5 Toronto Cafés with “Wow” Factor!

Who’s the big coffee lover here? ✋

Frankly, every morning, my first step of breakfast is coffee. A good coffee can certainly make my day, and it also helps me be more focused and energetic at work. (I am also obsessed with matcha latte, and I will have a post coming up recommending some nice matcha latte places I have been to in Toronto).

Today, I will list 5 cafés that I most frequently go to. Later I plan to take a craft café tour which I will involve 12 highly rated cafes that I haven’t been to. Be sure to subscribe to get an update in your mailbox!

Ok, let’s get started!

Strange Love

Oh....my...GOD, this coffee makes wonders!

That was the initial response of me and everyone I've introduced this to when we first tried the coffee here.

This is probably the smoothest coffee I ever had.

Two words that make Strange Love: Tonka beans. I urge everyone to get the shot option with any of their coffee. Tonka beans have an intense flavor that is widely used in French pastries and by lots of top chefs around the world. It comes from an aromatic seed of a giant tree, deep in the Amazon rainforest. It has this transcendent flavor profile, therefore it is regarded as the most delicious ingredient you could ever have.

Unfortunately, overdose of Tonka beans might be dangerous. Due to this reason, selling Tonka beans to eat has been illegal in the US since 1954.

I would say it does have the magic power that makes you obsessed with it.

My go-to recommendation would be the Lover’s Latte and Flat White with an extra shot of Tonka beans. Flat White is stronger if you prefer the stronger flavor of both coffee and tonka beans.

The decor of the cafe is very cute. Each table has several plants or books. There are also artworks on the wall for sell.

In addition to coffee, it has nice pastry and gelato. It’s always nice to have multiple options, isn’t it? :)

Mos Mos

I work in the financial district during weekdays. When I first started working, I just wanted to get my caffeine fix as soon as possible, so Starbucks used to be my top choice since they are conveniently located everywhere. (Still go to Starbucks sometimes). However, after having hundreds cups of Starbucks coffee, I was bored of the same old thing and decided to make my life more interesting by trying to visit different cafés whenever I want to have coffee.

I discovered Mos Mos earlier this year and was immediately hooked.

In the beginning, I ordered a latte with caramel sauce. This is much creamier than other lattes I had. If you like thick and creamy flavour, Mos Mos is definitely a place to stop by. They make latte so beautiful as well – I don’t remember if I ever get this beautiful latte art in Starbucks latte

For all you chai latte lovers, good news! Mos Mos has the best chai latte I ever had. They also have the most options for chai latte I have ever seen.

Cardamom chai latte is a rarely found kind (Pakistani-style chai)

Masala chai latte with extra chai is me and my friend’s favourite. It is also thick and creamy, except with a kick of spice unlike any chai latte I had before.

Mango chai latte can be a hit or miss. I have colleagues say that they are totally in love with it, but other people claim it's a little bit weird.

Anyway, if you are interested, stop by and you won’t be disappointed.

Mercatto

This is the café to the restaurant Merchatto. It was also discovered by my intention to stay away from Starbucks and support some local shops instead.

I like the restaurant, and their café keeps up with the standard.

Their coffee beans are from local coffee beans suppliers within Canada.

I like their cappuccino, latte and Cortado.

Versus coffee

When it comes to coffee, I am either looking for good taste or unique presentation.

With Versus coffee, they have it all!

Just look at their beautiful coffee art, who wouldn’t love it!

The café is small but very elegant with an all white modern look and big floor-to-ceiling windows. It also got a small cute patio!

Their coffee comes from de Mello Palheta Roasters. Versus uses their house blend called Dancing Goats to ensure reliability and consistency. They also offer tea and pastries. Their teas are from Sloane, another local shop.

Fahrenheit coffee

This is a really highly rated coffee shop in Toronto.

It offers three different espresso origins, from Brazil, El Centro and Rutuma.

You definitely need to try its specialty – Cortado, which is also what I tried.

Please note though that they don't allow take out for a few of their coffees because it is best enjoyed immediately after they brew it.

They also offer pastries. I tried their chocolate croissant - yum!

The staff here are really friendly. I dropped by with my friend on an early Saturday morning and even though they were busy, they kept checking on us to make sure everything is alright.

Alright, above are all the cafés I want to recommend today.

Have you been to any of them? What do you think of them? Do you have other cafés in mind that you like?

Leave me a comment. Let's discuss!

Thank you for reading.

#coffee #Food