During my time at U of T, caffeine has been one of my best friends. I’m sure that some of you can relate. Starbucks can get old (and crowded!), so I’m always looking for a new spot to call my own. A café can be a great place to study or socialize, and being downtown ensures that all of us will find our go-to coffee spot.
Check out the three hidden gems below.
The Green Beanery
565 Bloor Street West
Located west of campus right at Bathurst Street, the Green Beanery is a two-part franchise: half café, half retail store. They sell a variety of coffee equipment (espresso machines, French presses, porcelain sets, etc.), as well as a wide selection of coffee, either “green” beans (which you can roast fresh yourself) or pre-roasted beans (ready to grind and brew).
Unfortunately, this café has no Wi-Fi, and the small round tables aren’t suitable for work. However, it’s in a prime location near all the restaurants on Bloor Street and in Koreatown, so it’s a good place to go if you’ll be craving some lunch too.
BEST FOR: A BFF (or SO) coffee date.
CSI Coffee Pub
720 Bathurst Street
This café, located in the Centre for Social Innovation (no, CSI doesn’t stand for what you think it does), is a fantastic place to visit for good coffee and atmosphere. It’s in a warehouse-style space, with rugged floors and miscellaneous couches, tables, and armchairs. The area is well decorated with artwork, hanging lights, and planters in the windows.
The staff behind the counter is very friendly, and their skills with an espresso machine do not disappoint. They also have an assortment of baked goods and a small brunch menu (soups, breakfast sandwiches, salad, etc.).
Be aware that the café recently retracted their free Wi-Fi, but given the giant tables and variety of seating, it’s still a great place to hit the books.
BEST FOR: Studying (for now, offline).
Rick’s Café
281 Augusta Avenue
Tucked away on the fringes of Kensington Market, this little coffee spot is almost easy to miss. Inside is a small but cozy space with artwork on the walls and a giant barista bar. The café is sort of divided into two sections: you can either sit in the back for more privacy, or hop onto a stool and people-watch at the large window out front.
A chalkboard sign outside boasts their famous “NUTELLA LATTE (OMG!!)”, which I unfortunately did not get to try. The employees are very friendly, and their baked goods are divine. Unfortunately, there isn’t much space inside, so this isn’t the place to take a large group of friends.
The best thing about this café is its location. If you want to make a day of it, take your latte to go and walk further into the market on Augusta Avenue to explore.
BEST FOR: Flying solo.
Photo Sources:
https://33.media.tumblr.com/1911b8e95777f81fb639c1351fc350e2/tumblr_n2wd…