Aliu IsaGone are the days when I could just open a 3-in-1 coffee sachet, mix its contents with hot water, and call it a morning. Toronto has ruined me with its endless cafe options.
This is especially true in Kensington Market. Everywhere you look, there are aesthetic cafes, big and small, whispering seductively in my ear, saying “Give me all your money.”
And yes, I give in each and every time. Sure, it may be bad for the wallet, but one could argue that it’s good for the soul.
So, go ahead and visit these amazing cafes in Kensington Market. I know you deserve it as much as I do!
5s Cafe
Media credit: https://www.instagram.com/5s.cafe/
Website: https://www.yelp.ca/biz/5s-cafe-toronto-2
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5s.cafe/
Address: 6 Denison Ave
Hours: Mon – Sun: 7 AM – 7 PM
Contact: (647) 551-8993
Must-Order: Flat White
5S Café is founded and run by Sahar with her son, Sobhan—the cafe barista. It may sound cliché when I say that this spot feels like home, but check it out and I’m sure you’d agree!
I just love their flat white—served at the perfect temp, it has the perfect balance of espresso and milk. For something cold, go for their iced Americano.
And what’s coffee without the perfect pairing? This spot is famous for their rich and flaky butter-based scones, and they have different flavors to choose from—our faves would have to be their raspberry-topped one, as well as the jalapeno cheddar.
Homey Persian-inspired pastries, such as saffron cake, are offered as well.
Pro Tip:
If you’re working from home and need a change of scenery, then bring your laptop! You can park yourself anywhere here—5S Café has a sidewalk table, a six-seat dining table, and a few couches here and there.
Wu Wei Coffee
Media credit: https://www.instagram.com/thefoodietamtam/
Website: https://www.wuweicoffee.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wuweicoffee/
Address: 184 Baldwin St
Hours: Mon, Wed – Thurs: 11 AM – 6 PM
Fri – Sun: 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Contact: (416) 453-8918
Must-Order: Iced Coconut Matcha Cloud
Not all TikTok famous cafes are worth the hype, but Wu Wei Coffee definitely is! On any given day, you’d find a long line of matcha lovers in this cozy Kensington Market spot.
I was not really a huge fan of matcha before, but after trying their Iced Coconut Matcha Cloud, consider me reformed. It has that unmistakable earthy matcha taste without the overly bitter notes, and its housemade cold foam is kissed with just a hint of coconut.
If you prefer something fruitier, go for their Iced Blueberry Matcha, topped with their signature Wu Wei cheese foam—yum!
Now, for those who hate matcha with a vengeance, go for their Salted Egg Yolk Cold Brew instead.18-hour cold brewed coffee plus homemade salted egg yolk equals deep and creamy goodness.
Pro Tip:
Note that Wu Wei Coffee is a small spot—not the kind of place where you can lounge with friends or set up your laptop. But, it’s perfect for a quick pick-me-up on the go.
Found Coffee
Media credit: https://www.instagram.com/found.coffee.to/
Website: https://www.found.coffee/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/found.coffee.to/
Address: 324 College St
Hours: Mon – Fri: 8 AM – 4 PM
Sat – Sun: 9 AM – 4 PM
Contact: (416) 516-9666
Must-Order: Flat White
Found Coffee’s mission is to “create a place for people to be found.” And you know what—I think that’s quite beautiful.
In fact, it’s just as beautiful as their cafe. Sure, it’s on the smaller side, but it’s amazingly aesthetic, from their white walls and pink ceramic plates to their charming wooden patio.
That’s why I’m glad we were not disappointed when we dropped by here. Their flat white is seriously amazing—milky but not cloying, definitely expertly balanced with their smooth-tasting espresso.
Make sure to pair it with their avocado toast. Perfectly ripe avocados are served on sourdough and sprinkled with olive oil, and the servings are huge, too!
Pro Tip:
Can’t get enough of their ethically sourced coffee? Sign up for their monthly subscription—a wide variety of choices is available such as Starters, Espresso, Filter, For the Fam, and more.
