Nonni is a European-style cafe and bakery in Toronto that invites diners to slow down and unwind over bites of babka and sips of pistachio lattes.

Named after the Italian word for grandparents, it draws inspiration from those who care for us most. 

"We wanted to bring to the city somewhere you can have a casual but nurturing meal," a manager tells blogTO. "Everyone has that person in their life—whether it's a grandparent, an aunt, a friend, someone who offers that feeling of come in, I got you. That's what we wanted to build here. Come in and we'll take care of the rest."

Located in Toronto's bustling financial district, the cafe offers a calm counterpoint to the city's fast-paced coffee culture. Here, conversation trumps convenience, with guests encouraged to slow down, sit back, and stay a while. Of course, it's still perfectly acceptable to answer an email or two or ten. 

The open-concept layout mirrors that same sense of warmth and ease. Bright and inviting, it blends modern minimalism with cozy, homey touches. Marble countertops meet tile floors and wooden shutters, while bistro chairs add a hint of European charm. 

In the middle of it all, an expansive glass display case showcases a tempting lineup of buttery baked goods: golden croissants, delicate danishes, cruffins, cheesecakes, and cookies, all baked fresh in-house. 

A standout is the Halva Chocolate Babka ($6.95). Similar in some ways to a cinnamon roll, this version is layered with ribbons of fudgy chocolate and shredded halva. It's sweet, rich, and a little bit nutty with a brioche-like crumb that feels straight out of an Ottolenghi cookbook.

The crustless Basque Cheesecake ($7.95) is a classic rendition. It features a creamy vanilla custard and a caramelized, almost burnt top.

The Halva Pistachio Cruffin ($6.95) combines the flaky layers of a croissant with the familiar shape of a muffin. Nonni's version of this mash-up has plenty of pistachio and more of that nutty shredded halva. 

For something savoury, there's the Zaatar & Gruyere Knot ($7.25), a Spinach, Sumac, and Cheese Pain Suisse ($7.95), or even a Caprese Croissant ($7.95).

Like the bakery lineup, the drink selection is a mix of classic coffee and tea, as well as some specialty creations designed to surprise and delight, including a Halva-Pistachio Latte ($5.95) and an Iced Mango Passionfruit Matcha ($6.95). 

The breakfast and lunch menu consists of shareables, sandwiches, salads, and substantially sized plates, with everything from bread to spreads made in-house daily.

One of the most popular items is the Breakfast Croissant ($11.95). Fluffy, cloud-like scrambled eggs are served with crème fraîche on the flaky breakfast pastry. It's then topped with a generous mountain of freshly grated Parmesan and finished with a dusting of black pepper.

The Breakfast Panuzzo ($13.95), like many of the sandwiches, is generously sized—so much so that you could split it between two. Slow-cooked scrambled eggs, savoury bacon, creamy avocado, peppery arugula, and Parmesan are layered inside a wood-fired panuzzo. This pizza-style sandwich bread is light, with a crisp, bubbly crust. On the side is a spicy mayo, perfect for dunking.

Also baked in the wood-fired oven is the Haloumi & Spinach Shakshuka ($16.95). Tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, onion, and garlic are roasted together to create a smoky sauce that's then topped with two eggs and chewy-crisp halloumi. The dish comes with a side of challah, mixed olives, and green tahini.

The Cheesesteak Panuzzo ($21.95) is a take on the classic Philly street food. It features roasted garlic confit, caramelized onions, burst cherry tomatoes, melty mozzarella, thin slices of tender ribeye, and house chimichurri. 

The Mixed Beef Ciabatta ($17.95) is similar, but swaps the roasted garlic and tomatoes for a punchy coleslaw and a generous helping of pickles.

The Paphos Salad ($16.95) is everything a salad should be: bright, creamy, and crunchy. Tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, kalamata olives, and fresh herbs are tossed in a Greek yogurt vinaigrette. On top are roasted slivered almonds and cubed, breaded halloumi croutons that are warm and slightly soft at the center. 

Nonni Cafe and Bakery is located at 430 King Street West, Unit 4.