Top 10 Toronto Downtown Coffee Shops & Cafés
Downtown Toronto has an excellent café culture. There are so many wonderful spots, but I have done my best to make a list of the Top 10 coffee shops I think are well worth putting on your TO Coffee Bucket List!
As well, while we all enjoy a nice coffee spot Downtown, don’t forget to also check out the best Uptown cafés once you’re done:
ethica Coffee roasters
One of my absolute favourite downtown cafés for the coffees themselves is Ethica Coffee Roasters!
Ethica have a global view of coffee, and make it a mission to provide the best beans the world has to offer to it’s consumers. The beans are expertly brewed each and every time. I’ve been many times, and nothing has been short of excellent.
In their own words, they view ethically sourcing and roasting coffee beans as “an art form in its own right.”
Too busy to sit in? Go ahead and buy of their beans to taste some art. You have choices from all over the world, each with a myriad of delightful profiles, so you’re bound to find one you enjoy.
And if you have some time before/ after grabbing your coffee - check out the nearby MOCA (pun surprisingly not intended).
One not to be missed!
Nearest Subway: Dundas West
Location:
213 Sterling Road
Noteworthy Feature:
The industrial complex in which it is found has a great photo studio (Preto Loft) and dress rental service (The Fitzroy).
third wave coffee inc.
A specialty thirdwave coffee spot, Third Wave Coffee Inc. puts the focus on the drink (look at that art)!
Although this café is small, the airy space has large windows and lofty ceilings which makes it feel like an extension of outside. The seating area is dainty in size, which makes this café perfect for chatting with friends or family, or bringing a date. Need an ice breaker? The mural on the wall is an easy focal point from which to inspire creativity.
Good coffee and good vibes - what else do you want?
Nearest Subway: Queen
Location:
42 Church Street
Noteworthy Feature:
The mural!
Fika Coffee
Fika: the Swedish verb that describes the act of going out to get a coffee and a treat with friends.
This café embodies the spirit of the word, offering a cozy and modern spot in which to participe in the Swedish pastime.
Relax and have a Swedish-inspired baked good, such as Darla horse cookie, a ginger snap, or even a cinnamon bun. There is usually even a flourless espresso brownie to allow gluten-intolerant folks to enjoy that fika feeling. The treats are made from scratch by the café, so they taste very fresh!
When it comes to the coffee, FIKA Coffee nails the high expectations the moniker sets for it. Their typical coffee offerings (espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, etc…) are not bitter, and are pleasant to drink. If you’re adventurous with your coffee choices, they also also have a range of “unique” drinks such as their lavender white hot chocolate (delicious!) And their cardamon spiced latte.
The ambiance of the café needs to be mentioned. Firstly, it’s located inside of one of the colourful Kensington townhouses. Big check ✓. Secondly, it has a number of different types of cozy seating, inside and outside. Big check ✓. Thirdly, there are fun knickknacks and pieces of art (the horse eyes, the book wall, the Darla horses) all around the café. Big check ✓. Even if you’re not a fan of the coffee itself, the café is worth visiting for the environment itself.
FIKA, being named after the act of getting coffee, has high expectations. I am pleased to say that they definitely nail them! It’s a great café, and a wonderful downtown choice for those seeking a coffee break when they’re near Kensington Market.
Nearest Subway: St. Patrick —> Take 505 streetcar to Spadina Avenue
Location:
28 Kensington Avenue
Noteworthy Feature:
There is a patio out front and out back, meaning there’s plenty of seating if you enjoy sipping & eating outside.
Stereo coffee roasters
Stereo Coffee Roasters is an impressive coffee roastery in Toronto. In my honest opinion, it easily holds it’s own with some of the so-called ‘best cafés’ in the city.
The owner Geoff is incredibly kind and welcoming. He is also highly knowledgeable and highly skilled in regards to coffee, and his genuine love of the café and the craft of coffee production is evident in everything he does.
From the design of the interior, the coffee bean labels, and even the coffee beans themselves, Stereo is a magnificent establishment that I highly encourage any coffee fan in the GTA to check out. You won't be disappointed!
Highly, highly recommended.
Nearest Subway: Keele
Location:
40 Cawthra Avenue
Noteworthy Feature:
There is home-brewed coffee-infused chocolate bars for sale (using Echo chocolate)
Pilot Coffee Roasters
What began as one Leslieville café - the well-known Te Aro - led to the creation of Pilot Coffee Roasters. This Ossington café is one of the major players in Toronto’s downtown café scene, as it is a full roastery, brewery, and a provider of training for future baristas-to-be.
Pilot prides themselves on their “transparency in the process from farm to cup”. They are careful to only source ethical and Direct Trade coffee, so you can feel good about the cup from which you’re drinking.
The Ossington store is minimalistic yet stylish. You can feel like a proper “cool” Torontonian sipping away at a flat white on a marble tabletop with plants, underneath an industrial-esque ceiling with a design of their signature paper planes.
