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Urbana Coffee
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
1033 Bay StToronto, ON M5S 3A5
Neighbourhoods: Discovery District, Downtown Core
(416) 960-1033
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Paid
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
31 reviews for Urbana Coffee
Review Highlights
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"Free wi-fi is the selling feature." In 3 reviews -
"...very reasonable (cheaper than Starbucks/Second Cup), it's..." In 3 reviews -
"...the owner was baking a fresh muffins and other baked goods." In 3 reviews
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31 reviews in English
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Review from Shari L.
Toronto, ON
11/21/2011
I usually don't review when I think that reviews are on the mark, but I think that this place deserves a second opinion (or just a different one)
Yes, there is a requisite $20 commitment just for wifi. But this location is honestly everything I can hope for as a caffeine-swigging student: the atmosphere and setup is perfect for studying, the background sound (radio + some chatter) is rarely obnoxious (tends to be comtemporary-classical), and there is a steady stream of decent-quality caffeine available.
No, it's not going to be as good an espresso as Zaza's, and its pastries I have not touched (but here's advice from an ex-barista and ex-baker: when it comes to chain coffee shops, don't bother with the pastries unless you're utterly desperate). But if you just want a good place to kick back with your laptop, you can't do much better than Urbana. -
Review from Nao C.
North York, ON
3/26/2012
Like many others, I only come here to spend the money on my card which I had to buy to use the Wi-Fi once in an emergency. The Wi-Fi ended up being very slow and the drinks we got were pretty mediocre for their price. I haven't tried their hot drinks so their coffee may be good but the food is lacking. The cashiers are friendly, though.
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Review from Meena A.
11/21/2011 6 Check-ins Here
I don't like urbana. I've had terrible experiences at the other location and decided to try this one out instead.
NO GO. The only reason I came here in the first place was to use up my Urbana Coffee Card. When I tried to pay, my card wouldn't go through (even though I knew I had $15 on it). The cashier told me they don't accept coffee cards from the other location.. This made no sense to me. There are only two Urbana locations. They are both located in Toronto, blocks away from each other.
How can my Starbucks card be valid in multiple countries but my Urbana Card isn't even valid in the same city? -
Review from Jorge L.
10/15/2011
Before Starbucks started offering wi fi access to customers, Urbana Coffee was already doing it. This location at Bay and St. Joseph is a perfect coffee noise get away. It's far enough from the crowded coffee places on Yonge and Church and yet you're still in downtown core.
Laptops are plenty and lots of students focused on their studies. It's a library inside a coffee house.
I will agree that the merchandise isn't the best. The bagel and cream cheese tasted bland (how can it happen you wonder? I don't know) and the muffins aren't fresh (I think).
But I do not have problem with their coffees. I really don't. I like the green tea latter, lattes, cappuccino and Americano. They are one of the best I've tried.
Believe me, I know coffee. I drink more than 10 cups a day. Coffee date?Listed in: My 30-day challenge, I'm addicted to coffee
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Review from Jonathan S.
York, ON
10/22/2011
I used to work in the area.
Discounting takeout sludge from the pub located in my building's main floor, Urbana was the closest coffee joint to the office.
If it's any indication, I would walk 4 blocks in the dead of winter to the nearest coffee shop rather than patronize this establishment.
And said coffee shop was a Tim Hortons that was guarded by a procession of vagrants.
Urbana positions itself as a contender in the mid-priced coffee chain wars.
Menu descriptions aspire to Second Cup or Starbucks, but taste closer to leftover Timothys.
Coffee is consistently stale, as are pastries.
Several reviewers have pointed out that leaden, sometimes moldy baked goods serve as landing strips for flies. I can confirm these observations.
What should be an inviting place to relax and work just feels...icky. Furniture is shabbv, and serves glare icily at you. This strange local hostility makes it seem like you're ordering a latte from a Stephen King novel. It's not until you hurry back to the office that you realize they've screwed up your order and kept your change.
