Rooster Coffee House - 479 Broadview Avenue

It had been a year and a half since I had seen my mom (okay, she’s not my biological mother but she definitely fills the role better than anyone could). And finally, she decided to visit me in Toronto last week. After driving home from the airport and unpacking her suitcase, we had to head out east to visit her brother. He lives just a short bus ride from main street station. After a well-spent afternoon together reuniting, we decided to go grab coffee on our way back to my apartment.

After just a brief streetcar ride from Broadview station, we arrived at Rooster Coffee House. The first thing we noticed was the view across the street of Riverdale Park East. Far in the distance, you could see the beautiful buildings of downtown Toronto. Lisa, coming from a small town in Newfoundland, loved the sight and was astonished by its beauty.  

We entered the coffee shop, obviously getting a seat by the window so we could keep enjoying the view. We both ordered your standard latte and we couldn’t get over the latte art that the baristas had created. They both had the image of a beautiful flower and it was constructed with such love and care. I didn’t even want to drink it because of how pretty it looked. However, the taste of the latte was perfect, just like the latte art was. Truthfully, one of the best lattes I’ve ever had.

After 2 hours of sitting in this coffee shop talking about life and catching up, we decided to head out. It was difficult to leave such an amazing atmosphere that made you feel like you were in a different world. As we were heading out, Lisa said that every time she comes to visit, we would have to go there. Amazing vibes. Amazing people. Amazing view. And of course, amazing coffee.

Crema Coffee Co. - 3079 Dundas St W

Okay so, I know I’m from Canada and have lived here my entire life so I’m very much aware that complaining about the cold weather seems pretty redundant. But for once, I’m not going to complain about the fact that two days ago it was -41 and I missed my bus and had to walk to work. No, I’ll complain more about that another day. Instead, today I’m going to talk about an actual benefit of the cold weather, which would be that it has been the driving force behind discovering all these random, but great coffee shops. There is something completely different about entering a coffee shop in the winter compared to the summer. It’s just so much more satisfying in the winter. Summer is more about discovering ice cream parlors.

Located in The Junction (like Locomotive) lies Crema Coffee Co. I’ve been to this coffee shop numerous times, mostly due to the fact that I used to work across the street. The best thing about this coffee shop is the consistency of their coffee. I have no idea what kind of soymilk they use but it always tastes amazing (much better than what I get at Starbucks). To keep it simple, I usually get a soy latte. I always tell myself each time I go to try something different, but I crave the soy latte and always inevitably end up getting that. I usually never drink soymilk, but because I prefer my coffee without sweetener, the soymilk provides a natural nutty flavour to my latte, which I love so much.

This location opened in 2008 and at times can be busy with families, but for the most part it’s a great place to go enjoy a cup of coffee while catching up on some homework (yes, they have free Wi-Fi) or hanging out with friends. The Junction consists of many coffee shops that I’m sure each possesses their own unique element. Take a walk down Dundas Street West and you’ll be pleasantly surprised what you’ll discover.

Locomotive - 3070 Dundas Street West, Toronto

This September, I got hired at a Starbucks Coffee shop on Dundas and Quebec. Located in the heart of the junction, you could imagine the plethora of local coffee shops and small businesses trying to make a profit. Right across the street from Starbucks, is a local coffee shop called Locomotive. I stood outside this coffee shop various times waiting for my bus home. For two months I would see people drinking their coffee, reading the newspaper, or hanging out with friends.

Four months later, I finally decide to go and see what this coffee shop was all about. I arrived late morning, around 10AM, and it wasn’t crowed at all. There were only two other young men drinking their coffee talking about something work related. From the moment I walked in, I couldn’t get over the overall vibe of this place. It felt like I went back in time to when there were no huge coffee franchises and everyone bought from their local business owners. It didn’t feel like I was still on the busy street of Dundas West. Working at Starbucks requires you to be on your feet all day serving coffee as fast as possible, all the while maintaining that personal connection. However at this coffee shop, there was a much different atmosphere. There was no rushing. You could go in, order and sit in peace and still feel an emotional connection with the owner.

I ordered a hot chocolate and as the barista was making it he was describing to me how they use real coco and barely any sugar. I was extremely grateful to find out this information. Most people like to know what is being put into the things they drink or eat. As for Starbucks, people are usually unaware of what they are consuming in their drinks. To compliment my hot chocolate, I ordered a BLT on a bagel. It was the best BLT bagel I’ve ever had. And I’ve had a lot. This is the type of place I cannot even really describe for you. This is something you have to go and experience for yourself.

