Top 10 Toronto Midtown Coffee Shops & Cafés
Downtown Toronto isn't the only part of the city offering fantastic brews and tantalizing treats. Midtown also has it’s fair share of gems!
What do I consider as “Midtown Toronto”? Anywhere from Eglinton to Bloor.
This area has some stellar offerings. Discover a few of my favourites - with tons of photos - below!
Once you’ve had your fill of Midtown coffee shops, don’t forget to check out my picks for the Top 10 Best Uptown Coffee shops:
ISLE OF COFFEE
A coffee shop with an ambiance as unique as it’s name, Isle of Coffee was inspired by Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs. In the words of the owners: “The film encapsulates how we want to share our values about love and the value of community […] It is our vision to use our space as a medium for artistic exchange.”
True to it’s name, this café is a calm and welcoming environment in which to chat, work, or daydream. With photography books, lo-fi beats, cinematography posters, and a perpetual black-and-white movie projected on the wall in the cozy basement space (yes, there is a cozy basement space), this is a terrific coffee shop to add to your list.
The coffee shop also has an impressive array of patisseries on offer (some of the best in the city in my opinion). I genuinely think I’ve been to Isle of Coffee more than any other midtown café, it’s one of my absolute favourites.
Grab yourself a coffee with a perfectly baked vanilla choux (with real vanilla beans), a bear-shaped madeleine, or a vegan or gluten and dairy-free cookie, and thank me later.
Nearest Subway: Eglinton
Location: 380 A Eglinton Avenue West
Noteworthy Feature:
There are seasonal patisseries baked in-house. My favourite is the Mont-Blanc!
The Social Blend
The Social Blend packs a mighty punch!
They do their bit of good by supporting local roasters. Their smooth beverages begin with delicious beans from Hatch Crafted.
They’ve begun to offer treats, and you can find typical café fare such as croissants and muffins on which to nibble. A unique touch is that they offer to heat them up for your before serving; yummy!
If you’re gluten-intolerant and crave something sweet, they also serve Korean macarons in a variety of delicious flavours - matcha, strawberry, and peach, to name just a few.
The best part? They are open LATE! It’s rare to find such a great uptown find open until 8:00pm or 10:00 p.m. daily. Both students and professionals alike can enjoy the space to motivate their minds late into the night. The plethora of outlets helps a great deal, too.
I can’t wait to see this new place grow!
Click here if you want to discover other late-night coffee shops such as The Social Blend!
Nearest Subway: Eglinton
Location:
130 Eglinton Avenue East
Noteworthy Feature:
The “Social Wall” is a fun way for the customers to advertise their own “social” word about something important to them. Fun!
Boxcar Social
Find a more detailed review of Boxcar Social with the link below: https://www.sarahfreia.com/blog/cafe-boxcarsocial
If a mad scientist fused together potted plants, smooth coffee roasts, bricks, a laissez-faire attitude, and a hefty amount of wood, they’d end up with the perfect recipe for Boxcar Social! Café during the day, and bar at night, this Midtown café has mastered the effortlessly-cool vibe.
There are also delicious baked treats sourced from multiple Ontario-based bakeries that cater to Gluten Free/ Vegan/ Vegetarian/ Paleo individuals.
This café is the closest to “downtown” on our list, but it still manages to be an easy-to-access uptown area thanks to a location that’s only a minute walk away from Summerhill Subway Station.
Nearest Subway: Summerhill
Locations:
1208 Yonge Street
(Downtown: 70 Temperance Street)
(Downtown: 4 Boulton Avenue)
Noteworthy Feature:
There is a free coffee cupping every Saturday. Check their website to get a spot!
Rooster (Jarvis)
Cock-a-doodle-do yourself a favour, and head over to this lovely coffee shop with multiple locations in Toronto.
Nice roasts and cozy spaces await you at each of their Toronto locations (there’s a brilliant loft at the one on Jarvis). This café is a perfect abode in which to read, do some studying, or relax after a long day.
