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El Almacen Yerba Mate Café
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
1078 Queen St WToronto, ON M6J
Neighbourhoods: West Queen West, Beaconsfield Village
(416) 516-2898
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 10 am - 9 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
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$
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
19 reviews for El Almacen Yerba Mate Café
Review Highlights
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"My friends had loose leaf green tea, latte and a dulce de..." In 2 reviews -
"...nice, showing us how to perform the "Mate Gourd Ceremony." In 6 reviews -
"...of snacks -- organic soups, empanadas, spinach pies, and..." In 3 reviews
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19 reviews in English
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Review from Carla S.
Toronto, ON
2/27/2012
I was here last summer... I absolutely loved it! My family immigrated from Italy to Argentina and then to Canada... so since I've been to Argentina I can say that this place is very authentic! I loved the Alfajores!! Soooo good! I had iced mate and sat outside and watched as people walked by... An old friend spotted me and I'll have to thank El Almacen for that :) Good times, good vibes, good food and treats. I don't think you can ask for more.
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Review from J N.
North York, ON
4/23/2012
I visited this cafe on Sunday afternoon to try the mate. It was busy but my friend and I could still find a table for two.
The cafe itself is really nice. It has a cozy feel and tables (at least in the front) are spaced far enough apart that you're not rubbing elbows with the other customers. I tried the mate (in the gourd), which was.. interesting. At first, the waitress brought us our drinks and left. We stared at the gourd for a few minutes to try to figure out whats going on. I think she probably noticed, because she came over to show us how to prepare the drink. It is very bitter at first, but it slowly becomes less bitter as you continue refill the gourd with hot water. The gourd only holds a few large sips, so you have to continually add water. I probably wouldn't have it again. Its not my thing. Probably an acquired taste.. that's what i'm going with.
For a less bitter drink, don't get the gourd, instead get a yerbe latte. It is less bitter and tastes way better. I tried one of the desserts (a chocolate circle patty thing), which was surprising good. I also tried the empanada, which was nothing special. -
Review from Coy W.
12/31/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I've walked by this place over 20 times in the last week. My brother told me they have great empanadas and to try it out.
So I just dropped in and ordered an empanada and a yerba mate. The server asked if I had ever had a yerba mate and I said no I haven't. She said she would come by my table to help me out and came over to explain everything to me. As a rookie I was very happy I was getting a lesson. With what was given to me I would have looked like an idiot trying to figure it out!
She was awesome, explained the leaves, the sugar, the gourd and the straw. She gave me pointers on how to pour the water (8+ gourds worth) and how to place the straw in and set it. She helped me with my first glass and I was off to the races.
The first gourd I had was BITTER! It hit me hard and I wasn't sure I was going to like it. She said the first one is always the worst. I decided to have a bite out of my empanada at this time and WOW is that thing excellent. It was very tasty and I poured more water into the gourd. I had a few more and with the empanada the yerba mate was very pleasant and very drinkable at this time.
I'd equate the first gourd of yerba mate with taking a shot of terrible alcohol! However after a few more shots it tastes ok!
I'll be back, there seems to be a lot of awesome items here and the staff are super friendly. -
Review from Robert S.
Toronto, ON
11/8/2011
This is a great little place at Queen and Ossington serving traditional South American maté.
Just tried the regular maté and was quite impressed - the person working here was very nice and explained the proper way to drink it, and it actually tasted better than the maté I had in Peru itself.
Place is very chill, with limited seating but everyone is very relaxed and it feels like the kind of place where you can sit and talk for hours.
There's a selection of pastries and treats as well but didn't get a chance to try any of them. I will definitely be back. -
Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 5/16/2011 4 photos
Was back again, to bring some friends for a evening of tea sipping and chatting.
It was even better the 2nd time. I also learnt a lot.
For instance, the type of gourd that is used, determines the type of tea that would be used (some stronger, some lighter). The fatter gourds needs more tea to get to a level the leaves do suck up into the straw, and therefore could be more bitter (like the first time I tried it).
