We wanted more caffeine last Saturday, so I looked up Haven Brews not too far from my place. The…read moreratings were high, the photos looked great, and I figured it'd be a safe bet -- so I brought my partner along expecting solid coffee. After trying my vanilla iced latte and my partner's macchiato... I wondered if this place might actually be better known for food or matcha, based on what I've seen in other reviews - the coffee was not good. The espresso beans seemed to be over-roasted, which were quite bitter for our liking as opposed to something more subtly chocolatey and nutty. My iced latte also got watery pretty quickly as the ice melted it seemed, and ended up tasting more like the kind of latte you'd get from a fast-food chain (or the espresso shot was way too long). A bit of a letdown, especially since the two fairly small drinks came to about $18. The space itself is cozy, and I really like the vinyl collection (which earned the 2 stars). That said, the records are noticeably pricey compared to typical vinyl shops like Sonic Boom. A lot of them -- even ones with just Side A -- were priced at $55 and up. I didn't cross-check the barcodes on Discogs, but while I love the curation (especially the focus on Japanese jazz and city pop -- really cool stuff), I find it hard to believe all of them are rare pressings worthy of those $55-to-several-hundred-dollar price tags. As an avid collector myself, I wouldn't come here to buy the records. Service was friendly.

I've passed this spot so much, but managed to take some time during a day off to stop in. There…read morewere a few customers in the shop, both indoors and out, deep in conversation, doing some work on their laptops or just simply reading a book. They have a display of records that are available for purchase as well. The atmosphere was very laid back and pleasant to spend some time in your day to work or relax. I had a matcha latte with almond milk this time and I was pleasantly surprised, a perfect level of sweetness, and not to mention the foam! I had no idea this was possible with almond milk! I'll definitely be back to try their coffee and a bite.

I was in the Yonge/Eglinton area for a doctor's appointment and I figured I'd grab a coffee before…read morelunch. This location of De Mello seemed pretty new (it wasn't there last time I was in the neighborhood), so I figured I'd give it a shot. I was intrigued by the Iced NomNom, so I decided to go with that. I'm so glad I did, because it was seriously good. Rich and sweet, it was the perfect iced coffee-based drink for a hot day. (I enjoyed it so much, in fact, that I bought a box of the instant version for home and I've been drinking it every day. It's just so good!)

Tips: - I came here on a Saturday at 6 pm. There were a…read moredecent selection of bakery items. It closes at 7 pm. - If you buy six items from the bakery, you don't pay any tax. - There is a 25-cent transaction charge when you use your debit or credit card to pay. The Origin is a bit sad these days. I was here last Saturday, taking in a flick at the Cineplex. This mall has seen better days. These major players are no longer at this mall: - South Street Burger with La Diperie - Me Va Me Express - Kiu Japanese Restaurant After the movie was over, I felt like a drink. Chatime is still around. However, there must have been fifteen people in the store, waiting for their drinks. I remembered this Lucullus bakery that was next door to the late South Street Burger. I had never been to this location in downtown Markham. I have been to the one on Yonge Street, south of Finch Avenue West. That store had beverages, so I'm sure that this one did, too. You enter and exit using the external doors. You cannot access the mall through this bakery. I opened the door. I was not expecting to walk into a time warp. It felt old-world European, in a period that I was unfamiliar with, but it felt like I knew it instantly being here. I loved the small tiffany lamps that were in front of the coffee area. So quaint! I hit the bakery section. I got a tray that oddly looked far more modern than the interior. I also got a pair of tongs. Just past 6 pm, I was expecting slim pickings with the baked goods offerings. Surprisingly, there were a number of croissants and buns available. My haul consisted of these items: - Curry beef puff - Tuna bao - Chocolate croissant - Luncheon meat bao - Corn and ham bao - Beef bao These six items barely fit on my wooden tray. I found the drinks. They were in the fridge. I got a chrysanthemum flower honey tea. I approached the counter. I got a helpful woman. She asked me if I needed a bag. I said yes. I hadn't expected to come here to get a bunch of baked goods and a drink. I'm glad that I did. I got a straw for my drink. I paid with a credit card. There was a 25-cent transaction charge when you use your debit or credit card here. It didn't bother me, as I rarely have cash on hand. I thanked her, took my bag of yumminess and my drink, and headed to the elevators to fetch my car in the underground lot. I'll start with the chrysanthemum flower honey tea. It's exceptionally Chinese. I grew up sipping it when I had a sore throat. I loved how it tasted. It had the perfect tea strength with a touch of honey. The downside was that the flower in this tea was a choking hazard when I sucked it through the straw. I ended up straining my drink at home to prevent myself from coughing up a lung again. I loved my baked goods haul. Everything was delicious. Thoughts about each one: - Curry beef puff - Flaky. It had the best curry beef filling. - Tuna bao - A lot of tuna filling. Tasty! - Chocolate croissant - It was divine with dark chocolate. It does have black sesame seeds on it. - Luncheon meat bao - Yummy. It would be better if it had egg paired with it. - Corn and ham bao - So good! It had a lot of corn balanced with the salty ham cubes, mixed with mayo. - Beef bao - It was delicious that I took a bite and didn't think about taking a photo of the bao in its intact glory. A definite bao winner. I'd return for more good eats. This store apparently has meals that I'd like to try. Despite how sad it was seeing a few businesses close down at this mall, I am thrilled that this bakery is kicking around. I'm glad that I finally visited it. I'll be back for more! (182)

