REVIEW: COFFEE IN TORONTO

I’m not sure about you, but since I started working downtown, going out for coffee has become part of the workplace culture, and sometimes it’s used as an alternative to virtual meetings. Therefore, I compiled a list of over 40 different places where I tried coffee and added some notes about each one in case you’re interested in checking them out. Keep in mind, I am using Union Station as the base location and comparing the distance (hence the different sections) from there, and there are probably several other cafes I did not include, but this is just from my personal experience from going to get coffee while walking from Union Station or Sankofa Square (Formerly known as Yonge-Dundas). Before you read below, make sure to follow on social media (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook) for more food content! For a visual preview of what to expect, watch the video below!

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Less than a minute (Inside Union Station)

• Amano Italian Kitchen: I used to come here in the mornings, but I will be honest, I stopped because I saw they weren’t open as early anymore. I am not sure if this is temporary, but when I did go, I used to have a loyalty stamp card and get their cappuccino, which was good, and you could also get a complimentary cannoli or biscotti. If someone can update me, that would be great, but overall, I think this pairing of the treat with the cappuccino balanced perfectly with a little sweetness that sparked your morning.
• Arabica: Believe it or not, some people don’t even know the name, but they know the symbol. There are also a few locations in Toronto, and as mentioned in a prior video, I did get their Kyoto latte, maple latte, and regular black coffee. It is really pricey, usually a line in the morning, and although it is not bad, I can’t justify going here often.
• Balzac’s: This is a spot in numerous locations and is a well-known coffee brand, but this one is in the UP Express with a great view. The drip coffee is not bad, but I prefer their maple coffee, and fyi, if you’re going to a Toronto Blue Jays game that day, show your ticket for 10% off!
• Cinnaholic: This spot is fully vegan and really affordable. Fun fact: they do have treats exclusive to Union Station!
• Egg Club: I will say their sandwiches are significantly better than the coffee, but coffee was still decent, not too bitter, but I don’t think it’s worth getting on its own, just part of a combo 
• Isabella’s: Although they are known for their mochi donuts, including the limited edition ones, I did try their Vietnamese latte, and it wasn’t worth the price unless it’s their lavender latte, which is delicious and so good, and although it was $7, it was worth every sip.
• Second Cup: I mentioned it in a freebie vlog, but after 4 pm, if you buy something else, you can get a free medium coffee, which isn’t bad. The taste is a bit generic, but the price it’s worth it!

5 minutes or less

• Olly Fresco’s (Royal Bank Plaza): This reminds me of the cafeteria and free coffee at the corporate offices, but at least they are not overcharging it. I think if you want something cheap, especially with the various breakfast options, this is decent since there is a variety you can choose from and pour yourself.
• Mos Mos (Royal Bank Plaza): I feel like there is a new location they are opening up at every corner these past two years. Nonetheless, they have a lot of interesting drinks. Their black coffee is disappointing, but something really good – white lao latte, I never had laotion coffee before and this was great.
• Louis BonBon (Royal Bank Plaza): A few months ago they had a promotion where they gave free any size americanos on Friday but unfortuantely they stopped that now and frankly, even when it was free the coffee wasn’t something I would pay for and I don’t think they really pride themselves in that as they are focused on their gelato and pastries (gelatos are really good).  
• Humble Donkey (Union Hotel): I will say the decor and coffee packaging were more memorable than the coffee itself.
• Pigeon Espresso Bar (Brookfield Place): The cafe and atmosphere are beautiful. I found that the drip coffee was decent and was good to enjoy as is, but the Vietnamese coffee was amazing. A little pricey but worth it in my opinion. 
• Brickroom (Brookfield Place): Looking back, I am not sure why I went here several times. Once is good enough. I did try their special matcha drink, but like that, their coffee is severely overpriced and not worth it. I will say that the ajumma latte was the best drink I had there, and it’s mainly the aesthetics. All other brews I had from them were difficult to finish. Also, I found that the staff weren’t the most welcoming either.

