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Lit Espresso Bar
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
221 Roncesvalles AveToronto, ON M6R 2L6
Neighbourhoods: High Park, Roncesvalles
(416) 538-9700
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 6 pm
Sat-Sun 8 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
29 reviews for Lit Espresso Bar
Review Highlights
29 reviews in English
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Review from Kent P.
3/7/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I've begun ordering hot Black-eyes (which are espresso shots in coffee) - but in a cortado glass (so less coffee). It takes the bitterness off of espresso and makes it oh-so-smooth. Also sounds like I'm ordering black guys if you say it fast. Which is not something you do at coffee shops generally.
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Review from Theresa W.
Vancouver, BC
5/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Roncesvalle has my heart. On a beautiful sunny day, this is a great place to stop by for a drink while chilling out on their beautiful sidewalks. The place has a great cozy sort of feel to it. Little thing to note is the height chart by the door behind the counter: super cute!
The drinks are good, the ice coffee seemed pre-made, but otherwise fantastic. The food looked good too, but I was too full from a brunch to get anything else to eat. Will have to come by again when I'm in the area to try it some more.
Also, our server was cute as heck. Jus sayin. -
Review from Mandy M.
Toronto, ON
1/27/2012
A nice looking, cleanly place. Fairly friendly service. Coffee was good.
However, its flavour did not warrant the price. And there was some kind of intangible vibe of pretentiousness that, overall, is not my taste.
So, it was decent, but I prefer some other cafes in Roncy over this one. -
Review from Natalie T.
East York, ON
1/24/2012
VIBE
Busy. Off the bat. Always a streaming line up and hard to find an outlet. Friendly, quick staff.
I have my locals and I can see why many would call this theirs. It was nice to get out my nabe for a bit and visit. All kinds here --families; teenage girls complaining about their lives. It brought me back a bit. That said, I got a lot of work done here.
I DRANK
Chai latte. It was steaming hot and good.
OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK
This place is lit...with people and many, many coffees. Kudos. -
Review from Matthew S.
Etobicoke, ON
I stopped in last night for a quick shot of Espresso.
From the moment you walk in the door and looked down the beautiful 16foot Pine bar, you'll know that this place is different. They serve Stumptown roasted coffee that puts their espresso (double shot) a step above other Espresso bars in Toronto. The shot was well-balanced, and full of sweet flavors. Best shot of espresso that I've had in Toronto for a long time.
- Stone -
Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
3/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
I heart Lit Espresso bar.
I came here to 'work from home' and it's definitely a great place to go to spend the day and get some work done.
The coffee is really good, strong and not watery. I had the Eggplant and Boccacini cheese panini. It was toasted to a perfect crisp and had a creamy filling. The gluten free brownie melted in my mouth. There is small glasses to get some water at the bar.
I love the tables here. Sitting in the two person single table, it was extra wide to fit not only my computer, but mugs on both sides.
It's also got some bigger common tables, so you can work as a group if you wanted here. It was quiet, with a few folks in my company for the good part of the afternoon. Some mom's in the neighbourhood came by with their kids as well.
The folks here are super friendly and nice and chatty.
I also got one of the yummiest teas. the Orchid Oloong tea, that was served in a nice Bodum tea strainer thing. It also made me look at the Bodum Travel French Presses they had on display.
I ended up buying it, and I couldn't find another place that sold it cheaper ($30)
I had an awesome productive afternoon. And there's free parking all day all the time on Roncevalles!! -
Review from Roma M.
12/4/2010
Drink
I love the iced lattes here. They're deliciously refreshing, smooth and not bitter, rich, and just a perfectly great way to start, continue and end the day.
Menu
They offer the usual drinks plus a rad assortment of the freshest treats ever. Muffins, brownies and all just to die for. I think the drink and food menu just speaks for itself.
Service
I guess this is where the management thinks they can just fall flat. I would like to see a greater focus on service here, since, frankly it sucks and sometimes to the point of not getting your damn latte order in and you out the door in under 7 minutes, - without a single customer at the cash. I wonder why the baristas are so damn oblivious.
