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Coffee Culture Cafe & Eatery
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
409 College StToronto, ON M5T
Neighbourhood: Kensington Market
(416) 868-9078
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 6:30 am - 12 am
Sat-Sun 7 am - 12 am
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
21 reviews for Coffee Culture Cafe & Eatery
Review Highlights
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"Despite of the free wi fi, it does not feel and look like a..." In 4 reviews -
"...not that second rate Second Cup or Starbucks variety." In 4 reviews -
"...reading a book wile sipping a hot chocolate more enjoyable." In 2 reviews
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21 reviews in English
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Review from Jorge L.
8/6/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I would give 5 five stars if not for the loud music. It's just loud.
This is one of my favorite coffee places. Despite of the free wi fi, it does not feel and look like a library unlike what Starbucks have become. I'm a Starbucks cult member so I can not say that Coffee Culture's coffee is good. I do know though that their smoothie is A-W-E-S-O-M-E.
Staff is friendly.
The seats are comfortable and it's got HUGE window that makes reading a book wile sipping a hot chocolate more enjoyable. Huge windows can make a difference with your coffee experience.
It has a roofless patio that's big enough to give at least 15 people a skin cancer...uhmm... a good tan.
Do I recommend this? Absolutely!Listed in: I'm addicted to coffee
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Review from Reynold P.
Toronto, ON
10/28/2011
A place to share a study session with fellow intellects, hipsters and internet hoarders. Coffee Culture features this audience but also serves up some dirty coffee for your late night needs.
Open til 1am, it's the perfect spot to download movies and music while procrastinating. Other than having a hard time finding a seat, it's even harder to find an open electrical outlet sometimes. I guess that's why Mac Books are abundant and PC's are absent. Then again, maybe it's just a hipster thing...
Other than free wifi and closing at 1am, Coffee Culture has their workers serve you at your table. Necessary when waiting for a seat seems to be more important than waiting for your beverage. -
Review from Yi Qing S.
Toronto, ON
9/23/2011
There was a time when I came to Coffee Culture almost everyday, but my excuses are (in descending order of importance): a) it was less than a two-minute walk from where I was living at the time, b) it wasn't expensive, and c) it had free wi-fi, which I desperately needed to write my last paper for undergrad. Thankfully, this only lasted about a week before I discovered another, better coffee joint and moved on.
Don't get me wrong. There is nothing overtly wrong with Coffee Culture. The coffee tastes fine, and by fine I mean "not noticeably disgusting". The atmosphere is pleasant enough. Nobody came and tried to forcefully extricate me from my seat even after I'd been there for five hours straight with a ~$2 cup of coffee. I guess the problem was that there was nothing overtly RIGHT about it either.
It seems to me that Coffee Culture is a little confused where its identity is concerned. It brands itself like one of the big chains, with a niceness factor falling somewhere between Tim Horton's (nicer) and Starbucks (somewhat less nice). The prices are certainly reflective of this. However, everything else seems like a big contradiction. It is air-conditioned, but it is turned up so high that you basically have to sit indoors with a thick sweater on in the summer. The food probably tasted good at some point, but you know, when you heat up those delicious-LOOKING spinach feta twists in the microwave, they get soggy. You also need a ridiculously huge key in order to get into the bathrooms, which you will almost certainly accidentally leave inside. I will say, though, that the employees there are all very nice and friendly.
Oh, and the Wi-fi is god-awful, which was what eventually drove me to find another place to do work in. It's not that it's consistently slow (which would have been acceptable); it just does not work at times, which is infuriating.
In other words, it is mediocre. And while there is nothing wrong with mediocrity in itself, it is probably a dangerous thing for CC considering its close proximity to Kensington Market (aka the haven of delicious coffee and cafes with character). Then again, whenever I walk past it, it is usually full of people and their laptops. Who knows why. Maybe I'm just being harsh for no good reason. Or maybe all those people don't know any better. *shrugs* -
Review from Jarvis E.
