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Hula Girl Espresso Boutique
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
2473 Dundas St WToronto, ON M6P 1W9
Neighbourhood: High Park
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 7 pm
Sat 8 am - 7 pm
Sun 9 am - 7 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
14 reviews for Hula Girl Espresso Boutique
14 reviews in English
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Review from geraldine g.
Toronto, ON
3/27/2012 2 photos
A truly unique space to acquire a cup of Kona influenced coffee. Honestly, whether its Hawaiian or not, the americano I had was pretty decent. So cheers to the awesome baristas!
Reclaimed wood makes a wonderful touch to the design of this tiny space. Surrounding the limited seating are walls covered with Hulu Girl products, Bodum glassware and some funky resin coated art pieces.
It is surprising to find this cafe in the area but it lends itself easily to being that neighborhood hangout. It truly seemed that way from the recognition between the owner, I believe, and the customers that came in.
I wish this was closer to me. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area. I am so glad to have made the trip. Made hanging out with my most awesome `sweet company even better! -
Review from Ricky B.
Toronto, ON
5/21/2012
Thank the volcano gods for this hip little espresso shop. When I'm out of coffee to brew on my own stove-top, I head down the street to this spot for that kick in my step and a bit of conversation with Hector or Lou. Quality coffee, nice shots, and personable service. I also enjoy their banana bread, hermit cookies and the breakfast wraps to hold me over on my way to work. Most definitely an integral thread in the weave of the surrounding community that lies between Dundas West station and the Junction.
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Review from Ramanan S.
Toronto, ON
3/6/2012
A small cute coffee shop half a block up from Dundas St. West. It's very much a neighbourhood place. You probably won't stumble upon it unless you live in the area. It's got a tiny amount of seating, but is mostly a spot to grab a coffee and go I suspect. The coffee is quite good. It's usually one of two places I go when people come visit me. I think everyone i've taken has quite liked it. It's a jazzy spot that sort of shows off the neighbourhood.
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Review from Eliah H.
Toronto, ON
8/17/2011
Here's one of those slightly off the beaten path indie cafe's you're glad you found. A quaint little espresso bar with charm build right into the aged brick walls. Pretty much the only decent cafe you'll find between All That Jazz and Cool Hand of a Girl. Apparently all their coffee is Hawaiian Kona though the espresso I had I suspect is at the very least a blend of Kona and another origin. The espresso is quite enjoyable. Very smooth with just a hint of crisp citrus in the finish. I liked it.
Aside from coffee they also have a small selection of snacks to pair with your beverage. Staff seems friendly and competent. Seating is limited, more take out than laptop bar.
All in all I recommend.Listed in: Eliah's Big List of Go To…
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Review from Patrick M.
Toronto, ON
7/4/2011
Can I review a place based off a single grilled cheese sandwich?
Yes, yes I can!
Hula Girl is a brilliantly designed cafe, one with so much unique character I think I could spend a day there just hangin' out. Really, this is maybe the nicest looking cafe I have ever seen, anywhere, and since I eat and drink with my eyes first, I can't tell you how important this is!
So, how about that grilled cheese? Fabulous! It was her last one -- pre-made, I would imagine in the morning, and then tossed on a panini press to finish. I was incredulous... never been a big fan of premade sandwiches. But, success of success, this one worked! Simple: cheese, pesto, tomato, panini bread. Very tasty!
As for the coffee, well, it certainly smelled amazing, and she's using a premium blend unique to Hula Girl -- 20% Kona, as I recall, which just makes sense given the name of the place!
I'll definitely be back to try a cup of Joe.
Again, what a beautiful cafe! Pop in just to gaze upon loveliness! -
Review from Danette R.
Toronto, ON
5/17/2011 2 photos
First, you need to know that I stumbled upon this place while miserably slumping towards Dundas West station, and I had a handful of quarters so all I ordered was a drip coffee. I know this is an "espresso boutique" but my review will not be useful to you if you are in search of the next beautiful bean.
So the 3 star rating is subject to change should I find myself back there trying out something from the actual espresso machine.
That said, I stumbled into Hula Girl because it looked so inviting (on a strip of Dundas where it gets spotty between the happening Junction and the station) and because it was moody that day, like me. The Smashing Pumpkins got me through the door. Radiohead came on next. I parked my journal on one of the two pizza-sized tables and looked around.
None of the visuals will surprise you: brick, reclaimed-looking wood, decorative tin ceiling, vintage pepsi sign, tall stools, magazines, flyers for local artists and personal trainers, a sign that says their cups are compostable, lightbulbs shaped like test tubes that casually dangle from the ceiling on black wire. Handsome and stylish man behind the counter with strong eyeglass frames who knew just about everyone who came in (other than myself). And all this in a space about the size of a Toronto living room.
I see across the street is a building that reads Dundas West Arts Building and I know, this place was clearly the answer to many prayers. If I lived or worked close by I could imagine how gleeful I would have been to find Hula Girl. That made me happy.
Oh, they also have a gum ball machine by the door. I like that. But my favourite detail would have to be the sign behind the cash that read: MAKE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL. I think Hula Girl did. -
Review from Val G.
10/9/2010
Popped into Hula Girl on Nuit Blanche, which apparently was its grand opening. Had a medium soy hot chocolate ($2.50) that was very interesting, tasted unlike any other hot chocolate I've ever had. Can't really put my finger on what the taste was. I'm intrigued. The baked goods looked tempting.
Unfortunately the place has no washroom (that's what I was told anyway), and I really needed one at the time. Not sure how an espresso bar can operate when the very thing they sell causes diuresis. This isn't Europe, I think they should let their patrons use the washroom.
