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North America Canada Toronto Cafés Balzac's Coffee Roasters

Overview

Balzac's Coffee Roasters

The guide was updated: 2025-11-30

This popular coffee house is nestled in the old Pump House of the historic Distillery District and is probably the closest you'll get to a European coffee house in Toronto. The dark wood and raw stone interior lends a Paris café ambiance to this hidden-in-epic-proportions gem. Stylized posters in the Toulouse-Lautrec and Cheret realm grace the walls, while a huge chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

Useful Information

Address: The Distillery Historic District, 1 Trinity Street, Toronto
More Info: Building 60
Website: balzacs.com/pages/distillery-district
Phone: +1 416 207 1709
Email: info@balzacs.com

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

Café Diplomatico

Café Diplomatico

This laid back, unpretentious spot smack in the middle of Little Italy on the College West strip has become an institution for coffee lovers and is often used as a set for film makers. In the afternoon, the tables fill with local folk pouring intensely over movie reviews, writing, or chatting amicably while sipping long double espressos or lattes from pint-sized glasses.

Moonbean Coffee Shop

Moonbean Coffee Shop

It’s very rarely quiet at this quaint spot in Kensington market, one of the few shops where you can enjoy some 50 different varieties of organic, freshly roasted and fair trade coffee. Head there on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, and don’t forget to order the popular “nana” bread (banana bread)!

Balzac's Coffee Roasters

Balzac's Coffee Roasters

This popular coffee house is nestled in the old Pump House of the historic Distillery District and is probably the closest you'll get to a European coffee house in Toronto. The dark wood and raw stone interior lends a Paris café ambiance to this hidden-in-epic-proportions gem. Stylized posters in the Toulouse-Lautrec and Cheret realm grace the walls, while a huge chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

Il Fornello on Danforth

Il Fornello on Danforth

Il Fornello serves authentic wood oven-baked Neapolitan-style pizzas along with other Italian food options, such as pasta and seafood dishes to be enjoyed in a bright, modern setting with a spacious patio.

Pizzeria Libretto

Pizzeria Libretto

Toronto's favorite pizza joint cherishes its well-deserved popularity among locals–their wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas are all of the highest quality and bring the place plenty of repeat customers. The drink list is extensive, and a good value fixed-price lunch is served on weekdays.

Rooster Coffee House

Rooster Coffee House

Coffee and food options are aplenty at this cozy cafe with a view over Riverdale Park. Many plugs to charge your electronic devices and password-free WiFi are a nice touch to complete the café experience.

Snakes & Lattes

Snakes & Lattes

Snakes & Lattes is a spot that offers a fun pass time to go with your snack and coffee — shelves filled with board and card games adorn the walls, and cafe guests are welcome to choose from the variety. Get here early to secure a spot, as the café tends to fill up quickly.

Espro Coffee Bar

Espro Coffee Bar

Espro Coffee Bar offers a distinctive café experience, functioning as a dedicated living lab for the craft of French press coffee. It is the only café in Canada with this specific focus, using its own award-winning presses to deliver a grit-free, full-flavoured brew. The minimalist, modern space is designed for mindful consumption rather than remote work, encouraging patrons to engage with the coffee-making process. Located in Toronto's Beaches neighbourhood, it provides a unique, curated stop for coffee enthusiasts seeking to explore the nuances of immersion brewing.

Caphelia

Caphelia

Caphelia is a cozy, unassuming café on a side street near Yonge and Wellesley, known for its Vietnamese-inspired drinks and ceremonial-grade matcha. Its signature offerings include a robust, strong-brewed coffee and inventive matcha lattes like the popular banana pudding version. The menu also features authentic central Vietnamese bánh mì, noted for its use of coriander. With a calm, pale-wood interior and exceptionally friendly service, it provides a relaxed and welcoming spot for a leisurely break.

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