Best Work/ Study Cafés & Coffee Shops in Toronto

Working. Studying.

Sometimes you just require a change of space to attain that change of mind you need to stay motivated. Here’s a list of some of the cafés in Toronto that fuelled my work sessions.

*1. J.J. Bean

NOTE: This location of J.J. Bean has officially closed due to COVID19. You can still get a J.J. Bean coffee at their 2 St Clair Avenue West, or other specified, locations!

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 more about my impressions of J.J. Bean and other uptown coffee shops by pressing this link.

Location:
197 Bartley Drive (Uptown)
2 St Clair Avenue West (Midtown)
130 Adelaide Street West (Downtown)
390 Bay Street (Downtown)

2. Quantum Coffee

Studying quantum physics or just working away is easy as π at Quantum Coffee.

Although the King Street West coffee shop has a more hip and cool main room, the back of the café has a lot of spacious tables. There is even a patio with plenty of seating and tables, allowing anyone to work outside with their coffee if they wish!

Those who are Vegan, Vegetarian, or Gluten-Free can still indulge their sweet tooth with the array of treats available at the front. My personal favourite? The carrot cake! Trust me, even if you aren’t gluten intolerant, it’s a real treat!

Location:
460 King Street West

3. 5 Elements Espresso Bar

Multi-storey Five 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!

Location:
131 Avenue Road

4. Jimmy’s Coffee

With multiple locations across Toronto, it’s no secret that Jimmy’s has established itself as a consistently good coffee spot in the city. With each location being cozy and comfortable, it’s very easy to pop by any of these cafés with friends, a good book, or your laptop as company for a couple of hours.

Vegan/ vegetarian/ gluten free options abound, and there is lot’s of seating available!

Read up on Jimmy’s Coffee and other downtown spots by pressing this link.

Locations:
107 Portland Street
100 Portland Street
191 Baldwin Street

5. Goldstruck

Strike gold on that test or project by picking Goldstruck as your working space. This Yorkville café has plenty of seating and laptop-friendly to entice even the least motivated of workers.

The local art on the walls helps elevate this space, and makes it that much cooler than your local library study spot.

Location:
130 Cumberland Street

6. Merchants of Green Coffee

This spacious and welcoming warehouse is the home of Merchants of Green Coffee, an ethical café and roasters in Toronto’s East End. Adequate seating and access to outlets make this a great place in which to get work done, and the fresh scent of coffee percolating the air helps keep your mind active as you work away.

Location:
2 Matilda Street

7. Balzac's Coffee Roasters

All Balzac’s Coffee Roasters locations are an oasis for students looking to study, or office workers who are on the hunt for a comfortable space in which to reread some notes before a meeting.

Their location attached to the Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street) is especially worthy of a mention for students. It’s almost too easy to grab a book and pop into the café for a standard Balzac roast, and morale of food is the brain-fuel is needed.

The café has an assortment of treats catering to Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten-Free diets. While not my favourite café food fare in terms of taste, they will still do in a pinch when hunger strikes while working!

As for the coffee, you can’t go wrong with Balzac’s signature blend, inspired by Honoré de Balzac himself! Perhaps the association will inspire a young little Torontonian finish up their manuscript or essay!

Location:
789 Yonge Street (Balzac’s Reference Library)
(Downtown: 122 Bond Street)
(Downtown: 1 Trinity Street)