Neo Coffee Bar

When I heard Neo Coffee Bar was opening in my neighbourhood, I was very excited. After living in the same area for the better part of three years, every new addition to the neighbourhood is a reason to celebrate - especially when it has to do with coffee. 

Located just south of King on Frederick, Neo Coffee Bar is a Japanese-inspired cafe that serves a variety of coffee drinks and Japanese-style pastries. Their signature dish is a Japanese roll cake,  a floury sponge cake made with a variety of unique Japanese ingredients such as matcha, aduki beans, and soy bean cream. Although I haven’t tried one of these interesting treats yet, I can definitely attest to the quality and simplicity of their coffee.

Most importantly (at least to me), Neo Coffee Bar is a design enthusiast's dream. Reminiscent of a traditional Japanese living room, the interior is clean, simple, and modern. Exposed HVAC piping and cement block walls compliment the warm plywood wall finishes and marble countertops, giving the cafe a calm, zen atmosphere. Next time you find yourself wandering through the King East Design District, definitely check out Neo Espresso Bar. If not for the coffee, definitely for the design.

Neo Coffee Bar
161 Frederick Street
Toronto, ON
M5A 4P1

FIKA

I have been ecstatic over the influx of Scandinavian cafes and design stores opening up in Toronto. Products too: the other day I found find my all-time favourite Danish liquorice, Lakrids, at McEwan's in the PATH, and today I picked up Mikkeller's Book of Beer (Mikkeller is a fantastic microbrewery based in Copenhagen) which I am so excited to read. With that being said, the first spot I hit up whenever I'm in Kensington Market is FIKA.

FIKA is a beautiful Swedish-inspired cafe located in an old turquoise Victorian duplex on Kensington Avenue. In Sweden, the term fika literally means "to have coffee", and the act of fika is an integral part of Swedish culture. This cafe channels the concept beautifully. Dala horses make many appearances throughout the cafe's decor, a Pippi Longstocking doll sits at the cash, and the smell of cardamom and cinnamon buns - fikabröd - make the cafe feel so quintessentially Swedish it's like I never left Malmö.

My absolute favourite fika treat? Their cardamom-spiced latte with a warm cinnamon bun. The best way to spend a crisp Sunday morning in Kensington Market.

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FIKA Cafe
28 Kensington Avenue
Toronto, ON
M5T 2J9