Most damning, if Urbana were the only coffee shop on the block, I'd go caffeine free-a fate worse than death.Listed in: Love me!!!!, If I Can't Have My Coffee…
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Review from Jo X.
Toronto, ON
4/3/2012
I had suspicion about their gift card program (after I bought one) that's how I searched and found out about other comment on yelp.
First of all, it's shady that they don't give you a receipt if you don't ask for it. When I do remember to ask for it, I found that they lied to me and said that my gift card has insufficient fund even before it actually did maybe to get me to refill.
Another time when I asked for a receipt, I found out that the guy gave/charged me for a large when I asked for a regular, he doesn't seem to understand me (maybe because of his english level) even when I explained to him. On top of that, he didn't give the 10% off gift card holder entitle to and simply said that he forgot. So if you think you are getting the 10% off, ask for a receipt and look for yourself.
I go there because it's an ok place to do some light work since it doesn't have as many ppl as starbucks. However I don't think they should take advantage of people or being careless just because most customers don't bother to check.
Bottom line, don't go there. -
Review from S D.
Toronto, ON
1/13/2012
This place is not very good. I'm giving it 2 stars because in my experience, the staff have been quite friendly. However, the coffee is pretty bad and the place has smelled like urine the last few times that I've been. It is very spacious though, and a great student hang out.
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Review from Yi Qing S.
Toronto, ON
9/12/2011
I come to Urbana Coffee whenever I'm in the area. Their coffee tastes consistently good, the baristas are always friendly, and now it seems they have some kind of promotion going on with a card where you can load on money (way to reel in the customers... this is both serious and sardonic). Oh, and there's air conditioning, which is a big plus in this awful heat.
I've only been here a handful of times but have always had a positive experience. The place is nice and bright (being a corner cafe with gigantic windows), has a pleasant sound level (no loud conversations but also not dead silent), and is great for people watching. They could use a few more power outlets to cater to all the people who park themselves here for half a day studying, but that's not such a big deal -- there are some around, just not very conveniently located. Their table layout is also not the greatest (very narrow walkspaces in some spots), but again, minor issue.
One huge downside though? Their Wifi is shit. In fact, the internet crapped out on me so many times while I was trying to access Yelp (to reply to a message, not even to write a review for them!) that it felt like some kind of conspiracy. I kid, I kid. Not about the shitty internet part though (it really is terrible). I would have given it four stars if not for this bit, and especially since free Wifi is one of the "perks" of buying the card (you gotta make good on your promise, guys).
All in all it's the ideal place for serious studiers (not being able to check Facebook every ten minutes is probably an advantage in this case) and any other non-Internet-centered work but if you do need it, you'd best find yourself a cafe that has a more stable connection. -
Review from Simon L.
Toronto, ON
11/27/2010 1 photo
OK.. Let me first by saying.. the reason I signed up for Yelp is to write a review for Urbana..
I'm just so disgusted by everything in this place.
1. Fruit flies all over the food.. pictures attached for you to see for yourself..
2. The owner is rude.. I use to be a frequent customer up until this happened.. I forgot my gift card once which entitles you to access to internet and despite all the negotiation with her and the fact that she knows me by face she would not give me the passcode for the internet
3. Baristas have no clue what they are doing. I ask for half sweeten non fat latte with no foam.. I get a terribly sweet latte with foam and guess what with whip cream on top as well..
4. Fruit flies all over the place.. As I'm writing this review there was a fruit fly that landed on my hand and then again on my paper.... terrible
OK WARNING ----- NEVER COME HERE.. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.... there are starbucks / second cups close by.. just go there!!
Once I'm done using up my stupid gift cards to this place I'm never coming abck.. sigh I wish I could sell my gift cards at a loss now... -
Review from Cheryl S.
11/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Eh. Its a coffee shop less interesting than Starbucks. Good coffee. Great service too. Chairs definitely need to go away - they look like they found them on the side of the road, intended for the rubbish pile.
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Review from Yumi K.
Richmond, BC
Okay, so I went there again today to use up my amount on the card.
