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!