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The Common
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
1071 College StToronto, ON M6H
Neighbourhood: Dufferin Grove
(416) 546-7789
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 7 am - 12 am
Sun 7 am - 9 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
23 reviews for The Common
Review Highlights
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"My soy latte was delicious." In 3 reviews -
"Smooth and tasty $2 Americanos poured by friendly and..." In 3 reviews -
"The baristas know how to pull a fast and quality shot." In 3 reviews
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23 reviews in English
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Review from Corey C.
Toronto, ON
1/16/2012
Stopped by The Common the first time on a nipple-piercingly cold Saturday for an Americano and a cookie after hearing a number of good things from acquaintances and reading some good notices on the Yelp.
Really dug the simplistic, crusty vibe of this Brockton Village cafe. It's sort of on the verge of being pretentious, but the friendliness of the barista and cool-but-real crowd waiting in line really put my "is it too hipsterish?" apprehensions at ease.
Grabbed a standard Americano and a Coconut Butter Cookie and went on my merry way. T'was a damn good cup of joe if I've ever had one: A really nice full flavor with minimal bitter aftertaste. I can see why this place is such a popular spot for local coffeeholics. The cookie was crunchy, sweet and tasty too.
A full star lost for the 5-10 minute wait, but I'll certainly be back. -
Review from Selene n.
Toronto, ON
11/14/2011
I've been to The Common twice and both times have been a pleasant experience. The first time I had a tea, the second time a soy latte. The latte was an awesome price at $3.50 and was delicious. Though I would like if they had raw sugar and not just the white stuff.
This place is always packed so I can never get a seat. But, they had set up some seats outside and since it was still decent weather out, we sat there and it was lovely.
They're open super late, which is awesome! I love going to cafes and hate that so many close so early! Finding one open past 7pm is normally close to impossible, so yay for The Common!
The only thing I don't really like is how dimly lit this place is. But I hate dimly lit anything. Look forward to going back!!Listed in: In search of a perfect cafe
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Review from Michelle A.
Toronto, ON
6/29/2011 ROTD 4/21/2012
I've walked by this little cofffe shop a number of times on my way to and from the Ymca. It's a little hole in the wall that's always busy (mainly because there are only about 5 tables), and always has about 10 people hanging around outside. They're open until 9 throughout the summer, which is very nice, and they're licensed, if you want a drink. There were a number of free tables when I stopped by around 7:30 pm.
I had an herbal tea called Angel's Brew (?), which I loved. They sell a variety of black, green and herbal teas from Silk Road. For snacks, they offer shortbread or coconut cookies. I tried the coconut - it was nothing special - a little bit hard. Prices are very cheap though - $3 even for tea/cookie to go! -
Review from Anna H.
Toronto, ON
2/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
Supposedly a lesbian hangout. Out of fourteen customers (it's Sunday afternoon), two probably gay women. So far, so neat. Otherwise: small, cold, only paper cups (environment!?) and overall not a place where you want to stay longer than just to drink your coffee. Too bad...
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Review from Ian P.
Toronto, ON
10/12/2011
Everyone who stays on my couch-bed comes to The Common with me the next morning. This includes friends who have worked in other five star coffee shops around the world. They are always impressed and I consider myself really lucky to live so close to Ed's shop.
The Common has the best coffee in Toronto. You can choose a medium or dark roast for your $2 americano. Limited but decent food options.
The only reason I'd give it 4 instead of 5 stars is one or two of the Baristas are not very fast and when they're working the lineup can extend all the way into the sketchy back room.
I'm sorry Ed! I love you really but you gotta give the shop a good cleanin in more ways than one! Also: Anna, you will always be my favourite quick-draw espresso slinger. -
Review from Teresa C.
6/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
The Common is a welcomed oasis in the neighbourhood it is in. There are very little independently-owned cafes in the area. So it's nice to drop by The Common during a morning walk, on my way to Dufferin Mall or Dufferin Grove Park.
The coffee is excellent and strong. I find my lattes consistent and satisfying.
It can get very, very busy in the morning at The Common. It's a good thing the service is very fast. The baristas know how to pull a fast and quality shot. The wait is never too long. But if you're in a hurry and don't have five minutes to spare, you probably shouldn't get your coffee here.
To clarify, I am giving The Common four stars because I am writing this review from a "to go" perspective. If I were to have my coffee "to stay," I would have given it three stars. The cafe is small and is very squishy. The tables are quite close together, so you're very close to the person next to you. During the morning rush, you can pretty much only sit on the "booth side" because with the line-up, there is no room for you to sit on the "outside" side of the tables. It's also very loud in The Common, but if loud chattiness if your thing, it shouldn't be a problem.
No patio at The Common. Just a few chairs set up outside the cafe against the window. They are very popular and are usually occupied.
That being said, I always get my latte to go at The Common because I am always on my way to somewhere nicer where I can better enjoy my drink (the park...even just walking around the neighbourhood...). -
Review from Doris L.
