Cafe Foret located along Dundas St. W. near Chestnut St. is a new Korean cafe from the owners of Project Seoul (along Spadina near Kensington Market) and Daldongnae. Located on the second floor, they open at 11am daily and close at 10pm. This spot is particularly popular among students as there is plenty of seating and power outlets throughout the space, where it is encouraged for you to spend lots of time there despite the 2 hr seating limit (not sure how or if this is enforced). The space is completely accessible as well.
I first attempted to visit Cafe Foret on a weekday in the afternoon. Upon entering the first floor, you are asked to take the elevator to the 2nd floor (stairs are only for emergencies only). It would have been nice to take stairs as the elevator feels old where it could break down or get stuck. There is a sign in the elevator with a number to call if you do need assistance in the elevator though. Upon entering the 2nd floor, it was packed full of students on their laptops working away. Even attempting to look for a spot was difficult and I decided to leave that time.
I came back to Cafe Foret on a Sunday morning right when they opened at 11am. Despite me getting to the cafe right when they opened at 11am, I wasn't the first person there where there were already at least 7-8 people inside. I decided to grab a spot first by putting down my stuff as well as took some pictures of the space without any customers.
The space is light and airy with greenery and plants throughout, making it feel like you are in a jungle oasis in the middle of the downtown core. The menu consists of your usual espresso based drinks, coffee with cold foam, matcha drinks, matcha with cold foam, smoothies, as well as teas (iced and hot). They also have a display full of cake slices, pastries, salads as well as sandwiches. They also have a variety of croffles and bingsu (shaved ice) which are made to order.
The cashier and coffee bar is near the elevator and as I glanced at the menu, I opted to grab a coconut hojicha cloud as well as a butter croissant. Once you pay you are given a buzzer where you pick up your order at the other end of the counter. As my buzzer rang, I walked up to the counter, however, staff informed me that they didn't have any hojicha cold foam yet so...I was given a coconut matcha cloud instead (same price). Would have been nice to try the coconut hojicha cloud so guess I'll have to go back to try that next time.
Service was friendly and the staff were pretty busy as there was a steady flow of customers from the time I got there till when I left.
Sitting down while enjoying my items, the croissant was warmed up and flakey and the coconut matcha cloud was tasty but I had to move my straw to get the matcha foam on top while sipping my drink. The place got increasingly busier and louder within the 30 min I was there where it was half full when I left (there was also a line up for the cashier). Majority of the customers were on laptops so they would likely be there for a long time working or studying.
Overall, a cute cafe in the downtown core, however, it is pricey and it gets pretty loud and busy in the afternoons as many students come here to work and study where you likely will not find a spot to sit. I likely won't visit this cafe often as it gets loud and busy, however, I do want to return to try that coconut hojicha cloud drink. read more