Fahrenheit Coffee

4.5 star rating
19 reviews Rating Details

Category: Coffee & Tea  [Edit]

120 Lombard Ave
Toronto, ON M5A 4J6
Neighbourhoods: Corktown, Downtown Core
(647) 896-1774
Hours:

Mon-Fri 7 am - 6 pm

Sat 9 am - 5 pm

Price Range:
$
Accepts Credit Cards:
No
Parking:
Street
Outdoor Seating:
No

Review Highlights   

  • user photo
    "Fahrenheit is using Te Aro Roasted coffee, as well as..." In 4 reviews
  • user photo
    "No cream cheese bagels here, only tasty espresso drinks." In 6 reviews
  • user photo
    "But it was well worth the Indie Coffee Passport stop." In 2 reviews
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19 reviews in English

  • Review from Michelle G.

    Toronto, ON

    5.0 star rating
    4/23/2012

    Loved this place. Came here with my Indie Coffee Passport, and could not shut up about how delicious my soy latte was for at least a few days.

    It's a tiny space, with limited seating, so it might not be a great place to hang out with your computer, but it's worth jumping in for a cup of coffee and chatting with a friend (like I did.)

    I was absolutely delighted by both the service and the rich smooth flavour of my soy latte. They know what they're doing and they know they can be nice while they're doing it.

    Fahrenheit was a little out of the way for me, but I'll definitely go back again,  especially since they're so close to St Lawrence Market.

  • Review from Mauricio A.

    Toronto, ON

    3.0 star rating
    5/11/2012

    Like many, I went to check this place out with the Coffee Passport. I was meeting a friend there and we had a bit of trouble finding it since they had just moved and Google Maps was not reflecting their new address correctly, although by the time you read this, I am sure it will be corrected.

    The owner was there with a barista and was nice and chatty. He told me about the previous location, the move and was overall very welcoming. Kudos.

    Fahrenheit is tiny, although fairly open concept in design with very (actually change that to 'extreme') limited sitting. Uh... 6 tall chairs if I recall... All facing outward, so no romantic lattes to be had in house.

    Their latte was okay. I think this is one of those places that will either thrive with local sales on their way from or to work or die a horrible and quick death as this is not a hang out place in any stretch of the imagination.

    Mostly a pick-and-go place and as such it means they probably will not get a lot of non-local traffic in the Winter months. Since even though it is located on Jarvis this Cafe is a blink and you will miss it kinda of place. If you DO find the place, then during the Summer, as per Jennifer K's review you can take your coffee for a walk or to a nearby park. Which is okay...

    So... since there was no one when we got there, my friend and I ventured into two of the chairs and yeah, they are not for long time sitting... we went to the nearby park.

  • Review from Ju C.

    • 0 friends
    • 1 review

    Toronto, ON

    5.0 star rating
    4/22/2012 5 photos

    I started working nearby a couple months ago (literally a skip and a stone's throw away), and this was the first local place I dropped into. And boy, am I pleased that I did! The owner, Sameer, is as charming and handsome and genuinely friendly as they come. Everyone on his roster is just as approachable and good at what they do... which leads me to the grand attraction: the coffee! Honestly, I used to only drink my coffee black. I have no qualms about how it's served, as long as it's hot. But ordering a plain black coffee at this fine establishment would be like going to McDonalds for a salad... nothing wrong with it, but why would you want to?

    I usually shy away from sweet coffee drinks as they end up tasting like milk with a slightly coffee-ish aftertaste, but I like how you can customize them here to your heart's content. I would highly recommend their mochas, ask for a shot of mint/vanilla or even bacon syrup if you're feeling particularly adventurous. The iced lattes have been hitting the spot for me as well. They also have something called 'aero-pressed' where they grind your beans or spin your coffee in some fancy chemist-approved contraption or other. (I'm not entirely sure, don't quote me on that.) Anyway, looks very cool and respectable and lots of coffee connoisseurs seem to dig it and makes the coffee more... airy and delicious?