Ambiance
It seems like a decent place to sit about and have your coffee, but I would like to see a few more chairs added to the community table. -
Review from J. Rigzin T.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 11/11/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This continues to be my favorite café. The Caffé Lattés are creamy smooth ultra-goodness.
1 Previous Review:
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6/1/2010
An iced latte that is a revelation! Smoothe, creamy, not even a hint of bitterness. I'm smitten!
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Review from Greg C.
Toronto, ON
12/15/2009
Stop #3 on the Natey/Gory espresso run west-end edition.
That half slice of toast I had before starting this run is starting to catch up to me. Nathan assures me they have some amazing scones at Lit. So we head over.
Lit is absolutely gorgeous inside. Tin ceilings and espresso brown tones and plank wood shelves give it a Wallpaper-Rustic feel. I actually found the lady at the cash quite nice. I just told them to make it as short as they can. She asked me if I was sure because it gets pretty short but I just said "I'll be OK, thanks." Pick up a maple and oat scone which is divine and huge.
Shot arrives and it's beautiful. Nice dark swirly textures and deep hues. It takes me 2 sips to finish. Extreme flavor and, according to my voice mail, earthy musky tones. That might be because I am literally sucking on the beans at this point. My fault for not going with just a double. Great shot, though.
Washrooms are the nicest I've come across anywhere. Ocean blue glass cubes and tin ceilings. Extremely clean for such a busy place. High five!
Caffeine Level: my scalp is itchy. Uh-oh, uncharted territory here. I pitch my script, "Dude, you Deleted Google!" to Nathan for the next 30 minutes. I am somehow convinced I can turn it into a Charlie Kaufmann masterpiece if I just try hard enough. This is my Dr Drew moment.
Thankfully, we get a 40 minute respite as the next stop is Harbord and Christie.Listed in: Natey / Gory West-End Espresso…
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Review from Luke S.
1/5/2011
The coffee is excellent, and so are the panini and croissants. 5 stars for the coffee in my book.
Lots of treehuggers, would-be world improvers, and the occasional stressed breasteeding middle-age mom. This is what happens to wannabe hipsters when they buy an overpriced house in Roncy only to realize the house is crappy and they can't afford to renovate anything because now they are house poor. It shows in their mood.
Actually, quite amusing to watch. -
Review from Jessica M.
Toronto, ON
8/10/2011
The only way this place would be better is if it contained fewer kids. Why all the kids?! Surely they're not drinking the coffee. It's paradise during the times of day when those little jerks are at school. ;)
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Review from Luke L.
Toronto, ON
10/26/2011
These guys know their Spro!
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Review from Linds B.
9/6/2011
My neighborhood Java spot! Sooooo goood! Wonderful pastries too. In the Roncey coffee battle, Lit wins. :)
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Review from Nathan W.
Toronto, ON
12/13/2009
Stop # 3 on the Gory n' Pantz Espresso Run - West End.
First off, completely off topic but essential: Lit stocks the best butter tarts in the city. Actually, I believe Dark Horse stocks the same ones, but still the point is, if you love butter tarts and your mom isn't around to make any, then get your soon to be fat (or just fatter) bottom to Lit.
Point two, Lit has the best counter in the city - giant recovered barn beams, stacked and then varnished into a golden honey hue. Just beautiful.
I order a ristretto, get a confused look from counter staff and then clarify that it should be a short shot. I'm pretty sure the barista, who says nothing but manages to communicate it with kind of body language usually only seen in TTC ticket booth operators, thinks I'm a complete dork. I vow never to use the term ristretto again. I also order a scone to battle the acidity in the coffee, this being my third double shot of the day.
Look -a healthy crema with the colour variation that signifies tiger striping.
Smell - clean, fresh, cherry syrup
Taste - gentle, balanced acidity, light body with a berry, tannic tang reminiscent of Pinot Noir and this one particular organic tamari I use for cooking. As bizarre as that sounds, it's what I get, and I'm going by my free associations.
