Second Cup

In Toronto on vacation. We have been here several times now. On a walk back instead of the normal Starbucks tried this second cup not sure how good it would be. But once we had chance to taste their Carmel Latte we were asking would they be opening in the states. Best cup I have ever had. We went back next day to see if a one time thing. Just as good the second day and baristas were so nice.

This is a nice place, feels like a regular coffee shop level up. Prices get an increase, and the general quality of products follows. Coffee is good, nice variety of snacks and great service altogether.
Also, complimentary Wi-​Fi as expected, cozy sofas, indoor fireplace. Surroundings are kinda rough, but a great spot to take a break when coming or going to the island.

This is the closest coffee shop to me and it has a great atmosphere! Nice seating, free wifi and spacious, but the service is inconsistent. Sometimes they can warm things, sometimes they can’t. Sometimes they have your flavour, sometimes they don’t. Sometimes the girl behind the counter is so loud you can hear exactly what she did this entire week over all else in the café, sometimes she’s not there. Overall though, it’s a great location with plentiful seating. I have yet to come and not find a seat even though it’s beside Union! My old «loyalty» coffee shop was the Starbucks at Church and Gerrard. This place has a little ways to go before they are as cozy and wonderful as that place.

Nice atmosphere. That’s about it. The coffee is inconsistent here and the baked goods usually have flies milling about.
Unfortunately, I’m here pretty often.

There is just something special about «cafes» that instantly makes me smile!
Perhaps it’s the smell of teas & coffee brewing, and freshly baked goodies? Or the free wi-​fi and no limited seating time? Regardless the reason it lures me here, it’s a perfect place to catch up with friends, or a private place to escape to read, write, or dream!
OK … I’ll share my secret! What I love about this location is it’s a stone’s throw away from Union Station, but it’s not overcrowded and bustling like the other franchise coffee shops downtown! I almost always find a seat here without dashing for one! The seats & sofas & chairs are cushy and you could sit for hours and not at all notice the time whiz by!
I like the teas here, better than the Starbucks’ «version» of teas. However, I prefer my café lattes at the Starbucks! Also, the green tea frappaccino is better here than the coffee giant! Creamier, less sweet, and the ice is crushed more finely.
I like sweets, but on occasion. And when that craving hits, I’m all over the date squares & carrot cakes here! When I was in town four years ago, I remember their cakes were from the local reknowned dessert shop called «Dufflet»! Dufflet is THE cake shop, known for their dessert royalty!

My closest coffee shop in the area.
Quaint with nice couches and on route from Union Station to the harbour as mentioned below.

Toronto has always seemed to stop at the Gardiner. But with all the condo development close to the Air Canada Centre/​Union station, you’re starting to see some commercial development. A cute Second Cup, semi-​kitty corner to the Air Canada Centre (which people in the know refer to as The Henley or The Haberdasher or something like that), has sprung up recently.
It’s quite strategically located. It’s about at that point where you go «I could use a hot coffee right about now» as you walk from the water front to Union Station. Inside you find many inviting comfy chairs, a gas fire place, and young urban types with their Mac books and iPads. The day you get yourself a dual panel Kno (
) and really want to show some smug blue bin hemp worshiping Mac droids what portable media devices are really all about, I say head here. Pronto.
And it’s got a patio. A great place to people watch when the weather holds.