The Abbott

The Reality of "Neighborhood" Service: I lived just two streets away from this shop for many years. I was a regular, a neighbor, and a consistent supporter. But after my experience here recently, I will never return. The Experience: I came here after being discharged from the hospital, looking for a moment of stability. I was visibly in distress, nearly in tears, and just needed to charge my phone so I could call a taxi home. I purchased my tea and sat quietly, trying to ground myself. The Betrayal: Despite my history as a local and being a paying customer, the staff member on shift spent the duration of my visit on her phone, speaking about me as if I didn’t understand her. When a police officer coincidentally entered to use the washroom, she attempted to weaponize his presence by telling him I was being "disruptive"—despite the fact that I hadn't moved, spoken, or even used the facilities. The Verdict: Even the officer saw through the situation and was kind to me, but the damage was done. To be treated with such calculated cruelty by a shop I supported for years—while in a vulnerable state—is a disgrace to the Parkdale community spirit. There are plenty of other spots in the neighborhood that actually value human decency. This is no longer one of them.

Cute local coffee shop in Parkdale. Has a few tables and outdoor red benches for a hot day. Rustic decor with open brick. Old hard cover books and coffee paraphernalia decorates the bookshelves. Two leaves and a bud is the tea brand. Organic coffee beans. Had a latte which was smooth, perhaps I would ask for more espresso shots next time because I like my latte strong. Also had a orange pecan cookie which was delicious, sweet but not too sweet and had the texture of a shortbread cookie. Staff were very friendly and even offered to replace a spilled coffee for minimal cost. Very reasonable priced. Latte for under $5! Overall: Nice place to try locally with a homey feel. Probably really 4.5*

My cappuccino was terrible (was more like a latte in a large cup) and found the server to be rude. Space is far from cozy (would say kinda danky ) not a great place to work from. If you get the green tea latte I’d reco getting half or no sweetener. Only has oat milk and not the barista kind, aka not friendly for those that are dairy free. Won’t be making a trip back any time soon.

Love the coffee here it is an awesome cup of coffee. The baked goods are delicious. The staff are amazing, like catching up with friends. The doggies can get a free treat too.

I really like this cafe and wish I could go here. But they’re discriminatory towards brown people. It’s not one person and not the first time I had that feeling. They do it very subtly so it’s not very apparent or in your face. Maybe they don’t get a lot of brown people at their cafe. But they will ask everyone else how they’re doing but won’t ask you, or reply to your questions freely if you ask how they are they’ll skip over small talk like talking to a wall - they’re visibly uncomfortable with my presence as a brown person. They got my order wrong and I didn’t want to say anything to them because I didn’t want to talk to the person serving me at the counter, given they were already uncomfortable serving me. This time it was a male person whom I’d not seen before. Earlier it was a lady. (PS: I went there a few times over the last 4 years each time I go I remember why I stopped going) Only 1 girl is non biased there. I live in the next street yet I don’t prefer to stop by here because of how they make you feel, so I go to another cafe that’s farther away. I wish you served everybody equally and attempt to connect regardless of my color or how I look. PS: just looked at their reviews not 1 brown person reviewed it so makes sense they don’t see a lot of people who look like me, yet it would be nice to be seen as a human and not a visible minority.