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TORONTO · COFFEE
# Top 5 coffee shops in Toronto, chosen from local press
Three outlets were read for this guide: blogTO's April 2024 best coffee roasters list, Narcity's September 2024 fall coffee round-up and FLTR Magazine's October 2026 specialty coffee guide. A place appears here only when a named outlet wrote about it in Toronto and confirmed its address in the city. Places are ranked by how many distinct outlets covered them, with the most-covered first. This guide was checked on November 6, 2026.
See the 5 places How to cite this guide
THE PLACES
## Ranked by the number of outlets.
Ties go to the place written about most recently.
1. Number 1 ### De Mello Coffee
Coffee roastery and cafe3 outlets
2489 Yonge Street, Yonge and Eglinton, Toronto
De Mello was covered by three outlets read for this guide. blogTO's 2024 roasters list placed it among Toronto's top roasteries, describing the team's artisanal methods. Narcity called it one of Toronto's most outstanding coffee roasteries, noting that many cafes across the city use its beans. FLTR Magazine traced its founding to 2013 on Yonge Street by brothers Felix and Won Cha and pointed readers to the Well flagship location.
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> “The team at this roastery (with locations in King West and at Yonge & Eglinton), expends considerable energy using artisanal methods to roast each and every bean to perfection.”
[blogTO, Christine Peddie](https://www.blogto.com/toronto/the_best_coffee_roasters_in_toronto/) · best-of list · April 1, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
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> “This award-winning coffee roastery is one of Toronto's most outstanding, as evidenced by the sheer number of cafes in the city and well beyond its borders that use De Mello beans for their coffee program.”
[Narcity, Michael Kras](https://www.narcity.com/toronto/toronto-coffee-shops-to-try-for-cozy-fall-vibes) · best-of list · September 9, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
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> “Korean born brothers Felix and Won Cha, who had studied in Melbourne, opened De Mello Coffee on Yonge Street in 2013. Since then, the business has expanded its roasting operation and developed cafés beyond Canada.”
[FLTR Magazine, Andy Anderson](https://fltrmagazine.com/2026/10/14/best-specialty-coffee-shops-toronto/) · best-of list · October 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab) [Visit hellodemello.com (opens in a new tab)](https://hellodemello.com)
2. Number 2 ### Pilot Coffee Roasters
Coffee roastery and cafe3 outlets
117 Ossington Ave, Ossington, Toronto
Pilot was covered by three outlets read for this guide. blogTO's 2024 roasters list described it as a full-service roastery running close to a dozen sunny, modern cafes across the city. Narcity called it a dominant force in Toronto's coffee scene, with coffee roasted at the Wagstaff Drive headquarters. FLTR Magazine traced it back to its 2009 founding as Te Aro Roasted in Leslieville and noted it has grown into one of the city's most established specialty roasters.
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> “This local company runs close to a dozen sunny, modern cafés, including in Leslieville and the Financial District. A full-service roastery, the team's process begins with sourcing specialty green beans from around the globe.”
[blogTO, Christine Peddie](https://www.blogto.com/toronto/the_best_coffee_roasters_in_toronto/) · best-of list · April 1, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
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> “Whether you're visiting their grab and go outpost within Union Station or sitting down at one of their eight other cafes across the city, Pilot is undeniably a dominant force in Toronto's coffee scene.”
[Narcity, Michael Kras](https://www.narcity.com/toronto/toronto-coffee-shops-to-try-for-cozy-fall-vibes) · best-of list · September 9, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
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> “Pilot Coffee Roasters began in Leslieville in 2009 as Te Aro Roasted, a café and micro-roastery inspired by founder Andy Wilkin's hometown of Wellington, New Zealand. Renamed Pilot in 2013, it's grown into one of Toronto's most established specialty roasters, with cafés across the city.”
