A hot latte from Baldwin Village’s Butter and Blue.
Image source: BlogTO
Tired of waiting in long Starbucks lines and barricading yourself in Robarts? Try these closeby cafés instead!
By Jasmine Chow, Associate Editor
As midterm season winds to an end, it’s daunting to remember that final exams are just around the corner. One of my favourite things to do when feeling overwhelmed is to treat myself to coffee. As a busy student, a café is the perfect place for me to get work done but take a small break at the same time.
I decided to do a café crawl around campus, revisiting my favourite spots while discovering new ones recommended by friends. As I walked from café to café, I took notes on what made each place unique to create a guide to share with my fellow café-crawlers!
215 Spadina Ave
Image source: Yelp
Dark Horse is a favourite of mine—not too far from campus but just enough to get some steps in—so it was the perfect spot to start my journey. There’s always a seat available here, so I get settled before ordering at the counter.
There are a ton of specialty drinks, seasonal offerings, and pastries. I like how there are two levels of seating at this location: sunny views by the windows in the front, or cozy and moody vibes by the back. I sipped hot apple cider and ate a pumpkin muffin while studying using their free WiFi.
My only issue with this location is the lack of outlets. I’m the type of person who always has something plugged in, so I’m out of luck if I want to sit by the windows while charging up my tablet. There are only a few outlets in the back, so make sure your devices are fully charged before you arrive!
4-233 Spadina Ave
Image source: Icha Tea Shop
Just a few steps up the street from Dark Horse is this matcha/boba spot. I’m a huge matcha lover, so this popular tea shop is perfect for me!
I like Icha Tea for their excellent matcha and specialty drinks, though they can be a bit pricey. The majority of the seating here is in the back, creating a darker atmosphere. But in the summer, you can enjoy their makeshift patio outside.
Another reason to love this spot is the seating, which is arguably the most important part of studying at a café—a comfortable environment can get me to sit and work for hours. There’s tons of seating here, big tables for groups, free wifi, and outlets at nearly every table. The shop is also fairly quiet even when it’s packed with students, which I appreciate.
321 Bloor St W
Image source: L’Espresso Bar Mercurio
Looping around towards the north side of campus is L’Espresso Bar Mercurio, which I feel is a go-to for many students. L’Espresso Bar Mercurio is great not just for coffee but also for lunch. They’ve got a constantly rotating menu of sandwiches, salads, and student specials that make this café worth checking out.
This café is sunny with lots of seating. During the lunch hour, I find the line-up to be very busy, so consider coming during off-peak hours to avoid the rush. Their coffee is smooth on the tongue and straightforward, and their large sandwiches make it easy for me to study here all day without having to go elsewhere to grab food.
I love sitting on their patio during the summer. The service here is definitely also a standout, as tables are constantly being cleaned and waiting in line is quick. The only downside is that the food can be quite pricey, so I only come here every once in a while when I’m really craving their sandwiches.
7 Baldwin St
Image source: BlogTO
This popular café has been recommended to me endlessly, but I’ve never visited it until recently. Just south of Queen’s Park in Baldwin Village, this adorable spot resides within a charming yellow and blue house fitting of its name. The menu is extensive and moderately priced, offering coffee, tea, and matcha as well as bakery items and even cocktails. Some items are nods to Hong Kong café classics.
I ordered a delicious iced latte and matcha mochi cake and sat outside on the patio as I studied. It was busy when I arrived, so I was lucky to snag a seat before they were all taken up. I love how their patio features twining grape vines along the walls, and I felt totally transported out of downtown Toronto. Eventually, I moved inside; it was cozy and warm with free WiFi and an outlet I gladly plugged my devices into.
Overall, I love the seating, menu, and location here, as Baldwin St. houses a few other popular cafés and restaurants. I’d definitely come back to Butter and Blue and would recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy place to study with good coffee!
Your Next Café Crawl
Getting the chance to visit and review these cafés definitely helped me recharge while being productive in the weeks leading up to my final few midterms. Although these four cafés were just a few standouts on my list, there are so many more cafés I have yet to try all over Toronto.
Which spots are you planning to visit on your next campus café crawl?
