Aashro Cafe brings Indian-style snacks to a quiet pocket of northeastern Toronto.

Tucked away in a small plaza off Sheppard Avenue, the cafe has been serving fresh coffee and homemade sandwiches since March 2025.

The cafe is owned and operated by Biren and Zeel, a husband-and-wife team with a passion for cooking. Biren is a self-described foodie, while Zeel is an avid coffee drinker.

Though the couple had always dreamed of owning a restaurant, it wasn't until they noticed the lack of Jain-friendly restaurants in the city that they decided to make that dream a reality.

As a Jain herself, Zeel often found it difficult to find cafes that could accommodate her dietary restrictions. Consequently, she and Biren made it their mission to create a cafe that suited their personal tastes.The cafe's name originates from a Gujarati word meaning "support" or "shelter." Biren claims that it took him less than five minutes to come up with the name.

In stark contrast, the cafe's interior took several weeks to design and even longer to build. Zeel explains that she wanted the dining room to feature traditional Indian architecture and art. The walls are painted a soothing cream colour, and the furniture is made from wicker and wood. Clay vessels can be found in small niches along the western wall, while dried plants sit atop small shelves behind the front counter.

The overall effect is quite relaxing, making the cafe an ideal spot for quiet study sessions, leisurely lunch dates, and low-key hangouts.Aashro Cafe's menu is entirely vegetarian. Though some dishes contain animal products, such as cheese and butter, these can be substituted for vegan alternatives. Special Jain variations are also available upon request.Indian Style Cold Coffee ($7) is a variation on traditional Indian filter coffee. Like its warm counterpart, cold coffee is made with finely ground coffee beans, which are passed through a filter, then paired with milk and sugar.

The coffee is then stirred to a light, frothy texture and served chilled. Its strong, slightly bitter flavour is synonymous with summer in South Asia.By contrast, the Orange Chocolate Coffee ($8) almost tastes like a candy bar. Its sweet, citrusy flavour balances out the bitterness of the coffee beans.Almond Croissants ($5) are made fresh daily. Their flaky, buttery crust is dusted with powdered sugar and shaved almonds, which give them a crunchy texture and a sweet flavour.The Vadapav ($7) is a staple of Indian fast food, made with three simple components. Spiced potatoes are coated in batter, then deep-fried and served between two soft buns, with a green chili pepper on top.

Despite the dish's unassuming appearance, its flavour is a force to be reckoned with. Housemade chutney enhances the spices in the potato patty, while the soft, fluffy bread keeps them from being too overwhelming.

Of all the dishes that we tried, this one was my favourite by far.The Village Paneer Sandwich ($14) is a grilled cheese sandwich with a twist. Instead of Kraft Singles, this sandwich is stuffed with pieces of fresh paneer and garnished with green chilis.

Shredded cheese is sprinkled on top, while potato chips and tomato sauce are served on the side.Aashro Cafe is located at 2018 Sheppard Avenue East.