[FLTR Magazine, Andy Anderson](https://fltrmagazine.com/2026/10/14/best-specialty-coffee-shops-toronto/) · best-of list · October 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab) [Visit pilotcoffeeroasters.com (opens in a new tab)](https://pilotcoffeeroasters.com)
Photo: Pilot Coffee Roasters's website
3. Number 3 ### Propeller Coffee
Coffee roastery and cafe3 outlets
50 Wade Ave, Bloordale, Toronto
Propeller was covered by three outlets read for this guide. blogTO's 2024 roasters list highlighted beans roasted on demand and customized subscriptions. Narcity named it one of Toronto's best cafes and pointed to its B Corp certification and zero-footprint roastery. FLTR Magazine described the flagship at 50 Wade Avenue as a converted former metalworks factory with the roastery visible from the cafe.
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> “To ensure each cup of coffee is as fresh as the last, beans are roasted on demand at this multi-use Bloordale Village space. Customized coffee subscriptions ensure you never face a morning without your go-to brew.”
[blogTO, Christine Peddie](https://www.blogto.com/toronto/the_best_coffee_roasters_in_toronto/) · best-of list · April 1, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
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> “Propeller isn't just one of Toronto's best cafes, it's also got an eco-conscious approach on its mind as a zero-footprint roastery that's also B Corp certified in recognition of its sustainable practices.”
[Narcity, Michael Kras](https://www.narcity.com/toronto/toronto-coffee-shops-to-try-for-cozy-fall-vibes) · best-of list · September 9, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
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> “Visit Propeller Coffee Co. at 50 Wade Avenue. The flagship occupies a converted former metalworks factory, with the working roastery visible from the spacious café.”
[FLTR Magazine, Andy Anderson](https://fltrmagazine.com/2026/10/14/best-specialty-coffee-shops-toronto/) · best-of list · October 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab) [Visit propellercoffee.com (opens in a new tab)](https://www.propellercoffee.com)
4. Number 4 ### Ethica Coffee Roasters
Coffee roastery and cafe2 outlets
213 Sterling Rd, Junction Triangle, Toronto
Ethica Coffee Roasters was covered by two outlets read for this guide. blogTO's 2024 roasters list described a European approach to roasting on display at the industrial Junction Triangle space, with the team committed to drawing the best out of each bean. FLTR Magazine noted the former industrial building at 213 Sterling Road, with high ceilings and an open interior set among independent food, drink and creative businesses.
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> “A European approach to roasting is on full display at this industrial space in the Junction Triangle. Committed to enhancing the natural beauty of every bean, the team meticulously roasts batch after batch before brewing each into the perfect pour.”
[blogTO, Christine Peddie](https://www.blogto.com/toronto/the_best_coffee_roasters_in_toronto/) · best-of list · April 1, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
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> “Ethica Coffee Roasters operates from a former industrial building at 213 Sterling Road. The building retains the scale of its industrial past, with high ceilings and an open interior.”
[FLTR Magazine, Andy Anderson](https://fltrmagazine.com/2026/10/14/best-specialty-coffee-shops-toronto/) · best-of list · October 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab) [Visit ethicaroasters.com (opens in a new tab)](https://www.ethicaroasters.com)
Photo: Ethica Coffee Roasters's website
5. Number 5 ### Sam James Coffee Bar
Espresso bar2 outlets
297 Harbord St, Little Italy, Toronto
Sam James Coffee Bar was covered by two outlets read for this guide. blogTO's 2024 roasters list described it as a spot built on one barista's goal to bring a sweet, chocolatey medium roast to the whole city, with small-batch beans at every location. FLTR Magazine noted the original 2009 Harbord Street location as a connection point to the early days of Toronto's independent espresso scene.
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> “This eponymous spot was founded on one young barista's goal to see people across town sipping on his custom, sweet and chocolatey medium roast. Today, at every one of his shops, (including on Ossington and in the Financial District), small-batch roasted beans morph into reliably-delicious cups of coffee.”