Rating - Eddie Izzard sing/speaks "A Well Respected Man"
I'm pretty sure Gory is not a fan of his shot, finding it entirely lacking in both his beloved nutmeg and cinnamon. I suggest that the single he ordered has pushed the shot into territories not to its advantage. I have no idea if this is an accurate assessment, but my double seems to be a balanced affair with some interesting notes I did not expect. Plus, I enjoy winding him up. Final note, Lit is one of the few shops in town carrying Stumptown coffee out of Seattle. And I'm actually a huge fan of their macchiatos as well. -
Review from Ray N.
Toronto, ON
3/1/2010
Every other wifi cafe I've been to got 3 stars because I got work done, but could have used a little more variety on the food side. Lit had lots to choose from in terms of food. I opted at the staff's insistance for the brownie. And considering it was the first brownie I've had in months, I'm glad I did. The brownie is moist, extremely chocolatey and comes covered with a sprinkling of coarse sea salt. The base is crisp and buttery caramel. One word: Awesome!
Now the reason Lit doesn't get 4 stars is because in contrast to the other cafes i work from, it lacks wall sockets near most of the tables. In fact only 3 tables in the back of the cafe are proximate to a socket. Ashame because at this time of year I try to get as much sun as I can. Of course if I had a laptop that lasted more than 5 minutes on a full charge, that would help too. Either way, I'll be back, even if just for another brownie fix. -
Review from Monica K.
North York, ON
2/11/2011 1 photo
Cute! I really love their wooden tables, it gives off a warm/cozy vibe. I've only tried their London Fog, which was good, and their service as I remember it was friendly. It's a great place to get some work done or do some leisurely reading. Last time I came here I read my first Marvel comic book hehe
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Review from Allison T.
Toronto, ON
3/21/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I like this place. I find the baristas consistently friendly & while it can get a little crowded at times (okay, okay - it's only the SUV strollers than really roll over my toes...) I've never had much trouble grabbing a seat. Also - their baked goods have been pretty delicious as a rule.
Listed in: Indie Coffee, Roncesvalles & Parkdale
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Review from Kim B.
ON
12/12/2008 6 photos
I'm not a coffee drinker (I know, I know..), so I always go into these types of places looking for what they'll bring to non-caffeine drinkers.
Lit has a fair amount of herbal teas and serve a solid hot chocolate (7 out of 10).
The only thing is the decor-- it's clean, trendy, but not very welcoming. The chairs look hard and the tables are small(ish), so it's not the best place to come to stay (despite its free wi-fi).
Now.....if you're a fan of espresso, maybe your experience will be different? Maybe you like sitting on the edge of hard chairs, kept at the ready like a hopped-up cat....but us tea drinkers? We like a little cush for our tush. -
Review from Alicia T.
Toronto, ON
4/18/2011
Great coffee, great staff. I always have to ask for my lattes extra hot because they tend to be bath-warm otherwise. If you get there nice and early you might be able to order one of the savoury scones; otherwise, they are sold out. I recommend the one with bacon.
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Review from Luke A.
Toronto, ON
9/6/2008 1 photo
Lit is a new coffee bar on Roncies that seems to subscribe to the Ikea school of retail ambiance. The interior has that clean, spartan look, accented by thick, natural wood furnishings, especially the bar itself, which is made from big squared logs. The coffee I tried was okay, but, at least in my coffee-indifferent opinion, nothing to write home about.
When I was there, there was a couple with a toddler, who was having trouble staying put in his seat. When they asked the staff if they had high chairs, the staff said no, but they were getting some in (though it doesn't really seem like the kind of place that would cater much to kids).
They also sell prepackaged loose-leaf tea and coffee beans, but while the display is nice, the prices are pretty high. -
Review from Daniel F.
Toronto, ON
4/8/2009
I'm not a coffee connoisseur, but since moving to Toronto I have certainly become a borderline coffee snob thanks to some of my wonderful friends. Subsequently, I have become really picky with where I get my coffee. Over the last few months I have been frequenting LIT ESPRESSO BAR on Roncesvalles I try to stop at LIT as much as possible on my way to work or if I'm just in the neighborhood for breakfast/shopping/loving life.