The smaller narrower gourds would have less. When you ask for them here, if sharing within a bigger group, the tea would be more bitter at the start.
Also, they have a Mate Punch (mate tea cooled with a shot of vodka) - has the same energy effects as a red bull, but all natural.
And iced mate, where instead of hot water into the gourd, you pour ice water.
Also, i didn't know that you're meant to constantly fill up the gourd with more tea if it goes bland and clear (no bubbles on top) - it's considered rude. if the gourd is too full you can pour it out.
The owner is really informative, but I wish he would explain these things up front and get a feel for those that do want to know more (or just explain it to us). He also likes giving me weird looks when things aren't customary, but I don't know and I wish he told us! But don't be intimidated, he's actually quite friendly.
We also had the short bread de leche cookie. It was so sweet and soft. a perfect combo.
I also got me a bag of mate for myself. you can make it in a french press, or a regular drip coffee (and as it drips, it'll be bubbly at the top) then you throw in the grounds into the pot. Portion size the same you would do for coffee. 1kg bag $7.50, smaller, $4.00Listed in: A meal to remember (and to go…, Coffices
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/5/2011
Do you want to try something different? Don't go to the Starbucks across the street, come here.
This… Read more »
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Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
2/26/2011 7 photos
My first experience of Yerba Mate with my dear friend was sentimental and pleasant!
Drinking mate "is a symbol of hospitality. As the mate gourd is passed around, a sense of connection emerges." I just love the idea how it is shared with friends and like a little ritual and has certain type of symbolism.
Aside from that Mate ("the drink of God" ) does have a lot of health benefits and loads with Antioxidants.
The taste remind me of the turtle herbal jello I usually eat in Chinese dessert place. Bitter but with a sweet undertone.. even without sweetener. However, mate definitely tastes a lot grassier... a taste that have to get use of.
The barista here was super nice, showing us how to perform the "Mate Gourd Ceremony". The services was a little slow though, since she was the only one working there!
I will definitely be back to El Almacen Yerba Mate Cafe to chill out with my friends!! -
Review from Mila F.
Vaughan, ON
6/26/2011 4 photos
There isn't enough good things you can say about the health benefits of drinking this loose leaf tea (Yerba Mate). It is a South American staple!
And now with the new Buzz (Think Teopia) of this drink sweeping through North America it will become more mainstream and "popular" than ever before.
Does it taste like, say, Green Tea?...Nope, and even when adding sugar the drink is substantially bitter.
This cafe in the heart of T.O. is definitely a "chill and sip tea" type place. The decor is adecuate for its location; visual art displays on the walls and hand crafted table tops.
The service? Quite relaxed and calm. You won't get pressured into buying anything- after all it is a cafe!
The owners are a husband-wife team and they do an exceptional job at displaying true hospitality and friendly service. Something that is rarely seen nowadays. So if you have a question...just ask, they won't hesitate to give you answers.
The food? Absolutely DELICIOUS! We had an empanadas (beef patty) and they were fresh out of the oven...Mmmm! My mouth still waters when I think of it.
See, when you say to people an Empanada is like a Beef Patty, people think of Jamaican Beef Patties. And no offense to them but we're comparing apples to oranges. Argentinian Beef patties are filled with 100% ground beef, seasonings (salt,pepper,oregano,red pepper powder) onions, hardboiled egg, green olives and a bit of tomato. The end result is more like a type of panzzerrotti, but with a thin, pastry-like shell.
I have yet to try their famous egg sandwhich, but that is on my list of things to eat when I return to this great cafe!
Don't miss out!
My only complain? Why Yerba packages have to be so expensive! Anything over $5.00 is overpriced. You can find yerba bags of 1kgs at Highland Farms, T& T supermarkets and Rexdale Marketplace on Islington. ($3.99-$4.99 ea) Cruz de Malta Yerba -
Review from Denise S.
11/9/2010 ROTD 12/6/2010
I came across this little cafe after work and am so glad I did.