    Side note: have had their black coffee too and it is also good, if anyone's wondering.

    Interesting fun fact, Princess Jasmine used to bake all sorts of delicious butter tarts and treats here, so the foodstuffs are even good enough for the royals. A nice, varied selection of mostly cookies and muffins, that sure beat the ones over at Mystic Muffin. I had a sweet potato muffin the other day and it went much better than expected. They had some scrumptious cupcakes during V-Day as well - the most beautiful and yummy cupcakes I have had the pleasure and displeasure of sharing with my little brother.

    I'll report back later this week with a more thorough report. But I'm sure you get my gist. A classic menu of high-quality coffee, roasted to perfection in an unpretentious and aesthetically pleasing environment. Plus, the music. On a Friday you could very well mistake it for a slightly less crowded, well-lit and deliciously smelling club.

    Come for the coffee, come back for the lovely atmosphere and wonderful company. You guys have a customer for life!

  • Review from Crystal H.

    Vancouver, BC

    4.0 star rating
    4/19/2012 1 Check-in Here

    Airy, light, serious-about-coffee spaces often leave me feeling out of place. I'm not hip enough, not coffee-geek enough, not edgy enough, and I say cool and awesome way to much to be liked.

    But none of that holds true here. Learning once again, to not judge a book by its caffeinated cover, I found the staff at Fahrenheit to be extremely cool, friendly, and sheesh, they were baking croissants when I arrived.

    Ye be warned: There's not a whole lot of room to sit, and with it's lack of outlets and the high bar stool seating, it wouldn't be my first choice to crack open my laptop, but to catch up with a friend, dream the world away in a notebook or just stare off into space, you'll feel right at home here. And the coffee - top notch. They know where it's at.

    Kudos to these hard working guys for making everyone feel like they belong!

  • Review from Denise S.

    Toronto, ON

    4.0 star rating
    2/20/2012 1 Check-in Here

    Came here to use my Indie Coffee Passport. I was happy to hear that this place re-located and hadn't just closed down. The Lombard St. location, just across from Mystic Muffin, is small but cozy. There are a few stools by the window and then a skinny table and more stools in the middle of the room. On a weekday afternoon, it was really busy, with lots of people getting their caffeine fix to go. Lots of regulars.

    I found the service to be friendly, and it was one thing that makes Fahrenheit Coffee stand out. Waiting in line or waiting for your espresso drink is a lot more pleasant when the barista is smiling, asking you about your day, etc.

    I had a cappuccino, which had just the right balance of espresso, milk, and foam. The regular size is pretty big too! I was doing some reading and it lasted me a good long time.

    Music was electic... At first, they were playing this old Backstreet Boys CD, which was actually kinda hilarious (remember "I want it that way"?). Then they switched to Punjabi singer Imran Khan (I didn't know the song, but it was catchy, so I soundhounded it).

    Also -- check out their clock. It's a cool clock, trust me.

  • Review from Dylan D.

    • 0 friends
    • 10 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    2/2/2012

    You won't find better espresso in Toronto.  

    I'm a super-snob cappuccino drinker, and I have never been disappointed by the caps at Fahrenheit.  In fact, my tongue has always rejoiced at the full, smooth flavour of carefully extracted espresso married with perfectly silky smooth frothed milk.  Do yourself a favour:  order it to stay, in a ceramic cup.  Sit at the small bar along the window and take your time to enjoy the full sensory experience.  

    It's all Sameer, the owner.  Homeboy is one of the most skilled Baristas doing it.  There are other skilled baristas in Toronto, but Sameer has mad skills, is super consistent (which seems rare!), and is a sweet, friendly guy.  He's still smiling even though you can tell he's been working open to close, 7 days a week.  Passion and dedication and it shows up in the cup.  He seems to be excellent at training staff too, because, like I've said, I've never had a mediocre cap here.  