Today, the owner was baking a fresh muffins and other baked goods.. So I requested a fresh chocolate chip muffins and she was happy to give me a fresh one this time... And it tasted VERY good :-)
It was huge.... And probably loaded with fat and calories but since this will be my last tome going there.. I just decided to try it !!
I also got the creme brûlée latte and asked for half sweet with skim milk and she made it for me. The first one unfortunately contained hair... So she made me a new One.
Overall, it was good! She was friendly not as bad as people described but got annoyed when I refused to load the card...
I will do my self a favor and will go to Starbucks or second cup from now on :-)1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/8/2011
I got the $5 voucher for $12 worth of gift card. I got French vanilla latte and chedder scone.
First… Read more »
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Review from Grace Y.
8/30/2010
I was going to order a muffin and then I saw that there were fruit flies in the bakery case. That made me want to gag a little.
The coffee tastes OK, but the barista wasn't very polite.
That's enough to give it one star. It does have a lot of seating, but maybe because the place is filthy. -
Review from Melanie C.
Oakville, ON
7/22/2010
I like trying new places for coffee, but my visit to Urbana was a big mistake. The main issue was that the barista was absolutely terrible. As a former barista, I like observing what's going on behind the bar and this girl had no clue what she was doing.
Our orders took forever to complete, even though there was nobody ahead of us. I specifically requested lactose-free milk and saw a non-fat milk carton being used. Other people's beverages tasted burnt (mine was too sweet to notice).
Not even going to give Urbana a second chance. -
Review from Melodie M.
Toronto, ON
1/12/2011
I love Urbana.
Every time I go in I enjoy talking with the staff. I adore the abundance of seating. There is a ton of power oulets everywhere for my laptop. They are happy to let you use the wi-fi for as long as you want. I've had a few big gatherings there and its always been accommodated well.
I adore their empandas and beef paddies.
I've always had a fantastic experience here. -
Review from Monica K.
North York, ON
3/10/2011
My honest thoughts on this place? It's just mehhh....
The service is very friendly, which I really appreciate. The place is always clean and they always reinvest in the place when they can (I noticed their fresh coat of paint!). They have lots of seats and sufficient lighting for reading, which is good news for students. The crowd is usually made up of U of T students, because it's located right across the street from the campus (Kelly Library/St. Michael's College).
I also like that you get a free drink when you load $20 or $25 dollars on to your Urbana card. The food however........ is why this place only gets 2 stars. Muffins, croissants, whatever it is, it never tastes fresh, and the fruit flies (as someone previously mentioned) yeah.... they definitely don't help make things look very appetizing... Just stay away from their food items and you're good to go because everything else about this place is A-OK! -
Review from Albert D.
Toronto, ON
8/4/2010
The coffee is average, the decor average at best. You'll find the food is overpriced and generally in need of disposal. (I ordered one of their over-$6 sandwiches and found it to contain yellow, slimy lettuce.)
My main complaint is regarding the owner. She should really be called the Coffee Nazi in honour of the Seinfeld character. I ordered a coffee from her with my Urbana giftcard, and then asked her for the "free" wifi password. She then had the nerve to say she wouldn't give it to me because I "only had $2.50 left on my giftcard." She informed me that I would need to put a minimum of $20 on it to use the "free" internet. I refused.
By the way, I already had the pin, and am using the internet and writing this review right in front of her for spite. -
Review from Adam E.
Barrie, ON
3/15/2010 4 Check-ins Here
As a student at UofT, I checked out Urbana on several occasions--even studying there once--because of its close proximity to east campus.
Furthermore, as other reviewers have stated, there is substantial seating room. That's probably Urbana's strongest feature on a very short list.
In the summer, the restaurant is often unbearably hot and sunny. I found this to be very unpleasant and an impediment to enjoying coffee with a friend.
Furthermore, I didn't particularly enjoy the coffee. I often ordered a turtle flavoured mocha, which was a decent dessert style drink. I also found myself frequently ordering their iced coffee, albeit that may have been to offset the uncomfortable heat from within the restaurant.