The space is relaxing and inviting, with genuinely warm baristas and chill lounge-y music. There's a decent amount of seating, with small tables and bigger ones for groups. When I went, it was pretty much a 50/50 split between people on their laptops and people just sitting and chatting. I was doing some writing. They also have a photography exhibit on right now -- black and white photos mainly of sites in Havana, Cuba.
I had a mocha latte ($3.75) which was near perfection. Next time I will have to try the yerba mate. They have a small selection of snacks -- organic soups, empanadas, spinach pies, and sweets. You can also purchase Argentinean cookies and other hard to find goodies to bring home.
El Almacen has a real community vibe, with a lot of people coming and going who seemed to know all the staff by name. You'll hear lots of Spanish too! (Made me want to brush up on mine). This is the kind of cafe that makes you want to slow down and just enjoy your surroundings. Cafe love!Listed in: Cafe Culture
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Review from Eliah H.
Toronto, ON
11/14/2010 8 Check-ins Here
I happened upon El Almacen as I walked past the establishment and recognized some of the artwork inside as being done by a former roommate. Entering into the establishment out of curiosity I discovered it was being run by a Latin American couple who were old acquaintances of mine. I recalled them wanting to open a cafe a long time ago and it was nice to see that they accomplished their dream. Now, at this point you might consider my review to have a degree of bias, but I'm sure other Yelp reviews will back up my hearty recommendation of this establishment.
In many ways El Almacen represents what I love about indie cafes. Run by everyday people with a vision and desire to establish a friendly neighborhood cafe that serves up a quality brew and snacks in a uniquely comfortable environment. The places oozes soul and charm and I think that is why El Almacen will do well despite there being a Starbucks a few blocks down the road.
Like many indie cafes El Almacen's environment is composed of warm woody tones with a moderate amount of seating and walls adorned with artwork and photography. The place has a slight Latin American flavor to it, if anything because of the owners and the fact that the featured drink here is Yerba Mate. If you are unfamiliar with Yerba Mate it is a popular tea, drank mostly in Latin America, which is considered to have a number of health related properties. Traditionally it is drank in a gourd like cup with a metal straw with a filter on the end. To note, El Almacen's Yerba Mate is specially imported and quite fresh, unlike some of the varieties you may find at your local Latin American food store.
Espresso based drinks are made here on a beautiful Elektra Belle Epoque machine and the shots pulled are of a good quality, though honestly I think they'd do better with Epic Espresso from 49th Parallel. Of course there are many places in Toronto to get a decent espresso based drink, what you should try if you come here is the Yerba Mate and if you're hungry an empanada or one of their other Latin American inspired munchables.
The owners are friendly and do their best to make their customers happy. They've been open for less than a year and are still facing the challenges of running a cafe, learning as they go along. For whatever reason you happen to be out and about in this area of Queen St. W. I recommend going to El Almacen. Definitely a cozy places to sip something warm whilst you munch on a Latin American pastry.Listed in: Eliah's Big List of Go To…
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Review from geraldine g.
Toronto, ON
3/22/2011 3 photos
Woa! It`s hard to add anything to the reviews of this place except say, photo?. LOL. What? It`s true.
First of all, this place has a definite vibe. It`s comfortable and has a sense of loyalty conveyed by what seemed to be regular after regular that came in. Though I had never been to this place, I can say, the people that work there make you feel like a regular.
I can`t say enough about that. Cheers!
It is a yerba mate cafe, true, but it does carry the usual coffee fares. I highly recommend trying what they are known for. It was way too, um, healthy tasting for me (like sipping grass and herbs to be honest) but not bad. I can understand the allure. You can just feel the antioxidants working its magic with each delicate ingestion.
Yup. All good. I ordered two espressos. -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
When I pass the stretch of Queen West near CAMH, I'm usually too busy dodging broken glass shards, drunken Ossington spillovers, or the blank stare of that infamously old prostitute.
