Coffeeshops in Toronto change more frequently than any other kind of establishment. I can barely keep up, but this evergreen list is the best I can offer! The quality of the coffee, tea and alternative beverage offerings is more than anything, but the seating, comfort, food, style and fun factors are important components as well.
If you’re not sure of where to go in general, I would suggest the Ossington Strip, Kensington Market, Queen St. West, or Baldwin St. if you want to just take a wander.
Tried and True:
- Rooms Coffee (135 Ossington, 915 Dupont and 17 Baldwin): The original 135 Ossington location has finally expanded to Dupont and Baldwin St. and each has a unique flavour and texture. Some may say these are more a vibe than a coffee shop, but I think these are fun, moody and stylish places that you can safely bring all your coffee connoisseur friends to. Potential drawback: These curated little spaces can be a little intimidating for some who prefer something more streamlined or simple.
- Cafe 23: The cutest little cafe with an oasis of a garden in the heart of the Queen West neighbourhood. Equally great for a date or an afternoon outing with kids. Potential drawback: It’s such a popular (social media-wise) spot. For anyone with sensory or accessibility concerns, the space is very narrow.
- The Library Specialty Coffee: The pourovers and flat whites here are just the best, and you’ll never get a bad cup at this tiny coffeshop near the Art Gallery of Ontario. Potential drawback: There is only a tiny communal window bench for seating.
- Three Dots Coffee: If you want to experience more of a “lab like” form of coffee artistry combined with a touch of Taiwanese coffee hospitality, come check out the space at Three Dots! Potential drawback: Do NOT come here if you just want a “simple cup of coffee”. Everything here is an over-the-top experience on purpose for those who really want to explore.
- Neo Coffee Bar: This Japanese coffee shop is a beautiful and slick place to go to read your Monocle or Walrus magazine in your raw silk pants and turtle-shell glasses, if the need arises. They’ve recently expanded to five locations in Toronto, but the original Old Town location is still my favourite. Potential drawback: They expressly prefer people to come and chat with their friends or read a book rather than camp out to work on their thesis.
- Spaccio/Sud Forno: What you need to know if you’re visiting Toronto is that the Terroni family of restaurants is one of the most important institutions in the city! They have many spaces by many names, but all consistent in quality and authentic Italian flavour. You’ll find me at Spaccio and Sud Forno locations more than any others. Chu on This Studio cards can be found here on occasion as well! Potential drawback: Just Italian standard, so don’t come looking for like a mixed matcha banana drink if you know what your life is worth.
- Cafe Zuzu: This place is sort of a not-so-hidden gem that has become the unofficial meeting place for study buddies and run club friends. The espresso drinks are great, but it is the rotating pizza and breakfast sandwiches you should really be excited about. Indoor and patio seating available in the summer, and the cafe is connected to the full-service Italian restaurant. Potential drawback: The location is in the East End and not close to much else.
- Cafe Panemar: An old favourite in Kensington Market, especially for their patio in the summer. They also host events at night and have a strong social-justice bent. Potential drawback: The narrow space design can be a bit claustrophobic, especially in the winter. Not very many food options.
- FIKA Cafe: This Kensington spot has pretty good coffee, but the Scandinavian hygge and cardamom cinnamon buns are really what keeps me coming back. Potential drawback: This café is not wheelchair accessible, and only half the spots are good to sit in.
- Arvo Coffee: With a location in the Distillery and in Liberty Village, definitely seek this coffeeshop out over the other coffeeshop options in the neighbourhood! Potential drawback: I love Arvo, but it’s more of a great place among many options in the city that I would only go to if I happened to be in the Distillery or Liberty already.
- Rooster Coffee House: With cozy Persian rugs and various kinds of seating, the Rooster locations are some of the best coffeeshops to hit up on the East End (two locations), and their baked goods selection is very generous. Potential drawback: These spaces are not designed for working or for sitting a long time.
- De Mello: This is the place I usually stop in when I’m in the Yonge and Eglinton area, or in the Well, but there are a total of four locations now in Toronto. They are obsessed with their brewing process, and have great beans for purchase. Potential drawback: The walk down the stairs to the Yonge-Eg bathroom is treacherous, and I’m not exaggerating.
