Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in Ontario

"Toronto’s most famous ice cream sandwich can be found at Bang Bang on Ossington Avenue. The now iconic ice cream sandwich shop in Toronto opened its doors in 2014. Local foodies quickly caught wind and queues begun snaking down the street at the first whiff of warm weather (and during cooler temps too, if we’re honest)."

"A post shared by COTG // Food•Travel•Girlpower (@chicagoonthego) on Apr 6, 2019 at 1:34pm PDT. Bang Bang has some unreal flavours — ranging from Soybean Walnut to Avocado. When paired with their egg waffle cones, it becomes a must-share for you to post on your Instagram feed."

"Nestled on Ossington Ave, Bang Bang is most definitely the best restaurant in Toronto for ice-cream sandwiches. Having much more of a cafe and takeout vibe, Bang Bang is the type of place you grab something and go. Honestly, run to this places, it’s amazing!"

"When The Pilot opened its doors in 1944, it was originally dedicated to Canadian WWII pilots fighting overseas. Today, The Pilot continues to embody this spirit, with its large rooftop terrace dubbed the “Flight Deck.” The laid-back atmosphere is indicative of Yorkville and is a great option for some much-needed reprieve from the bustling downtown core. On Saturdays, you’ll be able to catch live jazz from some of Canada’s finest musicians, adding to the historic charm of the establishment."

"A big part of why Toronto's coffee culture has had such a glow-up story is Pilot Coffee Roasters. What started as one coffeeshop in Leslieville quickly blossomed into a franchise of stores and a roastery across the city, all with the same mission statement – providing great coffee in a way that benefits growers and consumers alike. We'll drink to that."

"Next pick is one that is located in Yorkville for those of you looking to switch it up from the typical southern core spots. The Pilot’s is a large steel rooftop patio (The Flight Deck) with an interesting history. The Pilot offers up some high end eats if you’re looking for a nice place to eat while still keeping that bar vibe going."

"What makes them special: Located in the historic Dineen Building, this popular coffee shop attracts the visitors with a distinctively stylish interior marked with high ceilings, red leather banquettes, and custom marble countertops. Coffee breaks last way longer here and with a good reason—unique roasts like Temperance Espresso Blend, with light citrus notes and a very smooth texture, call for attention and a true appreciation of quality."

"Thankfully, there are three Dineen Coffee spots dotted around Toronto, meaning there’s always a spot relatively close by. Personally, my favourite is on Gerrard Street East but there’s another great spot on Yonge Street, too. Prices can be a little higher than other spots, but it’s well worth it if you want some good quality coffee."

"Nadège Patisserie is offering four ice cream bars as part of its special ice cream shop. Priced at $6.50 each, flavours include strawberry vanilla (dipped in strawberry chocolate), vanilla and caramel (double dipped in a milk chocolate coating and crunchy almond pieces), vanilla and chocolate and Yuzu cheesecake, which features Nadège’s famous cheesecake ice cream dipped in Yuzu chocolate. All ice cream bars can be picked up from the shop’s Rosedale, Queen West and Oxford Kitchen HQ locations."

"This French bakery and café has helped to reinvented the Parisian-style bakery experience in Toronto. Modern, chic and downright gorgeous, the café and bakery offers croissants, macrons and some of the most gorgeous and delicious cakes you will ever see. This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:"

"What: This shop makes French-style ice cream and sorbet from scratch using local high-quality dairy and fresh fruit. Mini macarons, one of their most popular toppings, are officially back . Where: 780 Queen St W"

"Have breakfast either at hotel, grab it on the run at a Tim Hortons, Starbucks or sit down at the Sunset Grill, for a standard breakfast at a reasonable price. Get oriented to Toronto with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour: great value for a short stay as your ticket includes transportation and a narrated guided tour of the city. Book a Toronto Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour with Viator. This tour's first bus leaves from Yonge-Dundas Square and the pass is good for three consecutive days."

