Purple Penguin Cafe

It's really what a neighborhood cafe should be. Feels like a pub, it's got character, it's got…read moregood coffee. This is what most cafes in the city used to be like and maybe it's nostalgia for me, or that I'm in New York frequently and we're don't have the number of coffee houses like they do. Think Central Perk on Friends except on the Danforth.

We came here for nostalgia. I used to live in the area when The Only first opened. I remember…read morethinking they would do well. Shortly after, I left the Danforth, and, eventually Toronto. But The Only kept coming up in reminisces and we'd check if it was still around, and it was. Today we made it back, and wow, they have done really well. I'm sitting in the cafe part of The Only, and it's fabulous; eclectic and artsy and unpretentious with great coffee, baked goods and nice staff. The original space I would have a beer in years ago is closed. So we'll have to come back another time for a beer. In the meantime I'm listening to animated chatter and a great music as I sip my coffee and enjoy looking around this interesting space.

Interior

See all

Nitro Cold Brew

Mofer coffee

4.3(23 reviews)

3.0 km•The Danforth

First of all, I don't know who entered the hours for this place on their profile. It's 8 a.m. and…read moreI'm inside having a coffee and a scone while I write this. The coffee here is excellent, and the staff ate always helpful and friendly. Besides coffee and lattes, they offer some decent (but not amazing) baked goods, and a variety of water bottles (coconut, sparkling, non-sparkling) and some San Pelegrino sodas. The space is roomy and clean, and a great spot to bring a laptop and do some personal projects. Or buy some of the beans they roast in house and take them home to make your own delicious cup of coffee. A calm place and an enjoyable one.

Clean. Unique decor and music, pleasant staff, great banana bread, and phenomenal Americano. Wifi:…read morebonus! Had my laptop and got lots of work done.

Birthplace of coffee

See all

Coffee roaster

Pilot Coffee Roasters

3.9(18 reviews)

1.8 km•Leslieville

Love this coffee shop even though it's in a random location. They sometimes don't have the newer…read moreflavours at this location as this isn't a standalone cafe, but it's a great place to stop by if you're in the area

DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING OVER $100 HERE unless you're prepared for a needlessly difficult return…read moreprocess. I purchased a Fellow Stagg EKG Pro kettle and a Timemore C5 Pro grinder from Pilot Coffee's Wagstaff location on August 31, 2026, for a total of $438.44. Both items remained unused and in their original condition and packaging. Within two weeks of purchase, I called Pilot Coffee headquarters as well as multiple locations specifically to ask how I could return them. I was told that I could only bring the items back in person to the Wagstaff headquarters. So on September 13, I drove to Wagstaff with both items and my original receipt, following exactly the instructions I had been given. Only after I arrived was I told that because my purchase was over $100, they could only process the return on a weekday AND when a manager was present. Neither requirement was mentioned when I called ahead specifically to ask about the return procedure. I was then given another option: email their customer service first, wait for return instructions, and then wait for them to initiate the refund. Again, none of this was mentioned when I called ahead. Their published return policy states that merchandise and brewing gear may be returned within 30 days if unused and in the original packaging. It instructs customers to contact them to start a return, but I could not find any mention there of a $100 threshold requiring a weekday visit with a manager present. To be clear, my issue isn't simply that Pilot Coffee has a particular return procedure. My issue is that I specifically called ahead to confirm that procedure, followed the instructions I was given, drove to the only location I was told could process the return, and was then presented with additional restrictions that had never been disclosed to me. The staff at Wagstaff also declined to provide me with any written confirmation that I had come in that day to attempt the return. I therefore submitted a formal return request by email while I was still at the location, documenting the condition of both items and my attempted return. Pilot Coffee, is making a return this unnecessarily difficult really worth the customer you lose in the process? If the goal is to discourage customers from returning higher-value purchases by making the process as inconvenient as possible, then the experience certainly gives that impression.

The Tasting Bar at roastery headquarters

See all

Outside 50 Wagstaff

Tango Palace Coffee Company

4.2(136 reviews)

0.7 km•Leslieville

Inside is so charming! The staff is prompt and friendly and best of all the coffee is fantastic. If…read moreI lived in Toronto I'd be here every morning !