Milky’s
Media credit: https://www.instagram.com/milkyscoffee/
Website: https://milkys.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milkyscoffee/
Address: 760 Dundas St W
Hours: Mon – Fri: 8 AM – 5 PM
Sat – Sun: 9 AM – 5 PM
Contact: (647) 424-2069
Must-Order: Milky’s Special
Milky’s is a small but mighty cafe that has popular signature coffee drinks, but they still manage to come up with really creative drinks every season.
We love this tiny but bright spot, with its white and wood tones and small art pieces crafted by local artists. And despite its size, the designer managed to fit in carefully placed working desks, a standing counter, and cozy benches.
One of our go-to orders? The Milky’s Special, of course—it’s a heavenly mix of vanilla, espresso, sesame, and your choice of milk.
Maple Milk is another must-have. It’s basically autumn in a cup, with their house-spiced maple syrup, espresso, and–drumroll please—milk (insert surprised gasp here).
Pro Tip:
We recommend grabbing a baci cake with your Milky’s drink. It’s light but can still satisfy your sweet craving—plus, it’s gluten-free!
Boxcar Social Laneway
Media credit: https://www.instagram.com/boxcar_social
Website: https://boxcarsocial.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boxcar_social
Address: End of alleyway, 298 Markham St
Hours: Mon, Sun: 8 AM – 4 PM
Tue – Sat: 8 AM – 6 PM
Contact: +1 844-726-9227
Must-Order: Cappuccino
Boxcar Social Laneway is the literal definition of a hidden gem since it’s tucked away at the end of an alley on Markham St.
Inspired by Japanese listening bars, this space is utterly gorgeous, with wooden tables and counters, soft lighting, and a vintage record player spinning vinyl.
Coffee is a tad pricier here, but that’s because they serve Subtext Coffee, arguably one of the best carefully sourced beans in the city. Speaking of which, espresso lovers need to try their cappuccino—very rich and very delicious.
To complement your dark coffee, grab an unbelievably gooey Courage cookie (or two!).
Pro Tip:
If you need a cool spot for a private event or meeting, you could actually rent their gorgeous back room. Email [email protected] for booking inquiries.
The Arch Café/Bar
Media credit: https://www.instagram.com/the.arch.cafebar/
Website: https://thearch.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.arch.cafebar/
Address: 293 Augusta Ave
Hours: Mon – Sun: 9:30 AM – 12 AM
Contact: (416) 927-7474
Must-Order: Honey and Cardamom Latte
The Arch Cafe/Bar is the perfect Kensington Market spot to sip coffee plus something stronger. I mean, why choose between coffee and cocktails when you can have both?
We just fell in love with its quirky vibe—wooden stairs lead up to a cheerful blue, white, and yellow facade. And their patio is even more adorable, with its wooden walls, huge red umbrellas, and hanging plants.
If you like spiced coffee, then try their Honey and Cardamom Latte. Another unique offering is their Orange Blossom Latte, which is both citrusy and creamy.
Both of them will pair well with their crowd-pleasing Persian Omelette. It’s eggs that are scrambled in Arch’s house-made tomato sauce, topped with herbs, and served with warm Sangak bread.
Pro Tip:
If you’re tired of sipping espresso, then maybe it’s time to switch to espresso martinis! Enjoy this awesome mix of Kahlua, vodka, and espresso even during the day—because you’re an adult and no one can stop you.
Pera Cafe
Media credit: https://www.instagram.com/talem.jpg/
Website: https://www.yelp.ca/biz/pera-cafe-toronto
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peracafetoronto/
Address: 62 Nassau St
Hours: Mon – Sat: 8:30 AM – 6 PM
Sunday: 9 AM – 6 PM
Contact: (647) 606-6327
Must-Order: Turkish Coffee
Everyone needs coffee, but do you need it like you need a chocolate chip cookie or do you need it to actually function? Well, it doesn’t matter because Pera Cafe can satisfy both demands.