Recently, my friend and I noticed something new -- hallelujah! A Yerba Mate Café! Having known nothing about Yerba Mate, the Argentinian proprietor took us by the hand and introduced us to the whole tradition and ritual of this energy tea -- which includes a beautifully crafted Yerba Mate communal gourd, a designated server, very specific rules to its pouring and consumption, and the slow, deliberate element of sharing and relating to everyone at the table.
Definitely cures my travel blues and gives me a boost of energy, to boot!
Note: this place is definitely more for extended conversation and a community hangout. If you want to grab a drink and go, take your Blackberrys, iPhones, and high blood pressure + head over to Starbucks. -
Review from Marie F.
8/24/2010 1 Check-in Here
I popped by El Almacen Yerba Mate Café for the first time on a dreary Monday hoping for a latte and some grub.
There wasn't much to choose from for food, but I settled on an empanada. Since I was staying in, the barrista said he would bring me my latte and snack. My latte was great and the service was quick but my empanada was still a little cold on the inside.
I will definitely be back, this place was cute with a good vibe; every time I pass this place it's packed!Listed in: I'll Sleep When I am Dead...…
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Review from Ryan A.
3/31/2010
Yerba Matte in Toronto!
El Almacen is a great cafe if you love yerba matte or want to try something new. For newbies, the staff is very helpful at teaching you how to use the matte cup.
The Matte drinking ritual is very communal and can last a good while and this cafe really accommodates that.
They also have some South American snacks, like empenadas. Yummy.
Go here when you want to sit and relax and enjoy good conversation in a nice place. -
Review from Suzanne M.
Toronto, ON
9/17/2010
Hello,
I stopped into lovely El Almacen while doing some foraging at Royal Appliances next door.
I had a rich and creamy latte and scrumptidelicious biscotti to dip.
Perfecto.
But more than that, I had a nice conversation with the owner, starting off with all things mate, then tango, then our neighbourhood, and Queen West Art Walk....................well, you get the idea.
A thoroughly enjoyable respite in a hectic day, meeting a new friend over a coffee - that's enjoying one of the simplest pleasures in life - ooooh, I will have to try the mate too, I am sure it is just a wonderful as when I tried it in Brazil.
Enjoy,
Suzanne -
Review from Angelica B.
12/16/2010
The yerba mate here was delicious and the staff is probably as good as it gets! My friend and I were semi-virgins to the libation experience of mate, but they explained the process from start to finish to get a quality sip on. With great artwork, a cozy / quiet interior, and a clean bathroom is all a girl could ask for.
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Review from CHAR C.
Toronto, ON
i love this place. the service is great, and there's no other cafe like this in Toronto. the empanadas are tasty as well, the meat is flavoured with olives which is adds a nice dimension to the flavour. the mate tea tastes good and it's a wonderful place to go with friends to catch up. very nice atmosphere. i love it. i probably come here every 2 weeks or so.
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Review from Downtown D.
Toronto, ON
2/8/2010
After reading about this new place opening I decided to check it out. Cool ambiance, copper plated ceiling tiles, mellow music and not super crowded. A place to chill on a Sunday afternoon. I tried the Yerba Mate in the coffee press. My friends had loose leaf green tea, latte and a dulce de leche filled pastry. Yum!
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Review from Ryan W.
Toronto, ON
2/3/2010
A great new addition to the city! Best alfajores I've ever had, no lie. Great ambiance and friendly, social staff.
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Review from Sarah L.
North York, ON
4/4/2010
I am so happy that El Almacen exists. I first tried yerba matte tea on business in Brazil and when I read that the Argentinian equivalent could be found at its own cafe on Queen street west, I made a bee line down there. Yerba Matte, in addition to its health properties has a unique taste, quite smokey. The owner is a wealth of knowledge and is happy to get into a conversation with customers to introduce them to the tradition. I tasted an orange flavoured yerba matte tea. It was brewed in a French press. You can also have the beverage served in a gourd with a special metal straw. El Almacen offers traditional Argentinian/spanish desserts and a host of coffee selections. I would totally check it out if you are in the neighbourhood and want to sample authentic yerba matte.