Toronto, ON
1/30/2011
Went to grab a latte. All the seats were taken around 3pm when I went during the week.
The initial coffee tasted strong, but it didn't have much body to it. Definitely have had better lattes in the city. -
Review from Eliah H.
Toronto, ON
2/8/2011
Who doesn't love The Common? Everybody loves The Common. It's one of those mid sized quaint cafe's that draws both coffee loving hipsters, students and baby toting moms alike. Located in an otherwise dry zone at around College and Dufferin, it is perhaps the best place to get coffee in this particular area.
Atmosphere is comfy, simple and warm. Alt rock plays on the radio (at least last I was there). I like that the lone staff member who was pullin' shots had the time to be friendly and offer suggestions to me despite holding down the fort solo. All coffee drinks are espresso based and decent. Bonus points that they offer organic milk and creme for your coffee. They also have some fancy-shmancy, probably organic tea on offer, I can't remember the name of it offhand. A small amount of snackables also on offer to company your beverage. Prices all in all are reasonable.
Need some respite after shopping up at the Dufferin Mall? Head to The Common for some yummy coffee.Listed in: Eliah's Big List of Go To…
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Review from Rose Ü.
Toronto, ON
6/13/2011 1 photo
The coffee is nice and kicky and I had a ham and cheese croissant sandwich that was excellent. It was crazy busy at 11:00 AM on a weekday. A lot of people were there with laptops. I was hoping to do some work too, but I found the atmosphere too frantic to concentrate.
The price for my coffee and sandwich was reasonable at $6.50. -
Review from Mumuuu S.
Toronto, ON
11/20/2011
I am just writing to push the review up higher. Three and a half stars is objectively wrong for such a famous place. Then again, I don't really care much about "coffee" so I don't really know if it's that great.
My friend, Buck, loves their coffee though...and he should know. I had to walk all over San Francisco with him one time...sightglass, blue bottle, a bajillion other places. Man does he love that brown liquid. (I'm not actually surprised that someone would love coffee at a time when coffee is going through a thing, though).
They sell these groovy little coconut cookies. I think that the dude's dad makes them or something...cuz he's always hanging out with all these cookies with this "I made these for my son" look on him. Get those cookies.
Great place to come at night for wine or a beer. And like...you can have a cheese too. but you will probably not be too impressed by the cheeses or meats because they aren't supposed to impress.
What else....what else. push it up. -
Review from Kat F.
I adored it here, but I have no idea how these cats stay in business. $2, tax in, for a cup of Silk Road tea (http://www.silkroadtea...)? Great brand and I really enjoyed the enlightening "Philosopher's Brew" of lemongrass, citrus peel, rosehip and lavender. As others have said they could easily raise the prices (but don't actually, OK?) and you'd still be getting a deal.
It's cottagesque and cramped so don't come with the intention of sprawling out across the table to work on your next ghostwriting project. Get a cup to go and hang out on the sidewalk or continue on with your day - there's free wifi but seats are hard to come by and hey, there are too many kids in here for you to get any work done anyway.Listed in: Reliable Wi-Fi In Toronto
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Review from Sam G.
Toronto, ON
4/19/2010
Smooth and tasty $2 Americanos poured by friendly and efficient staff. They pour the water in front of you and ask you to "say when". Awesome.
Pain Perdu croissants. (I just found out this morning, my favourite!)
Indoor and outdoor seating, free wi-fi, but be forewarned it is a popular spot (obv).
I've got a fever... and the only prescription... is more Common.Listed in: College Street kinda from…, Butter croissant rankings
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Review from Katie G.
Toronto, ON
9/23/2010
First of all, this review is not coming from a biased 'regular' point of view-this was my first visit to the common.
I ordered a soy latte, that was made quickly, but the Batista still took the time to create a nice leaf on the top (despite the fact my to-go lid immediately covered it up). I'm not sure what happened to those who felt the service to be unfriendly, but my Batista was quite polite.
Now, on to the coffee. My soy latte was delicious. There isn't much else to say, great-tasting, and very creamy! The only reason it's taken me so long to try this place is because it's rather far from my 'hood' however, this coffee is worth going a bit out of my way for. -
Review from Dardana M.
ON
1/30/2009
I can't say all that much yet about this place, cuz I have only run in there once to grab a coffee to go. I feel like it's sort of the equivalent of one of the cool kids who lived on my street when I was younger. There's something going on there that I am not a part of, but I sort of am, cuz I have to see it everyday, and I walk by and awkwardly say "hi" after like, the hundredth time, cuz I can't just *pretend* like it's not there, cuz they recognize me from school.
Anyway, I read on some site that it's been there for "a few years", and if that's true I'm kind of terrified cuz I must be going senile (or I was senile and now I'm...not?) a little earlier than expected. My story is, that one day it was there, and then the next day, a bunch of people were there. And they never left.