Toronto, ON
It doesn't get any better for ALL Around benefits to coming here. every Morning I get up and make me way to my "Office" here for around 6:30AM which is the time they open. The Music is always at a perfect tempo and variety, (from Classical and Jazz to Pop and Rock) the staff are very helpful - and includes table service of your order.
The variety of menu options is great - from a bagel and cream cheese or English Muffin with egg and cheese (with or without sausage or bacon), Sandwiches that are incredible in quality - REALLY...a lot is put into them (E.g. the Philly Beef or Grilled Cheese)....it is almost gourmet. Don't forget about the Fresh baked muffins every morning and variety of pastries and cookies too. (I like the peanut butter cookies) - On a hot day the Chillers are great....I recommend the Mango on a really HOT day :) -
The place is usually filled with students working on papers but also attracts a regular retired crowd mostly the "Little Italy" folk - and young teens at lunch time (which is the only louder time...but it passes...and they are all good kids.
The Place is super clean and bathrooms are always spic and span too. The whole place has a HUGE east facing window which brings in tonnes of natural light...a large outside patio outside with nice chairs and tables...and I believe there is even plug-ins outside for your laptop if you want to enjoy the fresh air....and the neighborhood is very friendly (not busy) The WIFI is pretty good for 99% of the time...but has that 1% slow time...it passes fast. Oh, and they close at 12AM (midnight)! which makes it the latest open Coffee Shop around with WIFI...and this is EVERY DAY! :) There are lots of plugs (every booth near the window) and feel free to ask someone to share the other side of the booth if it's filled, everybody is usually cool with sharing. There are 6 booths - 4.5 have a PLUG - so that's about 10 that can be plugged in all the time.
Oh yeah...there Coffee Loyalty Card is a "Buy 10 get 2 FREE" which is unseen anywhere...and just to give you an example of prices over all - My Breakfast of and Earl Grey Tea and an English Muffin with Egg and Cheese cost $4.18 total with tax. My Tea is $1.75 the Sandwich is $2.29. I guarantee you won't be disappointed :) -
Review from Joanna G.
Toronto, ON
2/3/2011
I stepped in here for a second because it looked friendlier than the neighbouring coffee joints.
I don't drink coffee, so I ordered a tea. The price was standard (think Second Cup, Timothy's) for a thing of hot water with a teabag in it. They had a display of sweets and cookies and stuff that tempted me.
It seemed like a place to spend a few hours, maybe, if you had a paper to write or a book to get through. Less cozy than the Second Cups I frequent. In fact, I kind of got a weird Tim-Hortons-with-darker-lighting feel here. And it's a far shot from the best tea and coffee places I've been to. -
Review from Vivek S.
Updated - 10/23/2010 7 Check-ins Here
I really appreciate that this place is open until 1am. As I write this, this place is filled with like-minded nerds bathed in the glow of their laptop screens. Like the intermittent Internet connection in this place, the coffee is mediocre at best, but I don't mind. Any place that serves joe and is open past 10pm, is aces in my book. Aces!
Wish the music was a little quieter.Listed in: Top Coffee Shops, Coffee, Wifi, Power, LIFTOFF, Up Late In The Tee Dot
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/18/2010
I walked into this coffeeshop on a weekday afternoon to enjoy some reading. Instead, I spent most… Read more »
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Review from Daniel B.
4/14/2009 ROTD 9/16/2009
I'm sick of paying $5 a cup and dealing with the fashion show at Manic Coffee.
I'm fed up with the early closing time and shoddy wireless at Kahawa.
I hate running into my loser ex-brother-in-law while playing the table wars that is Starbucks.
In a neighborhood where everything strives to be more and more different, sometimes it takes a cookie-cutter outlet to actually deliver the experience that the other local shops try for.
Coffee Culture is EXACTLY what this area of town needs.