In closing, Urbana has a strong location if you live near east-campus UofT. Also, the seating size is very big. It's nice in the evening for a study break if you don't feel like going to the library. But I wouldn't suggest going there on any other occasion. There are plenty more coffee joints around campus that offer a more satisfying experience.
As an aside, their cash-card deals are often good (part of the reason I went back). If I recall, when you buy a $20 card, you get a free beverage, which often amounts to $6 free. -
Review from Bijan V.
9/18/2008
I've been very disappointed with Urbana. Not only is it NOT urban nor chic nor anything else they claim to be, they can't even make proper freaking coffee!! Both times I ordered coffee and cappuccino, it was clear the coffee/espresso was BURNT and it tasted awful! I decided I'll try a flavoured one this time, it might hide the burnt taste of the beans... lo-and-behold I was right, except it seemed like I was freaking drinking candy syrup!!!
I don't think I'm ever going back. The only good thing is that it does have free wifi so if you look inside, 9 out of the 10 people in there have their computers open. All of their desserts are catered to them anyways so I can't really compliment them on having good stuff because it's not even theirs.Listed in: The UofT Student / Resident
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Review from Ron K.
10/13/2010
In traveling the world, I come across coffee houses (5tarbucks, Coffee Bean...) that can't make a hot espresso ("expresso" for you neophytes) drink.
Urbana made me a Créme Bruée latte that was both delicious and hot... XTRA HOT, just the way it should be.
Also, friendly, happy smiling faces that made me realize that I am extremely happy and content as well! -
Review from Ada T.
Toronto, ON
1/13/2012
I would probably give it 0 stars if i could. I've been here a number of times and it was always mediocre. But this time, it was the worst experience ever. The service was particularly bad. I was pushed to get a card even though I didn't want to. She didn't just ask me once, but she asked me multiple times. First she tells me my card doesn't have enough money so I need to reload to buy my drink. I said I'll pay the rest with cash. Then she says if you buy another $20 card, you can get this drink for free. I said no thanks, I'll pay with cash. Then she says, but you don't have enough money on the card and you'll have to pay $4, which was completely not true as I still had money on my card. She finally agreed to let me pay the rest in cash, but gave me attitude the entire time. Right before I handed her cash, she says...you don't need internet? If you need internet you need to get a $20 card. I've never met somebody so pushy.
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Review from Jonathan W.
Calgary, AB
1/21/2010
So this place has got lots of space. You can sprawl out your books and sit on some comfy chairs or a large table and work hard.
Can you get anything decent to eat? No
Can you get anything decent to drink? No
The latte was strangely funny tasting? burnt perhaps?
So if you sign up for a card, you get one free drink and free wi-fi access which is password protected everyday. Other than the physical space, there isn't much worth coming here for. -
Review from Huntting B.
6/4/2011
Probably one of the worst places I have walked into for a drink, and a place to rest on a long day of walking. Why you might ask, well, let me count the ways:
1) Everything they make, must contain milk. I don't drink coffee typically, and they had a list of several teas, so I got a little excited, and asked for a london fog. I asked if it had milk, and instead of saying "well, we can make it with or without milk," I was informed that everything MUST have milk. So i didn't order anything for myself.
2) My girlfriend wanted a small strawberry belini. Contrary to the fact that the sign has the item, and then lists three sizes, the barista charged me for a large. When I protested he said, there's only one size of that. So...tell me coffee place...why do you list three sizes if you only sell one size?
3) Their flipping stupid "discount card." They are ridiculously aggressive with this thing. It makes sense, after it is all said and done though...the only way to get someone to come back here is to have them already have spent 40 bucks with you, that they need to get rid of.
4) It is now the year 2011...almost every place in the city offers free wi-fi, and coffee shops led the charge. In order to use the wifi here, however, you have to have invested at least 20 dollars with them. Now I can only imagine that they got the idea from Starbucks...where you had to register a 5 dollar gift card, which you could easily spend on your first, and perhaps only visit there, and then have access thenceforth, but they did away with that. Why? It pissed people off, and their competition didn't require it.
