Curl up with a cup of coffee at these Roncesvalles cafés
If you have no other reason to stop by Roncesvalles, let the coffee shops be reason enough. Not only do these cafés offer character, but they also make a superb cup of joe. Whether you’re just visiting the hood or looking for your go-to #ButFirstCoffee locale, you’ll want to pay these indie caffeine connoisseurs a visit. [Feature image: Gloria]
Cherry Bomb Coffee
79 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON M6R 2K6This popular Roncesvalles café is not only loved for its espresso-based drinks, but for the delicious fresh baked goods on offer, as well. A cup of joe at Cherry Bomb is not complete without one of their famous croissants. While this is more of a grab and go café, they have a few seats by the window and a bar table with a real bicycle resting on the wall above – a sweet aesthetic touch. There are also seats outside if you’re looking to get some fresh air.
Extra Butter Coffee
283 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON M6R 2M3No, this café doesn’t use extra butter in their coffee or foods. The name is actually from the blend of coffee they use by local roasters Dark City. It smells like sweet butter and tastes like bittersweet chocolate. Extra Butter’s espresso-based bevvies pair perfectly with a cinnamon sugar doughnut (a customer fave). But, you can also go for something guilt-free like granola protein bars or low-glycemic chocolate fudge bites by local raw, vegan, organic and gluten-free artisan Au Naturel. On a nice day, you can watch the Ronceys passerby on the bench outside.
Reunion Island
385 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON M6R 2N1Reunion Island is all about simplicity – from its menu to its minimalist decor. Originally a coffee roaster, they opened a brick-and-mortar cafe with a main focus: the coffee. They’ve also got their own brand of tea and baked goods, including TO’s mouthwatering VON doughnuts (stocked every Friday). Freelancers like to stick around, and if you’re lucky, you’ll score seats by the window, but, if you’re grabbing to-go, don’t forget to take a “shoefie” by the “COFFEE” floor tile on your way out.
Vua Sandwich
717 Bay St, Toronto, ON M5G 2J9Gloria is a sweet spot for those seeking a little bit of nostalgia. The café was named after the owner’s grandmother and you’ll spot a poster-sized photo of her from 1963 on the wall by the bar. The coffee is a South American blend from TO’s espresso expert Ezra’s Pound. Also on offer are 20 flavours of tea from BC shop Murchie’s. You’ll want to stay awhile – picture sipping your latte and enjoying your bagel sandwich as you listen to sweet, Billie Holiday tunes on the record player.
Golden Café
35 Golden Ave, Toronto, ON M6R 2J5Golden Café, named after the street it’s on, is located inside a business building that houses companies like Ninutik Maple Sugar (which is used to sweeten their drinks), Rent Frock Repeat and SOMA Chocolatemaker, to name a few. The open space interior, complete with a leather sofa and free WIFI, makes this an ideal place to hang out. Enjoy espresso-based drinks or loose leaf teas with a choice variety of in-house goodies like muffins, vegan cake pops, savoury rolls, banana bread and pies.
Outpost Coffee Roasters
1576 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6P 1A4Located right around the corner from Dundas West station, Outpost Coffee Roasters is a café that roasts its beans on-site. No brainer: Their drip brews are a definite must-have. They also stock loose leaf teas from Rosedale’s House Of Tea. Enjoy gourmet sandwiches, plus delicious vegan and gluten-free baked goods (peanut butter crumble doughnuts, anyone?) from Bloomers. They also stock Total Cleanse cold-pressed juices, if you’re looking for a healthy, non-caffeinated bevvy.
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