I come here maybe once a month for the past two years and it is always so cozy. The food is yummy…read moreand the coffee and tea are great. But what makes a difference is the great staff and customer service. Very friendly. very helpful. It's easy to see why so many customers read books or do their work here. It's comfortable, warm, cozy, and relaxing. It's cleaned well. The bathrooms are clean. Floors, and tables too. Sitting inside feels like you're unbothered and welcomed. Plus the friendly staff even bring you your food once it's heated up to your table. Even now as I write this I see the owner mopping the floors from the salty slush people brought in. Great place to have a coffee.

Old style coffee machine

See all

Decor

Broadview Espresso

4.2(88 reviews)

2.4 km•The Danforth

This neighbourhood cafe has so much potential. Great space and location. However, my visit here was…read morepretty disappointing. I had a London Fog, they use Sloane tea ("heavenly cream" flavour, a classic) but they fill the cup half way with hot water and then just add a bit of steamed milk and vanilla syrup. I thought that was so weird, as it should be just the tea bag, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup. It tasted watered down. I also had a croissant and it was so bad, it was almost inedible. Judging by the way they were stacked up like sardines in the display case, I think they are bought from somewhere else and certainly not made in house. It was too dry and lacking the inner chewiness, yet also not flaky or crips on the outside. Instead it was kinda stale. It looked like those ones that come in big boxes at grocery store. Very disappointing. The only good thing is that their street side patio is really nice in the summer. There are ample muskoka chairs with side tables and a bowl of clean water for the dogs. On a weekend morning, there are lots of regulars here and people are very friendly. However, for quality espresso drinks and fresh baked goods, Supernova Coffee up the street is significantly better (and also has a cute patio area).

I had a very good iced honey latte from here, and the customer service is great. It's a good hang…read morehere also, I recommend it when you are in Danforth area

Macchiato $2.50 and Brownie $3.50

See all

The menu shows the prices

Red Rocket Coffee

4.2(95 reviews)

2.7 km•The Danforth

The ambiance was quite calm the two times I've gone here. A…read moresmall amount of chatter from other customers one time, but not necessarily loud. The cafe is pretty small on the inside, a few floating bar seats near the front window, a couple cushioned chairs/ benches and a few tables with chairs near the front door and counter. Seating was all fairly close to each other. Although, there is a good amount of sitting area on the outside. The cashiers are friendly and the baristas know how to make good lattes, that's for sure. I will definitely be back to try other items on their menu, and get another coffee drink!

My favourite neighbourhood coffee shop! The staff are so welcoming and the vibes are great! Love…read moretheir lattes, matcha lattes and any of their baked goods

Medium Latte

Cute Decoration at Counter

See all

Supernova Coffee

4.7(10 reviews)

2.6 km•The Danforth

Super lovely neighborhood spot with a genuine community vibe--and easily one of the best breakfast…read morecroissants we've had in a while. We tried the egg & cream cheese and the ham & Swiss, and wow... insanely buttery, perfectly flaky on the outside, and soft on the inside. This was definitely due to everything being made fresh in-house. When we ordered, we caught a glimpse of trays of butter-loaded croissants at the back, ready to go into the oven. My partner straight up said it was the best croissant she's ever had--so that says a lot. Drinks held up too. The strawberry latte was super refreshing, with a tangy syrup that paired really nicely with the espresso. My dirty chai was solid, though I was a bit bummed they didn't have stovetop chai--it just hits different. I liked how they host local artists' works & shows too. It's a very intimate & community driven cafe.

Great coffee, love the atmosphere and the location is great as well! Between the Dan and O'Connor!…read moreFriendly staff and not expensive

Vibe

See all

Drinks!

Zav Coffee Shop & Gallery

4.3(28 reviews)

3.6 km•The Danforth

This is one of my most favourite cafe in Toronto. There are many seats and the place is spacious. I…read morecan relax and enjoy two cups of latte. You don't feel rushed. The barista is very kind. Their prices are very reasonable and they have varieties of coffee and tea.