10 minutes or less

• Verda Central Coffee Roasters (Toronto Dominion Centre): This was an interesting spot that might get overlooked. It’s right beside Hometown Road Noodles and Eat Canteen, which offers a variety of Colombian coffee. I got their iced coffee, black and it wasn’t bad but I wanted to try others because this was a little too acidic for me.
• Café Plenty (Commerce Court): I went here for their coffee breakfast combo of a coffee and muffin for $5. Service wasn’t great and the deal or coffee is not something I would like to come back for.
• Lindt (First Canadian Place): You can either get the hot mocha or iced mocha and yes it’s really sweet but it also tastes really good. This is a drink I can only see myself get once a year but remember if you sign up for their rewards, you can get 10% off and a free bag of Lindor truffles for your birthday.
• Forna Cultura (First Canadian Place): I didn’t mind the regular brew; it wasn’t bad. I can see myself going here again.  
• Found Coffee (Intercontinental Hotel): I initially tried their Dubai latte, which was interesting to try but personally not worth it because there was a lot going on and hard to consume but the pumpkin spice latte was way better but also really pricey. I did mention this in my IG story, which lead to a respectful conversation between them and me where they mentioned why it is priced high, while also understanding that the price can be hard which made me respect this shop even more and encouraged me to think of going again.
• Dineen Coffee (CIBC Square): I have tried this place in both their Yonge & Adelaide location but this location right beside the Table food hall has a great view of the CN tower and during the summer a nice patio. The black coffee here isn’t bad, and the place is worth revisiting.
• Dark Horse (One York): Although I really liked their ube matcha their drip coffee is far from great and the service is even worse at this location there are a lot of rude staff and frankly regret coming here to try their drip and banana split latte (which wasn’t bad at all) but their lack of customer service just puts a bad taste in my mouth.
• Daily Ritual (One King West Hotel & Residence): Personally, I mentioned this in this video, $3.25 for a large cup of coffee in the financial district is a great price, and the taste was decent! The value for what you pay for coffee wasn’t bad either.
• Sam James Coffee Bar (150 King West): This is by far the best coffee in my opinion. They have different brews from different countries like Guatemala, Rwanda, Brazil, and more. They all have a distinct taste and richness and so far my favourite is the Colombian brew and tried the secret menu item, chocolate cappuccino which was really good. Also, despite what people say I think the staff are not rude at all at any of the times I have been.
• Bready Café (Exchange Tower): I tried their Nutella latte, it wasn’t as sweet as expected which is good but the wait time was way too long. I should’ve just gotten the drip coffee, and I enjoyed the croissant more because it felt like it was the size of a football while still being nice, airy, and crispy.
• Neo Coffee Bar (Exchange Tower): The black coffee wasn’t great but the espresso shot on its own better. I find their specialty drinks better like their matcha strawberry latte or sakura latte was more memorable. It was kind of weird how the rewards points showed up automatically when I used Apple Pay but it is easy to collect points here and so far, it has the best rewards system in this area for a coffee shop.
• El Pacho (40 University Ave): I was genuinely excited to try this place, but was so upset at myself when I realized that a basic drip coffee was $,5 which is super overpriced and confusing since they had another coffee, leche leche, that sounded more interesting and for the same price (should have tried that).
• Mofer Coffee (55 University Ave): The barista said they are known for their bullet coffee (butter coffee), which wasn’t terrible but also not too special, and the same with the pistachio latte, nothing significant. Aesthetics is a bit better than the actual coffee.
• Brandor Coffee (100 University Ave): I saw another creator post about it, so I went, but this wasn’t worth it looking back. I was intrigued by their croissant coffee combo, which was ok, but nothing special. I was genuinely more impressed with their coffee lid and basque cheesecake as mentioned in my video. Frankly, this place has better aesthetics than anything else.
• Café Lawnder (33 Yonge): In my video talking about the easter egg in the iconic dog fountain at Berczy Park, I mentioned checking out this cafe right beside which lowkey gave me Pasta Sisters vibe. I tried their halva latte because that is one of their specialties. You can taste the sesame distinctly, which does give a nice toasty taste but after some sips, I was over it.

15 Minutes or Less

• Pret A Manager (90 Adelaide St W): I have had this when in England, so it was interesting to try it here. They have a breakfast combo, which isn’t bad; it’s a croissant and coffee for $5, which is not bad but sometimes it goes over, so it would be good to know ahead of time.
• Goldstruck Coffee (133 Richmond St W): Really cool spot with a lot of interesting decor, they said their vanilla raf was popular, so I tried it. It was really good, full of flavour, but it is pricey, so it can be good once in a while.
• Freebird Market (Bay Adelaide Centre): It looked like an interesting market with a small cafe inside but nothing special, and they just put the drinks to the side without telling us.
• Dual Citizen (Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel): This place looks cool on video, but it’s just aesthetics; it’s $5 for a small black coffee, severely overpriced.
• Dispatch Coffee (390 Bay Street): I genuinely enjoyed this and love the storytelling, layout, and the cause it supports, but it’s just a bit far for me.
• Bagel & Co (Richmond Adelaide Centre): I posted about this spot before because it’s such a steal! It’s run by a husband and wife duo, I think, and the big standout is that they sell bagels and coffee for $2.99 in downtown Toronto!
• LePearl Café (15 Toronto St): I tried the Vietnamese coffee flight when they had a pop-up at the Harbourfront Centre. But they do have a physical location steps away from Union Station. My favourite coffee from theirs is the pandan coffee, a vibrant vanilla taste that pairs with the strong coffee.

More than 15 Minutes

• Gold Standard (385 Roncesvalles Ave): I also tried their pop-up at the Harbourfront Centre because I have always meant to go to their Roncy location. I love their breakfast sandwich, which might be the best in the city, and I tried their coffee too, but it was really basic.
• Coti Coffee (374 Yonge Street): There are several locations now, but besides the insanely cheap promos, such as $0.99 drinks, I needed to try Argentina’s Men’s Futbol/Soccer team drink – Pampas Blue Coco, which is beautiful and tasty.
• Hailed Coffee (44 Gerrard Street West): This Palestinian cafe has interesting finds and drinks, the latte was not bad but a little pricey.
• Jimmy’s Coffee (84 Gerrard St West): The coffee is not bad at all, in terms of taste and price, the spot has a nice charm to it (maybe that’s why Sabrina Carpenter gave it a shoutout), but it gets packed quickly. 
• Queen’s Cross Food Hall (Eaton Centre): Might be the best breakfast combo in the city for only $4, you get a decent egg sandwich (egg, cheese, tomato, onion jam) with coffee.
• 18Feet Café (144 College Street): I got the dalgona latte, and it was sweet because of the dalgona, but it wasn’t overpowering the coffee. The cafe is never overcrowded, and I really like their seasonal drinks and stuffles (waffles and croissants mixed). I am curious to try other coffee drinks from them.

Overall

All in all, I think Toronto has a lot of options when it comes to coffee, and it truly depends on what you prefer. Personally, I am considering taste, price, service, and that is why Sam James is my favourite coffee shop. In terms of breakfast combo, BagelCo takes it with Queen’s Food Hall coming second. In conclusion, these are just my opinions and honest experiences to potentially help you if you are in this area of Toronto. Don’t forget to follow for more food content by following me on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook!