Just south of Bloor Street, on Bay Street, Urbana Coffee sits just out of the way of the massive intersection to avoid the chaos, but close enough for pedestrians to run in for a coffee and a bite to eat. They boast an impressive array of drink selections, from espressos and lattes, to teas and cocoas, as well as an assorted of bottled juices. If you’re looking for a quick bite on the road, Urbana Coffee also has a selection of pastries – donuts, muffins, croissants – as well as some hot breakfast/snack items.
The interior décor is homely, making customers feel very comfortable: couches and chairs are abundantly available, as are power outlets for laptop users. Both sides of this corner lot are windowed, creating an open-concept café that removes customers from the elements of the outside, while still connecting them with the vibrant community of mid-town Toronto.
What sets Urbana Coffee apart from Timothy’s (just down the street at Bloor/Bay) and Starbucks (on almost every corner in the downtown core) is that it offers fair trade coffee. (If you don’t know what fair trade coffee is, the employees are more than happy to tell you!) Not only can you enjoy your coffee close to your transit route, but now you can do it knowing you’re making a difference. There are pamphlets and advertisements in store that detail opportunities to reach out and give back to various charitable causes.
The staff member on duty (usually just the one, being a smaller café) was very courteous and professional about questions about Urbana Coffee. “The best thing about (Urbana Coffee) is that you get to meet a lot of different people”, he mentioned. Students enjoy this venue because of its excellent drink selection, fast WIFI connection, easy-going atmosphere, and spacious interior. Even for those who are not in school, Urbana Coffee is a great place to get together and meet up with friends: “(In December) student traffic tends to dip, and so we get a lot of other different customers coming in for the holidays.” In the evenings, Urbana Coffee will even be frequented by “meet-ups”: interest groups in Toronto that are quickly gaining popularity. “We come to Urbana Coffee because their staff members are so accommodating—and the coffee is great!” says one organizer.
For regular customers, there are debit cards available, similar to those employed by other larger coffee franchises such as Starbucks or Tim Hortons.
Information
Prices
Latte – 2.85 (small), 3.60 (medium), 3.95 (large)
Fairtrade/Organic Coffee – 1.55 (small), 1.75 (medium), 2.00 (large)
How to get there
By bus: Take the subway to BAY STATION on the BLOOR LINE. Walk south on Bay Street. Urbana Coffee will be on your left, across from St. Basil’s Catholic Church
By car: There is paid parking available across the street from Urbana Coffee at the intersection (Bay Street / St. Joseph’s Street), or up the street. (Bay Street / Bloor Street )
Hours open
Mon – 700-2300
Tues – 700-2300
Wed – 700-2300
Thurs – 700-2300
Fri – 700-2300
Sat – 900-2100
Sun – 900-2100
