer well-made coffee, tea, matcha lattes, and treats. This has kept me coming back, and I certainly don’t plan on stopping my visits anytime soon.
The interior is minimalistic and cirsp. I always feel like I’ve been transported into a nearby future whenever I pop in.
Two of their offerings that I highly recommend are their expertly-prepared genmaicha (Japanese brown rice green tea) or matcha lattes.
They also have an open food prepartion station, in which you can watch their in-house patissiers preparing roll cakes or other baked goods. I highly recommend picking one up, as they’re always fresh & flavourful. They have gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, in case you require it. Their dark chocolate orange roll cake is good enough for even non-gluten free palettes to enjoy!
Location:
100-161 Frederick Street
Click here for more on NEO and other cute downtown coffee shop suggestions.
Noteworthy Feature:
If you want some excellent matcha tea (not only matcha lattes, but prepared matcha tea), make sure not to skip going to NEO!
6. White Squirrel Coffee Shop
Operating Hours: Friday (7:30a.m.–8:30p.m.) Saturday (8a.m.–8:30p.m.) Sunday (8a.m.–8:30p.m.) Monday (7:30a.m.–8:30p.m.) Tuesday (7:30a.m.–8:30p.m.) Wednesday (7:30a.m.–8:30p.m.) Thursday (7:30a.m.–8:30p.m.)
Right next to Trinity Bellwoods Park lies White Squirrel Coffee Shop.
The small café has a nice upper level that overlooks the main bar, and is a welcome place in which to work, study, or chat away with a friend. The shades of beige are sure to inspire colourful thoughts within.
The coffee is organic, and I’ve enjoyed every drink I’ve tried there. As for food, White Squirrel offers scoops from Greg’s Ice Cream, as well as a few sweets and sandwiches.
If you’re planning to peruse to park at night, White Squirrel might just be the perfect place for you to pop in the evening!
Location:
907 Queen Street West
Noteworthy Feature:
The large map on the wall is very impressive and fun to see!
7. JeT Fuel Coffee
Operating Hours: Daily 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Fuel up your late-nights with a trip to Jet Fuel Coffee.
This cash-only café in Cabbagetown is very hip, thanks to it’s red walls plastered with art. It’s a very relaxing establishment, with staff who exude calmness and a welcoming attitude.
Their house-baked pastries, while perhaps not as sophisticated as other shops mentioned on this list, are a welcome addition to any of their caffeinated beverages. They also have flourless options that are perfect for gluten-intolerant individuals.
For a relaxed place to study or browse your laptop, give Jet Fuel Coffe a go! I was certainly in a pleasant mood after visiting.
Location:
519 Parliament Street
Noteworthy Feature:
It’s all cash-based here! The art on the walls makes it a chill place in which to work.
8. Boxcar Social
Operating Hours: Friday (8a.m.–2a.m.) Saturday (8a.m.–2a.m.) Sunday (8a.m.–8p.m.) Monday (8a.m.–5p.m.) Tuesday (8a.m.–12a.m.) Wednesday (8a.m.–12a.m.) Thursday (8a.m.–12a.m.)
Find a more detailed review of Boxcar Social with the link below: https://www.sarahfreia.com/blog/cafe-boxcarsocial or press here for more uptown / midtown café suggestions.
Café during the day, and bar at night, Boxcar Social has perfectly that effortlessly cool vibe. If a mad scientist fused together potted plants, smooth coffee roasts, bricks, a laissez-faire attitude, and a hefty amount of wood, they’d end up with the perfect recipe for Boxcar Social! There are also delicious Paleo/ Gluten Free/ Vegan/ Vegetarian desserts and nibbles available.
This café is the closest to “downtown” on our list, but it still manages to be an easy-to-access uptown area thanks to a location that’s only a minute walk away from Summerhill Subway Station
Locations:
1208 Yonge Street
(Downtown: 70 Temperance Street)
(Downtown: 4 Boulton Avenue)
Fashion Show or Café?
Its faux, friends
Noteworthy Feature:
They host a free coffee cupping every Saturday that is well worth visiting!
9. Jimmy’s Coffee
Operating Hours: Daily 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
With multiple locations across Toronto, it’s no secret that Jimmy’s has established itself as a consistently good coffee spot in the city. With each location being cozy and comfortable, it’s very easy to pop by any of these cafés with friends, a good book, or your laptop as company for a couple of hours.
Vegan/ vegetarian/ gluten free options abound, and there is lot’s of seating available!
Read up on Jimmy’s Coffee and other downtown spots by pressing this link.
Locations:
107 Portland Street
100 Portland Street
191 Baldwin Street
Noteworthy Feature:
Many Jimmy’s Coffee outposts have an upper level, which is excellent for those looking for a more secluded space in which to work or chat.
10. GoldStruck Coffee
Operating Hours: Friday (7a.m.–9p.m.) Saturday (8a.m.–9p.m.) Sunday (8a.m.–9p.m.) Monday (7a.m.–9p.m.) Tuesday (7a.m.–9p.m.) Wednesday (7a.m.–9p.m.) Thursday (7a.m.–9p.m.)
Strike gold on that test or project by picking Goldstruck as your working space. This Yorkville café has plenty of seating and laptop-friendly to entice even the least motivated of workers.
The local art on the walls helps elevate this space, and makes it that much cooler than your local library study spot.
Read up on good study cafés like Goldstruck by pressing this link.
Location:
130 Cumberland Street
Noteworthy Feature:
The communal table at the back offers lots of space on which to work or study.
Ok… but what do I put into Google Maps?
Thank you for reading, lovely!
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