I love to support local coffee shops and I am glad they opened in my neighbourhood. Their coffee is…read morealways consistent.gotta love Pilot Coffee for that as they use that. The interiors are very cool as they also have art gallery frames throughout the store which makes the shop look much nicer. The baked goods are it's best.. the family run business makes sure that all their goods are fresh and made with love for customers. Also a reminder that this is a cash only coffee shop. Already been here a few times and just love sitting here and working

2.8 km•St. Lawrence, Downtown Core

See all

Au Pain Doré

4.2(36 reviews)

The latte is excellent and I want to try all of the baked goods. Nice ambiance to hang out.read more

Food/Drinks: This was our first time in Toronto, and for the first day being there for breakfast,…read morewe decided to stop by this spot. They had such a delicious and massive variety of breads, pastries, and croissants! I got myself a delicious croissant and a coffee, and it was perfect to start my morning! Location: This location is directly ona main street in Toronto. This place is definitely a casual spot to grab and go, or you can sit there as well. Regarding parking, I'm not sure how that works because our hotel was within walking distance, and we decided to walk directly from our hotel, which wasn't far at all. Service: If I could give this place a five-star simply because of the service, I would. As I was taking pictures of the pastries, just being a tourist...you can actually see the man in the background who was so friendly and honestly made us smile with his smile. Unfortunately, I don't recall his name, but he was so kind and helped us out, and it really was just the perfect start to our day.

These buttery croissant sandwiches are irresistible. Could not wait to sample before snapping. A quick pic to share with you.

See all

Rooster Coffee House

4.4(176 reviews)

1.3 km•Riverdale

Location 10/10, prices 15/10, and the outdoor patio is extensive…read more I was running through this neighborhood via Riverdale Park after a recent red-eye flight and needed a quick pick-me-up. I saw the beautiful café across the street and ran right over. The line moved quite fast, and the café's product and coffee selection was pretty extensive. I really loved my espresso shot, and I wish I could have stayed to relax on the patio. Thanks for having me!

I wanted an ice coffee, they don't have a price on the menu, the brew coffee is 2.95 - good value…read more It's double that for the same size cold brew! Less coffee for more $! Stupid! Even the staff apologized!

Oatmilk Latte

Inside

See all

London Fog

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

9 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Sylvia S.

271

3 years ago

I have a confession: I'm not a fan of apples. Yes, I know it's a bit odd, but there's one exception I happily make, and it's at the Purple Penguin. Why? Because their apple fritters are nothing short of legendary. This cozy cafe has a warm and inviting atmosphere, and let me tell you, these apple fritters are what they are truly famous for. They're not your average treats - they're fresh, made-to-order delights that redefine what a fritter should be. Picture this: Granny Smith apple slices, perfectly dipped in batter, then plunged into the fryer, emerging hot and heavenly. The fact that they whip these up as you order them is a game-changer for me. The freshness is unmatched, and it adds a unique touch to the whole experience. As if that's not enough, the aroma of cinnamon and sugar that they dust on these fritters is like a warm hug for your senses. Let me also highlight the friendly service that accompanies this delightful culinary experience. The staff at the Purple Penguin make you feel welcome, adding an extra layer of warmth to your visit. The Purple Penguin also ventures into other tempting fritter flavours like banana and oreo, but I simply can't tear myself away from the apple ones. They're that good. Each bite is a symphony of flavours, a perfect blend of crispy, sweet, and just the right amount of tartness from those apples. These little circles of delight have converted even this self-proclaimed apple skeptic into a devoted fan. read more

Bredgy L.

1002

3144

2 years ago

Salmon Lox Everything Bagel - Bagel was toasted and coated with everything seasoning, but was very strangely devoid of air bubbles, making it very dense, but still tasty. Portions was relatively small, compared to schmaltz. One layer of salmon is fresh and aromatic salmon flavour, complimented with a relatively smaller portion of cream cheese (which I prefer), which is balanced by the capers. Cucumbers also provide a crunch and a much needed freshness. Apple Fritter - Deep fried dough covered in cinnamon sugar and filled with apple. Dough was quite airy but bland, and apples were also somewhat bland but had a slight crunch texture. read more

Sharon Y.

