Manic Coffee is located at 426 College St, at the intersection of Bathurst & College. The coffee shop is open 7am-7pm on weekdays & 8am-7pm on weekends.*
Despite its downtown location and proximity to many other coffee shops nearby, Manic offers something special - a community. From visiting, it's obvious Manic Coffee's drive is not solely to sell coffee, but to connect with its patrons and make a space where people can come together.
Here's how:
1) The café has some of the nicest baristas I've experienced. From knowing their regulars & their orders, to checking in with customers when they're waiting, you feel cared about when coming here.
2) The coffee shop is filled with more groups of people conversing than single people working. This is rare for the coffee shops of today. Coffee dates thrive here.
3) No wifi. Going back to #2, this can be why conversation trumps working. Use this information at your discretion.
This coffee shop might not be the place for you if you typically jump from one café to the next trying to complete work. However, not going would be a great disservice. The shop is well-lit with no harsh fluorescent lighting, has over 30 seats to choose from, and offers delicious and well-priced beverages & pastries.
The coffee shop's branding is also iconic. Acorns and squirrels (holding a M-emblazoned coffee cup) can be seen on their walls, coffee mugs, and plates.
Manic has a extensive list of menu offerings, including pour overs, kombucha on tap, a house cold brew, and so on. There is a good mix between classic coffee shop drinks, and more advanced offerings.
One of the most creative drinks on the menu is their Kyoto Smoke. This drink is like a London Fog but made with matcha. If you're a green tea lover, don't miss out on this.
The café also offers a range of dairy substitutes at a $0.65. My favourite is their macadamia milk since it's uncommon at many cafés and difficult to find at common grocery stores. If you've never had it before, it reminds me of a creamery and less nutty almond milk. I love it in Manic's lattes.
One of my favourite things about Manic is that despite its large menu and downtown location, it's not overpriced. For example, if I hadn't gotten a dairy substitute, my latte would have cost under $5.
Along with beverages, don't miss out on Manic's many baked goods. From croissants, muffins, scones, cookies, and more, there is always a tasty treat awaiting you. I'm a big fan of their matcha white chocolate cookies, but you can't go wrong with any of their offerings.
Other honorable mentions:
1) The café has a good playlist. Although hard to describe exactly what genre it fits in (indie rock-esque?), the songs are good. When here, I don't feel the need to use headphones to block out the music/noise around me. The music is played loud enough to drown out the conversations taking place around you, but not loud enough that you can't think.
2) They have a coin-operated dark chocolate covered espresso beans machine. For $1, you'll get around 10 of these delicious beans that you'll 100% want more of.
3) They always have fun sign boards. Here is the one from my visit, but keep an eye out for them in the future!
SUMMARY
Come for the coffee, stay for the community. It's hard not to fall in love with Manic Coffee after you try their incredible coffee and interact with their lovely staff. Located in downtown Toronto at the intersection of Bathurst & College, the café is great for fostering connection over a cup of coffee. With excellent tunes, a variety of baked goods & beverages, and no wifi to distract you, the café is the perfect coffee date spot.
*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.