[blogTO, Christine Peddie](https://www.blogto.com/toronto/the_best_coffee_roasters_in_toronto/) · best-of list · April 1, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
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> “Sam James Coffee Bar opened its original Harbord Street location in 2009. Go to this original Harbord location for a connection to the period when independent espresso bars were beginning to establish themselves across Toronto, before many of today's larger specialty coffee businesses had emerged.”
[FLTR Magazine, Andy Anderson](https://fltrmagazine.com/2026/10/14/best-specialty-coffee-shops-toronto/) · best-of list · October 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab) [Visit samjamescoffeebar.com (opens in a new tab)](https://samjamescoffeebar.com)
Photo: Sam James Coffee Bar's website
CITE THIS GUIDE
## How to cite this guide
voche.me editors. "Top 5 coffee shops in Toronto, chosen from local press." voche.me, checked November 6, 2026. https://voche.me/on/toronto-2026/guides/top-coffee-shops-toronto
Each place has its own address, such as [https://voche.me/on/toronto-2026/guides/top-coffee-shops-toronto#de-mello-coffee](#de-mello-coffee).
QUESTIONS
## Questions this guide answers
What are the top 5 coffee shops in Toronto?
The five coffee shops in this guide are Pilot Coffee Roasters, De Mello Coffee, Propeller Coffee, Sam James Coffee Bar and Ethica Coffee Roasters. Each was named by at least two of the outlets read: blogTO, Narcity and FLTR Magazine.
How were the coffee shops in this guide chosen?
A place appears here only when a named outlet, a newspaper or a magazine, wrote about it and confirmed its address in Toronto. The guide does not use Google, Yelp, Tripadvisor or any rating site. Places with mentions from more outlets appear higher in the list.
Which outlets were read for this guide?
Three outlets were read: blogTO's April 2024 best coffee roasters list, Narcity's September 2024 fall coffee guide and FLTR Magazine's October 2026 specialty coffee guide. All three are named publications with authors on record.
When was this guide last checked?
This guide was checked on November 6, 2026. The source articles were each opened and read on that date.
Where is Pilot Coffee Roasters in Toronto?
Pilot has several Toronto locations. The Ossington cafe is at 117 Ossington Ave. Other Toronto addresses include 65 Front Street West, 100 King Street West and 1 St Clair Ave East. The roastery tasting bar is at 50 Wagstaff Drive.
Where is De Mello Coffee in Toronto?
De Mello has four Toronto locations: 2489 Yonge Street (Castlefield), 2389 Yonge Street (Broadway), 100G at 8 Spadina Ave (The Well) and Unit 19 at 365 Bloor Street East.
What makes Propeller Coffee stand out according to the press?
Narcity called Propeller a zero-footprint roastery that holds B Corp certification. FLTR Magazine described its flagship at 50 Wade Avenue as a converted former metalworks factory where the working roastery is visible from the cafe.
How do I report a mistake in this guide?
Use the corrections form at voche.me/report and name the place and the line that is wrong.
SOURCES
## Every page this guide draws on
1. [The Best Coffee Roasters in Toronto](https://www.blogto.com/toronto/the_best_coffee_roasters_in_toronto/)blogTO, Christine Peddie · April 1, 2024 · blogto.com · read November 6, 2026
2. [The best specialty coffee shops in Toronto](https://fltrmagazine.com/2026/10/14/best-specialty-coffee-shops-toronto/)FLTR Magazine, Andy Anderson · October 14, 2026 · fltrmagazine.com · read November 6, 2026
3. [8 Toronto coffee shops to try if you're already dreaming of cozy fall vibes](https://www.narcity.com/toronto/toronto-coffee-shops-to-try-for-cozy-fall-vibes)Narcity, Michael Kras · September 9, 2024 · narcity.com · read November 6, 2026
**Found an error?** Tell the editors with the [corrections form](https://voche.me/on/toronto-2026/report). [Read our standards](https://voche.me/on/toronto-2026/about).
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