Toronto Guide
Toronto
Cafés
1 Balzac's Coffee Roastery 55 Mill St; Streetcar: King (#504) Balzac's has a laid-back, arty feel and occupies the old pump room of the Gooderham & Worts Distillery, at the heart of the Distillery District. Churns out nicely presented espresso-type coffees plus matching cakes and light bites. Opening time: Mon– Fri 7am–8pm, Sat & Sun 9am–8pm
2 Bonjour Brioche 812 Queen St East at Broadview; Streetcar: Queen (#501) This patisserie-café draws hordes from all over the city on account of its fruit tarts, buttery croissants, puffy brioche and delectable pissaladiere, a variation on pizza from Provence. The sit-down menu is a blackboard full of soups, sandwiches, omelettes and quiche. There's always a line for Sunday brunch, and almost everything has gone by 2pm – so come early. Opening time: Tues– Fri 8am–5pm, Sat 8am–4pm & Sun 8am–3pm
3 Café Bernate 1024 Queen St W; Streetcar: Queen (#501) The steam machine is in full swing at this neighbourhood spot, and the sunny yellow walls are hung with local artists' work. The menu offers a flock of plump sandwiches for all tastes, and coffee drinkers get free refills. Opening time: Mon– Sat 11am–4pm
4 Café Nervosa 75 Yorkville Ave; Subway: Bay One of the few reasonably priced café-restaurants left in Yorkville, Café Nervosa is strong on Italian-style salads, pastas and pizzas. In particular, don't miss the two-person, regionally named pizzas with thin, crispy crusts and an authentic variety of toppings. Price: Main courses $12 and up Opening time: Mon– Sat 11am–11pm, Sun 10.30am–3pm
5 Insomnia Internet Bar Café Inc 502 Bloor St W at Lippincott; Subway: Bathurst This fully licensed Internet café has computer terminals and a kitchen that stays open until 2am, serving up a wide range of dishes from tapas to Canadian. Large screen TV and couches on which to snuggle too. Opening time: Daily 11am–2am, 4am on the weekend
6 Java House 537 Queen St W opposite Denison; Streetcar: Queen (#501) The exterior of this popular local hangout is painted to look like a hut from some sort of South Pacific village, while inside it is all café, steamy and busy serving up light meals and gallons of caffeinated beverages of all descriptions. Opening time: Daily 8am– midnight
7 
Moon Bean Coffee 30 St Andrew's St; Subway: St Patrick One of a dwindling number of cafés that care enough to roast their own beans, Moon Bean is a Kensington Market tradition. Its patio is a perfect spot to watch the daily parade go by. A five- to ten-minute walk from the subway.
8 Sugar Café 942 Queen St W near Ossington. Streetcar: Queen (#501) This little café on the West Queen W strip has all the usual elements – espresso coffees, sweets and light fare – but presented in a charming, light-hearted way. Opening time: Thurs– Sat 6–10pm, plus Sat & Sun 10am–3pm
9 Tequila Bookworm 490 Queen St W at Denison; Streetcar: Queen (#501) Part second-hand bookshop, part coffee house, this beguiling place has garage-sale armchairs and bare-brick walls. Espresso drinks and simple desserts are served without fuss. Opening time: Mon– Wed 8.30am–11pm, Thurs 8.30am–1am, Sat 10am–2am & Sun 11am–11pm