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Linuxcaffe
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
326 Harbord StToronto, ON M6G 1H1
Neighbourhood: Bickford Park
(416) 534-2116
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 11 pm
Sat 10 am - 11 pm
Sun 10 am - 5 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
26 reviews for Linuxcaffe
26 reviews in English
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Review from Em M.
Toronto, ON
11/22/2011
is there anything better than a great cafe right on a park? I say no. except maybe wifi on the picnic tables under the trees, tea on one side of my netbook and something tasty and vegan on the other. if your eyes need a break, you can always engage one of the baristas or the owner in what I guarantee will be a lively and interesting conversation.
Bickford tobogganers take note: Linux has the best hot chocolate in the city. -
Review from Nicole H.
Toronto, ON
10/21/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I understand the appeal of Linuxcaffe for many reasons - but there are a couple of things that bother me enough to knock this down to a low three stars.
But i'd like to start with the positive. I love the community involvement of the cafe, hosting meetups and whatnot - one afternoon when Chad M and I were sipping drinks at the tables outside, the Toronto Cyclists Union set up an info tent and had a bike stand with a knowledgable bike mechanic on hand to ask questions of. Neat!
Location is awesome - on a bus route, not too far to walk from Christie station, and definitely accessible by bike. There is also a lovely park nearby! Awesome.
Also, it's cozy and comfy in there - tables and chairs in little nooks, and stools at window seats let you enjoy the atmosphere and also the passers-by on Harbord. They have free wifi! Yay!
The cozy comfort extends to the fare on offer - delicious sweets (many vegan!) from local bakeries or made in-house fill the display case. Soup and sandwiches are also on offer (again with vegan options), so you can have something more substantial with your coffee if you need.
However.. I have three main issues with the cafe. Firstly, customers who camp out with laptops at tables, taking up the space of many when they are just one - the seating/space of the cafe creates a lot of this problem, but I think it's mostly down to how these people are kinda dicks. Secondly, it's a bit unkempt, in a "your straightedge vegan anarchist best friend's armpit of a sharehouse" kinda way - books and magazines and pamphlets strewn about and not a lot of dusting/cleaning of the cafe in general (I must point out that the food and drink prep areas plus the tables are kept well enough clean, though). Last of all is their espresso - it doesn't make a great drink (I think I just can't stand Ideal Beans, but it's probably not prepared in the best way, either). Our lattes were 3 times as frothy as they should've been, too. Awww.
I'm down with the Linux cafe (i've been a user of various flavours of Linux for many years now, I love that there's a cafe with it as their namesake/influence!), but i'm also a bit of a coffee snob and sometimes don't want to feel cozy but also at ease, too. I guess i'd stick to the sweets and the brew next time to avoid espresso-based sadness. -
Review from Elvis A.
This place seems like a neighborhood hangout with an unassuming setup and style. There were quite a few people in the cafe both inside and out and seemed like regulars. WiFi is free.
Now all the good things stop here. I asked for my regular drink cappuccino in ceramic cup and was offered an extra shot by the barista (a stretch of this word IMO) The shots were poured in a metal container first (as they only have mugs that won't fit under the sprout of the espresso machine) Then milk was frothed and poured in a mug (even though I asked for a sweetener it was not put in) and then the shot was poured over the milk.
End result was nothing even close to a cappuccino (scalding hot milk and espresso shot) no crema' whatsoever. I left my drink after a few sips and just walked away.
One can do a lot better even if it means a 10 minute walk down the street to get better coffee.
Stay away folks. -
Review from Vivek S.
4/12/2011 4 Check-ins Here
This place is A-OK. Like many of the java-swilling laptop-loving yelpers who've visited here, I wanted more out of this tiny shop. Their aesthetic is geek chic: every surface is covered with lacquered OSB, there are penguins everywhere (a tribute to the Linux logo), an OS Rubik's cube at the cash, and more electric outlets than you can shake a stick at. This is definitely a place where you can (nay must) whip out a laptop and work. You can even rent a laptop if you want to fit in. ($3 first hour, $1 every hour thereafter.)
I like all these things.
I've never had a problem with the service here, even if they are linux-enthusiasts. Last time I was there, this beardo approached me and asked me if I would mind sharing my table with someone else. Before I could answer 'yes' he asked the girl at the neighbouring table if she would mind sharing *her* table with someone else. And thus we were joined in coffee matrimony. My point: you might have to share a table.
