Best of Toronto
The Best Cafes in Toronto (West Side)
It's nearly impossible to come up with a list of the best cafes in Toronto that would be met with widespread agreement. In fact, voting was so tight in our recent Best of Toronto poll that we ultimately decided to divide this category into two - the best cafes on the east and west sides of the city with Yonge as the dividing line. Later this week we'll bring you the results from the east side.
But today is all about the west. From West Queen West to Kensington, the Annex, Roncy, Parkdale, The Junction, Bloor West Village, Little Italy and beyond, Toronto's west-side neighbourhoods are crammed with bustling, friendly, independent neighbourhood cafes - most of which (or at least the ones on this list) serve up superior quality, fair trade and better priced coffee (Tim's and Coffee Time excluded); not to mention an all around better cafe going experience than any of the major chains.
Emerging at the top of our crowded west side list is I Deal Coffee with its two locations - the original on Nassau in Kensington Market and a newer location on Ossington just south of Dundas. I Deal has long established itself as one of the city's best purveyors of the no-frills, fair trade cafe experience. Prices are cheap (less than $3 for a latte), home made banana bread is chocolately and moist, and the ambiance is always eclectic at its best.
Not to be out-beaned are a list of fourteen more Toronto cafes ranging from Roncy's Cherry Bomb and Alternative Grounds, Queen West's Tequila Bookworm, Beaver and Cafe Bernate to in-the-know spots like Luna Cafe, Ella's Uncle and The Common. Many more worthy cafes just missed the cut. For these and more, be sure to browse around in our cafes section.
I Deal Coffee
The I Deal brand is synonymous with fair trade. Its beans can be found brewing at cafes and homes around the city. For the best I Deal experience, hit up its Kensington patio on a summer's day. More »
Cherry Bomb
Evicted in 2007 from its original location by a landlord who though they could replicate its success, Cherry Bomb simply moved the cafe into larger digs a few doors north and brought all its loyal fans with them. More »
The Common
It's worth venturing west of Little Italy to snack on nutella and coffee at The Common. Get there early to claim prized seating near the window. More »
linuxcaffe
Sporting an extensive drink list, breakfast cereals and free open-source powered WiFi. Try their nectar-smoothie, ginseng latte or chai-spiced hot apple cider. More »
Alternative Grounds
Alternative Grounds have been brewing fair trade coffee on Roncy years before anyone understood what it was. Stay for the all-vegetarian menu including tasty wheat-free treats. More »
Ella's Uncle
Some say this tiny Dundas West cafe has the best scones in the city. Not to be missed are their OvalLatte, Red Mocha (double shot Mocha with a hint of Cayenne Pepper) or freshly squeezed Killer Lemonade. More »
Luna Cafe
Tucked away on Dovercourt near Julie's Cuban, Luna is considered by some to be one of the best date spots in the city. But be sure to make it a brunch or early afternoon date as they ain't open late. More »
Casa Acoreana Cafe
The quintessential Kensington Market hangout at the corner of Baldwin and Augusta. Perch on a stool inside to get a breather from it all; or order take-out from the side window. More »
Cafe Bernate
Still going strong despite the Drake-faulted-Starbucks down the street, Cafe Bernate has more seating than you'd expect, full meals and a tiny patio at the back. More »
Manic Coffee
The new kid on the block, Manic Coffee is winning over College Street with its latte art, premium coffee and a darn expensive machine that makes it all happen. More »
Tequila Bookworm
This two floor cafe (plus patio) may have lost some of its charm when it moved a few doors west, but it hasn't lost much of its clientele. A long-time Toronto favourite, Tequila is still one of Toronto's best escapes from the bustle of Queen West. More »
Beaver Cafe
When it's not moonlighting as a bar, dance club or dinner spot, Beaver keeps things humming with its uber-tasty line-up of caffeine-infused drinks. More »
Moonbean Cafe
Jars of beans and teas overflow in this Kensington Market cafe. In the summer, take it outside to their front patio and watch the action across the street at St. Andrew's Poultry. More »
Kahawa Coffee House
This new College street cafe may not match the latte art of Manic down the street; but they aim to make up for it by featuring local artists on their walls. More »
Ezra's Pound
The only cafe north of Bloor to make our list, Dupont's Ezra's Pound is fueled by its owners passions for literature and the culinary arts. Green and arts friendly. More »
Discussion
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you mention the junction but ignore to review our wonderful cafes that have just open in the past few weeks. ah well, more coffee for us.
