The ever lasting journey into finding the coziest, most bohemian and trendiest coffee shops.
Whether you need to get some work done or just have a coffee date with friends these two Nordic inspired cafés are definitely worth checking out. Odin is considered one of the most Instagrammable coffee shops in Toronto (venue rental is available!) and Thor’s drinks are out of the world.
Read MoreThis coffee shop appeared at 96 Spadina, where ‘Sense Appeal’ used to stand. It was created out of a need for a friendly coffee co-op in the community. As one of the owners described to me; they seek to create a barista-customer relationship similar to one you might have with your local bartender. It seems to me that they are going in the right direction with this one! I always enjoy a place where the staff are approachable and chatty.
Read MoreRemember those big windows for people-watching that I talk about all the time? Well, this coffee shop has its own unique version of this. Instead of facing the sidewalk, these windows face the establishment next door. And instead of watching people walk by in the rain (though there are also windows on the other side where you can do just that) these particular windows face a rock climbing gym.
Read MoreDineen coffee is an elegant and beautifully designed space to grab a coffee and a sandwich. Located right smack-dab in the middle of one of Toronto's busiest streets, it is no surprise that it is home to a constant flood of tourists and locals alike. From the colourful hand painted tile floor to the mesmerizing round chandelier, every design element ties perfectly together. The shiny marble countertops and tables give this coffee shop a sophisticated New York feel.
Read MoreThe day has finally come! Today will be the day I put my taste buds through a challenge. I’m exited, yet nervous. I have no idea what to expect. I did get a bit of a preview the last time I visited Arvo Coffee. One of the baristas challenged me to decipher the different notes in the pour-over coffee he made for me. I didn’t do too good then. Hence my feeling a bit self-conscious as I arrived at Arvo's.
Read MoreAfter having the inevitable little chat with the owner about my tutu, we talked about my on-going projects and future plans and I finally decided to have a drink. They have a very classic menu so I decided to go for my all-time favourite, a cappuccino. Little did I know, this was no ordinary cappuccino. As soon as I took the first sip, I was transported to the streets of Barcelona.
Read MoreMy absolute favourite place to visit while in the neighborhood is the Distillery District, a complex of 47 Victorian Industrial buildings that have been converted into an entertainment, arts and business haven. Every two steps you will find a nice restaurant, a local business, endless art galleries or a coffee shop.
Read MoreCafe Misto, as described by my barista, is a drink somewhere between an Americano and a Latte, in other words, kind of like a small latte. Again, there is some discrepancy surrounding whether or not this is an espresso based drink, but at Krave it is. With their house espressos coming from Rufino Roasters, it is guaranteed that you will find an amazing range of flavour in any their cups.
Read MoreLuckily enough, I had the owner there explaining how this was a purely espresso based drink, with a good amount of warm milk to mask the bitterness of the double shot. With origins in Spain and/or Portugal, (I’m starting to see a pattern here on how nobody seems to agree where the different coffee drinks were first made).
Read MoreA couch, nicely displayed pastries and of course, a huge window were you could sit all day to watch people pass and snow fall. Some industrial style lights mixed with a chandelier and a few art pieces made by local artists gave this place a cozy home/gallery feeling that is always appreciated. From the very first second I felt comfortable enough to make myself at home, with the background tunes of Celeste by Ezra Vines this place was just the little perfect and warm oasis I was craving for.
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