5) The service was pretty abysmal. To start with, there was only one guy there, which probably led to his awful attitude. I've already mentioned the pushiness with regards to their card, so I won't harp on that, but I will use one conversation that happened immediately after my ordering:
Customer (C): I'd like this drink, I have a discount card, but I don't know how much is on it. Whatever isn't on it, I will pay with cash for.
Barista (B): (Takes card, swipes it, card only had 50 cents on it, sounds annoyed): Here is your card, you have to fill it today.
(C): (Repeats herself) I will pay cash for the rest.
(B): (Grumbles, accepts her cash, and when giving change literally throws the change across the counter).
To finish off on the service I have the following to say: If he had been working at Starbucks...he would have been fired on the spot.
If I could give this place a negative 1 star, I would do so, unfortunately I have to give them a star because that's the minimum this cesspool could be awarded. -
Review from John B.
Toronto, ON
3/19/2009
If I ever go back here, I might downgrade my rating to 1 star, but I don't think it's fair to damn the entire place based on 1 espresso, so 2 stars it gets.
That espresso, however, sucked rocks. -
Review from Ruby L.
Toronto, ON
3/18/2010
I've drank too much Starbucks in my life. I have a bit of an obsession with Starbucks, in fact I named my cat "Tazo Chai-T" after my favourite Starbucks drink. A few months ago, I decided I needed to venture out and have been frequenting Urbana Coffee since.
I like extra added service and nice people (grew up in a small town, so I enjoy the small talk and people being pleasant...shouldn't we all!!!)
They didn't have a Bombay Fog and when I explained to them what it is they made it for me (I think it's now on the menu now). I APPRECIATE the fact that they went outside the regular menu to appease me.
Anyways, not sure you have heard of a "Bombay Fog" it is basically Chai-Tea steamed in milk. It is amazing. If you have a "London Fog" it's kind of the same thing.
I'm a repeat customer because of the extra effort they made and now cause the Bombay Fog is on the menu!
Today I noticed a Chai Charger on the menu... I think I will have to try that in the next few days.
Bonus:
If you also put $20.00 on a card, they give you a free drink. The price is cheaper than the major competitors. They have free wifi.
Special Note: The Caramel Turtle is good for those who have a sweet tooth. -
Review from Fiona L.
Toronto, ON
1/30/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Free wi-fi is the selling feature. Good hours, amount of seating and you can stay as long as you want. Coffee is inexpensive and average tasting but the music can be too loud sometimes and what keeps me away is the washroom is disgusting! Nobody cleans in there, toilet paper is not always available; I don't go there unless I know I won't be needing a washroom during my stay. Please clean your washrooms!
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Review from Joe N.
10/5/2009
What a nightmare. Let me start by saying... 'Yelpers' told me so... and I just didnt listen. I apologize to all the people who reviewed the place before me.. Yes, the coffee is really bad. Yes, the service is bad. and No... the wifi actually doesn't always work... one example... is today.... Please do yourself a favor and avoid this place....
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Review from Jimi S.
ON
1/27/2009
i must unfortunately agree with bijan v that the coffee here did taste burnt. i came here to work for an hour or so and there was a room at the back, a little tucked away that allowed for some bit of privacy and quiet.
their wifi is free and they also have two computers set up at the back to use for free too i suppose. i didnt inquire too much because i had my own computer.
also at the back was this couch thats seemed to have no bottom. i saw a guy plunge his ass right into it and i thought he was going to go right through to the basement. its like one of those ones that is so soft and mushy that you will need someone to help you get out of it....definitely not for those concerned with the well being of your back.
i sat beside a table that some jerk left his paper, water, coffee sticks and cub around before he left. i was surprised that it wasnt cleaned up, but who knows when it was left...couldve been moment before i arrived.
at the front on my way out i noticed a television of sorts on the wall. it was a rectangular screen that featured news, temperature, all that useless soundbite, sightbite crap that they have in elevators so god forbid you shouldnt be up with EVERYTHING thats going on.
its in a great location, but the coffee wasnt that good and the comfort and chill factor was lacking overall. -
Review from Justice B.