Awesome coffee. Comfortable tables. Great location. WiFi that works. Long late hours.
Horrible piped-in music that makes you want to work and not cave into distraction. -
Review from Jason K.
11/30/2010
- not sure where the 4 star average is coming from.
- this seems like a decent spot for studying, cozying up with a good book, catching up with a friend
- however, the coffee is crap. sorry let me rephrase. i'm not a huge coffee nut, but the fact that their espresso machine is a one-button contraption saddens me... because i paid almost $4 for a weak latte.
- think the only reason this place was busy on sunday morning was because of all the peeps waiting outside of aunties and uncles in the cold. -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
8/22/2009
The decor doesn't rival any of the cool happenin' coffee spots elsewhere in the city, or even across the road, but who needs prettiness when you have:
* Reliable wifi -- all the Perez Hilton you want and more!
* Unpretentious, lovely service -- they'll even clean up your accidentally-spilled tea with a smile!
* Seats -- seats, glorious seats!
* And, as Daniel B. mentioned, NO. FASHION. SHOW. -
Review from Marie F.
6/13/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Loved the:
- Comfy leather chairs
- Fireplace
- TV playing the soccer game
- Lots of outlets (but sadly not in my area)
- Free Wifi
I did not like the Butter Pecan Latte I got though... it was sort of repulsive!
Next time I will have to try a regular one. -
Review from Nicole H.
Toronto, ON
9/20/2010 3 Check-ins Here
This is a lovely little unassuming cafe, an oasis of calm in a busy area. Comfortable seating (with a patio for warmer months) and nice big windows looking out onto College means you can - and I have - spend hours there and be happy.
There is a pretty good drink menu, with fairly standard stuff you'd find at a Timothy's or Second Cup, but it's quite good quality despite this - I mean, I like a good espresso from Manic across the street, but I often feel more at home at Coffee Culture and their okay coffee. There's also quite a large selection of desserts on offer, and you can often grab a drink/cake special of some type.
Staff are friendy and helpful, and even though it's counter service i've often had the barista offer to bring my drink over once i've ordered and paid. There's generally some sort of muzak playing in the background but it's never too loud and doesn't border on annoying current pop music - i'm pretty certain this only helps people want to stay and spend more time & $$!
With free wifi and long hours, plus all of the above, I keep going back. Sometimes you just want comfortable. Hey, maybe they should rename this place Coffee Comfortable..Listed in: Caffeine Nation: The Toronto…
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Review from Lindsay D.
Toronto, ON
4/14/2009
I'll try to keep this simple. If you're sick of trying to find a seat at other coffee shops in the neighbourhood, you need to check this place out. It just opened at College and Lippincott St..
Reasons:
1) FREE unlimited Wi-Fi. You don't have to be a slave to the 2hr limit Starbucks Wi-Fi, anymore. And there are power outlets at EVERY table.
2) Very diverse menu, great coffee, chai lattes, frozen drinks, delicious pastries and killer deserts. Although, the regular food is pretty awful. Stick to coffee and you're golden.
3) The large flat screeen TV in the corner by the fireplace keeps you up to date on news and soccer.
4) Great service.
The only problem at the moment is the awful smooth jazz / worst songs of the 70's satellite music they play, but if you're the type to bring along ear buds or headphones, you can bring your own soundtrack.
A killer place to study, work, & get your caffeine fix. -
Review from Aaron B.
8/15/2010
I found out about this cafe thanks to a response from Roma to a Yelp talk thread about late-night cafes in Toronto. As anybody who's been to Toronto already knows, the city closes really early; and coffee shops in particular typically close at 6:00 or 7:00pm. That's crazy to me, but that's how it is. THIS PLACE, however, is open until midnight or 1:00am depending on the day. There is free wi-fi (that rarely actually works) and reasonably comfortable seats/booths for late night working or studying. Hooray!
