Best Toronto Coffee Shops Near St. Clair West
If you love coffee, but St. Clair West isn’t an area you frequent, it should be! Here are my favourite places to go when I’m strolling by this lively part of Toronto.
1. Lion Coffee x Chocolat de Kat
I would be lion if I said Lion Coffee wasn’t worth stopping by.
The small coffee outlet along St. Clair West is partnered up with Chocolat de Kat. This partnership, while unlikely, strikes gold. It is quite delightful to grab a brightly-coloured chocolate to compliment your caffeinated beverage.
The coffee itself (what this list is really about) is flavourful, and all the baristas I’ve encountered are very talented.
The chocolate is glossy, colourful, and filled with unique flavours. Some of my favourite flavours are Yuzu Caramel, and Salted Caramel.
Although this is more a takeout establishment, the coffee you are receiving is just as good as any sit-down place. They even take the time to do coffee art, so be sure to give it a peek before putting your lid on. Just a quick suggestion, though - if you know you’re going, bring in your own mug to help curb the use of takeout cups (I sadly didn’t plan on walking in and got a paper cup).
In essence, Lion Coffee is the best takeout coffee shop along St. Clair West. It’s a great establishment to check out, especially if you’re craving chocolate!
Location:
881 St Clair Avenue West
Noteworthy Feature:
Kat’s chocolates are the perfect compliment to this coffee!
2. May flowers
Flowers, coffee…? Sounds good to me! Especially when said coffee shop sometimes uses flowers or floral syrups in their drinks! Case in point, the lavender latte pictured here.
May Flowers, on top of making pleasant and smooth cups of coffee in their St. Clair West store, also sell beautiful and well-tended flowers and plants. It always smells incredible inside of the store, and the salespeople are very kind and knowledgeable.
The speciality shop also delivers bouquets for events, and I was once on the lucky receiving end! Although I wasn’t home when they arrived, they were very good at contacting me and making sure the flowers were in a safe place for when I arrived. I really appreciated this service, and it proved to me their commitment to customer service.
This is one worth stopping by!
Be sure to check out my other post with coffee shops like May Flowers.
Location:
1020 St Clair Avenue West
Photo courtesy of May Flowers official Facebook page.
Noteworthy Feature:
They also sell handmade birthday cards that are hilarious - I’ve bought two already.
3. Mofer Coffee
Mofer Coffee, named after an integral tool used in agriculture, serves patrons coffee cultivated and brewed from the company’s own fields in Ethiopia.
The organic coffee beans, which are non-GMO, are grown in fields exposed to minimal pollution, ensuring maximal taste.
The café itself has a relaxed, earthy atmosphere, thanks to its wooden decor and mocha-coloured walls.
There are small nibbles available for hungry customers, but the real draw is the Ethiopian coffee. If you want to make unique coffee at home, Mofer sells their own beans.
This is a calming coffee shop in the area that is great for those who need an oasis in which to work, or calmly whittle away a few hours.
Location:
936 St Clair Avenue West
Noteworthy Feature:
Ethiopian coffee - delicious!
4. Krave Coffee
Do you crave coffee? Sure, you do. (Or, at least, I assume you do based on the fact you’re reading this list!)
Krave Coffee occupies an industrially-chic space along St. Clair West. As well as a cool interior, the café has a wooden patio that makes for a welcoming place from which to sip your coffee during Toronto’s warmer months.
Krave Coffee also sells locally sourced baked goods, and has a few vegetarian and gluten free items. If you want some coffee paraphernalia, there is a large selection all throughout the café. If you crave healthier fare, there are always sandwiches and soups available.
Location:
936 St Clair Avenue West
Noteworthy Feature:
Outdoor patio!
5. Wallace Espresso
Wallace Espresso is a café that I consider a hidden gem amongst the other coffee shops along St. Clair West. This small café excels at creating a comfortable and restful setting in which to grab delicious coffee and treat.
It’s easy to feel at ease at Wallace, a café almost constantly basked in sunlight thanks to its large windows facing the street. The minimalistic decor allows your mind to wander, making Wallace an excellent choice if you’re in need of a place in which to study, read a book, or journal. There are outlets, and intriguing artwork on the walls.
The coffee itself tastes excellent, and Joel (pictured below) has said it makes “the best flat whites in the city”. I must admit, they are worth trying.
There are no fancy gimmicks at Wallace; the coffee and the ambiance speaks for itself. The barista is very pleasant, and seems to really know his stuff. I must confess, I do quite like sitting at the counter and people-watch when I’m there. You’ll understand what I mean when you visit!
My only qualm is that the baked goods were wrapped in plastic; I understand it may be easier to preserve treats this way, but I don’t feel it is really needed.
When you find yourself in Toronto’s West End, allow your feet (or the streetcar) to bring you to Wallace Espresso; it’s a coffee shop worth knowing!
Location:
188 Wallace Avenue
Noteworthy Feature:
Joel claims these are “the best flat whites in TO” - bold.
6. Dismount
Have your own Tour de Coffee in this bike-and-coffee shop located on St. Clair West.
It’s easier than climbing the Col du Tourmalet to order a delicious espresso or latte from this cycling store with talkative baristas. I personally am always impressed by the quality of their coffee. Their cappuccinos are the exact amount of creaminess that I enjoy.
The ambiance of the store is also worth mentioning as it is frankly cool to be surrounded by a number of bikes as you sip your drink. There are also snacks available if you want a bite.
Even if you don’t have any knowledge on cycling, pop in as the coffee and the ambiance are fun!
Read my hybrid coffee shop post to discover other places like Dismount!
Location:
936 St Clair Avenue West
Noteworthy Feature:
The ambiance - all those bikes!
OK… BUT WHAT DO I PUT INTO GOOGLE MAPS?
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