    AND, hallelujah, there is now a talented, friendly and beautiful pastry chef turning out freshly baked deliciousness on site.  Such a lovely departure from going into every indie coffee shop in town and seeing the exact same muffins and cookies.  Not only are they fresh, they are delicious (I had a bananna chocolate muffin, cuz it was still warm out the oven).

    Go here.

  • Review from Tina H.

    Toronto, ON

    3.0 star rating
    11/30/2011

    Delicious lattes and iced lattes. Pretty good chocolate chip cookie. Pretty latte art.

    This is a small place with limited seating. Not a sit-down coffee shop. If you just want a great latte and some baked goods for take-out and you're in the area, this is a great spot.

    Unfortunately they run out of baked goods and don't bake them again even if the store is open for another 4 hours. Disappointing.

    Good effort on the house-made vanilla syrup but they should probably just buy a good quality vanilla syrup from someone who knows how to make it because unfortunately they do not. The vanilla flavour to sugar ratio is quite weak. I ordered a latte with it and was disappointed. I can't recommend the vanilla syrup even though it seems like a great idea.

    It's funny, the staff are nice people, and the owner has promised me free stuff the next time I'm in on two separate occasions but these promises have never come into fruition. I guess they forget. I've been offered a free latte and a free cookie on two separate occasions and when I go in the next time they never remember to offer it. It's actually become a joke at the office: "I wonder if they'll give me that free cookie they promised..." Of course not. ;) I don't ask for it because that's just awkward; I want them to remember. He could tell I was unhappy with the vanilla latte I ordered, and when they ran out of cookies at noon and didn't bake them for the rest of the day. It seems kind of disingenuous if they offer me free stuff and then forget and ask me to pay. It's not like they forget me, I'm in there all the time.

    Oh well, still good stuff worth paying for, even though the false promises, like the vanilla syrup, leave a bitter aftertaste. ;)

    Farther from the office than Starbucks and Tim Horton's but worth the occasional walk.

  • Review from Jennifer K.

    Markham, ON

    3.0 star rating
    9/17/2011 4 photos 1 Check-in Here

    Indie Coffee Passport sent me to Fahrenheit Coffee. I was lucky since it was a nice, sunny fall afternoon.. as there are no place for me to have my cappuccino in the cafe itself. The barista suggested to go enjoy in the park across the street.

    Fahrenheit Coffee is then really a take out place as all their drinks are served automatically in a paper cup.

    The barista was really nice and patient. There's even a choice of roast.

    How's the coffee?? It is OK. Great as a takeout coffee, enjoying and chilling under the warm sun...How about winter? People really need a place where they can enjoy there hot beverage away from the cold.

  • Review from Nicole H.

    • 67 friends
    • 176 reviews

    Toronto, ON

    4.0 star rating
    10/22/2011 1 Check-in Here

    I'm pretty glad I made it to Farenheit when the weather is warm, because I think turning up in the colder months, and especially when there's snow on the ground, to find a wee tiny shop with not much but a 2-seater bench (more for while-you-wait) would've broken my heart.

    There's a large area behind the main part of the cafe that could be for seating, but it's rather for training and testing and there's a few espresso machines in there as well as a bunch of stuff on easels about the tastes of coffee and all that jazz. It seems Farenheit are into the coffee thing for reals.

    Seeing that they get their beans roasted at Te Aro pings a happy part in my brain - I went for a soy latte, but alas they were all out of soy! Americano it was, and as I perched on the bench sipping it I was almost glad - I got the full force of deliciousness, a very nice cuppa joe indeed.

    The owner was a super nice guy, very willing to have a chat about the coffee, the cafe, and also even about types of soy milk (i'm straying into nerdy territories here, I know).

    So, really, apart from the whole no real seating part, I think Farenheit's a win. Well, apart from that and the fact it's a bit out of the way, even if you're heading over from St Lawrence Market. But it was well worth the Indie Coffee Passport stop!

