April 20, 2026
The Annex Cafe Guide (2026)
The Annex is one of Toronto’s most walkable neighbourhoods and the cafe scene reflects that. It’s mostly clustered along Bloor, each spot with its own personality. No single dominant chain, no homogeneity. Just a stretch of independent cafes that have each found their own crowd.
Here’s what each one is actually like.
Ninetails Coffee: The specialty one
Named after the nine-tailed fox from Japanese folklore and takes its coffee just as seriously. Ninetails is one of the best-reviewed specialty cafes in the Annex with over 520 Google reviews. Opens at 8am, closes at 5pm, and handles the Bloor Street crowd without losing focus on quality.
Best for: Specialty coffee, morning sessions, Annex regulars Order: Latte or pour-over
Kandl Kafé: The cosy one
A warm, neighbourhood living-room cafe that earns its 4.9★ rating through consistency and atmosphere rather than hype. Kandl is the kind of Annex spot you find once and keep coming back to. Great for slow mornings and lingering over a well-made coffee.
Best for: Slow mornings, catching up, relaxed solo visits Order: Latte or drip coffee
Typist Studios & Coffee: The workspace one
A creative studio and coffee bar built around the idea of working in a well-designed space. Typist is one of the few cafes in Toronto where showing up with a laptop feels like the intended use rather than an imposition. Opens at 8am, good for extended sessions.
Best for: Working, creative sessions, design meetings Order: Espresso or latte
Jacked Up Coffee: The laid-back one
An Annex staple with serious coffee credentials and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to stay. Opens at 8am, closes at 5pm. The kind of place that doesn’t need to shout about itself because the regulars already know. Consistently good.
Best for: Regulars, morning sessions, relaxed visits Order: Drip coffee or cappuccino
5 Elements Espresso Bar: The precise one
A tasting-menu approach to espresso — small, focused, and technically precise. 5 Elements is for people who want to understand what they’re drinking. Opens at 7:30am and stays until 6pm, one of the later closes on the strip. Fast wifi makes it a solid working option on weekdays.
Best for: Espresso enthusiasts, working, afternoon sessions Order: Espresso flight or single origin
A-OK Cafe: The all-day one
The name fits. A-OK opens at 9am and stays until 7pm, giving it the longest hours in the neighbourhood. Over 300 reviews and a loyal crowd that comes in for the friendly service and reliable coffee. The go-to when everywhere else has closed for the afternoon.
Best for: Afternoon and evening visits, long days, neighbourhood regulars Order: Latte or Americano
How to spend a morning in the Annex
Start at 5 Elements when it opens at 7:30 for an early espresso. Walk Bloor west before the street fills up. Stop into Ninetails or Kandl mid-morning for a second coffee and somewhere to sit. If you need to get work done, Typist has the best setup for it. End at A-OK if you’re still there in the afternoon.
All Annex cafes are in the main directory. Browse the full list on the Annex cafe page.