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Cozy cafes near TMU

Conquer exam season with these gems around campus

A navy blue cup and a laptop sit on top of a wooden surface. Sitting on top of a navy blue saucer, the cup is full with an espresso beverage with latte art. The laptop is silver with stickers on top of it. The stickers read "Toronto Metropolitan University" and "I heart CanCulture."
(Andrea Zayan/CanCulture Magazine)

By Emily Nascimento

It’s no secret that the last few weeks of the winter semester are rough for students, with exam season and the warm weather making us all want to be anywhere but our classes. At times like this, finding a place that keeps you motivated to study is crucial. The Toronto Metropolitan University campus, being in the heart of downtown Toronto, has its perks — there’s no shortage of cafes to go to.

Nabulu Coffee

A photo of a corner of Nabulu Coffee. A wooden side table with a fringed lamp, picture frame and wooden decor is centred in the frame. A brown leather couch is to the left and a wooden rocking chair is to the right. Paintings rest against the wall in the back.
(Photo courtesy of Nabulu Coffee)

Tucked away out of sight, concealed in a brick building, sits Nabulu Coffee. Praised for its intimate, welcoming atmosphere, this cafe embodies the cozy interiors we’ve all come to wish for. Holding a rustic charm, this place leans into dark wood and mellow jazz.

Although Nabulu tends to fill up fast, it’s the perfect place for students to sit down, grab a quick bite and finally write that dreaded research paper they’ve been avoiding. Open until 11 p.m., it makes it the perfect place for late-night cram sessions. It’s laptop-friendly and its amenities include free wifi and outlets. Nabulu opens at 8 a.m., offering students plenty of time to get work done throughout the day.

Location: 6 St Joseph St
Menu highlights: matcha, blue matcha, cortado, almond croissant

Cong Caphe

A photo of a corner of Cong Caphe. In the centre is built-in wooden doors on a wall with black and white photos and Vietnamese text handwritten on it. To the left is a wooden display shelf with decor and to the right is a horizontal wood panel wall.
(Huy Tran/CanCulture Magazine)

A short walking distance from campus, this Vietnamese-style coffee shop will soon hold a spot in your heart and on your list of favourites. Cong Caphe has a calming energy as students sit around, studying or catching up with their friends. It’s charming and decorated with vintage furniture. Deep coloured wood and army green accents all offer a glimpse into Vietnamese culture.

This is a perfect study spot for students who want to stay closer to their classes or are looking for a quick place to settle down before commuting back home. It’s another great spot for late-night studying. The amenities include wifi, charging outlets and plenty of seating on both the main and basement-level floors. Cong Caphe opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m., opening an hour later on weekends.

Location: 3 Elm St
Menu highlights: phin coffee, coconut coffee, green rice drink

Icha Tea

A photo of the storefront of Icha Tea. The store sign is a wooden parquet board with a thin, black sans serif font that glows white underneath. Outdoor string lights hang from the sign. There's a wood panel fence on the right, with outdoor string lights hanging on it.
(Huy Tran/CanCulture Magazine)

If you’re not into coffee, don’t sweat it. A tea house is just as cozy a study spot. Icha Tea may look small on the outside, but it has a lovely tea room inside with tables — big and small — perfect for both solo and group studying sessions. It’s minimalistic, balancing the white of its walls with simple light brown furniture and elements of traditional Chinese decor. It’s quiet with dim lighting, creating a tranquil atmosphere. The amenities include wifi and outlets. It opens at 12 p.m. on weekdays and 11:30 a.m. on weekends. It closes at 9 p.m. most days except for Friday and Saturday, when it closes an hour later.

Location: 235 Spadina Ave
Menu highlights: strawberry matcha latte, matcha latte

The Peachy

A photo of the ordering counter at The Peachy. The counter is all white with iPads on them and a plethora of signs. A four-tiered clear display case with food is on the left. The menu is displayed on TVs above the counter and there's a thin, white contemporary strip light above the counter. Coffee equipment and other items are behind the counter.
(Huy Tran/CanCulture Magazine)

If you’re more into the minimalist look, this Korean dessert cafe is perfect for you. The Peachy is a clean, spacious, chic (but still cozy) place that balances an all-white atmosphere with small colourful pops of peachy pink and light grey. It’s perfect for lighter study sessions, such as note review and reading.

Although the menu can be on the pricier side, everything is made in-house with quality ingredients. It also closes later than most cafes do, so it’s perfect for students who want to avoid the usual rush. Amenities include wifi and charging outlets. It opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. It opens at 11 a.m. on other days. They close doors at 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 10 p.m. on Sundays.

Location: 618 Yonge St
Menu highlights: strawberry mascarpone (layered sponge cake with mascarpone mousse), bingsu, matcha latte

Fusettes

A photo behind the ordering counter at Fusettes. A white countertop with a large silver espresso machine at its furthest end. In the middle are two large coffee bean grinders. The corner of a countertop display case with food inside is nearest to the camera. There are miscellaneous coffee equipment dispersed around the counter as well.
(Emily Nascimento/CanCulture Magazine) 

Fusettes is another great location if you’re looking for a warmer, cozy, community-driven study spot. Although it’s not as quiet as some might hope, the comfort of studying alongside others makes up for it. The cafe creates the perfect calm yet lively environment to get lost in your work. The coffee shop offers wifi and charging outlets for your devices. Fusettes opens at 7:30 a.m. on most days except for weekends, when it opens at 8 a.m. It closes at 8 p.m. everyday.

Location: 407 Yonge St
Menu highlights: ube cookie, chocolate chip cookie, vanilla bean latte

Black Wolf Coffee

A closeup photo of the drip coffee setup at Black Wolf Coffee. There's a bouquet in a vase at the nearest corner of the photo. The drip coffee equipment has wooden handles on its four corners. There's an espresso machine with a digital screen on the other side of the drip coffee, furthest away from the camera.
(Emily Nascimento/CanCulture Magazine)

This coffee shop might look small, but it adds an intimate layer of comfort to your study sessions. Black Wolf Coffee is the perfect place to do some light work while people-watching. From white marble tables to cushioned seats, it’s a cozy spot to get away from the outdoors.

This coffee shop is student-friendly, having amenities such as free wifi and affordable menu prices. They’re also known for their baked goods. They open at 7 a.m. on weekdays and at 8 a.m. on weekends. They close at 8 p.m. everyday.

Location: 717 Bay St
Menu highlights: latte, pistachio croissant

Good Earth Coffeehouse

A photo of a clear display case with pastries, sandwiches, wraps and salads displayed on three selves, inside of Good Earth Coffeehouse. The food is separated by variety and stocked columns with wooden cutting boards underneath them and black labels on each different kind.
(Emily Nascimento/CanCulture Magazine)

If you’re looking for somewhere to sit down and lock in, or study in a group, Good Earth Coffeehouse is a great option. It’s spacious and quiet, with tons of seating open throughout the shop. They also focus on maintaining their ambience with toned-down greens, light wood and plants. Good Earth Coffeehouse opens bright and early at 6:30 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on weekends, making this a great spot for early morning reviews. They close at 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Location: 8 Wellesley St E
Menu highlights: classic steak panini, caffe latte

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