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Balzac's Coffee Roastery
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
43 Hanna AveToronto, ON M6K 1X1
Neighbourhood: Liberty Village
(416) 534-7372
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 7 pm
Sat-Sun 9 am - 7 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
20 reviews for Balzac's Coffee Roastery
20 reviews in English
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Review from Yulia L.
Toronto, ON
11/23/2011
Great espresso, lattes and incredible carrot cake!
It's my weekly treat:) -
Review from A R.
Toronto, ON
5/18/2012
Cannot agree more with John K's comments...Baristas need to be sat down and taught Customer Service 101...been going here most weekday mornings (and sometimes again in the afternoon) for three months now and still do not get a good morning...smile...and thank you...ladies, it doesnt cost anything to give us a smile...
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Review from John K.
Toronto, ON
5/10/2012
I know it's the morning, but would it kill the baristas behind the counter to fucking smile? Maybe some eye contact when you plunk my coffee down on the counter!
You're the first thing I see when I get off the 63 Ossington and you create my favorite drink of all time -- put a little bit more into making the experience an enjoyable one, this isn't the Tim Horton's drive-thru. (YES, I WENT THERE) -
Review from Vivek S.
4/22/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Not a bad spot on a Sunday afternoon. While not as overarchingly beautiful as it's Distillery District sister store, this Balzac's is definitely a lovely spot. Big windows, exposed brick, a charming antique tiled floor.
No wifi or outlets, so this more of a place to read or chat or mull over your own existence. It was delightful on a Sunday afternoon when I first went, but on night's when it's crowded it can be unbearable. Choose wisely.
I recommend their brews over their espresso, especially the Balzac's Blend. Liberty Villagers should consider themselves lucky.
Obligatory Title Pun: ZAC'S a coffee maniac.
Menu Readability: Yeah.
Need to mention: There's a parking lot across the street.
What this place teaches me about myself: No wifi makes me nutty/needlessly existential.Listed in: Top Coffee Shops, Give Me Liberty Village Or…
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Review from Lauren M.
5/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Why's everyone hating on Balzac? Maybe it's not as "beautiful" as it's Distillery District sister location, but it's still much nicer than your average coffee shop.
There are too many indie coffee shops going up that have absolutely no room or seating. Balzacs is quite spacious and since it's tucked away in a quieter area (than say, Queen st or King st) there's a good chance you can actually find a place to sit down and relax.
My regular brewed coffee was quite good. Good selection of treats here
No wifi? WTF. -
Review from Carpe D.
Toronto, ON
7/24/2011
I had a friend visiting out of town and we wanted to grab a cup of good coffee and decided to try Balzac in spite of some 2-3 star reviews. Well, it was worth it big time. Two girls behind the counter were nice and served us well. Coffee was really good - though my friend had some issues with it being served in paper cups and poured from the pot that she didn't know how long has been sitting there. Surprise, surprise. it was great regardless.
Prices are good - not more than anywhere else. We paid about 5$ for 2 coffees and sat in nice cool place looking through large glass windows. Though the shop is small I find it well designed, nicely decorated and with plenty of air (high ceilings), simply tasteful and pleasant.
So, it paid off to visit the place in spite of those bad reviews. I couldn't be more pleasantly surprised. They deserved 5 stars for the service and superb product. -
Review from Renata R.
8/29/2010
Not even close in appearance or quality to its sister unit in Distillery District, I was quite disappointed when I asked for an espresso and it was just "meh".
There was a guy eating noodles inside and I couldn't get it. Noodles inside a café? The service, the coffee, everything there is OK, and if you once had something at Balzac at the Distillery, you will be sooo frustrated, you'll rather walk a block and go to Starbucks, at least you know what you're getting. -
Review from Kat F.
4/13/2010
This place was passable but just barely. I would not have trusted the guy working the cash to pour me a drink - he didn't seem to have a complete grasp of the menu offerings or concept of things like 1%, 2% or 3.25% milk. It was troubling. My cappuccino (single) seemed expensive ($3.50) but at least it was palatable.
No wi-fi and (as others have mentioned) a spartan decor makes this place seem far less welcoming than its other location in The Distillery. In fact, I don't think they want you to know about this place, let alone stick around, as it purports to have been around for three years yet this is the first I've ever heard of it. Don't know how a cafe like this thrives in the neighbourhood - better to head out to Cloud Espresso or Blondie's instead if you need a caffeine fix. -
Review from Tara Z.
6/14/2011
I'm not much of a coffee drinker, but on a hot day (maybe after going to the farmer's market in the parking lot across the street?), a citron presse from here feels so refreshing and Gallic that it's like being transported back in time and over an ocean.
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Review from Luke S.
1/5/2011
Coffee is bitter and probably the most expensive I've had in TO. WIFI was 'down'. The macchiato had too much milk, and the cappuchino was served in a large glass; not sure whether in this pseudo-French locale cappuchino translates into cafe-au-lait. But that's what it looked like.
The waitress behind the bar displayed a mixture of boredom and rudeness. No eye contact. Perhaps she is chronically constipated. -
Review from Sean O.
Oakville, ON
2/5/2011 21 Check-ins Here
I have no idea how Starbucks gets any business with this place so close by.
