Three Favourite Toronto Cafés | Gabriela Hansen

Today I've invited a guest to share a post with you via lovely images and thoughts on 3 of her favourite Toronto cafés. Please welcome photographer and friend Gabriela Hansen and her insights on 3 must see, sit and sip spots in the city of Toronto.

Toronto is a city that abounds in culture, creativity, variety and diversity. Every city is like a tree with many branches, and Toronto has branches that range in color and texture. You can feel the different moods they evoke as you immerse yourself in each neighbourhood. 

Today I'd like to share 3 of my favourite spots in the city. The first - found in Kensington Market - is Wanda's Pie In The Sky. 

Wanda Beaver, the founder of the café, baked her first pie at the age of 9, and continues to make them from the comfort of her home. The shop also sells cakes, cookies, salads, sandwiches, and of course coffee or tea.


A café that makes you feel at home, relaxed, all the while surrounded by beautiful colors and decor. It's a combination of a pie shop and a well executed coffee shop, like grandma's kitchen meets a youthful interior designer. A must try if you're planning on visiting Kensington, or live around the area.

 The next shop - located on Queen and Peter Street - is Little Nicky's. Before I actually visited the café, I remember walking by it with curiosity. The location isn't completely obvious, but once inside I was enchanted. I told my close friends about it and we have made it a regular spot for us to chat and enjoy one another's company.


A vintage charm where the music, the décor, and everything else takes you straight back to the 50s. It's small in size, but it's the perfect fit.


The coffee shop is known for their delightful sugar donuts, made on the spot and in front of you for the price of only 2.75 for six, and 4 dollars for a dozen (it's truly worth it). In my opinion this should be a landmark Toronto café.

 The last café on today's list is located on Queen West, in the design district. Nadege Patisserie is a french pastry shop where your craving for something sweet and excellent will be fulfilled. With a European background, this shop makes me giddy and never disappoints my yearnings for french gourmet pastries.


The interior is quite modern and simple, as is the arrangement of the pastries you see upon entering the café. You can also see what's happening behind the scenes where are all the goods are made through a large glass window. I would say this is the place for treating oneself, with a macaron or two, a sandwich, or a croissant (or all three). Not only is it a feast your eyes, but it's also a feast for your tastebuds.


For me, the macaron that has my heart is the pistachio, though all other flavours are equally as magical (blackberry chocolate, matcha green tea, cappuccino, cassis, and many more). 

 I hope this leaves you with a desire to go hopping from one coffee shop to the other and one branch of the city to another. I know every cafe you step into is an entirely different experience, and a grand source of inspiration.

 Cheers!

 - Gabriela


Labels: , , , , , , ,