Honourable Mentions:
- Fahrenheit Coffee: The staff here are so friendly, you might think that there’s a little something-something in the coffee (or their addictive scones). But as you’ll soon learn, it’s just a really happy place near Church and Lombard (they now have other locations) with really great beans. Potential drawback: There’s very little seating here.
- Boxcar Social: This place is so very Toronto. With locations in Rosedale, on Temperance Street and Harbourfront, they have overhauled and significantly improved every space they take over. They are fully licensed and even have charcuterie board and other substantial food options as well. Potential drawback: Some of their staff are a little bit too obsessed with their coffee.
- Morning Parade Coffee Bar: I’m biased because Chu on This Studio has been featured here for their local artist program, but these coffee shops are very cute (great patio!) and important community institutions for the Upper Beaches/Trinity Bellwoods spaces they occupy. Potential drawback: Not close to many other things.
- Dineen Coffee: This place got me through my bar exams, and is still one of the best places on Yonge St/Temperance St. Now, you can also find locations in Commerce Court, and their newer outpost on Gerrard St E. Potential drawback: It’s literally always crammed and has become very corporate in its vibe over the years.
- Hailed Coffee: This place gets top spot on honourable mentions not just for their great coffee, but also for their Arabic flavour profiles and chocolate! Potential drawback: Their College Park location is hard to find and located right beside a large parking garage. No seating.
- Ninetails Coffee Bar: A French-Japanese modern specialty coffee bar in Koreatown. Potential drawback: Very narrow and small seating options for anyone who has a taller or stronger build.
- Rustle & Still: This is a Vietnamese Coffee Shop in Koreatown with really cute elements that will make you feel like you’re on a little adventure. Fun menu items change often. Potential drawback: You have to go up some stairs to get in, and they often run out of the food items you might have wanted.
- The Lobby at The Ace Hotel: This is a beautiful multi-use space where you might come as a tourist or to feel like a tourist in your own city. The coffee and food options are very lovely, and it’s a great place to come to write a few lines of poetry or conduct a casual business meeting. Potential drawback: This is still technically the lobby of a boutique hotel and not everyone will be using the space with the same intention. It is also getting more and more crowded.
- Bloom Cafe: Matcha lovers, you have to come here! Pair your tea with a Japanese cream puff or éclair and life is good. Potential drawback: There is not as much of a focus on coffee.
- Sam James Coffee Bar: These guys are a trendy-but-accessible operation that’s very minimalist in their approach to coffee and decor. I used to go to the one in the PATH on an almost daily basis for a Flat White with my Aussie friends. Potential drawback: It is usually a little hectic around here, and some of the locations are not up to the same quality as the others.
- Pilot Coffee Roasters: You can find Pilot Coffee in various locations now, but location that used to be Te Aro in Leslieville is still the heart of the operation (in my opinion). Potential drawback: Now that they have so many locations, there is much more standardization and each place feels less special.
- Dark Horse Espresso Bar: A long-time favourite back when coffee culture in Toronto was still considered an up-and-coming thing. The Spadina location is my favourite. Potential drawback: Some of the locations are way too dark to read or work in.
- The Common: This coffee shop (one on College, and one on Bloor) is so unpretentious and so casual, you might think that they’re putting on an act, but I’m (pretty) sure they’re not. Potential drawback: Cash only, and a slight “regulars only” vibe.
- Versus Coffee: This coffee shop has a great patio and a fun vibe just outside the Financial District. Potential drawback: The tables are a little smaller and unstable, which can make it difficult to balance your drink and/or book and/or laptop at the same time.
- Jimmy’s Coffee: If you can handle the overly friendly vibes, you’re going to like it here. Many Torontonians are fiercely defensive of this coffee franchise. Potential drawback: The seating is awkward and you may have to fight for it.
On My Radar:
- Coffee Dak Lak
- Subtext Coffee
- Understory Cafe
- Reunion Island
- Hale Coffee
Last updated: August 2026