Coffee-wise I was a little let down. My first latte here was not amazing, and a subsequent americano was just OK. They offer a variety of vittles though, including some gluten-free treats which are actually quite delicious. Smoothies are also available here, though I'm not sure if they sell the Froyo on its own.
There is of course Wifi, lots of electric outlets, and while it is cramped I really don't mind sharing a table when all I'm doing is drinking a latte and reading Yelp reviews. It's close to Bickford Park, has bicycle parking out front, and reaches out with both hands to embrace the inner geek in me. I dig.
Obligatory Title Pun: And you thought you GNU coffeeshops...
Menu Readability: Look up, waaaay, up. There's a chalkboard.
Need to mention: Cash only.
What this place teaches me about myself: That girl was way out of my league. But I can admit it.Listed in: Top Coffee Shops, Coffee, Wifi, Power, LIFTOFF
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Review from Howard H.
4/28/2011
Sigh. Like it's namesake, this cafe has some great functionality and a rather clumsy user interface. Slightly out of the way with all of the charm one would expect of such a place....but...there's this overarching feeling that the whole thing is somehow scripted. Badly. The creeping sense that this place didn't actual arise from the molten core of primordial OpenSource stew stayed with me the whole time I was in there. Everything from the veganism to the ad-hoc nature of the decor felt forced. Oh yeah - a bunch of Apple fanbois and girlz in the LINUX cafe'? Puh-leeze! True linux folks would rather shave their heads with cheese graters than give Steve Jobs a nickel.
The coffee was decent, but there are far better examples to be had all around the city. The main draw of a place such as this is how it makes you feel and this place did not make me feel good. I've been to great places like this - and this is just another case of emulation gone awry.Listed in: Vegan Goodness in the GTA
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Review from Karl R.
3/13/2011 8 photos
Like Bijan I really wanted to like the Linux Cafe. Old timers might remember the Binary Cafe and Hexadecimal Emporium (http://en.wikipedia.or...). A place you could go for a coffee and read well thumbed copies of 2600.
The Linux Cafe features lots of penguin symbolism to set it apart from a certain unnamed chain that features a rendering of a certain mermaid tucking her legs behind her certain ears. Like the aforementioned chain, the Linux cafe also suffers from the one table, one person, one laptop, one cup (but not two girls) scourge. Sunday table space is a premium. I don't know why people scream about certain unnamed chains that supposedly destroy someone's fantasy of an indie coffee house culture that never existed until certain unnamed chains moved in to not destroy them. Last time I checked certain unnamed chains were just taking over abandoned bank buildings. These places are always packed to the gills.
I guess complaining about certain unnamed chains is the same as just throwing "goatse" into the lunchroom conversation when you're mildly disgusted by your friend eating an egg salad sandwich. If these indie coffee houses are suffering, it's because they haven't figured out a guy drinking one coffee while sitting at one table for 3 hours doesn't make economic sense.
That biatching aside, when you do find a table, it is a pleasant enough space. The service is very very friendly. They never quite got my order right despite checking with me 3 times but the error was in my favor (I tried to order just a normal drip coffee but they kept insisting I ordered the cappuccino). I had the goat cheese panini which runs under $6. Certain chain coffee places with sailor erotic mermaid logos would probably ring you up more for anything food product-ish. I got hooked on panini in England (http://www.yelp.co.uk/...) and I was pretty disappointed. It was on the smallish side and the goat cheese didn't have that goat cheese bite that tells you you're eating something that came from a goat.
I did appreciate they have a shop toboggan. Some indie coffee and tea places think they're all so cool if they have a shop house cat. But, wow, a toboggan for customer use but not in-store use. Focusing beyond their patio is a Christie Pits style park with pretty wicked sledding hills.
Eco-conscious newspapers are also found throughout the cafe. My wingman Joaquin Phoenix commented on the way out "at least it's not loud in there." So true. -
Review from Dishan W.
Linuxcaffe will always stand out from most other passport stops just because it had all sorts of random things hanging from the walls and all sorts of other decorations. It took me a while to really look around and I came to the conclusion it reminded me of the "Midsummer Night's Dream", it's close to a park and some decorations were very magical foresty looking, it did have random "movie set" themed deco as well which I assume comes in to full effect during open mic nights?
