Best Coffee Shops in Parkdale and Roncesvalles

Our Favourite Trendy Coffee Shops In Parkdale and Roncy!

There’s a particular kind of coffee shop that makes you want to stay a little longer. Good light, a table by the window, and a neighbourhood outside worth watching. Toronto has plenty of them, and the West End has some of the best.

The best coffee shops in Parkdale and Roncesvalles feel like an extension of the neighbourhood itself. So lace up and head out. Life is too short to spend it indoors, especially in this city.

Many of our favourite West End coffee shops also double as cocktail bars in the evening, thanks to Ontario’s more relaxed liquor licensing rules. That makes them just as good for a midday tipple on a slow weekend afternoon as for your morning flat white. These spots are a big part of what keeps the West End so vibrant and interesting. No matter the season, it’s the place to be.

We’re Kathy Essery and Pavlena Brown of Nested Real Estate, and we’ve been selling homes in the West End since 2012. These are the coffee shops we actually go to, in and around Roncesvalles and Parkdale.

Larry’s Folly

The evolution of the Toronto coffee shop is none more evident than in Larry’s Folly. A Parkdale coffee shop by day, and a Queen West hot spot by night. Located at Queen and Lansdowne, Larry’s Folly, with its excellent wifi, cozy interior and delicious coffee, is an easy choice for those looking to get out of the house but still work from home. Order up a perfectly crafted latte, one of their to-die-for butter tarts and call into that meeting in style.

After dark, Larry’s serves up a fine selection of craft beers, delicious wines and unique cocktails. Pair them up with their small offering of bar snacks, including that famous butter tart, available all day (while supplies last) And in case you forgot you were in a coffee shop, they have a coffee Old Fashioned featuring coffee liqueur and bourbon, yum. And don’t forget, live bands on the weekends from 9PM till 11PM. Larry’s Folly truly is a one-stop shop.

Larry’s Folly is located at 1462 Queen St. West at Lansdowne

Learn more about some of our favourite west end neighbourhoods here:

⁠Cherry Bomb Coffee

Trading in your iced coffee for a hot cuppa Joe? Tis the season and we totally get it. Look no further than this Roncesvalles staple. Located at the foot of Roncy, just north of Queen, Cherry Bomb is a West End coffee institution. Primarily a take out spot, though there are some spots to sit and sip, it’s not really designed for a long term lounge session.

Pick up a rich, bold, piping hot coffee, crafted from their own in-house roasted beans with, arguably the city’s, no, the nation’s best almond croissant and go for an autumn walk.

With some seating available out front, this is also a great spot to sit and people watch, chat to your neighbours and meet the many pups of Roncy, always on parade. Cherry Bomb is one of the most local establishments in the west end. Loved by locals, and visitors alike.

In addition to excellent offerings, this place is really all about the community. A quick stop will likely entail running into someone you know or making a new friend in line. Bonus. There is a TTC stop directly out front, so it’s very easy to get to. Hop off, treat yourself, and explore the many offerings of Roncy, Parkdale and the Lakeshore.

Cherry Bomb is located at 79 Roncesvalles avenue, just north of Queen

I Deal Coffee

A quintessentially West End Coffee shop, with a location on Ossington, and two on Sorauren. This hidden gem is conveniently tucked away across from Sorauren Park, making it an easy choice when enjoying all the offerings at this fantastic park. From the dog park, the farmer’s market, the sports fields, tennis courts, the list goes on.

I Deal is a coffee shop and bottle shop all in one, committed to sustainable growing practices and fair trade business practices. You can definitely feel good about supporting this business. More than just a coffee shop, I Deal is yet another hip spot taking advantage of those relaxed liquor laws.

In store, you can pick up a gorgeous bottle of red (or white or rose), even some local craft drinks from Burdock Brewery, or order online for a downtown Toronto porch delivery. But let’s get back to business here, I Deal is primarily a coffee shop, and a very good one at that. If you’re an avid coffee drinker, like we are, you can subscribe to their coffee delivery service, and never go without your favourite freshly roasted beans.

What is a coffee shop without a little sustenance? Pick up a healthy lunch on the go at the Sorauren location, the I Deal General Store. Here they have deliciously fresh salads on offer and the cutest patio, weather permitting. As the name suggests, there are also plenty of other goodies on offer here, from charcuterie staples, soups, cheeses and so much more. Check it out and see why I Deal is such a valuable member of our west end community.

Psst. You know what else? I Deal by the park also has ice cream and hot chocolate for the non-coffee drinkers in your squad. Win!

I Deal Coffee is located at: 250 Sorauren at Fermanagh, General Store On The Park; 221 Sorauren Coffee and Wine Bar & 162 Ossington Coffee and Wine

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Reunion Island⁠

This corner location in the middle of the Roncesvalles strip has a cute, minimalist vibe we can’t get enough of. A laid back, quiet atmosphere makes this yet another excellent spot to get some work done, or catch up with an old friend. An impeccable music selection, always at the perfect volume, ensures that this bright and airy spot beats any office space.

Pair your coffee with some delicious baked goods, provided by Blackbird Baking Co. or, if you’re up for it, get yourself the absolute best breakfast sandwich in the city, courtesy of Gold Standard.

Reunion Island is more than just a coffee shop, it is also a Canadian, family-owned specialty coffee roaster. Specialising in exceptional tasting coffees, including Organic, Fair Trade, Direct Trade and Rainforest Alliance certified varieties.

This Reunion Island location has the most instagrammable interior on our list. You know we can’t resist a well-designed tile floor. With big bright windows, warm wood touches and clean white tile with black accents, this is the place to get your necessary coffee content for the ‘Gram. take a peek at their grid and you’ll see what we mean.

Reunion Island is located at 385 Roncesvalles Ave, across from the TD Bank

Staying in isn’t much of an option when there are so many great places to discover right around the corner. Grab a coffee, take a slow walk, and snap a few photos for the ‘Gram along the way. Most of all, be part of your community. It’s the people who make these neighbourhoods so special, and that includes you.

Thinking about buying or selling in the West End? We’d love to talk it through over a coffee, and we know exactly where to go. Call us at 416-909-1602 or email hello@getnested.ca.