It’s 2023. The plan was, and still is, to get back to writing in coffee shops. There’s just something about sitting in a coffee shop and working, right? It’s a magical experience, whether alone or with someone else. We used to meet up all the time and work alone together on various projects. Jette can’t be held accountable to write on her own but get someone to sit next to her in a cafe and she’s a word count machine. Here are some of our favourite places to work in Toronto.
Our Top 6 Downtown Toronto Coffee Shops for Writing Inspiration
1. Page One Cafe—106 Mutual St.
This is the place that started it all. Literally. We were writing in Page One (enjoying the best mocha in the city) waaaay back in the fall of 2018. We had started our book club in January of 2018 and as we say on the podcast, we never talked about the books. At that moment, we said, “Wait, should we start a podcast?” and the rest is history. It’s the place I go to write while I’m waiting for the #podcat when she’s at the vet. There are vintage typewriters as decor, and lots of tables. This downtown Toronto coffee shop is truly a gem if you are a writer and need a place to get the creative juices flowing.
2. Rooster Coffee House—586 Jarvis St. (+2 more locations)
A quick walk in Jette’s neighbourhood brings you to Rooster. It has that cute plant, subway tile, black and white coffee shop vibe down to a tee. With two floors and a little patio, there’s always somewhere to sit and work. In the summer, Rooster has some of the best lemonades too!
3. Balzac’s Coffee Roasters—789 Yonge St. in the Reference Library
If you know the Reference Library, then you know this spot. It really is a Toronto staple. Balzac’s is a woman-founded-and-owned company. They roast their own beans and serve some delicious drinks. The atmosphere is always great for writing—bustling and busy.
4. The Sidekick Comics—1374 Queen St. E
“Your Friendly Neighbourhood Comic Shop/Cafe.” Their tagline is right! It is a queer-owned shop that roasts its own beans. The comic selection is always top notch. They host fun trivia and movie nights too.
5. Little Ghosts Books—930 Dundas St. W
A spooky bookstore with a cafe? Yes, please! This one is a bit further to travel to for Jette but absolutely worth it. Everyone is wonderful and they serve coffee from The Sidekick! If you like horror at all, you will find some very special books here. The patio at the back is perfect for summer writing and comes complete with a giant skeleton.
6. Found Coffee – 324 College St.
This cafe is right across the street from The Beguiling comic book store so that’s a win-win to us! The food is delicious and they source amazing coffee from farms they work closely with. They are all about the farmers and creating a better world through coffee.
Tapping into the Magic in our Coffee Shops
The world has changed in the last few years but, thankfully, our prized downtown Toronto coffee shops have remained. Grab your notebooks and pens and tablets and whatever else you use to write. It’s finally time to get outside, explore new local places, and enjoy the energy of the city. Many of the aforementioned coffee shops have multiple locations around the city too. Find your local independent coffee shop and let’s use their magical ambience to get writing!