The coffee itself is some of the best the city has to offer (unsurprising as it is a roastery). I have never had a bad cup when I’ve visited, and I have a feeling it’s going to remain that way. However, when it comes to snacks, I must confess their offerings have never excited me. Despite this, I must commend them for the options they do have as there are items appropriate for Gluten-Free / Vegetarian / Vegan individuals.
Even if you’re not a fan of sitting in coffee shops, it’s worth heading on over to Pilot Coffee Roasters to buy some of their premium beans to use in the comfort of your own home. Otherwise, head over to their Ossington shop and enjoy a crisp caffeinated beverage underneath their aesthetically pleasing ceiling!
Nearest Subway: Ossington
Location:
117 Ossington Avenue
Noteworthy Feature:
Pilot Coffee Roasters make some of the best beans in the city, and they sell plenty of options for those who like to make their own brews at home.
The Library Specialty Coffee
It will be no surprise why The Library Specialty Coffee bears that name when you taste said coffee.
This narrow coffee shop just a few steps away from the AGO has an minimalistic black-and-white interior that focuses on the little details. It would be any hipster’s dream. A few touches of greenery and glass-and-cotton flowers keep it feeling fresh.
The baked goods offered are simple, but filing and suitable for hungry individuals who are vegan / vegetarian / gluten-free. They aren’t made in-house, but they’re sourced from a variety of different places.
On to the main draw: the coffee! The Library Speciality Coffee shines in this respect, concocting excellent cups with remarkable art. Their caffeinated beverages have just a touch of bitterness. They’re complex, and are very pleasant to drink overall. It’s clear that the baristas and owners care about the quality of what they brew.
They roast their own beans, and you can see their roastery through the glass windows at the back of the store. If you enjoyed what you drank, you can even pick up your own beans for use at home (I recommend this!).
If a good cup of coffee matters to you, The Library Speciality Coffee might be just what you need to check-out (get it… the library… check-out? Ok. No regrets).
Nearest Subway: St Patrick Station
Location:
281 Dundas Street West
Noteworthy Feature:
The café is only a few minutes walk away from the AGO - a great stop before or after visiting the art museum!
NEO Coffee Bar
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!
Nearest Subway: King —> Take 504A or 504B streetcar to Sherbourne Street
Location:
100-161 Frederick Street
Noteworthy Feature:
All desserts are made in-house, and there is always a “dessert of the month” - a reason to come back!
HotBlack Coffee
HotBlack Coffee is a hot coffee shop downtown near the Sony Centre for the Arts. The shop - a mix of red, black, and wood furnishings - is immensely cool. HotBlack boldly proclaims they are a #NoWifi café, and besides the communal table or the picnic benches on their patio, the small counter spaces make it virtually impossible to put a laptop down.
This is not a place you visit to work or study; it’s a café you bring either a date or a friend for a great chat, or yourself to ponder your existence for a moment, or look up some memes on your phone.
Hot Black does have some of their own “speciality” drinks, but I personally don’t enjoy them as much as their regular caffeinated offerings. The only one I may recommend is the “Green Eye Latte” which is a mint-based coffee concoction.
One huge draw for me is their food selection - there is always a lot cakes and cookies which cater to a lot of different diets. They’ve chosen to source their food from some very great places, and most of the options are quite flavourful.
My favourite (a gluten-intolerant individual) include the walnut butter square, and the date square. Joel (as a non gluten-intolerant individual) tends to favour their brownies and the date square.
Overall, a great café with a cool vibe and yummy treats.
Location:
245 Queen Street West
Noteworthy Feature:
Bonus points for their outdoor seating space! They even offer blankets in the colder months so it can still be enjoyed
Sam James Coffee Bar (Harbord)
Sam James coffee shops have been around in Toronto since 2009. As such, it’s not surprising the native Canadian brand makes a good cup of coffee.
Using their own roasted beans (they’ve been in the roasting business since 2013), their cups of coffee are balanced, taste good, and usually feature pleasing coffee art.
I’m very partial to the Harbord location downtown as the baristas really known their stuff. As well, the space itself is well designed. The minimalistic decor mixed with the unique black-and-white mural make it a thrilling environment in which to drink a coffee.
As for the tasty treats, Sam James have a couple of options available. There are usually a few things that their Vegan / Vegetarian / Gluten-Free customers can enjoy.
If you’re looking for a cool interior to mix along with your well-made coffee, head on over to Sam James Coffee Bar, and have a great time.
Nearest Subway: Wellesley —> Take 94A bus to Manning Avenue
Location:
297 Harbord Street
Noteworthy Feature:
The location has a great interior; the black-and-white wall is fun to look at.
Arvo Coffee
If you prefer your coffee shops more Aussie than Scandic, Arvo Coffee is ready to welcome you. The Distillery District has a few coffee shops, but none I find as cozy as Arvo.