But overall, it is nice, quiet and cozy although seats are just your typical tables and chairs.
I was unhappy they only took cash and the ATM was in a corner and I would have had to weed myself past people to reach it so I let the idea of ordering a snack and a coffee to go at rest. I was slightly disappointed that my latte came in a regular mug, I assume I would appreciate it more if I was a regular so it seemed more homely, but if I wanted a latte in a mug I would have made one at home.
The drink was not bad though, I would definitely go for it again if I return here. I would like to try out some of their food items next time, just need to remember to bring some cash with me.Listed in: Caffeine Adventures!
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Review from Bijan V.
1/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I really want to like Linux Cafe a lot more than 3 stars but there are some things holding it back... mainly the rather soft cappuccino I had.
The location is a little hidden from everywhere but is surprisingly great with the park across the street and being in a quiet neighbourhood. The cafe is really ghetto but in a homey cozy way. They also have tons of Ubuntu and linux paraphernalia scattered throughout the place which warmed up my geeky heart a bit.
Prices seemed pretty standard although as per Vivek's review criteria, the menu readability is pretty poor. I'll definitely be back for the novelty of being part of a Linux crowd but maybe only if I happen to be in that part of town. -
Review from Isabel R.
Toronto, ON
4/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is like a scene out of Portlandia. Seriously. The guy that works there even looks and sounds like Fred Armisen.
For those who haven't seen the show, basically I mean that this place drips with hipster ooze. You get the feeling if you don't order your drink vegan, they'll refuse to sell it to you. I have never felt so unwelcome in a coffee shop. .
Funny thing also, every other person in the cafe was bunkered down with their macbooks. In the linux cafe. right -
Review from Stephanie C.
Toronto, ON
12/22/2010
#indiecoffeepassport stop #6
It's definitely a freelancer's haven. The café's intimate atmosphere invites a lot of people to stay here for several hours and work on their laptops. I, without a laptop, stayed for a while, and read my book and drank my Americano.
If it wasn't for my Indie Coffee Passport, I probably wouldn't come here because it is far from my area. But with the park across the street, I would consider making a trip up in the warmer months and hang out longer. -
Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
2/24/2011 6 photos
Just walking to Linuxcaffe is a really relaxing experience..the open park area, kids screaming, dog barking at Bickford Park.
The inside is crowded and cozy...the deco remind me of Ideal Coffee down at Ossington..but at least the chairs and the tables are not ready for garage sale yet.
Really nice barista... the Matcha Latte I ordered using my Indie Coffee passport was served in one of those garage sale grandmother's mug! And when I looked at the coffee beans they have for sale, they are from Ideal Coffee too!!
Sunday afternoon... demanding kids screaming into the Cafe demanding hot chocolate and cookies.. Linuxcaffe is the only coffee place I been to have so many kids coming in at once! In fact maybe the only one aside Red Rocket at Leslieville that kids are roaming the place!
People studying... People on WIFI...Kids going on sugar high...Me sipping Latte...
What a nice Sunday afternoon! -
Review from Isabella L.
Toronto, ON
10/17/2010 5 photos
C O F F E E P A S S P O R T S T O P (#19)
Drink: Ginseng Latte
Atmosphere:
Reminds me of a cross between:
(Rooster Coffee House) 'cause of the location which is ALMOST facing a park, Bickford Park to be exact, but nonetheless in a remote neighbourhood with two big picnic tables in the front that would be great during summer time. Still, Rooster has the best location.
(I Deal on Nassau St.) 'cause the interior is dimmed with mismatched furniture, but I like this place better 'cause it gives more of a 'chill' vibe. It's also almost the same amount of seating.
(Moonbean) 'cause my drink had A LOT of ''leftovers''. Plus, it was way too milky! But but BUT, the foam was delicious since it had some ginseng syrup drizzled on top.
Verdict: You guys are my 19th stop. I've raised my standards by now and you guys just don't cut it. On to the next one.Listed in: Indie Coffee Passport Stops
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Review from Missy K.
Toronto, ON
4/7/2011
I was taking a lovely walk down Harbord when my baby awoke hungry in his stroller. I thought I'd poke my head into the 'friendly' local Linux Caffe to ask for a little bit of hot water to warm the bottle up. The grumpy hipster behind the counter refused and said I had to buy something.