omit that last comment kinda, i cicked on cafe section and a wonderful review on the beet popped up. sorry :P
I mentioned Parkdale too but somehow cafes like Salvador Darling and Rustic Cosmo didn't make it in either. All I can say is that there were many worthy cafes that didn't manage to crack the top 15.
On the bright side, Toronto has tons of kick-ass cafes.
Can't wait to explore some of these!
I feel compelled to mention The Coffee Tree in the Bloor West Village.
http://www.coffeetree.ca/
Hey, is there a cafe in Toronto where you can get Turkish coffee? Aroma? Maybe Kahawa, given the name?
My favourite cafe is the Morning Brew ;) I go there just about every weekday morning!
@ Disparishun... the only place I've found Turksih coffee in this city is at Yasi's...
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=136920264
Thanks Rob. Yeah, lots of restaurants in town serve Turkish coffee or other-named versions thereof, but so far I have not been to a just-a-cafe (counter, order, for here or to go) where can you get that.
Admittedly, since moving to Toronto I have not looked very hard. So I am confident it is out there. I know that Aroma serves it in their Israeli locations (as botz), but have not been to the Toronto one. And, I dunno, if you're going to name a place Kahawa...
Yasi's serves lunch, but it's also a just-a-cafe place with a counter and coffee to go and all that. Check it out.
I'm glad to see that The Common is as high as 3rd place.
It's #1 in my opinion.
I'd highly recommend Yasi's as well. Could have easily made this list or the Best Brunch list.
i always feel sorry for someone who composes a 'best of' list, because you know your going to get a flood of people complaining about what you missed. I say thanks for the hard work that went into offering this free roundup.
My favourite coffee is found at Niche (626 Queen).
Their Americano's are perfect. Strong, smooth... almost creamy. Mmmm.
And of course then there's Dark Horse and Jet Fuel too, also worthy of mention.
Cool -- thanks, I misunderstood. I will.
Aren
I'm sure Jet Fuel and Dark horse will show up in the "East Side" version
You know what would rock in these Best __ Of Toronto posts? A Google map showing the location of all of the places featured.
Rich - I'm not sure if you're kidding or not. Take a look at the right hand side of the page.
Not kidding, just blind. Guh.
on Kahawa - the name is derived from Swahili. The owner is Kenyian.
As with Turkish (Arabic) they would use the similar word for coffee.
I go to Kahawa all the time. The music selection is like listening to my own iPod, and the Americanos and WiFi access make this place a perfect office away from the office. Plus the staff is way cute.
hi, just slightly west of yonge on Yorkville is a gem of a cafe called Mela. Fair trade, organic and amazing.
Ezra's Pound is the best!!! Great vibe, decor, espresso - they roast on site - if you don't roast your coffee, you're pretty much a poser
Caf? Brasiliano on Dundas may be lower on the hipster scale, but it makes the best americano in the city.
whoa bummer,
Manic is the only one of these 15 cafes that actually makes good espresso.
East end still wins for espresso.
What happened to the map?
What do you mean? It's in the top right of the page
well there is a lot of place that serves Turkish coffee here is couple
521 danforth avenue / 521 lounge
519 danforth avenue / cafe frappe
526 danforth avenue / iliyada cafeteria
You gotta hit Communal Mule for a wicked cap. I have been to 3 of the 10 listed and it tops 'em all!! Dundas W and Beatrice (across from northern edge of trinity bellwoods park).
What about the junction with Agora good dark roasts coffee?
T.A.N Coffee @ 992 Queen West is definitely worth a stop. In-house roasting, patio for summer and fantastic drinks.