Ezra’s Pound is cozy neighbourhood café that emphasizes quality coffee and environmental sustainability. Located at 238 Dupont St, the coffee shop is a short walk from Dupont Station. The café is open Monday-Friday 7:30am-6pm, Saturday 8am-6pm and Sunday 9am-6pm*.
What intrigues me most about Ezra’s Pound is its mission (found on their website) to “challenge ourselves to always make better coffee, produce less garbage, be more conscious of our global footprint, and choose partners with the same business philosophy.”
The café boasts that it only sources the most forward and sustainably grown coffees on the planet, with all coffees certified as Smithsonian bird friendly and shade grown organic. Great coffee and a great philosophy are always a winning combo, thus, this is a coffee shop not to be missed out on.
MENU
Ezra’s Pound offers a selection of coffee, pastries, and breakfast fare. At most coffee shops, the pastries and food are secondary to me, but Ezra’s are not to be missed out on. Not only does the café offer a selection of vegan & gluten-free goodies, but they were nominated for Ontario’s Best Breakfasts.
Considering their meals & baked goods are made from scratch by their Parisienne-trained pastry chef, it makes sense. Although I didn’t stop in for a meal myself, I can attest that their baked goods, especially their vegan peanut butter banana muffins, are incredible. Seriously, I almost ordered a second to-go.
Great pastries, ethical coffee, and to top it off: well-priced! Drinks at the café range from $2.91-$5.18, and all pastries are under $3.19. I ordered a cortado (the plate it comes on is so cute!) and that before-mentioned delicious muffin, and my total came out to $7.55. Considering the coffee is house-roasted, this duo was well worth the price. For those looking to make your drink iced or to add an extra shot of espresso, that’ll cost $0.91. A little steep for ice? Sure, but this place is worth it.
On top of the café’s beverages and eats, they also sell merchandise from a few local grocers. This includes their own wholesale coffee, but also other small, like-minded businesses’ chocolate bars, maple syrup and coffee making accessories. It’s hard not to be tempted by these goodies when placing your order, but even if you do fall into the temptation, you’re buying local so it’s nothing to feel bad about.
ATMOSPHERE
It’s difficult to describe the vibe of this coffee shop. The best way to define it would be eccentric, yet calming. These two adjectives typically wouldn’t go together, but let me irradiate...
When walking into Ezra’s Pound, there are a combination of things you first notice. There’s the interesting seat layout, the retro furniture & antique statement pieces, and the Uncle Sam x Ezra’s Pound posters. Combining these with the café’s dim lighting, easy listening (yet slightly funky) music, and friendly staff… the space is unique but also welcoming.
The coffee shop can seat around 24 people at two-person tables, stools, a communal table, or a long wooden bench. A majority of the seats face the front of the café, towards their large windows. Most of these seats are the two-person tables (which make up half of the available seating), meaning seats are beside one another rather than across- so you are sitting next to your company. These seats provide great natural light, and turns you away from the hustle & bustle of the café. Same side, no distractions… these seats can create a very intimate experience with ample opportunity to steal their share pastries.
Visiting alone? Well, these tables are also great for keeping your belongings off the floor and seated next to you instead.
Some extra touches I like about the café: 1) Vintage coffee equipment & scales decorate its interior (scales… Ezra’s Pound… get it?); 2) The staff are great- they greet people from the bar as soon as they walk in, will bring drinks to your table, and always initiate small talk with patrons (or in my case, jokes, which are always appreciated); 3) There is a summertime patio; and 4) The café houses no outlets (they’re literally blocked from being used by customers) which add to the overall feel of intimacy & relaxedness of the café. However, wi-fi is available when asked.
FINAL REMARKS
Ezra’s Pound offers a breath of fresh air & a home-like vibe in a downtown location. Easily accessible by subway, the café is a great spot for good coffee & pastries in an environment that is equal parts intriguing as it is calming. I visited the shop multiple times before writing this article to try to pinpoint the café’s eclectic and cool feeling, but I still struggle to put my finger on it. The café is perfectly indescribable. With that being said, I encourage you to check it out and try to define it for yourself.
In concluding this post, I want to share an anecdote from a women I met in line at the café. She told me that she has been going to Ezra’s for years, and despite moving to the High Park area, she still commutes to the coffee shop to get her caffeine fix. This is not only a testament to how good their coffee & pastries are, but of the community Ezra’s Pound has created. Visit for yourself; I’m sure they’ll welcome you with open arms to be apart of their coffee community too.
*Given the COVID-19 pandemic, hours and offerings depicted in this post may be skewed as businesses adapt to better serve its staff, customers, and community.