I have a friend who’s a full-on coffee snob. He’s the type who’ll give you a raised eyebrow if you order a caramel macchiato from Starbucks or go for anything less than “single-origin.”
While I don’t share his obsession, I let him drag me to a few coffee roasteries around Toronto, and to be honest, it was eye-opening! Each spot was like a mini science lab, with roasters perfecting the art of each cup, and the flavors were out of this world!
Here are the top coffee roasters in Toronto that’ll change the way you think about your daily brew.
How much does coffee cost at a coffee roastery in Toronto?
If you’re buying freshly roasted beans to take home, expect prices around $15 to $25 for a 12-ounce bag, with premium single-origin or exotic blends potentially costing more.
The cost of coffee can vary depending on the quality, origin, and type of roast. Many roasteries also offer tasting flights or pour-over options, which may be priced a bit higher for the experience and quality.
How We Chose the Best Coffee Roasters in Toronto
1. Outpost Coffee Roasters
Outpost Coffee Roasters is a specialty roastery that has been serving up small-batch, craft coffee since 2014. It was founded by Troy, a former Royal Canadian Navy member who believes coffee can warm both hands and heart.
One of their bestselling coffees is Beach Day. It’s a honey-processed coffee from Sumatra’s Aceh region, and it has a deliciously smooth flavor thanks to the dedication of smallholder farmers who grow it.
Another fantastic option is Las Margaritas—perfect for pour-overs and French presses. With plum-like notes, it’s juicy and refreshing, making it a go-to for filter coffee fans.
Outpost doesn’t stop at coffee; they also carry coffee-making equipment, loose-leaf teas, and craft chocolates, so it’s a great one-stop shop for coffee lovers.
Just a heads-up—the vibe can sometimes be a little loud, thanks to some chatty staff, but we think that only adds a touch of character to the place.
Outpost Coffee has the best coffee in the city
“Outpost coffee has the best coffee in the city. I’ve been buying 5lb bags from them consistently for the last few months and every variety I’ve bought has been amazing. The service is always phenomenal, it’s obviously they care about coffee! I can’t recommend this roaster enough. 10/10.”
Ailey Phelan, Google Review
Unreal coffee, phenomenal, game-changing flavors
“Peanut butter JELLY (CELLY) TIME! Unreal coffee, super full of phenomenal, knockout and game changing flavors from an ethical, sustainably and small crafted local coffee Roasters in downtown. I hauled a bag of Left Hook and La Madrugada which boasted exceptional tones and deliver a delish espresso or long cup of joe.
Support local coffee roasters!”
Ads, Google Review
2. Ethica Coffee Roasters
Ethica Coffee Roasters’ name was inspired by Spinoza’s philosophy. It takes an ethical approach, sourcing top-quality beans to make sure every cup lives up to its name.
We can’t get enough of their El Salvador Santa Matilda Natural. It’s a smooth, balanced coffee with a rich caramel sweetness and a hint of berry acidity.
If you’re a coffee lover who likes a steady supply, their subscription service is worth checking out. You can have beans delivered monthly with free shipping, and choose between 3, 6, or 9-month plans.
The space is just as impressive as the coffee with its high ceilings, industrial design, and spacious layout. So much so that they’ve been included on bestcafedesigns.com’s top 100 architecture list worldwide.
Note that in return for their tasty coffee, you might have to put up with their sometimes rude staff.
One of the best coffee roasters in Canada!!
“One of the best coffee roasters in Canada!! This humble, grass roots coffee joint is awesome. I was lucky enough to meet Andrew who is a super nice dude, incredibly talented and certainly knows his stuff for sure. A friend was gracious enough to gift me some of this incredible coffee from this phenomenal hidden gem of downtown Toronto. The blends and tones are truly magnificent and critically engineered with such passion-fuelled dedication to produce optimal results of flawless flavor. Support local businesses!”
Ads, Google Review
Most knowledgeable, experienced, and creative coffee crew in Toronto
“Being a coffee nut, a fellow coffee roaster, ill say the team at Ethica Coffee Roasters are easily the most knowledgeable, experienced and creative coffee crew in Toronto hands down. In fact, its probably the only place where you can get an aeropress coffee, and done right. If you want to talk about the pros and cons about different coffee bean grinders, they are the best suited to do so. If you want advice on brewing at home, they are awesome at this. And their coffee beans, easily top 3 on Toronto. You need to check it out.”