In all seriousness, the coffee was really awesome, or rather the Americano. She even poured the water in for me, and asked me how much I wanted. Maybe I should just try again, but even though I had previously thought "Oh cool! A new place to go sit and do my work," I didn't feel super comfortable there, and it seems like I am really gonna have to fight it out if I want a coveted spot. And I don't want it that badly, thanks...I don't know if PCs are allowed there, anyway. -
Review from Michelle C.
Toronto, ON
7/5/2010
The Common may have won my vote for the best soy latte in Toronto as of lately. Sure, the line is long sometimes (all depends on time of day), there are never seats (who has time to sit, though?!) and the owner/barista seems to remember everyone's drink BUT mine... but it's really good. And cheap. Like, $3.50 latte cheap. If anyone is keeping track, that's less than Starbucks and it tastes 10x better.
In my ultimate dream world, the two improvements that could be made to would be offering a bigger size latte and a vegan baked option. I know the last one is a stretch, but how amazing would that make my morning?
Tip: if you're driving, there is free parking on Gladstone and almost always a close spot available during the busy morning rush.Listed in: Best Soy Lattes
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Review from Q R.
7/18/2010
I've been visiting a new coffee shop just about everyday since arriving in Toronto and The Common wins the award for friendliest service and best iced coffee. The chocolate chip banana muffins were fantastic too. My friend from NYC was completely speechless when they broke out REAL organic milk in a glass jug and had to skim the cream off the top. It's the little things that count, right?
One con: Lack of seating. Hot and muggy inside, no place to sit outside, and the medical spa next door wouldn't let us sit on their ledge. Not cool. You'll wait a bit for a chair outside, or better yet just take it to go and walk over to dufferin grove park. -
Review from Rochelle L.
Toronto, ON
4/25/2010
The Common makes one of the best Americanos in the city, my mouth salivates thinking about how nice it would be to have one in front of me right now.
Their consistently great beverages are however overshadowed by the fact that if you aren't a regular customer the level of friendliness is next to none. It's a super popular spot where everyone seems to know everyone and as someone else mentioned it's like a cool kid club. If you aren't a member you will get enough acknowledgment to get on with your day but never enough to feel comfortable.
They have wireless, last I checked it was password protected and their plugs don't work so if I were you I would grab my coffee and move on with your day instead of lingering and enjoying the lack of ambiance and seating. -
Review from Jay P.
7/7/2011
Stopped in on the advice of a friend and was very pleased with the espresso quality and staff. The venue was small but comfortable with a laid back and comfortable crowd.
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Review from Mitch S.
Toronto, ON
8/25/2009
Well, I'm sitting here right now and I can certainly attest to the 'neighbourhood-ness' of this coffee shop...it's great. This place was recommended to me by a certain Pony Up band member as Toronto's version of Cafe Olympico in Montreal; I'm not sure if it's quite there, but certainly among the best I've tried in Toronto so far.
The americano is great, the cappuccino is amazing (properly proportioned!!) and the wifi is stable and speedy...what more do you want? Oh ya, and it's definitely cheap! -
Review from Renata R.
6/24/2010
Cheap decent coffee, free (password protected) wi-fi. Looks awesome, eh?
Of course. I had to wait 15 minutes in line to be served (giant line, one barista who loves to talk with customers and acts as a cashier too), terribly hot inside and a crappy fan to do the job of keeping the poor customers comfortable. I was going to ask for a espresso, but after the long wait I was melting and decided for the iced coffee. Maybe is their strategy?
I must say I almost gave up after the infinite wait in their hot line (ha, me so funny), but my coffee desire had turned into thirst.
I don't plan to go back there during the summer. -
Review from Fabio N.
Toronto, ON
7/8/2010
It's cheap. The coffee is just ok. This about sums all the qualities of this place.
BUT!
The service is AWFUL (unless you're a regular, apparently -- but then, how do you want me to become one?). To make things worse, there's no AC and it gets horribly hot in the summer.
Most people who like The Common seem to enjoy Americano (which I ignore). That sort of explains in part why there are so many positive reviews, but I think the reason is different altogether:
Cute baristas, who even talk to you! -- but only if you're a regular.
Unfortunately, cuteness alone doesn't cut it when you're not serving me. Sorry, but I'm having my coffee somewhere else. -
Review from Lisa O.
Toronto, ON
6/25/2011
I stumbled upon The Common while house hunting with a friend 3 years ago and have been in love ever since and it was in the summer (but I like it hot) and the iced cap was fab. Now, I live in the east end and drive 15 mins out of my way on way to work to pick up a cap a few times a week. The owner and the other barista are always friendly, come close to remembering my order (which is not mandatory as they always recognize me) and it is ALWAYS poured to perfection. WIshing I could find a shop half as good in the J & D part of east york ... but until then, I will remain a faithful Commoner.
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Review from Amer D.
Toronto, ON
4/2/2010 12 Check-ins Here
Excellent americanos. Great service. The lines are long because the coffees are so good, but they move fast. I'll take a detour to grab a cup from common.