11 years ago

The baristas here are always friendly, and the apple fritters are a must try. I would definitely recommend this place over the Starbucks across the street if you want to have a relaxed place to sip on your cup of joe. The Purple Penguin has many cosy booths with wide tables, so it makes for an incredible studying spot. It can get a little busy on weekends, so I'd recommend coming during weekdays when it's quieter. The booths also give some privacy for conversations with friends. The coffee tends to be a little acidic but I know a lot of people that love it, and make sure to get a large because the sizes are a little small. read more

Alex S.

11 years ago

OMG!! This is like a taste of heaven!! What a nice cafe! Made to order apple fritter was hot and delicious. I could have whole dozen of fritters if I didn't have caesar wrap. They used spinach wrap with home made dressing. Boy, I can taste fresh lemon and garlic. After I read article about apple fritter, I ordered one with coffee. it was so fresh and so great. love this place!! read more

Cheryl M.

9 years ago

Everyday I go into the Purple Penguin for their lavender tea and everyday, I'm never disappointed. Their croissants and other pastries are sublime. I fully recommend the Purple Penguin as a place to relax whether you're in for a morning or afternoon! read more

B Z.

12 years ago

I love this place. I come in almost daily for coffee and food. The staff are all super friendly and always greet me by name. Definitely try the apple fritters, they are out of this world! read more

Jack S.

11 years ago

The owner, June, was rude and disingenuous with me! Is quite full of herself! Stay away! Food is nothing special- go to Starbucks across the street! read more

June S.

10 years ago

Nice and friendly cafe in Leslieville. Made to order apple fritters are always good with coffee. I like caprese panini and pasta with pesto. read more

Chelsea A.

6 years ago

Cute place , one of my favourite places in the neighbourhood! Lovely staff and would recommend.

Purple Penguin Cafe - coffee - Updated September 2026

Browse Brands

Brands by name

People who viewed Purple Penguin Cafe also viewed

CocoaLatte

4.2

(83 reviews)

I don't think I could love this place more. This is mine and my partners go to stop for breakfast,…read morebrunch and lunch! Their sandwiches are just amazing. Everything is made to order and they use delicious fresh ingredients. This means that you may wait a bit for your order, but well worth it. (You also often have to wait a bit b/c they're always super busy!) Their service is great and super friendly. You will not leave hungry. Just writing this review, I want the avocado toast! For those that don't know, they have an option to order online right on their website. Especially helpful during Covid for easy curbside pick-up. I even saw some art on the walls that I loved and was able to order some prints from the artists on Etsy!

Local gem!! In a city that's over-saturated with pretentiously trendy, over-priced cafés and brunch…read morespots, Cocoalatte is a delightful find with delicious, reasonably priced food, surprisingly fast and friendly service, and actually decent coffee & tea. My partner and I stopped in for a quick bfast and were really impressed. Breakfast sandwich was tasty and filling, the Avocado BLT comes with delightfully crisp bacon and a gorgeously light yet crackly bun (at first it looks like a lot of bread but it's surprisingly light and melts away to nothing). Would DEFINITELY eat here again!!

Caffeine

(59 reviews)

Delicious croissants, flaky and fresh tasting! I My go to…read morebakery fot croissants! I always order via Uber eats!

My husband and I enjoy scones, and we sometimes have them with iced lattes or other cold drinks. We…read morehave dined here one time, but we usually select takeout as our dining option. The restaurant maintains excellent standards for both food and packaging.

The Merseyside

(30 reviews)

The staff is very nice and friendly. I like the almond croissant very much. The scones are very…read moretasty.

We were recommended by relatives to check out The Merseyside. They're known for their handmade…read morescones. It's across the street from a Freshco. We dropped in on a Saturday morning (around 10:30am). The inside is tiny but there's a couple seats outside if you want to sit in the scorching sun. Besides coffee, there's breakfast sandwiches, regular sandwich and scones. Not a fan of spots that don't put up prices. Coffee beans are from Propeller Coffee Co. - Latte ($4.25 medium) - B opted for oat milk ($0.90 extra). Very smooth, nicely balanced. She was a happy camper. - Ham + cheese scone (~$4.50) - tiny cubed pieces of ham inside. Scone had a light, slightly crumbly texture. - Peameal bacon breakfast sandwich ($~5.50) - grilled to order. Decent. Solid cup of joe at TM. 3.5 stars.