3. De Mello Coffee
De Mello Coffee sources beans from all over the world, and quality shows in every brew—a treat for anyone who appreciates well-crafted coffee.
Among their house blends, our favorite is their Dancing Goats, which has rich milk chocolate notes, a smooth hazelnut touch, and a hint of orange on the finish.
For those who love a darker, bolder flavor, the Nomnom Robusta Dark Roast is a must-try. This single-origin roast has a pleasantly thick layer of flavor that holds onto a roasted texture and chocolatey sweetness, especially when combined with milk.
They also offer a monthly subscription, delivering top-quality coffee with a few surprise gifts along the way.
Plus, their online shop often has promotions, like a free bag when you buy four 227g bags, which is a good deal since their coffee can be a bit pricey.
One of the best iced coffees I’ve ever had
“One of the best iced coffees I’ve ever had, and I have a lot of iced coffee. I got a light roast iced coffee with oat milk – looking forward to trying it black next time. The picture doesn’t do it justice but the coffee is incredibly flavourful. I was so impressed I bought their beans online and am looking forward to trying a home brew!”
Jerusha Chua, Google Review
The blueberry latte has changed my life
“The blueberry latte has changed my life. I think about it before sleeping, before going to work, when I’m eating, and especially when I’m drinking other coffee. It’s so smooth and the blueberry taste is subtle and not too sweet but also somehow prominent.’
Meghan Tran, Google Review
4. Propeller Coffee
Propeller Coffee Co. partners with some of the world’s best farmers, making sure their beans are both high-quality and responsibly sourced.
We admire their eco-friendly practices, from using energy-efficient roasting methods to biodegradable packaging and transportation offsets.
Now, if you’re into espresso, try their Ace Espresso. This seasonal medium-light roast blends Latin American and African beans, resulting in a complex espresso with a fresh, fruity sweetness.
While some people say their coffee can have a bit of a sour note, it’s often a characteristic of their unique roast profiles. These are carefully tracked using Cropster software to maintain consistency and quality.
They also offer a convenient coffee subscription—just pick your style and frequency, and you’ll have fresh beans delivered right to your door. A bonus: free shipping in Canada on orders over $45!
One of my favorite roasters in Toronto
“One of my favorite roasters in Toronto. I like chatting with friends here. The dining area is huge, and makes me comfortable. I also like their pastries! I believe they carry Black Bakery, and I feel something new pastries! I tried the Gluten free pastry. I forgot the name but it was tasty. It’s a like caramel fillings. I felt it’s a similar Dacquoise.”
yun, Google Review
One of the best coffee shops in the neighborhood
“One of the best coffee shops in the neighborhood. I recommend the coconut milk latte and the drip coffee. You can sit and hang out while you work or share with a friend.”
Maria Victoria Chavarro, Google Review
5. Pilot Coffee Roasters
Pilot Coffee Roasters was founded with inspiration from the café culture of Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand, and they’ve kept that relaxed-yet-quality-driven approach.
We love that they build strong relationships with coffee producers and invest in their communities, improving coffee quality while supporting local growers.
We suggest trying their Lia Jardín Costa Rica Blend, with notes of macadamia, molasses, and a creamy finish. But if you’re into single origins, give the San Jerónimo a try—it’s rich with milk chocolate and has a smooth buttery texture.
Whenever we go there, we park ourselves on their lovely patio and sip our coffee while watching people stroll by.
Note that they run online promotions from time to time, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for their 10% off offer.
The only downside? Sometimes the baristas seem a bit distracted by their phones, which can be a bit of a buzzkill.
Always great coffee!
“Always great coffee! My favourite beans to get for at-home brewing. We always pick up the heritage beans and sometimes have tried the others roasts. Great place to just sit and enjoy a coffee but I usually get it to-go or just grab beans from in-store or online.
Jan, Google Review
VERY good coffee and pastries
“VERY good coffee and pastries. Friendly staff and cool vibes.”
Lara, Google Review