I also really appreciate the variety of alternative milk they provide (note: view the photo with the wiener dog below!), the vegetarian and vegan options, and the delicious gluten-free treats they have. My absolute favourite treat to order is the pecan butter tart (pictured below) with a cappuccino.
Nearest Subway: Bloor
Locations:
568 Jarvis Street
(479 Broadview Avenue)
(343 King Street East)
Noteworthy Feature:
Rooster’s location on Jarvis has a magnificent loft that is a very agreeable spot in which to sip your coffee.
Crosstown Coffee Bar
Oh, Crosstown Coffee Bar. It’s hard to say something negative about this relaxed spot that’s a walk away from Eglinton subway station.
The service here is always top-notch, and the space itself is very welcoming.
There are a variety of Gluten Free/ Vegetarian treats sourced from different places (such as the popular Dufflet Pastries), and there is a wide variety of alternative milks offered (my favourite is cashew).
This café is a great place to choose if you want a quiet place in which to read a book, or have an intimate conversation with a friend.
Crosstown Coffee Bar has a great atmosphere, and it’s a gem within walking distance of Yonge & Eglinton. If you’re looking for that “local coffee shop” feel, look no further than here!
Nearest Subway: Eglinton
Location:
187 Highbourne Road
Noteworthy Feature:
Crosstown sells treats from Dufflet Pastries, and have kombucha on tap - yum!
LIT Espresso Bar
The coffee at LIT Espresso Bar is seriously good, and its unsurprising as the rustic café roasts its own brews under the name Pig Iron.
Pick up some freshly roasted beans or coffee paraphernalia alongside a great cappuccino for an excellent start to your day. For those craving a bite, LIT Espresso Bar has heartier options such as sandwiches (BLT, anyone?) on regular and gluten-free bread, and baked treats suitable for Gluten Free/ Vegetarian diets.
Although the café has a decadent touch with it’s marble tables and gilded ceilings, it still feels cozy thanks to the music selection and decorations. The café states on its website that its « Bridging the gap between rustic and modern, » and this is something to which I can attest.
For a #lit coffee outing (couldn’t resist), head on over to LIT Espresso Bar.
Nearest Subway: Davisville — Take 11A / 11C bus to Millwood Road
Location:
1517 Bayview Avenue
(Downtown: 221 Roncesvalles Avenue)
(Downtown: 2196 Bloor Street West)
Noteworthy Feature:
The ceiling is elaborate and very elegant.
COFFEE LUNAR
Look no further for a specialty coffee shop with a minimalist aesthetic.
Great coffee brewing takes the forefront at this midtown café that delivers major vibes.
The seating at this café prioritizes conversation. Bar seating, and small tables that fit just a coffee, a treat, and great chats!
Nearest Subway: Rosedale
Location:
920 Yonge St #6
Noteworthy Feature:
They sell gorgeous dried flowers.
Wallace Espresso (CorsA ItalianA Location)
Wallace Espresso is a café that I consider a hidden gem amongst the other coffee shops along St. Clair West. This small café excels at creating a comfortable and restful setting in which to grab delicious coffee and treat.
It’s easy to feel at ease at Wallace, a café almost constantly basked in sunlight thanks to its large windows facing the street. The minimalistic decor allows your mind to wander, making Wallace an excellent choice if you’re in need of a place in which to study, read a book, or journal. There are outlets, and intriguing artwork on the walls.
The coffee itself tastes excellent, and Joel (pictured below) has said it makes “the best flat whites in the city”. I must admit, they are worth trying.
There are no fancy gimmicks at Wallace; the coffee and the ambiance speaks for itself. The barista is very pleasant, and seems to really know his stuff. I must confess, I do quite like sitting at the counter and people-watch when I’m there. You’ll understand what I mean when you visit!
My only qualm is that the baked goods were wrapped in plastic; I understand it may be easier to preserve treats this way, but I don’t feel it is really needed.
