Cafes

Dark Horse Espresso Bar

682 Queen Street East
Phone: 416.898.6235

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Rating: 3.0/5 (36 votes cast)

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The first thing I notice upon entering Dark Horse Espresso Bar is the huge wooden table in one corner. The thought of sitting beside strangers unnerves me, but the bar seats are all full. Co-owner Deanna Zunde says she got the idea for a communal table while traveling in Europe: "I thought Toronto could use a little more encouragement to talk to strangers in an intimate setting."

20070522_darkhorse.jpgPhoto courtesy: Tim Shore.

"I love that Dark Horse has fit so well into the neighbourhood and has become a community meeting place," says Angela Bradfield in the Dark Horse Facebook group. "The communal table is such a great concept and works like magic at connecting people."

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As baristas / owners, Deanna Zunde and Ed Lynds make the coffee themselves and offer baked treats in addition to their espresso-based drinks and teas. Lynds took second-place at the 1st Annual Toronto Life Latte Art Competition and will be competing in the National Barista Championships in September.

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I slide onto a chair at the table and focus on the artful double heart poured into the foam of my London Fog as I studiously avoid eye contact with others seated around me. A stranger across the table remarks to their companion about an article in the newspaper they're reading. A moment later, someone else a few seats away adds a comment, provoking laughter. Subtly, the atmosphere changes.

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And suddenly we're no longer just strangers sitting stiffly in the same space, pretending the others don't exist. We're chatting in the kitchen of someone's home as sunlight spills onto the table, and time slows down. Not a bad way to start the day, really.

682 Queen Street East, Hours: 7am-7pm every day

Reader Reviews and Comments

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this is my fave. new place. dependably wonderful coffees, prostar latte art, friendly staff, wifi, and communal atmosphere.

Posted by: Anonymous at June 14, 2007 1:22 AM

Love this coffee shop! Great stop as I pop up from the Don bike path at Queen Street. The wide glass is brilliant in the sun!

Posted by: Arieh Singer at July 11, 2007 2:21 PM

Great place, great vibe, really glad it's down there (falls under "Saturday morning walking distance" from my house).

Posted by: Matt at July 11, 2007 3:34 PM

That place sounds amazing - I'll have to check it out some time! And I love the design on the coffees... little things like that definitely add a smile to my day.

Posted by: Katie at July 11, 2007 4:02 PM

THAT FOAM ART IS AMAZING!!!! (hence caps)

Posted by: Danielle at July 11, 2007 7:14 PM

Also - great muffins and clean bathrooms !

Posted by: Christian at July 12, 2007 1:57 AM

I used to work down the street from this place; I always loved the look of it, but not being a coffee drinker I never went in. I'm glad to see nearly a year later and the local Starbucks hasn't sunk them yet.

Posted by: rek at July 13, 2007 10:04 AM

This place creates such an amazing vibe. It has so much character. My only qualm is that there is only one Dark Horse. There should be more places like this in the city.

Posted by: JP at July 18, 2007 4:58 PM

This place creates such an amazing vibe. It has so much character. My only qualm is that there is only one Dark Horse. There should be more places like this in the city.

Posted by: JP at July 18, 2007 4:58 PM

i love ed and "d"
my wife and i have recently opened an espresso bar -- bisogno espresso bar -- in the st lawrence market area (61 sherbourne street, between king street e and adelaide st. e.) and ed and "d" have been incredible support and inspiration to us. we pay tribute to them by having the same LARGE TABLE in the centre of the cafe with the same chillax atmosphere. they are good friends who are great people.

Posted by: von flores at July 27, 2007 9:45 PM

Best latte in East Toronto, and a definite All Metro contender. Friendly staff that knows their stuff. Friendly, easy-to-talk-to customers. Caffe copy of the New York Times Sunday edition. Benches (and a dog dish) outside. What more could one want?

Posted by: Coffee4me at August 22, 2007 9:23 PM

I love this place! The staff are always friendly, as are the regulars. They even like babies :)

Posted by: Joan at March 17, 2008 6:47 PM

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