Nestled inside a brick building, the café is a homely and comfy place in which to study, meet up with a friend, or read a book. It’s very “chill”, but I enjoy that when mixed with a busy day in Toronto’s distillery.
The café has a number of baked goods, and they do take into account their Vegetarian / Vegan/ Gluten-free clients. My favourite treat to grab is the matcha cookies; it’s just so deliciously green!
Their coffee is high-quality, and tastes a teensy bit bitter, which is quite typical in Australian cafés. The thing I find most pleasant about their coffee is the container in which it is served; the earthen cups with grooves that perfectly mould to the palm of your hand make it such a joy to sip. They also sell the cups, if you’ve been as seduced by them as I clearly have been.
Another cool tidbit is that Arvo is just outside of the Distillery District’s famous “Heart” sculpture - take that perfect Instagram photo and then reward yourself with a lovely latte and matcha cookie.
Whether it’s the arvo or the morning, Arvo Coffee is a restful place to check out. There’s treats, there’s coffee, and there’s good times to be had!
Nearest Subway: King —> Take the 504A or 504B streetcar to Parliament Street
Location:
17 Gristmill Lane
Noteworthy Feature:
Arvo hosts monthly live music shows in their café - how awesome is that?!
IN MEMORIAM
(CAFES THAT CLOSED)
Odin Café + Bar
Coffee shop by day and bar by night, the Nordic-inspired Odin Espresso is by far one of the most aesthetically pleasing cafés in Toronto.
Stencilled in graffiti on the walls and angular architecture detailing throughout the café make this a really trendy and hip spot to check out. I took longer to finish my drink because I was mesmerized by the interior!
The coffee shop is definitely “cool” and with the times, serving an only plant-based menu and being fully cashless. Vegans (and vegetarians) can rejoice as the only milk options are Oat, Almond, and Soy. They also have partnered up with Toronto heavyweights Bunner’s Bake Shop, Tori’s Bakeshop and Donut Monster to provide their animal-free bites.
Odin’s sister café Thor Espresso Bar is also worth checking out, but I must confess my heart rests with Odin!
Nearest Subway: Queen —> Take the 501 streetcar to Neville Park
Location:
514 King Street East
Noteworthy Feature:
This coffee shop is, in my opinion, one of the most architecturally interesting in all of Toronto.
Tandem Coffee
The Corktown coffee shop makes great cups of coffee out of beans from Cut Coffee, Detour Coffee, or Pig Iron Coffee Roasters. They also source their dairy from local producers Kawartha Dairy and Hewitt’s Dairy. Love that!
Tandem Coffee, named for the tandem bicycle seen outside, is a retro-inspired café that is both comfy and quirky.
Their coffees taste fantastic, and one of my friends has even said they are “my favourite looking coffees in all of the GTA”. Bold praise!
Outstanding service awaits you when you walk in, and there are options for those with vegan/ vegetarian/ gluten-free diets.
The only downsides (or upsides from a different perspective) that I can’t mention are that it is cash-only, and there is no wifi. If you don’t mind paying with good ol’ bills and spending some time unconnected from the stresses of the internet, it can actually be quite nice.
The space itself is very homely and comfortable, and I like the amount of light streaming in coupled with the potted plants.
If you’re looking for a different type of drink, I’d suggest ordering the Black Sesame latte. It’s delicious!
Nearest Subway: 368 King Street East
Location:
368 Queen Street East
Noteworthy Feature:
The service is super friendly and makes for a very relaxed atmosphere.
StrangeLove Coffee
It’s not strange to grab a coffee downtown, so why not try out Strange Love Coffee for your fix?
The brand claims to “obsess” over coffee much in the same way a sommelier might obsess over wine. I must say, their coffees do show off that dedication to the craft of brewing! Whether you want something more traditional (latte, cappuccino, espresso, etc…), or you’re feeling more adventurous (blue latte, anyone?), Strange Love has plenty of drink options from which to choose.
They also have an impressive stock of snacks that are appropriate for multiple diets. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free individuals will find something for them to nibble on. Do be warned: their treats tend to sell out quickly, so you may not get something if you go later on in the day! On top of muffins, croissants, and cookies, I have also seen Mary’s Brigadeiro’s sold here. If you’ve never had one, I highly recommend trying one as they are delicious!
The café doesn’t have many places to sit. It also has fairly small tables, and limited outlets. It’s not the place to go to if you want to study or get some work done, but it is great for take-out, or a good chat.
If you’re in the Entertainment District, give this coffee shop a try. And who knows? You might just find yourself strangely loving Strange Love!
Click here if you want to discover other amazing coffee shops in Toronto’s Entertainment District.
Location:
101 Spadina Avenue
627 Queen Street West
1055 Yonge Street (this one is small and attached to a Freshii)
Noteworthy Feature:
The café has a fabulous “Toronto” mural outside that would light up any Instagram feed! Grab a photo with it after grabbing a coffee and a snack.
Ok… but what do I put into Google Maps?
Thank you for reading, lovely! Happy sipping!
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