I have often popped in for coffee whenever in the neighborhood but maybe I should stick to Starbucks. It may be a chain, but I've never been refused a little bit of hot water at one. -
Review from Michelle G.
Toronto, ON
10/24/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Since this place is one of the Indie Coffee Passport stops, I skipped buying my typical latte and ordered a (vegan) soup instead. I asked the server if the bread that came with it was vegan too, and he said he didn't think so.
Now, this is the part I really liked. He quietly gave me a bit of a discount on the soup (which is normally 3.95) I thought that was a nice (and unexpected) touch. He was very friendly in general, and asked me how my soup was when he walked by later.
I wish they got their vegan baked goods from somewhere other than "OMG Baked Goodness" because I can't support that place at all. Please get some Sweets From the Earth!
It's got free wifi (yey!)
It charges extra for soy milk (booo!)
The soup was decent, the first bite was kind of oddly sharp and unpleasant, but by the end of it I was really enjoying it, so I think I'd probably order it again.Listed in: Indie Coffee Passport Stops
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Review from Jay G.
Toronto, ON
4/21/2009 ROTD 4/25/2009
Super geeky. I'm a geek so I love it.
Staff is great. Knowledgeable about open source software as well as coffee. Free wi-fi, lots of coding books, free linux cds, large projector screen available, clientele is as geeky as the theme, and great coffee.
This small coffee shop is a cute place. Everything about it reminds me of my days in San Francisco. Very hippy-ish feel to it. Nothing matches and things are inside because they work not because they necessarily look nice.
Apparently there is a huge online community, I'm not part of it but I suppose it's cool, expand the coffee shop outside of the coffee shop. This place offers many seminars and discussions on programming. If you want to learn how, this would be a great place to learn from others as the people are pretty open to help. There are many programming books they let you borrow.
When I went the very cute girl behind the counter decided she wanted an ice cream sundae and went out to pick up a few ingredients and made a bunch for the patrons too. Pretty cool. Place is very laid back but may not exactly be a place for the average coffee consumer as the vibe is kinda geek chic.
Overall, I like the place a lot.Prices are reasonable and the coffees are great. Treats are good too but its the atmosphere of geeks wanting to be with other geeks and willing to help is what makes this place different. Great view of Bickford Park too if you get a seat by the window. -
Review from Giselle g.
Toronto, ON
6/18/2010
I wanted to like this place. I wanted to get a cup of coffee, pay for it and drink it. I might have even bought a muffin. Oh well...
The counter servers, two of them, completely ignored my friend and I. They looked through us like we were invisible, as we stood there like idiots. I tried to get their attention and they turned away. Meanwhile it wasn't as though they were busy. We stood there for a few awkward minutes and then left. -
Review from J H.
Toronto, ON
5/20/2011
the sandwich i had here was really good, the service was nice, and they were attentive and considerate to my dog's hydration needs when plenty other businesses would refuse to let him on the patio. i'm a fan.
btw, there's an article on the store's owner and history in the current copy of the annex gleaner. he seems like a nice dude so all the better. -
Review from Diane R.
Toronto, ON
3/2/2011
It's awesome, awesome, awesome! How can it be rated at only 3 stars? This place just freaking ROCKS. Yes, it's a bit grungy inside, but in a homey, comfy way.
First, the hours are a delight. The place is open till 11 p.m. every night except Sunday. This is such a refreshing change from the ridiculous 7-6-5 and ever 4:30 p.m. closing times of so many other Toronto cafes.
Then there is the food. It's freshly made in-house and extremely tasty. Lost of vegetarian options are available. The prices are slightly on the high side, but I'm willing to pay a little bit more for a delicious, healthy, fresh meal. Never had any issues with menu readability.
The drinks are quite interesting. There are the usual espresso-based drinks, a big selection of teas, and some offbeat offerings such as ginseng lattes.
The service has always been prompt and friendly. There is wi-fi that's free for patrons as well as for people just hanging out at Bickford Park! There is a bowl of doggie treats for those coming by with their four-legged friends. This place is nearly perfect.
