Claire Wilson Copy Editor

Are you tired of trendy corporate slop from Starbucks and Second Cup? Tired of perching on a wooden stool with two square inches of counter space to balance your laptop and books? Fall is approaching, and you need to start getting serious about your cafés. I’ve spent the past three years on the hunt for the perfect cozy café and the best cappuccino in Toronto, and this is my list of the top four cafés for studying this fall. They are ranked based on drink quality and selection, coziness, affordability, and proximity to campus. Additionally, all these cafés have Wi-Fi, washrooms, and ample outlets.

4. Alternity  

Best for: Vegans and non-coffee drinkers  

If you are into New Age spirituality or veganism this could be the café for you. When you step inside, you will be greeted by meditation music and shelves full of crystals and spell candles. It features a wide range of seating options, from booths and tables to bean bag chairs and floor cushions, making it a great place to study or unwind before a stressful midterm. It’s important to note that their drink menu is completely plant based with less coffee options and more teas and specialty drinks available instead. I enjoyed their cappuccino, but it was nothing to write home about.  

3. Jet Fuel Coffee  

Best for: Weekend and group study sessions  

This bike-themed café in Cabbagetown might have placed first if it wasn’t so far from campus. It’s one of Toronto’s oldest independent cafés and their pastries are baked in-house daily. The brick walls decorated with bike parts and community flyers give it a sort of 90’s diner vibe that I cannot get enough of. The baristas are also very knowledgeable (this is the only café where I have been asked if I preferred my cappuccino wet or dry) and it’s one of the more affordable cafés on the list.  

2. Cong Caphe  

Best for: Rainy days and lunchtime study sessions  

The interior of this Annex café is a cozy olive green with bright accents of red, decorated with old photographs of Vietnam, and has books stacked haphazardly on the walls. There are comfy armchairs perfect for catching up with friends and tables big enough for a study group of up to four people. This café serves a solid bánh mì and what I can confidently say is my favorite coffee in Toronto: the hot peanut butter coffee. Each time I order this drink I wonder why I bother getting coffee anywhere else. Although their drinks are on the pricier side, they are worth splurging on when you need motivation to tackle a daunting essay.  

1. Nabulu Coffee  

Best for: Late night study sessions  

Most students at St. Michael’s College are familiar with this café — and for good reason. Decorated with Persian rugs, antique lamps, and low ceilings, it’s a much-needed reprieve from the cold, minimalist cafés that seem to have taken over the city. The big table in the back is great for studying with a group, or you can settle into a cushy armchair to review lecture slides. While all their drinks are delicious, the beautiful latte art is what really makes them stand out. So far, I have gotten a lion, a seahorse, and a butterfly. Nabulu Coffee is also close to campus and open every day from 8am–11pm, making it a great spot to hang out between classes or study late at night.