The guy behind the counter had a strobe light machine dancing on one wall and he was playing dj with his laptop on a pedestal behind the counter. I felt like I was standing on an empty nightclub dance floor as I ordered. From what I could see in the darkness, the decor looked nice. Lots of natural wood tones, no hula theme. There was some funky glass water dispenser that was very architectural. I like. Hopefully that means, help yourself to water.
Hula is definitely worth checking out but empty your bladder beforehand. Seating is limited to the bar and out front.
3.5* -
Review from Renata R.
1/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cozy litte espresso bar, I finally managed to get to know it! I didn't have a coffee (I know, I know), only some pastries and stayed for a while talking to the barista.
The guy is super nice, and the place is great. I had a cheese and spinach something and it was very good. Can't wait to try the coffee. It's a bit small for my café standards, it's not very comfortable to stay there for too long. But it was empty so I could deal with it. -
Review from Rose Ü.
Toronto, ON
9/27/2011
Decent coffee, but terrible service. Half the time the baristas are either talking on the phone or chatting with friends and then they act like serving customers is an annoying interruption.
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Review from Lindsay D.
Ottawa, ON
10/10/2011
Hula Girl is a charming cafe with super delicious coffee, super delicious spinach pastry, nice staff... As the Yelp rating indicates, I'm a fan.
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Review from TOFoodReviews n.
Toronto, ON
5/17/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Man. This whole area is pretty packed with coffee shops and the like. Just up the road in The Junction, there's Crema, The Good Neighbour, and a Starbucks; just down the road in Roncys, there's Alternative Grounds, Coffee and All that Jazz, and yet another Starbucks. And that's just to name a few... The neighbourhood, it seems, is littered with coffee shops. So how does Hula Girl stack up against all the rest of them? Really, really nicely.
Hula Girl isn't just another boring-old coffee shop; they're an 'espresso boutique', and they focus their boutique-ish expertise on blends of Kona coffee beans and turning those blends of beans into near-perfect cups of espresso. The owners are clearly not only passionate about coffee, but knowledgeable about it too; it becomes blatantly obvious with the first sip. The espresso is noticeably balanced and brewed with a high-level of skill. Simply put, they have some truly nice people that are dam good at pulling espressos standing behind their shiny brewing machine.
No worries if espresso isn't your thing. They have some of their Kona blends brewed and served as the standard coffee fare too, which is also seriously good. They've got a nice window at the front counter with some baked goods. There isn't much there right now, as I think they've only recently started serving food, but it sure would look good stocked with some interesting, local pastries and deserts.
The space is beautiful too. Chances are, after you pick up an espresso you're going to want to stay for a bit and soak up some of the killer atmosphere. Old wood, exposed brick, shiny chrome, the entire space is exquisitely designed and faultlessly put together. Fair warning though, the insides may be pretty to look at, but they sure aren't big. It's ok though. What Hula Girl lacks in space, it makes up in comfort. Sitting around Hula Girl and sipping an espresso just feels good. The space is nice, and there's a few wooden chairs and a little bar space where relaxing music, a comfortable vibe, and fantastic coffee is all in abundance.
Chances are, they'll be busy too. People around here seem to have already shifted their morning-coffee-loyalties over to Hula Girl, and that's a good thing, for Hula Girl and you. Somehow, in this small environment, more people just make it feel cozier, which you'll appreciate. And obviously it's good for Hula Girl because they get to succeed and stick-around, and honestly, there isn't much that's nicer to see succeed than an independent business run by nice people.
Good on the folks at Hula Girl for opening up on this tired part of Dundas with its old pizza joints and 2 dollar palm reading shops. This street really needed a place like this, and no doubt the people that live there will appreciate it too. Especially among all the artsy stuff that's crept up around here, pizza and palm-readings aside, Hula Girl seems perfectly at home.
Like I said, the coffee is spectacular. So if you want some near-perfect espresso made by people that truly know what that means, then Hula Girl should be on your to-do-list; but if you're looking for a place to grab a donut and suck up some free-WiFi, keep walking up the street to The Junction or down the street to Roncys. -
Review from Leslie-Anne W.
Toronto, ON
Another hip coffee shop is on the scene but in a neighbourhood that could desperately use a hip-infusion. Just north of Dundas West Station, Hula Girl is a gorgeous space with fantastic coffee. I ordered an Americano and it was just about perfect.
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Review from J S.
Toronto, ON
10/9/2010
I've been waiting for Hula Girl to open for a few months now, ever since I saw the renovations start and the sign go up. The Junction already has Crema, The Good Neighbour, Cool Hand of a Girl and Agora, but those are all northwest of where I live and so I'm super excited to have a place that I can hit up on my way to/from Dundas West station.
Onto the coffee itself. I ordered a dark roast, size medium ($2) and my date got a mocha ($3.50). I was so pleased to see that they had individual stevia packages that I added one to my coffee before tasting it and before remembering I only really like stevia in my tea, but it sure smelled good. The mocha also got a favourable review.
The only thing that is disappointing about Hula Girl is that there's nowhere really to sit - it is, after all, an "espresso boutique" rather than a cafe. There are a couple of chairs outside and when walking past earlier this week I did see two guys sitting at the front bar, but it's definitely not a place where you can bring a book or meet someone to catch up. The interior is pretty small but they could probably fit a couple of two-person tables, and I hope they do. -
Review from Amelia F.
Toronto, ON
3/23/2011
LOVE their sandwiches - all of them. I am craving their turkey and brie right now.