Not only does this place service great coffee, but the morning staff, whom I normally have the pleasure of dealing with, are always polite and friendly; the cycle of three or four guys that normally work in the mornings have pretty much treated me like a longstanding loyal member since the first time I ordered an Americano to go. It's pretty refreshing to get great coffee and not have to deal with a pretentious barista who thinks that they are better than you...while they pump coffee for a living as a means to facilitate their flourishing careers as up-and-coming artists. I don't care if you're going to be the next top indie-actor/director/singer-songwriter/whatever; you're serving shitty coffee at Starbucks, don't be a dick. ... but I digress.
LIT ESPRESSO BAR is a great place to go in the mornings - I have little to no experience with evenings/weekends so try and pop your head in around 7:30-8ish and get yourself a great beverage to start your day! Please be advised that, at the time of this review, LIT is Cash Only! -
Review from Anne M.
1/26/2011 2 photos
Cosy and warm in this cool coffee spot on Roncesvalles. In summer, it's a good spot to stock up on paninis before heading to High Park for a picnic, in the winter it's a good place to stop and warm up with a decadent chocolate cupcake and latte... An all season coffee shop!
Listed in: Do you like a latte? I do.
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Review from Medhat S.
Toronto, ON
11/30/2008
The coffee is excellent. The lattes especially good.
Not a lot of plugs for laptops, which is usually essential for me, but I keep coming back because the atmosphere is conducive to working while at the same time active and stimulating, without being distracting.
Free wireless too. -
Review from Jeff S.
North York, ON
8/23/2010
Ehhhhhhhh....
The coffee is sometimes good, sometimes not. The staff are sometimes friendly, sometimes not. For example, today, as my americano was tossed in my direction across the bar (with zero visible crema on top, may I add), the barista was talking to the guy across from me (Was he the owner, manager, random customer? I don't know) about how the espresso was off. And guess what? It was. I strongly considered handing the drink back and asking for a drip, but decided to let it go.
While I'm aware that this incident was irregular/anecdotal, I do feel that it sums up my experience at Lit quite well. -
Review from Andrew S.
Toronto, ON
8/24/2009
Lit's a great little espresso bar. Basically, Manic on Roncesvalles with Wifi. They also serve Intelligentsia coffee.
I love the communal table (though I've never sat at it), as well as the layout of the place. The staff has always been pretty good to me.
Downsides: The green. Really? Telus sponsorship? The upholstery is getting stained already. The sandwiches are good, but could use a little more substance. -
Review from Jessie B.
Toronto, ON
6/18/2010
I am a huge fan of Lit Espresso bar! Their Americanos are a staple of my weekend. The service has always been great and the coffee even better.
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Review from Scott C.
Toronto, ON
12/12/2009
Great find.very busy but worth the visit, the coffee, the experience etc. Love it.
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Review from Amy D.
12/28/2009
This place is great. We were in the area to go to Queen of Tarts and we were looking for a latte. The interior is gorgeous, they have lots of seating, and their counter is made up of large logs of wood. Their lattes are 4 dollars a piece with a flavour shot. We had one vanilla, and one caramel. I wish on yelp you could do half stars because Lit really deserves a 3.5 star rating. The only reason i give them that is because my latte was warm, and i know they shouldnt be piping hot, but i wish it were a tad hotter. Would go back if in the area.
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Review from P J.
Toronto, ON
8/7/2010
I love this coffee bar, it has great coffee in every form except for their ice coffee, which is truly the worst I've ever had. It tasted like they brewed a batch of instant coffee and put it in the fridge. Regular ice cubes instead of espresso/coffee cubes. I couldn't believe how bad it was, I had such high expectations because of the quality of all their other offerings. It was over $2, I almost brought it back but threw it out instead. I would have given them four/five stars if not for the ice coffee.
