Visiting a local cafe is a great way to get to know your destinations culture. It can also be a hub for nomads looking to get some work done and connect online while enjoying some good food and drink. One of my favorite things to do in Europe is just sit in a cafe and people watch.
Whether I visit some of Europe’s most unique cafes, or some small local ones, it doesn’t matter to me, as long as they have good jamon and queso baguettes. That being said, I don’t think I’ve ever actually experienced a jamon and queso baguette in Europe that wasn’t good!
Unfortunately, right now, I’m not in Europe. But on the bright side, I am in a pretty awesome city, Toronto! So I will share with you, some of my favorite Toronto based cafes to check out. They may not have Europe-worth baguettes, but they are still great for sipping something hot and having some fun!
This is one of my favorites! I can’t say anything to eat, drink or the wifi is mind blowing… because I’m not paying attention to those things at all. Where my head is at, is in the game – board game. This lovely cafe has hundreds of board games to choose from. It is so much fun, but it gets busy, so get in there asap and play some games! (This is normally the board game cafe of choice for me, but there’s more in the city if the theme interests you, but S&L is too far or too full:)
Organic coffee AND Greg’s Ice Cream? Yes please! Located on trendy Queen West, this cafe is not only a favorite because it has delicious coffee alongside yummy icecream, but it’s location is awesome. It’s just a few steps away from Trinity Bellwoods Park. So whether you get a hot drink or some tasty ice cream, you can enjoy it outside on a bench or in the grass of Bellwoods.
It may not have ice cream or board games, but this cafe stands out from the rest for its atmosphere. It may not be the best place for coffee, but it is open late and serves craft beer, wine and small bites to eat. Find a cozy sofa here and try some cold beverages!
Okay, this one is kinda a cheat, since it isn’t technically a ‘cafe’, but I had to add it because I love it so much. This lovely bar has some long tables, low lighting, and A LOT of old school video game machines (and they’re free!). I’ve spent many evenings here drinking a cold pint and playing Frogger or Tetris – my favs. I do believe the pinball machines cost a little bit of money – just to note.
Overall, Toronto has some easy going, fun loving places to visit and drink coffee or a few beers. I do miss European cafes for the tastes and the sights, but I will settle for board games and ice cream here in my home city.
Credit: YouTube