Broadview Espresso - 817 Broadview Avenue

I’ve been to this location a few times now, and every time I go I fall more in love. I think what makes me love it there is the combination of the atmosphere, the coffee, and the people that shape this image in my mind of what the ideal coffee shop looks like. The first time I ever discovered Broadview Espresso was actually completely by mistake. My initial plan was to head downtown to the Toronto Eaton Centre, but after getting lost in the music coming from my iPod on the subway, I missed my stop. I ended up getting off at Broadview Station instead, and because it was my day off, I decided to check out that side of town, a side of town I don’t find myself in often.

The weather was extremely cold that day. Just thinking about the temperature that day makes my hands feel almost numb again. Like Sam James Coffee Bar, the exterior of Broadview espresso is easy to pass by without notice. There was a classic simplicity about the exterior of the coffee shop and the haziness of the windows created a mysterious atmosphere that made you want to explore what was inside. It made you interested. The shop is attached to a much larger building but only occupying a tiny part of it. I knew as soon as I entered the coffee shop that I was going to love this place. Just like how you know your coffee is going to taste much better in the morning. And I was right. I loved it.

The shop was very tiny but their business was thriving, as the shop was bustling with people. Some customers were getting their coffee to go, while others were occupied with work or reading the newspaper. The best word to describe this coffee shop would be comforting. It created a sense of home for me, something I haven’t felt in a long time. It was, yet again, another amazing Toronto coffee shop experience. I strongly recommend anyone who loves coffee or hot chocolate (that is what I always get there and it is amazing) to check this place out. If you are on the west side of Toronto then it is a bit of a commute (90 minutes) but trust me, the commute is totally worth it. Grab some friends on a Friday night and check it out!

Sam James Coffee Bar - 297 Harbord Street Toronto “HARBORD SHOP”

Picture this: it’s a Monday, and we all know nobody likes Mondays. They’re basically like the plague. Everyone tires to avoid them. Avoid them the way I would avoid my mothers phone calls in high school. But this Monday was different. This Monday I would answer my mother’s calls and tell her the exciting news: I had an interview for my marketing internship! I was extremely excited for it and felt very confident in my abilities. That was until I walked out thinking that I completely bombed it.

It’s cold, the streets are crowed, and I get on the subway which is also crowded (UGH! Rush hour) and all I kept thinking was “I need off of this subway.” I decided to get off at Christie station. I remembered passing a Sam James Coffee Bar the last time I was in that area. So, of course, as a self-diagnosed caffeine addict, my solution to feeling better was obviously coffee.

After about a 5-minute walk from the station, I arrive at my destination. The exterior of the coffee shop is easily unrecognizable. I’m surprised I even spotted it the first time. 

Through the glass window I spotted a wooden bench. It kind of looked like that scene in a movie where the father is sitting and reading the newspaper while drinking his morning cup of coffee. If you’ve ever watched TV, you know the scene I’m talking about. Being -15 degrees, the image of this coffee shop created a feeling of warmth within me.

Upon entering, I was greeted by a very gracious woman. She was relaxed and asked me how my day was going. I told her about the interview and how I thought I wasn’t going to get it. This conversation was happening as she was making my hot chocolate with my double shot espresso. We continued talking for a while more. She told me there were about 300 other Sam James Coffee Bar locations and that they’ve been around for about 5 years. It was nice to have a decent conversation after feeling like I failed my interview. But the highlight of this experience was when she offered me a free pastry of my choice, completely on the house. I choose the chocolate almond croissant. If just the name doesn’t make you go there and buy one yourself I don’t know what will. It was delicious.

From the rich & caramelly espresso to the creamy comfort brought by the hot chocolate, Sam James Coffee Bar is doing it right. But I have to say, that even though the offering of the croissant was something so small, it made such an impact. I later found out that I got the internship. Maybe I didn’t bomb it. Or maybe it was the free croissant? I’m going to go with the latter.


Toronto Locations: 

SJCB - HARBORD LOCATION: 297 Harbord Street Toronto

Mon - Fri  7 - 6

Sat  8 - 5 , Sun  9 – 5

SJCB – POCKET LOCATION: 688a Bloor Street West Toronto

Mon - Fri  7 - 7

Sat - Sun  9 - 5

SJCB – PATH LOCATION: 150 King Street West Toronto

Mon - Fri  7 - 4

Closed Weekends

SJCB – OZ LOCATION: 3 Ossington Ave. Toronto

Mon - Fri  7 - 7

Sat - Sun  9 - 5