The only word of caution is to avoid the bar stools -- I find them extremely uncomfortable; I'm always sliding off them, and there isn't a decent place to rest my feet. So I just make sure to always get a table seat now. -
Review from Mavis M.
Toronto, ON
4/6/2009
Granted, it has something of a hippie-computer-geek-dorm-room decor (overgrown plants, mismatched furniture, dusty programming manuals).
BUT Linux serves a rockin' espresso and has tasty sandwiches. Vibe is chill, music is good, staff is friendly, if a bit zoned-out, and you can sit here from 8 am till 6 pm mooching off of the free wi-fi, nursing a pot of Jasmine tea without a single dirty look.
Big windows look onto Harbord or Grace, and it's across from Bickford Park (dog-central).
That said, service is at a snail's pace, so if you order food, be prepared to wait as each tomato is sliced with great care, your cheese is aged while you wait, etc. And while gluten-free and vegan desserts don't have to taste like cardboard, here, unfortunately, they do. -
Review from Dallas H.
11/24/2009
As a Linux user, I'm biased, so quit reading now if you're seeking an impartial review. So far as I'm concerned, as a theme café, this is the greatest idea ever.
As for the fare--not bad. Prices are reasonable, and the selection of beverages is good. The food tends to feature quality ingredients, but more importantly, any GNU/Linux h4x0r will find a kindred spirit with whom to share coding tips here. The library might also be of interest.
If you are such an unfortunate n00b as to have Mac OS X or Windows installed on your laptizzy, no worries--the free wifi works regardless. -
Review from John B.
Toronto, ON
4/22/2009
Very cute space, nice not-too-hippy atmosphere (although perhaps at odds with a computer-geek ambiance IMO).
My mini-carrot cake was tasty but my espresso, however, was mediocre. You could tell the server dude had minor training in the art of coffee, and the espresso was just kind of flat and stale.
I won't be making any special trips, but the place seemed fine. -
Review from Emily T.
Toronto, ON
11/17/2008 1 photo
Linux Caffe if one of those places that looks really great from the outside, yet isn't anything special on the inside...
I'd compare it to the first time I had a twinkie. Every one told me twinkies were delicious, filled with yummy whip cream and would be great for a sweet tooth craving. But, when I had it, I didn't get why everyone loved them so much. It was mushy and didn't satisfy my sweet tooth at all... My experiences at Linux Caffe were kind of the same.
I loved the look from the outside, but wasn't that impressed overall. I found it over priced and the service was a bit complacent. (I tried it twice just to make sure).
I guess if you're into programming you may be drawn to Linux as I know they offer free software and have an online community, which is pretty cool. But, if you aren't part of this little group, you don't really feel as welcome.
If you don't care about the welcomeness and you like twinkies, it isn't a bad spot to sit across from Bickford Park on a sunny day. -
Review from Alejandro A.
Toronto, ON
11/20/2008
Both a coffee shop and a purveyor of open source software, this café is in the news every so often. Living up to its name, they openly advocate Linux as an operating system, but often joke that it's not a requirement to be a patron. They offer free wireless in store, so you'll often see as many laptops as people enjoying a warm drink.
Obviously, they serve lots of coffee, and they make excellent espresso drinks, too. They also have a limited food menu, including baked goods and a few of the more complex breakfast items (French Toast is on the menu, for example.) They also feature an occasional special like Buckwheat Pancakes (yum!) but don't get confused. This is a place to grab a snack, not a meal. -
Review from Leeor J.
5/6/2010
Pretty laid back atmosphere and some decent coffee. The surrounding neighborhood is great. There's a really nice park across the street and outdoor seating. Its a great place to go in the summer. And free wi-fi. The clientele tends to be on the hippy side (i doubt the owners really know much about linux :P). I like it. My one criticism is the place is a bit expensive. $2.25 for a mint tea? c'mon.
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Review from Roy A.
Toronto, ON
10/13/2009
I really want to like Linux Caffe but one thing bugs me. They charge different prices for coffee depending on the server. I've paid between $2.10 - $4.50 for an iced coffee. What is this - open-source pricing??
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Review from Xander L.
Toronto, ON
7/30/2009 1 photo
the location along the harbord st bike lanes are great, and the proximity to a park and the existance of a patio is even better.. the americanos are more expensive then my normal haunt at Cherry Bomb.. but they are neighborhoods apart..
good times.
