Best of Toronto
The Best New Cafes in Toronto, 2010
The best new cafes in Toronto deserve a salute. While the coffee house scene has been gaining momentum over the last few years, 2010 was undeniably a break-out 12 months that in any other context might be characterized as irrational exuberance. If the packed tables and steady line-ups are any indication, Toronto's bean-obsessed entrepreneurs have not only hit upon an untapped demand for non-Starbucks and Tim Hortons offerings, they're also helping educate and refine local palates, not to mention provide a much needed gathering space for a growing legion of freelancers and work at home types.
If 2009 was the year that every downtown neighbourhood welcomed one indie coffee shop, 2010 saw the arrival of two, three or more. Stalwarts like Crema, LIT, Sam James, Red Rocket, Grinder and Te Aro opened second (or third) locations and well trained baristas seized opportunities to branch out on their own. No doubt there were many worthy candidates who missed the cut on the list below - all would have been shoe-ins in year's past.
Here are the 12 best cafes that opened in Toronto during 2010.
See also:
The Best New Cafes in Toronto 2009
The Best New Cafes in Toronto 2008
Crafted by Te Aro
While the Ossington moratorium was in full effect, Leslieville's top micro-roaster suddenly surfaced in Get Real's former home. Like its bigger sister, Crafted features the excellent coffee drinks and barista artistry that has made Te Aro such a success. When weather permits, the space becomes twice as nice with a secluded back patio. More »
Capital Espresso
After finally breaking away from Blondie's, the owners of Capital Espresso instantly packed their tables in the old Vice Magazine office with Parkdale locals seeking free WiFi, freshly baked muffins, cookies and other in-house baked treats. Oh, the coffee is excellent too, made from beans sourced from an artisan roastery on Granville Island. More »
Good Neighbour
Opening a block away from Crema might not seem like a smart business decision on paper but this Junction-area cafe has done nothing but serve a steady stream of customers since its arrival on Annette. The comfy, sun-drenched space is a welcoming gathering space and the line-up of caffeine-infused drinks aren't too shabby either. More »
Sense Appeal
Before opening this Spadina/Adelaide coffee shop, the team behind Sense Appeal earned their stripes roasting coffee for a number of 5-star hotels. Now, they're pulling shots and crafting macchiatos at a pace that's winning over the most ardent espresso heads. Flavoured lattes (made with natural reductions, purees and caramel) change with the season. More »
The Mascot
This massive cafe at the corner of Queen and Elm Grove in Parkdale pairs coffee with a creative spirit. Baristas answer the phone with a "Hello, Starbucks" and most of the space is regularly filled with work from local artists. There's also a rocking horse, just in case someone gets the urge for a ride. More »
Red Rocket Coffee (Wellesley)
This Leslieville stalwart has caught lightning in a bottle twice with an almost equally remote location near Jarvis and Wellesley. While this second cafe is smaller than the original, it has a more contemporary feel, the same excellent London Fogs and other creative drinks like the Cubano and Miami Vice. Show them a Christopher Walken head and get half priced coffee. More »
Tampered Press
The Tampered Press can get forgotten in the saturated coffee house landscape that is this section of Dundas West, but it's one of the best options in the area to settle in for some free WiFi with a large communal table, chilled atmosphere and expertly crafted drinks. More »
Coffee Pocket
Sam James has done it again with his second outpost just steps from Christie subway station. Like his Harbord original, seating is at a premium (there isn't any) making this a strictly take-out affair. But who can complain when one of the best cappuccinos in the city can be had for less than 3 bucks. More »
Snakes and Lattes
This bustling Koreatown spot might have been the most social place to open in Toronto during the past year. With a seemingly endless supply of board games (1,500 and counting), plenty of snacks and opening hours that extend to midnight, the only question is will it be too busy to score a table? More »
The Abbott
The owners of the Lakeview Restaurant clearly needed a new challenge and they've found one by opening this isolated cafe on a side street in Lower Parkdale. Named after the first Canadian-born black doctor, The Abbott continues the medical theme with well placed beakers and microscopes. We're just not sure why their cappuccinos are served in skinny glass steins. More »
Thor Espresso Bar
This Scandinavian-inspired cafe knows how to impress with their much buzzed about $16,000 Slayer machine - one of only 77 in the world. They back it up with expertly crafted lattes and their recently introduced “hit n run” - a combo that includes a house espresso to stay plus an americano to go. More »
Hula Girl
With limited seating, Hula Girl needs to try extra hard to lure customers to this isolated stretch of Dundas West. But for those who venture in, they're rewarded with some excellent house blends, each containing a precisely measured amount of Kona coffee. The owners have also done a super job at renovating the space. More »
Discussion
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Seriously this gets old, real fast.
Another tiny take out only from Sam James? Shoe in!
I applaud adding Snakes and Lattes, and Tampered Press, but I'm sorry, opening near Crema and surviving shouldn't automatically grant you into the top list.
What about Cafe Novo? Little Nicky's? Two solid businesses trying to muscle into the scene currently run by the old boys club.
"Palate" is a person's taste for food and drink. "Palette" is a tray to mix paint on. "Pallet" is a flat wooden thing used in shipping. And "Pallett" is that guy who plays violin.
Pardon my crankiness. Haven't had my coffee yet. :P
Come on. Nobody cares. Isn't this a poll? Get your vote out.
So if you've got your panties in a twist over this list - just remember that you could have voted (and added your fav to the list).
all the cafes you mention are not new - this list covers 2010 openings only, which I guess you missed? this is a good list overall I agree with all with exception of 2 cafes which I will not name which actually serve average coffee.
Regarding the coffee, I personally think the blend served at Thor is great and as a resident of King West I am glad someone has opened a cool cafe outside the normal hipster hoods. Also to note is that the service at Thor is friendlier than at all the cafes you mention, that is also probably why people voted for them. Thankfully they serve coffee without the hipster 'tude I get everywhere else.
with all the condos opening in my area over the next few years I have no doubt that Thor will be popular for years to come.
this list proves that Toronto has a great selection of coffee places and we have a wide choice of places to support without slinging mud.
Anywhere that bitches out of decaf is robbing a seriously coffee loving customer base, those who drink decaf aren't doing it for their daily fix. I've never understood the snobbery at places that refuse to serve it.
If I go to a cafe I need to know they can make:
* espresso
* americano
* drip coffee
And that the results are good. Only after the quality and economy (to a lesser extent) of the drink would I venture to evaluate the other dimensions of a coffee shop.
I don't like this list solely because it refuses to compare coffee shops on what matters most: COFFEE!
Let's just look at the sound issue for a moment. I am referring to music and/or musak. When did god ever come down to earth and proclaim that all restaurants/cafes must have loud music or musak? First of all customers have different music tastes; no kind of music will please everyone. Second of all, 9 times out of ten the music will be WAY TOO LOUD. If you cannot talk to another person across the table from you - THE MUSIC IS TOO LOUD! Most owners, managers, staff act (react poorly) when a customer asks for the music to be turned down.