We’re on the hunt to find affordable, quality cafes near the Toronto Metropolitan University campus. Here’s what we found!
By Talia Saley, Emily Zhang, Teresa Valenton, Owen Kropp
COTTI COFFEE
Reply
Reply is at 637B Bay St., a five-minute walk from the SLC.
Reply offers a variety of unique drinks, from a maple macchiato to Cold Brews with lavender cream foam.
“I lived in this area and I just wanted a place where it’s welcoming for the neighborhood because I noticed this area is becoming a little more deserted,” said Jae Jin, owner of Reply.
Jin has always been interested in coffee and studied it in London, England.
Reply is known for its flavoured cream lattes. Jin’s personal favourite is the Black Sesame Cream Latte.
Angela Wang, a customer who visits the cafe every day for its comfy, cute atmosphere and close proximity to campus, said her favourite drink is the classic Iced Americano priced at just under $4.
Hailed Coffee
Hailed Coffee is a Middle Eastern and European coffee location near TMU campus. (J-School TMU/Talia Saley)
Hailed Coffee is situated at 44 Gerrard St. W, a six-minute walk from the SLC.
“The owner’s from Saudi [Arabia], and it brings Italian and Middle Eastern together,” says Alyssa Gomez, a worker at the cafe.
The term “hail” means cardamom in Arabic, an ingredient that can be found across the menu.
Her favourite drink is the Cardamella Latte, infused with caramel and cardamom, priced just over $5.
Fresh Start Bakery & Cafe
Fresh Start Bakery & Cafe is located at 595 Bay St. on the lower level of the Atrium, a five-minute walk from the SLC.
This cafe’s atmosphere feels homey, and it offers Turkish coffee and tea placed in traditional tea cups. Expect some amazing pastries all made in-house daily!
We tried the Turkish tea and it was extremely affordable, priced around $3.
bbtease
bbtease is located at 111 Dundas St. W, a six-minute walk from the SLC.
bbtease offers a range of drinks including coffee, milk tea, and smoothies.
Customers say you can expect a cozy interior, good tables for studying, and plenty of outlets.
Drinks range from $6 to $10, with coffees being on the lower end and smoothies near the top.
Dispatch Coffee
Dispatch Coffee is located at 390 Bay St., a 12-minute walk from the SLC.
The Montreal-based business is known for their commitment to responsible and sustainable beans and coffee lovers can find lots of variety here.
The upper-level seating is also a great spot for students to bunker down and get some last-minute studying done.
The location even has an Americano very reasonably priced at around $4.