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Review from Rick Y.
Toronto, ON
I enjoy Balzac's coffee. It has a nice flavor and the light/dark blends have a nice kick of caffeine too.
While the coffee is consistent and good, this location is spartan and cold feeling. There's no wifi, minimal seating, and ample empty space that feels like their waiting for furniture to arrive, but it hasn't yet (and they've been open for quite a while, so that's not it).
I agree with Eric: good place to grab a cup and leave, not a cozy cafe to sit with a friend or a book and enjoy the cup in house. -
Review from Eric H.
Ajax, ON
8/17/2009
Balzac's Liberty Village location is alright. Their selection in coffee and tea are your usual fare.
I can deal with no free wifi, since I almost always go to coffeeshops with buddies.
The food available for purchase is okay and mediocre.
My verdict: Good spot to grab your morning cup of joe if you're in the area. Just don't expect an enlightening experience. -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
11/17/2008
This particular location of Balzac's is convenient for the Liberty Village media types who come here for a break in their business day... so they can go out and talk about the industry in public.
The teas I've had here were fine, and the servers were very informative when it came to their products. But is it wrong of me to judge a café by its environment over its coffee? It's an okay café, but the dessert selection is kind of lacking and the place isn't really inviting for long-term relaxation or intimate chats. It's very clean and bright, but maybe gets a lil' too much sun, given the empty parking lot kiddy-corner to the shop. You can choose to have your retinas burn or have your view hindered by huge blinds. Choose your own adventure.
PS. No free wireless! Humph! -
Review from Keidi K.
5/7/2010
The place was cute but no where close to the beauty on mill st.
I found the staff rather pleasant and enjoyed my quiet time on a not so busy Wednesday. It is however a nice change from the typical franchised coffee shops. -
Review from Emily L.
Toronto, ON
12/20/2010
I've been working in the neighbourhood for the last two weeks, and decided that today was the day I was going to grab some coffee from this unassuming coffee shop. I didn't know that this was a second location, so I didn't have any expectations when I strolled in. Several other reviewers have mentioned that sparse decor - I got a cup to go, so I can't say it bothered me too much, but in my opinion, the bare minimum warehouse chic fit in perfectly with my experience in Liberty Village so far.
Good news first - coffee is delicious. I'm no coffee snob, and being from Vancouver, I can't help but be a frequent customer of Starbucks, but I think that I can tell good coffee from bad coffee. Starbucks, ain't no good coffee. It's not swill, but I made the mistake of once ordering a latte without a flavour shot, and won't be making that mistake again. So, I can really appreciate a good espresso/latte, when I make to point get a cup. I'll say it again, my latte was worth the $4.90.
Having said that, the good coffee may not be worth a return trip. I was also hungry, and was hoping for a light lunch; unfortunately, the food selection was lacking. No sandwiches or anything, just a few cookies and cakes. I was hoping for a better selection; today just wasn't the day I was going to have carrot cake for lunch. This, I could probably overlook, if it wasn't for the lackluster service. I don't really expect much from my barista interactions: polite interaction and (feigned) interest in getting my order correct, is really all that's necessary. My barista could barely contain her boredom while taking my order, but perked up, and couldn't wait to brush me off when a regular came in. The lame flirtation, his pretentious introduction of "the newest member of the entourage", and their faux disinterested discussion regarding their recent "bender" this weekend would be too much for any innocent bystander to stand; as a person whose order was being ignored, it was borderline unbearable.
If I loved coffee more, the 10 minutes of inner death would be worth it; but I don't, and this Balzac's left a horrible figurative taste in my mouth. -
Review from Noemi W.
Halifax, NS
1/14/2011
Coffee is excellent. Windows are large, nice tables by the window. This is a good place to pick up a coffee before you head into work, or to come get a coffee from at 2pm when you need that kick to get back to work after lunch. I also had a croissant there. Quite an average croissant but good nevertheless. It does what a croissant should do and it still taste pretty good.
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Review from Ann L.
8/7/2011
Balzac's is something Liberty Village needs. Character. Coffee is good and love the euro-ish feel while still keeping with the industrial feel of the neighborhood. I have yet to try any pastries, but they look delicious. I like to go Sunday morning, then head to the farmer's market, just kitty-corner.
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Review from Jeff S.
North York, ON
6/18/2010
As mentioned, this one is nowhere near as spectacular as the Distillery location. On a sunny summer day, it was far too hot inside to sit, and it doesn't really have a hang-out-y sort of feel to it. The patio is nice enough, but only has one or two tables.
I bought a tart, and it had evidently suffered from the heat. It couldn't be held in one piece without the ends stretching apart. The iced americano was okay, but not too different from what I can make at home (though I guess not everyone has easy access to an espresso machine and a conical burr grinder). To be fair, I think the barista was on break, since the guy seemed pretty confused.Listed in: Coffee. Plain and simple.
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Review from Kuyler N.
Toronto, ON
5/14/2010
A nice French-style cafe. Coffee is poured long; not in the trendy/modern/Italian ristretto style. There is a variety of other beverages, pastries and cookies. Great if you want to sip a cafe au lait with a biscuit. If you're a self-described espresso snob, go elsewhere in your purist pursuit.
