7 Toronto Coffee Houses

Since we know moms need and love it, we're thrilled to tell you about these seven indie coffee sensations in Toronto.

The decor is pretty, pistachio and appealing in this new addition to the Beach. In fact, we're so entranced we forget this is an all-vegan cafe (with lots of gluten-free options). Black currant tea and coffee with soy milk go well with a homemade breakfast treat that's a cross between carrot cake and an oatmeal cookie.

A coffee house that truly welcomes and accommodates kids? Awesome. From the extensive play area to a menu that includes Gryfe's bagels with almond butter, and steamed organic milk with a flavour shot for the kids, we can happily while away a whole morning here, en famille. An impressive lineup of parenting and special interest seminars are always on the calendar here.

This Yonge and Manor coffee house is named after the owner's daughter with the philosophy that they don't sell anything that they wouldn't serve to her (except the coffee, of course). This translates into amazingly fresh baked goods and pastries, some made in-house (like the croissants) and others locally sourced, along with fine fresh coffee beans.

We just love I Deal Coffee's third location at Yonge and Fairlawn, north of Lawrence, boasting amazing beans, tasty gelato and baked goods from Desmond and Beatrice that make us swoon. Kids love the Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie, but we were brought to our knees by the Vegan Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Muffin.

For a grown-up coffee stop in the downtown core (post shopping trip at the Room, perhaps?) we head for the old Hollywood glamour of newly opened Dineen Coffee Co. at Yonge and Temperance. Housed in the historic Dineen building, the chandeliers and beautifully tiled floor are enough to have us coming back for more—but the amazing drip coffee and ‘spro beverages are the real reason we're so smitten.

What's not to love when there are umbrellas on the ceiling, electric blue retro chairs, siphon coffee and beans roasted in house? Baked goods are whipped up on site, including our favourite Chocolate Pretzel Cookies and Apple Rhubarb Muffins—we admit to playing favourites with de Mello Palheta at Yonge and Castlefield. Great for a quick snack on the way to soccer or a leisurely breakfast from the slow-baked menu (waffles, anyone?).

Is your family in a weather rut? Take a little inspiration from one of our favourite Dr. Seuss books and head to RedFish BlueFish Creative Cafe, a much-needed, child-friendly hangout on Harbord where the locally roasted coffee is habit-forming, the food is fabulous and the kids clamour to go inside. While you're enjoy a fresh brew, your little artists can create works of art thanks to the always open and free drop-in craft space which comes fully stocked with feathers, pipe cleaners, sparkly glue and googly-eyes of all different shapes and colours.