Columbus Cafe and Co

3.9

(23 reviews)

Checked out this place when I was looking for nearby cafe that was open a little later (many cafes…read morein the area close around 7 but this one was open till 9!) The inside has a great layout/design and there is plenty of seating available inside. Service was great as well! We ordered: - Bear Coffee Latte - Hazelnut Muffin The latte was yummy (I liked the whipped cream on too with the biscuit crumbles). The muffin was also really good. I liked that it was really moist (would have loved it if there was just some more chocolate hazelnut flavour throughout the muffin instead of just at the bottom and a bit on top). Will definitely be back to try some of the other flavours! It's a great spot to enjoy some drinks/snacks and hangout with friends or chill solo. Will definitely be back!

Came here to warm up on on a cold and rainy day…read more Tried their signature 'bear' latte which came topped with whipped cream, biscoff crumbs and caramel drizzle. Their chocolate hazelnut muffins were moist, yet exactly tasted exactly how you would expect it would (still very tasty imo!)

Heaffles

(31 reviews)

Best coffee ever. The lattes are to die for…read moretheir flavours are all made in house latte art is awesome

If you're GF Not Worth Jumping Through the Hoops…read more When I found this place online, I was so excited. When one must follow a gluten-free diet, it is so nice to find places where you can eat what everyone else gets to enjoy. This was anything but enjoyable. I was planning a little Halloween getaway to Kingston and searching for a new and exciting breakfast place to stop on my way there. I found Heaffles and read through their website--I'm always very careful and vet my restaurants before the trip and plan food meticulously, you have to when you cannot eat gluten. The site stated that if you want a gluten free waffle, you must call 24 hours ahead of time. I immediately thought that was ridiculous (that eliminates any possibility of a GF person walk-in from eating there) but messaged them on Instagram. I asked if I could message then and schedule or did a I have to call. They told me I must call the day before. Pain in the bum, but I set a reminder in my phone and did so. The next day, I show up. Such a cute place and the breakfast that kicks off a trip always makes me so happy. We don't eat out much at all, living so rurally. It had also been ages since I'd enjoyed a GF waffle, so excitement was high. This place has a ton of potential. The seating is cute, the bathrooms clean and so beautifully decorated. There is even a little cubby with cushions that would make it feel as though one was having breakfast in bed. I really did fall in love with the space. There didn't appear to me to be a traditional server comes to your table. You walk in and place your order at the counter. I ordered a Flat White to drink along with a water and a gluten-free coconut rush. The young lady at the counter was very quick to tell me that they had a customer coming in to get a GF waffle and that they only had enough batter for one waffle and that I would need to try again and call 24 hours beforehand. Right before I told her I was that customer, my brain was like, what? You have enough batter for ONE waffle??? I make GF stuff all the time. It is NOT that expensive. And what if you mess up that ONE waffle (and they did because she didn't listen to me)? I said, "Oh, I called yesterday." And I had driven a very long way. I would hate for anyone else to do that and end up disappointed. After that, I was allowed to order my waffle. Coconut is my favourite sweet flavour, but it came with strawberries and strawberry syrup. I told her THREE times I didn't want the strawberries or the syrup. Strawberry jam, jelly syrup...I hate them all, also cannot stand cooked fruit. She told me she could put the strawberries on the side and that they were uncooked. I said that was okay, but reiterated AGAIN that I do not want or like the strawberry syrup. I thought I might get my drinks at the counter, but she said they would bring everything to my table. I sat within view of the counter by the window. I assumed, as at most places, the drinks would come out first. I had started on the Terra Health heartburn kit to kick my PPI script and needed to take the supplements before eating. Some ladies came in after me and they got their drink order while I sat and waited. The waffle came out, and I was too panicked by not taking my supplements to pay that much attention and told them I needed some water and that I didn't have my coffee yet. They came back in a few minutes and in the meantime, I saw that the waffle I'd paid nearly $30 for, along with a very tiny flat white coffee, was drenched...every inch in yucky strawberry syrup. I'm a silver lining kind of girl, so I told myself to try it, maybe my tastes have changed. Nope. It was this strong, chemically strawberry flavour that made me gag. Talk about disappointed. At this point it was late in the morning and I was starving. I opened up the waffle (the size, even if they'd managed to listen to my order was not worth what I paid) and ate some of the filling out. The only waffle that had no nasty syrup was at the fold and I ate the four bites I could. The coffee was literally 3 swallows. I left hungry and angry. And in all that time, no one ever came back to ask me how the order was...and I knew I couldn't send it back because that was their ONE GF waffle batter of the day. I had to stop at Wendy's and spend another $10 for a bunless burger after. I would never go back. The ask and not having the batter available is beyond RIDICULOUS, despite the fact they don't listen, which makes a GF person VERY nervous. You couldn't pay me to eat there again. Poor service, poor value and food I couldn't stomach. Not for me.

