My Favourite Coffee Shops in Toronto (Part 1)

I’ve spent the past six months religiously exploring the streets of Downtown Toronto, making an effort to check off my list of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops to try while also revisiting my tried-and-true spots.

A common thread across my travels has been the variety of beautiful coffee shops I continue to come across. It seems as though whenever I visit the city, there is a new coffee shop at every corner, each one competing with the last in terms of unique design, new menus, and strategic marketing.

Welcome to part one of my coffee shop series, where I’ll introduce you to my favourite spots in the city.

1) Botanic Coffee and Caphe

During the spring, I came across a post online announcing the opening of a new cafe on Queen Street West. I wouldn’t say I’m easily influenced, however, social media did a pretty good job at building the hype around this new, majestic cafe. The line that sold me: “vintage library meets a botanical garden.” Good coffee and beautiful aesthetics will always be a winning combo.

As soon as you walk in, your eyes will meet the record-lined wall, which if you admire anything nostalgic like I do, will leave you in awe. You will be distracted for a brief moment until you’re brought back to reality by the barista’s enthusiastic “hi there!”

You’ll walk up to the counter finding yourself in awe yet again, this time, at the unique selection of treats and drinks. Rather than opting for a vanilla latte, I ordered an iced lavender latte. The first and only other time I had tried a lavender coffee was in Seattle, two years ago. It remains the drink to beat, however one thing Botanic Coffee and Caphe has mastered is its artistic designs.

I’ll let the photos do the talking …

2) Pilot Coffee Roasters

With multiple locations across the city and the GTA at large, I find myself returning to Pilot Coffee Roasters when I’m in need of a pick-me-up. I’ve become a fan of their iced matcha lattes, ordering a “dash” of syrup for minimal sweetness, milk, and extra matcha powder because… you can never have too much.

If you’re downtown, you can find Pilot on Richmond, Bay, Ossington, and Front Street. The Ossington location has my heart, as it makes for a great work and study space with lots of seating and sunlight. It’s also surrounded by many other shops to stroll through as you sip your drink.

3) Quantum Coffee

A recent discovery that has now become one of my favourites – Quantum Coffee. Nestled in The Well, this coffee shop is lowkey and tucked away, yet it still has everything you need. Therein lies a long table for collaborative work, and a smaller one by the window with outlets, if you need more privacy. While I can’t call myself a matcha expert, I will say Quantum Coffee is up there on my list of delicious iced matcha lattes.

4) Rooms Coffee

If you frequent Ossington Avenue, it’s likely you’ve walked past Rooms Coffee. It has a great vibe for a casual hangout, coffee date, or solo adventure. Chess lovers will appreciate the chessboard that sits on the coffee table near the entrance. I don’t play chess, however it’s one of the pieces of decor that stands out to me the most.

As someone who loves to people-watch, I also appreciate the large windows at the front that overlook Ossington Avenue. On a nice summer day, it makes for the perfect spot to sit and take in the city.

Stay with me, there’s more! Tucked away, past the wall of merch, behind the cash register, through the corridor, and slightly behind the washrooms, you’ll meet the back patio. A quiet, outdoor sanctuary where you can enjoy the weather.

The overall atmosphere is very cozy and relaxed. Word on the street is, Joe Jonas is pretty fond of this spot too!