That’s because not only is their Turkish coffee undeniably strong, but it’s also deliciously crave-worthy. As a welcome bonus, it’s served with an assortment of nuts.
Of course, you might want to balance that strong, rich flavor with something sweet—say an order of baklava or their famous Basque cheesecake.
But, if you’re more of a savory breakfast kinda person, then order their avocado platter. It’s pretty straightforward but definitely does the trick: mashed avocado on sourdough rye, topped with a fried egg, and served with fingerling potatoes.
Pro Tip:
Feel free to bring your little pup with you for a chill coffee date in the sun, since Pera Cafe’s patio is totally dog-friendly.
FIKA Cafe
Media credit: https://www.instagram.com/fikakensington/
Website: https://www.fika.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fikakensington/
Address: 28 Kensington Ave
Hours: Mon – Fri: 10:30 AM – 5 PM
Saturday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Sunday: 10:30 AM – 5 PM
Contact: https://www.fika.ca/contact-us
Must-Order: Cardamom Latte
Where else should you take your “Fika” (Swedish word for coffee break) than in the incredibly picturesque Fika Cafe, along Kensington Ave?
We just love its charming blue facade with snow-white glass windows, and it also has a backyard patio (which is especially dreamy during winter). Don’t miss their back panel filled with old books that are affixed to the wall and open in the middle.
As for coffee, grab a cardamom latte, and we’ll teach you a coffee hack: swap the simple syrup with almond and honey instead. Pair it with a Swedish Cinnamon Bun—if you’re lucky enough to snag one before they’re all gone!
Feel free to bring your laptop as well, since you can work peacefully here.
Pro Tip:
Want to people-watch but don’t want to be outdoors? Snag a window seat and ogle the Kensington crowd as you sip your coffee.
Moonbean Coffee Company
Media credit: https://www.instagram.com/tasty_tours/
Website: https://moonbeancoffee.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonbean_coffee/
Address: 30 St Andrew St
Hours: Mon – Sun: 7 AM – 6 PM
Contact: (416) 595-0327
Must-Order: Caramel Latte
Moonbean Coffee Company started as a humble coffee roastery but has now properly grown into a lovely cafe large enough to seat 100 coffee addicts.
We really enjoyed their Caramel Latte, which was light, sweet, and so delicious. But if you’re after an iced concoction, then try their Hawaiian Coconut Dream, which has just the right balance of cream and coconut.
Also, we noticed that they offer a ton of milk substitutes (unlike other cafes which only have one). Examples include oat, almond, coconut, soy, skim, and lactose-free.
Don’t leave without sampling their vegan banana bread—so moist and tasty, even non-vegans are fighting over it!
Pro Tip:
Choose between Moonbean’s front and back patio. The front offers a view of Kensinton’s bustling streets, while the back has a bit more privacy and shade.
Butter & Blue
Media credit: https://www.instagram.com/butterandblue.to/
Website: https://www.butterandblue.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/butterandblue.to/
Address: 7 Baldwin St
Hours: Wed – Fri: 9 AM – 6 PM
Sat – Sun: 10 AM – 7 PM
Contact: [email protected]
Must-Order: Iced Hojicha Strawberry Latte
Butter & Blue (which is also its gorgeous color theme) is a cafe and bakery tucked inside a converted Edwardian house. Keep in mind that this charming space can also be booked for private events.
Seating is first-come, first-served only. You can choose the basement, first floor, or the cute garden patio (if the weather’s nice).
The cafe specializes in Asian-inspired drinks, and we particularly loved their Iced Hojicha Strawberry Latte—it was earthy, subtly sweet, and very refreshing.
But if you want to add a little buzz to your day, they serve alcoholic drinks as well. We recommend their Ginger Calamansi Fizz—a yummy citrusy cocktail with a hint of spice.
Pro Tip:
Black & Blue offers a delicious mix of Western and Asian-inspired baked goodies, but you can’t go wrong with their Matcha Mochi Cake or their Nori Rice Krispies Square.