Avenue Café + Bistro

3.7

(44 reviews)

Having open muffins not covered with people hanging all over them and with fruit flies walking all…read moreover them is completely disgusting. I told one of the ladies behind the counter and she did not care!

I really dig this place. Modern jazz playing softly in the background, quiet, spacious, adorned by…read morelarge tropic plants. The staff are very calm and polite. They have seating on the patio and also upstairs. I had a business call to make so I went upstairs and although it was fairly crowded, I had no problem taking a phone call over my beats headphones. I had a Turkey club and salad with a latte. Total with tip was about $30. This could be one of my new favourite cafes for making a quick call or finishing up some work while grabbing a bite. I play tennis tonight and I'll have no problem waiting until afterwards to eat again. I'm stuffed.

Fusettes

(11 reviews)

Fusettes is a new cafe located close to the hospitals and UofT campus…read more The service is very friendly, and recommended the buckwheat cookie (gluten free and unique!). Their sandwiches are also delicious. There is a good amount of seating with PLENTY of outlets, BUT a lot of the tables were dirty. The washrooms were also filthy and had garbage all over the ground. They really need to work on cleaning up after the guests, it was not super busy but the baristas didn't tidy up the tables at all.

I stopped by Fusettes near Yonge-Dundas Square for a quick snack before getting some work done…read more The interior has a nice, ambient vibe, with the famous IKEA donut light decorating one of the walls. However, the space is small, and when it gets busy, it can feel a bit claustrophobic. I tried the ube coconut cookie, which had a soft, gooey center with a chewy, crunchy exterior. While it didn't have an ube flavour at all, it was still a delicious cookie overall. I'd come back to try their matchas or lattes next time.

Platform Espresso Bar

4.1

(200 reviews)

A great option for brunch, as they have a full brunch menu besides a list of drinks. I had the…read morechicken and waffles and it was the perfect brunch dish. Love the creative design, transforming the long narrow eating area into a 'train' to fit the theme of the restaurant. Platform refers to a train platform. Extra star for the cute atmosphere.

It's been a while since I've been back. Based on my review from 7 years ago, the space was a little…read moredifferent from what I remember. I brought my husband to work from here but it was a bit tricky. They had a time limit which made sense as it was a limited seating area, so they gave us a smaller table to let us work for a couple hours. I appreciated it but with the space it was a little challenging to work. We ordered the torched salmon. It was really tasty and the bread was super soft. I kind of wished the salmon was a bit thicker, or at least it seemed a little imbalanced with the toast. I ordered the matcha latte too. Delicious!

Ramonas Cafe

3.6

(20 reviews)

Casual dining with many fun seasonal latte flavours! Order at the register, take a seat, and they…read morewill bring your food to you. There is also outdoor seating available overlooking the parking lot.

Went to the cafe instead of the kitchen this time. I got the Lavendar blue matcha and my friend got…read morethe London fog. I thought the blue matcha was pretty unique but the food seemed pretty average and something that I could recreate at home. The service was great though and the waitress was super friendly. I think this cafe is cuter than the kitchen inside since there's more natural light.

Field Trip Cafe

4.2

(51 reviews)