Kafe 002 is a new Toronto cafe that proves coffee is as much an art as it is a science.

With beans roasted in-house, signature blends, and a menu catering to coffee purists and experimentalists alike, the cafe is putting its own spin on the daily coffee run. Think classic cold brew alongside more unconventional creations like activated charcoal lattes and saffron-infused matcha.

Born in Los Angeles as Kafe 001 and founded by Coffee Director Amir Bayat and fellow co-founder Bill Germanis, Kafe recognizes the coffee shop as a place for connection. As such, each location brings its own personality through collaborations with local creatives and businesses.

From left to right: Hugo Htoo (Barista), Amir Bayat (Coffee Director and Co-founder), Bill Germanis (Co-founder)

For Toronto, this will come to life through an future food program in partnership with Frano Pizza & Panini.

You'll have to wait a little longer for a hot calzone or a thin-crust Margherita slice, but for now, there's no shortage of pastries to pair with your coffee in the meantime.

For example, take the Bomboloni ($3.50), mini Italian doughnuts rolled in sugar and filled with everything from creamy custard to velvety chocolate.

Also on the roster are flaky chocolate hazelnut croissants ($6.50) and golden blueberry scones ($5.50).

The drink menu is where things get creative. Divided into three sections, "Essential" covers familiar favourites (think flat whites, cappuccinos, and Americanos), "Curated" explores the new and unexpected, and "Signature" showcases original creations.

Cafe-goers will notice no detail is overlooked, from the glassware to the branded takeaway cups.

Espresso ($5) balances fruity and floral notes with hints of chocolate, served alongside water to cleanse the palate and dried fruit to complement each sip.

The Curated Cold Brew (MP) features a rotating selection of limited-batch, competition-grade beans, including an experimental cold-fermented coffee from Colombia with notes of coconut, rose, and tropical fruit.

Poured from a cork-stoppered glass bottle, it looks more like something you'd find in an apothecary.

Inspired by Kafe's north-of-the-border debut, the North Latte ($8) features maple syrup and smoked salt.

The Blacktop ($9.50), an iced espresso-based brew that gets its moody colouring from an activated charcoal Greek yogurt topping infused with the warmth of cinnamon and cardamom, has been making waves online.

The creamy topper is delicious and subtly sweet, without veering into dessert territory.

"We don't want to overpower our drinks with heavy creams and sugars," Germanis tells blogTO. "We balance out our signature drinks well so you still get the taste of coffee."

Finally, the iced saffron matcha ($8.50) pairs earthy matcha with a fragrant saffron-infused syrup and silky pistachio milk base.

Inside, the space leans sleek and minimalist, with exposed charcoal brick, dark wood floors, and black banquette seating creating a blank canvas of sorts.

Although large windows bring in plenty of natural light, it's a cafe with a bit of an edge — much like its experimental drink menu.

Kafe 002 is located at 1024 Queen St. West.