Coffee Shops Worth Studying In – and the Best Drinks to Order
Sometimes you need a change of scenery. Whether you have exams coming up, or need to catch up on notes, a café can be a great place for productivity – especially with a sweet treat by your side. Luckily, downtown Toronto has cute coffee shops at every corner that are super cozy and student-friendly, with plenty of great drink options to get you through your workload.
Here are some of the best places to settle down with your laptop, and tips on what to order when you get there.
1. Togo Café
📍 190 Jarvis St
🚇 TMU Station
If you’re looking for something more than just a latte, Togo Café is the place for you. It is a small, cozy shop with a super creative menu of around 70 different drinks – and every single one is delicious. Togo Café is perfect if you prioritize a quiet environment and some ambiance for a quick study session, as they have small seating areas and are more take-out friendly.
☕ Hazelnut Latte, Lychee Lemon Tea, Cloud Bayberry
2. 10 Dean
📍 21 Dalhousie St
🚇 Queen Station
10 Dean is located in the lobby of the Waverley apartment building (as well as a few other Fitzrovia buildings), and is a popular café among students due to their minimalist décor and comfy seating. They also have seating reserved for anyone bringing a laptop, so you won’t have to worry about having enough space or any distractions. The relaxed energy in the café is perfect for long study sessions, whether you’re with friends or alone.
☕ Ube Matcha Latte, Chai Cold Foam Hojicha, Nitro Honey Oat Latte
3. Humble Donkey
📍 60 York St
🚇 St Andrew Station
If you’re looking for a setup that’s a bit different from your typical café, Humble Donkey is worth checking out. Located in the lobby of the Union Hotel, their lounge-style interior makes it a great place to sit down and enjoy a warm drink while you work – or maybe grabbing a bite to eat and a cocktail later in the day with some friends as a treat for completing assignments.
☕ London Fog, Chachalate Hot Chocolate, Watermelon Lemonade Mocktail
4. Café Forêt
📍 153 Dundas St W
🚇 St Patrick Station
Located right by the Eaton Centre, Café Forêt is a very cute option for studying, and is super convenient for TMU students or those who frequent TMU station. This a great stop if you need to put in some long hours with your notes – they’re open until 10pm every single day! They are super student friendly and have lots of cute seating areas and indoor plants, and their drinks and food provide amazing energy boosts to help you finish your work.
☕ Blueberry Matcha Latte, Vanilla Cream Americano, Salted Caramel Latte
5. Rooster Coffee House
📍 568 Jarvis St
🚇 Bloor-Yonge Station
Sometimes, we need a change of scenery to find our motivation, and Rooster Coffee House is a great student friendly stop. They have tons of sweet treats in their bakery to go along with their amazing drinks, plus lots of comfy seating and natural light. Whether you’re reviewing for an exam or just doing a casual study sesh with friends, this spot is a great choice for you and your laptop.
☕ Raspberry Iced Tea, Toasty Almond Tea Latte, Matcha Walnut Latte
Live at HOEM or just interested in a few more coffee tips? These are the Top 4 Cafes Near HOEM on Jarvis.
6. Mast Coffee
📍 68 Shuter St
🚇 Queen Station
Only a 5-minute walk from Dundas square, Mast Coffee is a lowkey cafe with a spacious interior and an awesome view of the city that looks delightful on a sunny day. You can tell that a lot of effort has been put into ensuring the quality of their blends for their many beverages, particularly their espresso and americano.
☕ Chai latte, Iced americano, and all espressos, lattes, and cappuccinos
Coffee Shop Study Hacks
- Bring headphones and play some lo-fi or classical music to keep out distractions, even if you think you won’t need them!
- Get there early so you can grab the best seat in the house (claim your seat before you order!)
- Bring two chargers – one for your laptop or tablet and one for your phone – there’s nothing worse than getting settled in your seat and opening your laptop to a low battery notification.
- Set a study timer and use the pomodoro method – give your mind a break in between sessions.
- Download any slides or other resources if you can before you head out – you never know when public Wi-Fi will decide to switch up on you.
- Write out your tasks as a checklist – ticking off items will feel so good.