  • Review from Sharon F.

    • 18 friends
    • 21 reviews

    East York, ON

    5.0 star rating
    11/23/2011 1 photo

    One of the best pulled espressos in town. Bar none.

    They JUST moved to the NW corner of Lombard & Jarvis, which is less charming than the Esplanade, but will likely gain a loyal following with the condo crowd and employees from creative firms along Richmond. The space is still small and standing room only with a window bar and centre island, but that's the way an espresso bar should be - nothing to distract you from the taste.

    Let's talk espresso. Sameer (owner/barista/master of his own domain) fixed a cortado for me, with Ethiopia Sidamo beans roasted by Te Aro, and it was delectable. I can still taste the dark, thick, caramely flavour on my tongue and it's been 2 hours. The milk was just the right temperature and cooled down properly in the glass it was served in. Having an owner so passionate about his espressos also completes the experience.

    In the future there will be a pastry chef making traditional french pastries like pain au chocolat, croissants, etc, so I can't wait to make a return visit and review.

    They are also giving away free drinks until Saturday, November 26, as a promo for the new spot. Seeing people's reaction at free caffeine is pretty priceless.

  • Review from Mitch S.

    • 43 friends
    • 189 reviews

    Toronto, ON

    5.0 star rating
    7/30/2011

    Amazing coffee shop run by real enthusiasts. The beans here are all private blends by the owner roasted by Te Aro so you know you'll be getting quality coffee.

    My first time here the barista invited me around the counter and taught me some cool techniques to improve my own coffee making skills. For those interested, they also run some kind of coffee school in the back where full courses are given on latte art, proper espresso making skills, etc.

    Go and support this place!

  • Review from Tonja B.

    • 14 friends
    • 24 reviews

    Toronto, ON

    5.0 star rating
    5/9/2011

    Let's talk espresso for a minute. Fahrenheit Coffee is just what you need (and don't know it yet) when it comes to first-rate coffee. This little café located on The Esplanade boasts large windows, a wrap-around bar and only 5 bar stools, mainly for you to sit and enjoy your espresso, macchiato, or cortado. There is no fussing around with wi-fi or an outlet to plug in your computer to write your novel. Fahrenheit is the place you come for a delicious espresso-based beverage and perhaps a coffee-talk with the knowledgeable owner, Sameer!

    Fahrenheit is using Te Aro Roasted coffee, as well as Sameer's own personal espresso blend, "Diablo." Diablo will be a welcomed addition to your life, I assure you. Sameer's 7+ years of hands-on coffee experience and his unsurpassed knowledge have provided him with the tools to create one of the smoothest, well balanced shot's of espresso I've had. As the taste lingers in your mouth you'll be longing for more. Rich and creamy, it also pairs beautifully with milk.

    Regardless of where you live, making the trek to The Esplanade for a little Fahrenheit love is a necessity.

    Note: Closed on Sunday's. They're also serving up cappuccinos, lattes, hot chocolate (a huge hit with all the kiddies at the school next door) tea, and pastries from our good friends at Circles +Squares bakery

    Honourable Mentions:
    - Location, location, location! Right across the street from a park, just west of the beautiful Historic Distillery District, a stone's throw from the St. Lawrence Market.
    - No 'drip' coffee: Only the finest espresso and espresso-based creations; perhaps a Chemex, or two, to spice things up!

    Check out this 'First Look' article by Post City:
    http://www.postcity.co...

  • Review from Aaron C.

    • 11 friends
    • 29 reviews

    Victoria, BC

    5.0 star rating
    7/12/2011 3 Check-ins Here

    Similar to Sam James in the west, Fahrenheit offers a no nonsense approach to coffee.  With a simple wrap around bar and a single stool, this is about as far as you can get from the hip hang outs that seem to be popping up around town.