Toronto, ON
3/2/2011
urbana doesn't even deserve to be called substandard. it's fithy, hot in the summer, freezing in winter, and the bathrooms are DISGUSTING.
i really can't say why i decided to keep going there year after year, perhaps because i live so close to it, and it's only saving grace was the free albeit dodgy wireless internet. now it seems that urbana's stingy owners have even put a price on that, requiring even their loyalest customers to buy a $20 urbana "discount" card in order to access it.
this is probably the worst business strategy i have ever encountered.
they have lost my business and the business of everyone i mention it to, and i hope others are spreading the word so that no one of sound mind and spirit would ever waste their money there instead of starbucks, tim horton's (just down the street), timothy's (just a few blocks north on bay) or second cup, where the drinks aren't as foul. i know for a fact that starbucks and second cup have free wifi and don't push idiotic loyalty cards down your throat, so why even bother with urbana? what is the point of this place? -
Review from Susan J.
6/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Dirty furniture but good coffee!
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Review from Rachel s.
Toronto, ON
6/11/2011
I am writing in regards to a terrible experience my Mom and I had using an Urbana deal she purchased through Mad Deal. It was the absolute worst restaurant/cafe experience we have both ever encountered. We went there yesterday around 11:30am to have a coffee and lunch. We ordered two sandwiches (they were tiny - the size of half of a regular sized sandwich), one latte, one bellini, and one cookie. The lady at the counter rang the order in at the cash register and said that it will be $26 for our lunch! Unreal! They didn't have any prices listed for their food items so we just assumed that there's no way it could be over our $20 gift card for what we ordered. Looking back I should have questioned how she got to that outrageous amount, but we just paid the difference and she told us to have a seat and it will be a few minutes. So we did just that, and waited 15 minutes before we realized that she forgot about our order! My Mom had to go back to the counter and see what was taking so long, in which the lady asked her what our order was again... She totally forgot about us. So we had to wait a few more minutes and my Mom had to walk up to the counter again to get the food.
We sat down at our table, and my Mom looked at her pathetic looking "wrap" (the bread was crumbling apart because it was so old) and realized it was tuna. Well, my Mom hates tuna!! She ordered the chicken and the lady gave her tuna instead. So now it was my turn to walk up to the counter and inform the lady of the mistake. Well, she disagreed with me and argued with me that my Mom ordered the tuna. She was very rude, and ended up just throwing a chicken sandwich on a plate and throwing it on the counter at me. I've never seen such an attitude from an employee and it was her mistake in the first place! So finally, we sat down to eat quickly because at that point we just wanted to get out of there. We start eating our sandwiches and they were the stalest sandwiches you can ever imagine. Absolutely tasteless, and old and just disgusting. I could barely swallow the bread because it was so dry. The coffee was really terrible as well. So by then, we were just ready to run out of there, but I did have to use that washroom before we left. I went in the washroom and it was the FILTHIEST washroom I have ever seen. Worse than a gas station washroom. It looked like it hadn't been cleaned in 6 months. There were flies flying around the toilet, fecal matter covering the toilet, garbage overflowing in the trash can, it was just so disgusting. I don't know how they think they can get away with this. Yesterday evening my Mom and I felt sick and I'm pretty sure we had a touch of food poisoning. -
Review from Marisa B.
Toronto, ON
5/13/2011
I've recently started going to Urbana to study and it has an excellent ambiance. The prices are very reasonable (cheaper than Starbucks/Second Cup), it's quieter, and there are a variety of coffee drinks to choose from. I haven't had the food, but the green tea latte is delicious and if you buy a refillable gift card you get a 10% off and a free drink of your choice, any size.
