Sonia's Coffee Corner

Every time I smell coffee my heart skips a beat in excitement. I feel like every student has some sort of fuel to get them through exam season, and for me it is coffee. I’ve been so accustomed to drinking coffee that it doesn’t give me an energy kick but rather helps me feel ready to tackle my day. 

Over the past few years, I’ve been able to explore some coffee shops and thought I’d share them with you so once you become a Ryerson student, you will already know the best spots to check out.

Jimmy’s Coffee (external link) 

First one up is Jimmy’s Coffee—this one is a personal favourite of mine. Located in the west end of Toronto, it is a great place to check out after finishing classes or on the weekend. The first Jimmy’s coffee shop opened its doors in 2009 and is now known for their signature yellow lid. The brewed coffee is great and quite popular. Their cakes and pastries are some of the best I’ve ever tried, and they all have a unique touch, which is what makes it stand out.

Cafe23 (external link, opens in new window) 

Cafe23 might be one of my all-time favourite coffee shops. It is located in West Queen West, which is one of my favourite areas in Toronto to explore. The neighbourhood café was voted by Vogue magazine (external link)  as the second coolest neighbourhood in the world for its indie pastries, homegrown labels and artistic venues. A huge part of finding a good coffee shop is of course the variety of beverages, but also the way you feel. Cafe23 has a vibrant community and is the perfect environment to unwind with eclectic design and local art surrounding you. From fresh croissants to tasty muffins to homemade food, they have several tasty options to satisfy your craving, including plant-based options.

Dineen Coffee (external link) 

Out of all the coffee shops I’m sharing with you this one is the most aesthetically pleasing. Perfect for a photo op to post on Instagram or to spend countless hours getting work done. They have a few locations, and one is about 10 minutes away from Ryerson’s Student Learning Centre. It’s definitely worth making a trip. They first opened up in 2013 with their first café at the corner of Yonge Street and Temperance Street was once home to W. and F. Dineen Co., who originally made fur clothing. The coffee shop’s building is one of the oldest structures in Toronto, and is listed as a Toronto Heritage Property. I like to stop by during lunch to grab a coffee and one of their sandwiches, but they also have an impressive bakery and breakfast selection. Overall, this is a place you want to add to your list of places to check out.

Versus Coffee (external link) 

If you’re looking for aesthetically pleasing latte art that not only tastes good, but also opts as a photo opportunity for Instagram, this is the place to check out. The coffee shop opened up in 2016, and has an atmosphere focusing on friendly people and a unique environment. What makes this place stand out from the rest is their interior design, plus they have a patio, so it is great for the summer weather. My favourite drink to get, which is exclusive to Versus, is the campfire latte. In short, it’s a maple latte topped with marshmallows that are“roasted” using a blowtorch.