What is it about coffee? There is nothing like the perfectly-made espresso or a latte that is rich and creamy, but for some reason it is hard to find. I often ask myself, in a market with so much competition, why is it that a vast majority of coffee produced and consumed is not great coffee?

The most logical explanation would be that people don’t really care about what coffee they drink, as long as it does the job. I’d like to believe this explanation, however every time I go to an artisan café that is centred on quality products and craftsmanship, I hear the same reactions from customers, ‘This coffee is great!’ So now I am led to believe that it is not about what people like, it’s rather they just don’t know what great coffee is.

It is simple; great coffee is like great wine - with different styles, flavours and methods of preparation. In Toronto, a few cafés are starting to produce world-class coffee, and these two are definitely worth a try.

Mercury Espresso Bar
915 Queen East
647-435-4779

Coffee at its finest. The owner/barista’s number one concern is quality. After ordering a single short espresso, you might wait what seems an unusual amount of time, but the end result is worth the full-bodied chocolate textures and intense fruit-forward flavours. If you prefer softer drinks, try a cappuccino or a latte. The milk is steamed to perfection, resulting in a smooth foam that compliments the espresso.

However, if you are in for a great coffee and an intimate atmosphere you might want to think twice about going to Mercury. The space inside the store itself is not distasteful, but it is small with a very loud and aggressive feel. The establishment tends to play indie-rock on the heavy side, which is not for everyone. The interior never deters me from going there because the coffee is truly a cut above most other places in the city. If you find yourself on Queen East, make sure you drop by Mercury Espresso Bar and give it a try.

Ideal Coffee
84 Nassau Street
416-364-7700

Local and rustic, this café has no pretentions. The first time you walk by this place, you’ll wonder if it is even a coffee shop. The inside is cramped, with almost no seating, and the outside is adorned with old chairs and barrels used as makeshift tables. On a warm day, there is nothing like sipping an americano and enjoying the outdoor atmosphere of Kensington market. If you can, get your coffee to stay, and enjoy the sunshine. The ambience of the market and the quite business of the café will intoxicate you.

The beans are local, and are the best local roast I have tried to date. The baristas are generally well trained, and use an old pump espresso machine, giving the coffee a classic pungent and sour Italian flavour. They make a beautiful full-bodied americano, with creamy coffee flavours. The cappucino is also excellent, as the foam and milk counterbalance the fresh acidity of the espresso very well. Personally, I prefer not to drink lattes here because too much milk drowns out the intense coffee experience. However, that is simply a matter of taste. If you can, check out Ideal Coffee, it is easily one of the unique cafés in Toronto.