When you find yourself in Toronto’s West End, allow your feet (or the streetcar) to bring you to Wallace Espresso; it’s a coffee shop worth knowing!
Nearest Subway: St Clair West
Location:
140 Westmount Avenue
Noteworthy Feature:
Wallace Espresso is right next door to Lokaal, a trendy co-working space next door!
5 Elements Espresso
Multi-storey 5 Elements Espresso Bar is one of my favourite cafés in which to work.
This Rosedale spot has a lower level that is separate from the espresso bar, allowing you to work without too much distraction from the coffee machines or customers. Plenty of tables, outlets, and adequate lighting make this a great space for any busy worker.
Feeling hungry? Fuel up with one of their Vegan/ Vegetarian/ Gluten-free friendly bites! I personally enjoy the matcha cookie.
As for the coffee, its more on the bitter side. This is fine if you prefer your coffee to have more of a “kick”.
Overall, 5 Elements has a great interior, and its a pleasant place to visit in Midtown Toronto.
Nearest Subway: Rosedale
Location:
131 Avenue Road
Noteworthy Feature:
The multi-storey café allows you the chance to pick a more lively or more calm space in which to sip your drink.
Istanbul Cafe & Espresso Bar
This Turkish café & espresso bar delivers strong coffees in an intimate and dimly-lit atmosphere. This ambiance, coupled with it’s setup of couches, communal tables, and smattering of small-group tables make it an excellent choice for friends looking to socialize and couples going on a date.
On top of your standard coffee shop offerings (lattes, cappuccinos, espresso, etc…) Istanbul Cafe & Espresso Bar make an authentic Turkish coffee that isn’t for those with weak tastebuds. Another bonus? They have plenty of vetgan/ vegetarian/ gluten-free/ dairy-free food choice!
Their most instagram-friendly drinks are most definitely the “Goth latte” (charcoal-infused) and the “Rose latte” (rose syrup and rose petals). Both are delicious, and worth a photo. Overall, it’s a nice place to check out!
Nearest Subway: Eglinton
Locations:
174 Eglinton Avenue Eeast
Noteworthy Feature:
If you want authentic Turkish coffee, look no further than here!
IN MEMORIAM
(CAFES THAT CLOSED)
J.J. Bean
Originally a Vancouver based coffee shop, J.J. Bean has brought some of its charm to the 6ix with multiple locations. Great brews, and a slew of delicious treats and bites that cater to Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten-Free customers, there isn’t much with which to find fault with this café.
It’s an optimal space in which to work, with spacious tables that can fit both a textbook and a laptop. There are outlets if you’re planning on staying for a substantial amount of time.. Bonus points for the Wheelchair accessible table and washroom!
You can read about J.J. Bean and other great studying coffee shops by pressing this link.
Nearest Subway: Eglinton; St. Clair
Locations:
2 St Clair Avenue West (Midtown)
Noteworthy Feature:
There is always a large selection of in-house baked goods available.
Creeds Coffee Bar
NOTE: This location of Creeds Coffee Bar has officially closed. You can still get a Creeds coffee at their 390 Dupont Street location!
I never thought I’d say that a coffee shop with a dry-cleaning service inside was worth checking out, but this coffee shop with a dry-cleaning service inside is worth checking out!
The Uptown location of this café is aesthetically pleasing, thanks to the quirky posters with fun slogans, and artistic videos playing on multiple flat screen TVs. There is greenery everywhere, and the wood tables give it a hipster feel.
The food offerings are minimal, but they do have options for Gluten Free/ Vegetarian individuals. As for the coffee, the roasts are pretty smooth, and I’ve always had great art.
Kind service, good coffee, clean clothes, and quirky touches - love it!
Nearest Subway: Davisville — Take 11A / 11C bus to Millwood Road
Locations:
1595 Bayview Avenue
(Downtown: 390 Dupont Street)
Noteworthy Feature:
Need some dry-cleaning? Creeds has a laundry service inside of the café!
Ok… but what do I put into Google Maps?
Thank you for reading! Happy caffeination!
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