I have to say that the space itself is quite beautiful. I've never been inside, I've walked past…read morethis place many times. What I found odd was the fact they didn't have any real coffee beverages available. They call themselves "Roasters" but the only thing they are roasting is drip coffee and Asian milk teas and teas. They said no cappuccino, latte, macchiato, cafe au lait...none of them were available. What kind of weird bakery and roasters is this? It was completely bizarre. Why have signs and a menu if they are not available. Strange experience. Will not return ever.

Micro coffee roaster and cafe in the area. They roast their own coffee beans and very tasty. Staff…read moreare SCA certified coffee experts for specialty coffee. I had the Colombia EP Lychee which is great! The price is very good for this quality of pour over. Highly recommended. The vibe is relax and chill.

From the owner: Local Coffee Roasters: Crafted Brews & Fresh Roasts. Brew En…read moreRoute Coffee Roasters is your go-to spot for expertly crafted coffee on-the-go and freshly roasted beans to savor at home. We specialize in small-batch, ethically sourced roasts, transforming every cup—whether it’s a velvety latte, bold espresso, or seasonal creation—into a moment of pure delight. Take the aroma of our roastery with you by choosing from our rotating selection of single-origin beans and signature blends, freshly ground to order. Our passionate team is here to guide you, share brewing tips, and celebrate the craft behind every sip. Stop by for a quick pick-me-up or to stock your pantry—where quality, community, and the love of coffee collide.

Came here on a cold winter walk and wanted something to warm up. The interior was very minimal and…read morespacey, looked nice for a meet up or to study. I tried the matcha drop, which was a bit on the pricey side (aren't they all these days) and tasted very mild. Overall, I'd give this spot another try for their espresso based drinks, maybe that would be better.

I stopped by Coffee Lunar after lunch because I needed a caffeine boost before completely passing…read moreout from the food coma. Thankfully, the vanilla bean latte absolutely did the job--and it was genuinely delicious too. The house blend espresso was smooth and creamy, with a rich chocolatey note without tasting overly roasted, exactly the way I like it. The vanilla bean flavour was also really pleasant, adding just the right amount of sweetness and aroma without overpowering the coffee. All in all, it was a near-perfect latte. The only downside was the price--I paid about $9 for a large with three shots, which felt a bit steep. Still, it was a very satisfying cup of java. I also appreciated the fact that it is doggo friendly as it has a jar of treats for your pups. I'll bring little morty over sometimes.