Looking for a coffee spot in the downtown core that’ll actually let you work for hours? Check out this list.
It’s so annoying when you go to a coffee shop, with a heavy bag on your shoulders, only to find out it has a “no laptop past 5 p.m.” rule.
In my opinion, it drives away business and as someone who can’t focus at home, I’ve spent more time in coffee shops than in my own room. It was the bane of my existence when a worker at Neo Coffee Shop told me to close my laptop. And now Ace Hotel doesn’t let you work on weekends.
While some places have a strict “no device” rule, other popular places like Project Seoul and Cafe Foret have two-hour WiFi limits before you have to buy a new drink to get the new password.
So, here are my top six coffee shops, in the downtown core, to bring out your laptop and not worry about the workers politely kicking you out.
📸: Aia Jaber/The Green Line.
Nabulu Coffee
Located at 6 St. Joseph St., this coffee shop is always packed with people quietly doing their work. It’s close to Yonge and Wellesley. It opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 11 p.m. every single day — perfect for a late-night study session.
Nabulu Coffee has a yummy Persian tea and a great selection of croissants and cookies. The drinks fall around the $7 mark.
From a cozy couch, to a corner nook and even a giant, communal work table, it’s a perfect place to bang out a few essays.
Qishr Coffee House
This Yemeni coffee joint, located at 21 Dundas St., opened just this summer. It’s right in front of Sankofa Square, so it’s pretty close to the mall, good food spots and the TTC. The lattes are mainly around $6 to $9 depending on modifications.
Aside from having an insane iced pistachio latte, it’s also a huge space. It can get quite busy, though. So keep that in mind.
There are a ton of outlets underneath the high tables, and a few outlets on the far ends of the couches.
Shaghf Toronto
Located at 170 University Ave., this coffee shop has a special place in my heart. The staff is awesome and I’ve worked there for hours and hours on end. The coffees are on the pricier end, around $9 on average.
The iced pistachio lattes have actual pistachios in them, but the real stars of the show are the smores cookies and pistachio milk cakes.
Can you tell I’m Arab by my love for pistachios?
📸: Aia Jaber/The Green Line.
Blue Shaak Coffee
Located at 684 Yonge St., this spot is a Korean coffee chain brought to Canada. The place itself is a little small — with more seating in the back — but the coffee is so good.
The drinks range from $4 to $9, and it has everything from typical espresso drinks to more fun ones, like an iced ube cafe latte.
Coffee Island
Located at 25 York St. and 925 Bay St., Coffee Island somehow feels like an actual island. It’s usually pretty busy, but for good reason. The location at Bay doesn’t have much seating, so if you’re gonna go, go to the one on York Street.
Drinks here range from $3 to $10. You can also get a banging almond croissant. I personally opt for an iced mocha.
Humble Donkey
Located at 60 York St., this laptop-friendly place is gorgeous and super aesthetically pleasing. The drinks are priced from $4 to $7, and you can get food too. The menu’s got everything from jerk chicken to a cobb press salad.
The lounge and co-working space is actually inside of Union Hotel, and it becomes a good place to meet some friends at night.
This place is also all over TikTok.
There you have it folks. Six coffee shops in the downtown core that actually let you have your laptop out and work for a few hours.
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