October 13, 2022 | Neighbourhoods
Our Favourite Trendy Coffee Shops In Parkdale and Roncy!
As the leaves start to change, and the temperature drops, that familiar craving for cozy comforts starts to creep in. It’s only how many days until Christmas?! As care-free summer clothes get replaced with warm wardrobe staples, staying indoors becomes top of mind. But wait! Toronto has so much to offer all year round, and the west end is no exception. Parkdale and Roncy are home to some of the best cozy, cool, warm coffee shops in the entire city. So layer up, lace up, and head out. Life is too short to spend it indoors, especially in this town!
With more relaxed licensing laws in the province, many of our favourite coffee shops also double as cocktail bars in the evenings, or even a nice spot for a midday tipple on a beautiful fall weekend. These places are an integral part of what keeps the west end so vibrant, interesting and absolutely the place to be, no matter the weather. Here are a few of our can’t miss favourites, in and around Roncy 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! Oh, 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 Roncy 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
Looking for more things to do in the west end? Check out these blogs here:
- Bloor West Village: A Gourmet Grocery Hot Spot
- Where to Buy a Bike in the West End
- Breakfast in Roncesvalles: Our Favourite Spots
Reunion Island
This corner location in the middle of the Roncy 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 indoors is not an option when there are so many amazing places to check out. Fall is such a fleeting season in Ontario, and definitely the most beautiful. Take advantage of this small, autumnal window and check out some of the west end’s best coffee shops, get some excellent snaps for the ‘Gram, hello, coffee and fall foliage anyone? And be a part of your community, after all, it’s the people that make our neighbourhoods so special, and that includes you.
If buying or selling real estate in west end Toronto is on your list this year, feel free to reach out! Call us at 416-909-1602 or email hello@getnested.ca today!
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