The ambiance, coffee, pastries, and just about ever other aspect of the place scream out with purposeful mediocrity. It has all the character and quality of a Second Cup or Starbucks, but more of a diner feel to it. In some sense it really captures the feeling and mood of Toronto since it has no ambition to distinguish itself in any way. A boring, ho-hum, average Joe sort of place where anybody could fit it because "blah" doesn't really clash with anything. The place itself only merits 2 stars (making it comparable to Starbucks or Second Cup) except for the hours. Being so far the ONLY cafe in Toronto open past 11:00pm that I've seen or heard of it gets an extra star. I'll probably visit regularly for the sole reason of having no other options. -
Review from Deanna W.
5/10/2009
Yes! Another coffee shop in the downtown core with late hours-what a godsend. Thanks to yelpers for putting this on the map!
Though it's another franchise albeit an Ontario one, everything at Coffee Culture is tailored for a comfortable experience each visit. Prices are fantastic too, easily cheaper than the other 'gourmet or serious' cafes around town and the service is warm, no worries about feeling intimadated by coffee snobs or whatnot. Comfy booths and tables are available for work, studying or general browsing courtesy of the free wifi! they have here. Desserts look like the decadent la rocca type.
Music is bad I have to agree with the others, obviously an general feed and not an ipod but one can always tune out.
The best about this place is the hours-open late and not starbucks or tim hortons. -
Review from Delia C.
Toronto, ON
8/18/2009
One of my favourite places to bring my laptop and get some work done.
What more could you ask for in a cafe? Great atmosphere (minus the music), great tea/coffee selection, reasonably priced food (and better than the wraps at Starbucks), great desserts, open late, free wi-fi...
Favourites...
Drink: Cranberry Tea
Food: Grilled European Sandwich (any)
Soup: Chicken Thai
Dessert: Super Caramel Crunch -
Review from Steeven L.
Etobicoke, ON
6/13/2010
Good coffee for less than $2 a cup, yay! Organic free trade for only 10 cents more? Meh why not. Pedro in Bolivia probably can use the 10 cents anyways.
I love a coffee place where you can order good coffee at a reasonable price and you don't have to speak a special barrista lingo to order it. There's plenty of seating; I especially like the comfy leather chairs by the "fireplace" and flat screen TV.
I read that there were plugs at every table but from what I could tell, it was only at 4 booths along one wall by the windows.
A great place to grab a cup of joe in Little Italy.
Oh and there's free WiFi FTW! -
Review from Dan M.
Toronto, ON
4/30/2011
A nice, simple little coffee shop, which is a rare thing in TO. This is just a coffee shop with decent food, good coffee and nice big booths. I didn't think places like this still existed. Most of the coffee places here are either take-it-so-seriously-you-disappear-up-your-own-bum type places or Starbucks. And they're open late, which is good if you find yourself in need of a coffee before bedtime.
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Review from John C.
Mississauga, ON
9/28/2010 1 photo
Great little cozy spot on College Street free wifi and great seating.
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Review from Caitlin L.
Toronto, ON
4/30/2009
I do enjoy my coffee. Its always nice to find a place with good customer service. If you are sick with dealing with the coffee snobs across the street, coffee culture is your place. I've only been in twice, but both times the service was amazing! Believe it or not, I didn't notice the bad music playing in the background, but I was only there for take-out. I'll keep my ears open next time I stop in.
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Review from Brian C.
Toronto, ON
2/23/2010 29 Check-ins Here
Unlike other coffee shops in the area, this place is not full of douchery. The prices are reasonable, the grilled cheese is great and the internet is free.
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Review from Sharif A.
Toronto, ON
7/21/2010
This place is the ultimate place to get your coffee on! The chocolate chip muffins were of the utmost high quality, not that second rate Second Cup or Starbucks variety... The fruity chiller drinks are very tasty but melt a little quicker than I'd hoped. The wireless is spotty as hell though constantly disconnecting every 2 mins. Would recommend to visit as a daily coffee stop.
