If you’re a coffee (or tea) lover, this list is for you.
So you’re sick of your caramel macchiatos and americanos. Matter of fact, you’ve developed an aversion to them and are in dire need of a new fix. You are me and I am you.
Mississauga is home to Jabal, Qamaria, Matari and more — all viral Arab coffee shops. Given Toronto’s diversity, you’d expect the city to have just as many options, but it doesn’t.
As someone who literally can’t work at home and is always at a café, I’ve spent my entire life savings on exploring yummy options — both caffeinated and refreshing.
Here are a few non-traditional, Arab-inspired drinks you can get at coffee shops across the city, with their prices ranges.
Shaghf Toronto
I’ve tried basically everything at this place — from their pistachio milk cakes to their refreshers. When I first moved to Toronto, and I missed my regular Arab coffee shops, Shaghf Toronto became my go-to study spot. The Green Line just did a recipe video with Nathan Salvador Coelho, the lead barista. If you’re going to the coffee shop for the first time, give their iced pistachio latte a try — it’s my fave.
- Location: 170 University Ave.
- Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday to Monday, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Price range: $5 to $14
- Location: 170 University Ave.
- Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday to Monday, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Price range: $5 to $14
📸: Aia Jaber/The Green Line.
Roozamoon Cafe
This Persian coffee shop infuses saffron into some menu items. From Tehran fog to a saffron blossom iced tea, Roozamoon’s team says that tea is more than just a drink in Persian culture.
- Location: 398 Queen St. E.
- Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week
- Price range: $3.50 to $6.50
- Location: 398 Queen St. E.
- Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week
- Price range: $3.50 to $6.50
Kanafani Sweets & Coffee
Located in the Wexford Heights Plaza, this Palestinian coffee shop has gone viral for its Dubai chocolate strawberry cups and its Spanish iced lattes. Its first and only other location can be found at the Ridgeway Plaza in Mississauga. This popular spot also just released a summer menu. Give the Palestinian, steeped sage tea a try to wind down.
- Location: 2082B Lawrence Ave. E.
- Hours: Monday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 12 a.m., Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- Price range: $4.99 to $11.99
- Location: 2082B Lawrence Ave. E.
- Hours: Monday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 12 a.m., Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- Price range: $4.99 to $11.99
📸: Aia Jaber/The Green Line.
Qishr Coffee Shop
Located right near Sankofa Square, Qishr is the newest ethnic coffee shop in Toronto. It just had its soft opening this last Monday, June 1, 2026 and has all the Yemeni faves. Give their San’ani tea a drink, take if from someone born in Sana’a.
- Location: 21 Dundas Sq.
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., every day
- Price range: $4.89 to $9.99
- Location: 21 Dundas Sq.
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., every day
- Price range: $4.89 to $9.99
📸: Aia Jaber/The Green Line.
The Chai Culture
This business serves a delicious and aromatic karak chai — a milk, black tea blend to soothe your soul. It also has pretty good samosas that the entire Green Line team loves.
- Location: 1445 Gerrard St. E.
- Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- Price range: $3.25 to $9.99
- Location: 1445 Gerrard St. E.
- Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- Price range: $3.25 to $9.99
Did I miss your favourite place? Please, with a cherry on top, message me and tell me what to check out next. Email me at aia@thegreenline.to, so I can add your recommendation to the next list. And if you end up giving one of these places a try, tag @tglhelps on Instagram to be reposted on our story.
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