Balzac’s Coffee Roasters - Toronto, Ontario

Another Balzac's with wonderful atmosphere solid food (although there are far superior options in the immediate vicinity, incl Blackbird in the market) and humorously bad service. I met a kind queen there this morning around 7:30am who was gracious enough to skip pedestrian formalities including eye contact, a pleasant speaking voice ... or saying thank you. I made sure to ascertain from her that this is in fact how she models all of her service interactions before encouraging her to do better; I would never hire a person who behaves this way. Get your act together Balzac, this coffee (standard drip) tastes like the worst parts of Starbucks and Tim Hortons mixed together. Read more

Like the patio facing St.Lawrence market - nice spot for coffee or a treat on a sunny day. Can get busy. One of the few cafes that has Kusmi tea available!

Updated review: May 2024 I came again as it was convenient. Same as before. Staff are poorly trained, bad manners, bad lethargic energy. Everything served in paper cups by default. My cappuccino was well….it looked sad. Go to Neo Coffee instead. Staff make an effort and care. If you are looking for a ... French cafe experience, don't come here, unless you want to come for the decor. They serve everything in takeaway cups even when you are dining in. The coffee itself is not the best albeit it is organic and fair trade. It tastes over roasted and burnt....like Starbucks. I ordered a double espresso expecting a proper European style double espresso. I got what in Europe we would consider an Americano. I specifically asked for a proper cup at the till (they gave it to me in a takeaway cup, then poured it into a proper cup). The staff also need need training. Terrible manners and energy. Read more

Delicious coffee found here in Toronto. Servers here very friendly and across from Lawrence Market. It was a nice clean environment and very quiet inside a nice place to just go to do some work or hang out with friends.

Wow - hadn’t been at a Balzacs since went to the one in the Distillery district about 20 yrs ago. Wasn’t missing anything… They still serve drip coffee out of thermos. Very Timothy’s/second cup of 20 yrs ago. And they charge $4.25 for an Americano?? The coffee seen has ... moved on in a BIG way in Toronto over the past two decades. This place has not, except for their prices of course. Don’t even get me started on their pastry options. The oat fudge bar was $4, and EVEN worse than the one that you can get at Starbucks. Mushy with non of the oat texture you would expect. Overly sweet as well. Dark depressing and cracked bench seating Read more