"We believe them, as they practice what they preach, using succulent ingredients that you don't need to be told are picked straight from the vine. Cafe Belong is designed to resemble a post-modern bar and has tall windows that allow for ample light to stream in, illuminating the wooden walls. Lunch, dinner and brunch each have their stars of the show, from gnocchi with brown buttered arugula in the winter to delicate slices of tomatoes making up a fresh caprese salad in the summer."

"If you ever go to the Evergreen Brickworks, make sure you stop by for a breakfast sandwich at Cafe Belong. You'll get a fresh buttermilk biscuit, eggs and herbs. It's fresh, it's flavourful and you can eat it right by a pond in one of the best..."

"LeTAO on College Street is a Japanese ice cream concept now available in Canada. Established in Japan over 20 years ago, the Toronto flagship store is the first location outside of Asia, opening in late May 2019. LeTAO’s name is based on the first letters of the French phrase “La Tour Amitie Otaru” meaning “The Amiable Tower of Otaru.” It was meant to be a beacon of hope during the depression and meant to show pride for the city."

"What is it: Henderson’s industry veteran co-founders (they used to brew and consult for major brands) bring years of experience to this West End brewery. The monthly Ides series pays homage to Toronto’s history with unique one-off brews. Why go: Part of the Sterling Ave. revitalization (along with the Drake Commissary eatery and brand-new Museum of Contemporary Art), Henderson is helping to turn this up-and-coming neighborhood into a destination."

"Located on Sterling Road in the Junction Triangle, Henderson Brewery is open 7 days a week until 10pm. On Friday & Saturday the bar and bottle shop are open until 11pm. Their flagship beer (and my fav!), Henderson’s Best, is a modern take on brews created in the 19th century."

"Located in the Junction (Dundas West), this independent Toronto brewery serving hard to find Ales, has been a consistent favourite of ours despite not living in the neighbourhood. With a wide range of in-house beers and great service, this Toronto brewery sees us making the 40 minute trek from downtown Toronto on a regular basis. The ambiance is fun and welcoming for those of all ages (beer for the adults and crayons for the little ones) making this a spot you can add to your list of things to do in Toronto with kids as well."

"Years before seemingly every neighbourhood in Toronto had its own brew pub, craft forbearers Indie Alehouse was concocting a slew of bold and experimental beers in its roomy Junction digs. Opened in 2012, the 4,000-square-foot space boasts a 110-seat restaurant (known for its legendary fried chicken sandwich), bottle shop and revolving rotation of taps, featuring classics like Broken Hipster, the gulpable Belgian wit and easy drinking Instigator IPA. SE. 2876 Dundas West, at Keele, 416-760-9691, indiealehouse.com"

"If you’re tired of drinking mass-produced beer-flavoured water, you’ll want to check out this popular Junction alehouse. In addition to the small indie brewery’s four flagship offerings, its rotating taps are always changing – keep an eye out for Fates & Furies, a series dedicated to reviving now hard-to-find brews. Try: The Barnyard Belgian IPA, a hybrid that combines the best of both iconic styles."

"Next we have the quaint Beverly Rooftop which features Mexican eats on a small rooftop. This is a lesser known spot but is a great spot to hit if you’re looking to sip on cocktails during the day and enjoy Tacos on the side. This spot has a nice ambiance with a nice view of the CN Tower, despite its small size."

"The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Etobicoke, Toronto, Ontario, Canada is a traditional Hindu place of worship that was built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha."

"List this under "very cool installations." The best part about the "wavedeck" is that you can slide on it (because you know you want to). It's a great, interactive gathering place at water's edge, and it plays on that theme in a whimsical way."

"Situated on Trinity Square, the Anglican church of the Holy Trinity was built in 1847 by Henry Bowyer Lane in a neo-gothic style. Its floor plan was designed in the shape of a Latin cross, an oft-repeated motif in church design. Holy Trinity includes some unique curiosities like the twin octagonal towers, which were once used as a navigational beacon."