    The owner Sameer and his staff of knowledgeable and friendly individuals are more than happy to walk anyone through the available drinks they have, as well as happily make recommendations.

    Working in the area, I'm thrilled with the arrival of Fahrenheit, as it offers me a delicious and flavourable caffeine fix in the mornings that was definitely lacking before.  Highly recommended.

  • Review from Isaac Y.

    • 1 friend
    • 4 reviews

    Toronto, ON

    5.0 star rating
    5/13/2011 57 Check-ins Here

    There are many different types of coffee shops in Toronto nowadays. You have the hip hangout like Dark Horse. You have the quiet yuppie type like Rooster. And then you have the no non-sense coffee places like Sam James Coffee Bar.

    And Fahrenheit is definitely in the last category. If you love your coffee, and actually have the palette to appreciate more than Starbucks or Balzac burnt beans, then this is the place for you.

    Between SJCB and Fahrenheit, Toronto finally is covered on both sides for good coffee.

  • Review from Mike D.

    • 1 friend
    • 25 reviews

    Austin, TX

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    1/7/2012

    Pros
    - The smoothest, best-prepared cafe latte I've had in ages.
    - Samir (hope I spelled that right) clearly cares about producing a delicious drink.
    - The cakes / muffins up front look fresh and my poppyseed muffin was delicious.
    - Limited, but clean sitting space with view of the street.

    Cons
    - Not really any, but you won't find any lounge chairs if you intend on hanging out all day.

    Overall
    - It's a small place but you'll leave there reminded of just how delicious a coffee drink can be.

  • Review from Elvis A.

    Toronto, ON

    3.0 star rating
    9/6/2011 1 photo 2 Check-ins Here

    This is the first place I visited as a part of the Indie Coffee Passport.
    This a tiny spot and I can see it getting popular in that neighborhood. More of a grab and go place as there is no seating as far as I could tell.
    My Yelp Eating buddy and I both ordered cappuccinos. Mine with a sweetener. The barista didn't ask us whether we wanted in a mug or paper cup. We both prefer it in a ceramic cup. We were given an option on what kind of bean we would like to have. We went with the Diablo brand (apparently the more traditional espresso grind)
    The barista took his time which is a good thing and finished our cappuccinos with some latte art.
    The initial aroma was good as I could see the crema'  on the side. Initial sip is the burnt taste you get with some kind of beans which later mellowed out due the milk.
    A good iteration for cappuccino.
    3.5 Stars overall due to lack of sitting area
    I can see this place being a neighborhood favorite.
    update Tried the new location today and went for a cortado as cappuccino was not the greatest in the city. The art work was very nice on this drink. Taste of the espresso shot was better than the last time. New spot is not much better as its standing room only so its more of a grab and go kind of place.

  • Review from Shaleen S.

    • 0 friends
    • 12 reviews

    Toronto, ON

    4.0 star rating
    2/23/2012

    I used my indie coffee passport at Farenheit and truly enjoyed it. The coffee was delicious, but not as good (for me) as some other places that are close by. I think it's a personal preference, but I'll be back to give it another shot (get it? get it?!). I met Sameer and another guy working there and they were both very friendly. I look forward to going back.

  • Review from Ben S.

    • 6 friends
    • 71 reviews

    Toronto, ON

    4.0 star rating
    5/10/2011 1 photo

    I am so excited about this place! Finally, a no nonsense espresso bar in the St Lawrence Market / Corktown area. No cream cheese bagels here, only tasty espresso drinks.

  • Review from Clara K.

    • 1 friend
    • 7 reviews

    Toronto, ON

    5.0 star rating
    11/26/2011

    if only i lived closer to this place. the cappuccino was amazing and prepared with great warmth and enthusiasm. definitely a place, despite the lack of seating, to stop and savour the deliciousness of the espresso and appreciate the care with which it was made. all this to say, the owners are fun and relaxed and make you feel very welcome. i can't wait to go back. easily the best coffee i've had in toronto.

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