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Contra Cafe

4.2 (41 reviews)
ModerateCoffee & Tea
Open 7:30 am - 5:00 pm

Contra Cafe Photos

Business Info

CONTRA CAFE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Good for working
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Contra Cafe

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Reviews With Photos

Hayward L.

Good coffee, delicious pastries, and lovely decor. Grab a patio spot if you can, those tables are hard to come by! There can sometimes be a long line, the baristas try their best but there can be a 5-10 minute wait at peak times. Also is slightly more pricey compared to some of the other coffee shops.

Latte
Alicia C.

Ordered a latte and croissant that had turkey, Brie, apples and arugula. So tasty. Latte was good as well the only thing is the vanilla shot didn't taste much like vanilla. Other than that I'd recommend.

a counter with a laptop on it
Marie N.

If you're a long-time west end resident, you might not even know about Contra because it's tucked away in a sleepy residential neighbourhood between Christie Street and Ossington Avenue, just south of Dupont Street. The quaint café is located in a converted corner house and has an open and minimalist vibe with plenty of exposed brick, black accents and marble. In addition to the shop's stunning design (the owners are architects by trade), the coffee and baked goods are magnificent - especially when they can be enjoyed on the large wrap-around patio. Contra is the definition of fantastic coffee, and it's the type of shop that you want in your 'hood.

Ada L.

Contra Cafe is a local neighbourhood coffee shop located about a 10 min walk from Ossington subway station at the corner of Shaw and Yarmouth. The small cafe is a neighbourhood gem and community meeting spot where many locals visit to get their caffeine fix for the day. The cafe is minimalist on the outside as well as the inside where they serve a variety of beverages, baked goods, and sandwiches. I had been meaning to stop by Contra Cafe for the longest time and was able to visit them recently. Due to pandemic restrictions, the coffee shop is takeout only where they only allow 3 customers inside at a time (of course while wearing masks). I stopped by Contra on a Tuesday late morning and was surprised to see a line outside the door. All the customers were respectful of social distancing and waited their turn to enter the cafe. Once inside, a wide selection of baked goods were presented in a glass case. I opted for an apple Gruyere scone and a flat white with oat milk. Definitely a hard decision as all the baked goods looked delicious. In terms of the items I ordered, the flat white was made well and the apple Gruyere scone was amazing. The combination of the apple and the cheese worked well together with the buttery scone. Overall, great community neighbourhood cafe. Definitely check out their beverages and baked goods if you have a chance to!

Sreekar K.

Must say that I loved their coffee (ordered a flat white) but also tried their almond croissant and it was just fine. The customer service is very good. They are on top of everything that their customers expects. Very friendly and nice to talk to. Love their patio outside .. there were about 7-8 tables with 1-2 seating each which is quite nice of a sunny day. Otherwise the interiors are modern and classic that fits the current liking.

Mmmmm ... not really.  It's a very harsh bean.  Reminds me of the old musty Italian cafe of yesteryear coffee
Soleil S.

Such a cute neighbourhood spot but ... thats all I can write in the positive. It's a cozy spot but I wished the drinks matched the atmosphere. It really seems the neighbourhood really embraced the spot as there is a constant flow of elder couples and super young families popping in for a sip and snack before meandering elsewhere. The service here is ok.. nothing special but the drink is not very good. The bean is super strong and heavily oily. Touch on the astringent side... traditional rough cappuccino that feels more about getting caffeine than flavour. I could barely take more than a few sips. Its a clear winner for the neighbourhood but for anyone trekking to this spot to see if the coffee is good. No... please look elsewhere. There are too many other great independent spots that can offer you the coziness without sacrificing your tastebuds

Pear and brie sandwich with an americano in the background
Lisa S.

Simple clean cafe in a quiet neighbourhood. Lots of seats inside and out, with one communal table at the back for the larger groups. I ordered an Americano. Pretty delicious. I also ordered a Brie and pear sandwich. The bread was very crusty so it was a bit tough but once you get going and you taste the Brie and pear melt together, it's so delicious. Sandwiches are reasonably priced, around $6-7. I am on crutches so I appreciated the 'mind the gap' ramp and that the door wasn't too heavy to handle on my own. Kids and babies are welcomed, but there isn't much room inside so if you have a larger stroller it's easier to sit outside. Overall a great spot to get work done while enjoying a good cup of coffee. With everyone working away, you will oddly feel motivated.

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4 months ago

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7 years ago

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4 years ago

This is our favorite cafe! I keep coming back for their croissants and iced mocha latte!

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7 years ago

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7 years ago

A quiet neighbourhood gem with great coffee and food. Beautiful interior, and a patio in the summer.

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7 years ago

Great place. Good breakfast sandwich, coffee, Chelsea bun. Fabulous patio on a quiet street. Hidden gem.

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11 years ago

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9 years ago

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8 years ago

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9 years ago

Cool looking place, great tasting coffee and great service. What else do you need from a cafe tucked in a corner or a residential area.

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11 years ago

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10 years ago

Clean, white, modern space on a quiet residential street. Great coffee and scrumptious baked goods. Plenty of seating inside and out.

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9 years ago

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Review Highlights - Contra Cafe

Love finding those local spots in the middle (or in this case, on the corner) of a residential neighbourhood.

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The Abbott

The Abbott

(41 reviews)

$

Parkdale

This is a small coffee shop towards the back of a building, so you might easily drive or walk by it…read morewithout noticing it. Inside, its on the rustic side with naturally decaying walls and patina of wear on the tables and chairs. My latte was good. My scone would have been better if it was less cold. Due to amount of butter and cheese in the dough, with it being really quite cold, it felt vey congealed - but it had great flavour. I would order it again, but I'd perhaps see if they could heat it, or I'd take it home and heat it. The staff was friendly. Would I return: Yes - but I think there are other options in the area that I might head to first. Would I recommend: This is a great place for people who live nearby to get their morning fix.

This place is awesome. I've been living in the neighbourhoods for a while but started getting my…read morecoffee there about a year ago after the nearby Starbucks closed. Staff is really friendly and the coffee is great, much much better than Starbucks. They are a true small neighbourhoods coffee shop. I believe they source their baked goods from several places, one of which delivers the most amazing chocolate nana bread that I have ever tried. I really hope they'll be able to bring more of that soon. Their coffee is great. You have a costumer y of kills and non- worry options to choose from, as well as syrups of your want to flavour your coffee or tea. They always have great new suggestions as well. And there is no better way than supporting a local business than getting your coffee there.

Ground Level Cafe

Ground Level Cafe

(19 reviews)

$

Parkdale

Ground Level Cafe's barista is the nicest barista I encountered using my Indie Coffee Passport. If…read morejust for him, I would have give them a 5 star... On a cold winter afternoon, the shop was half empty.. so I can sit where ever I like... either at those nice comfy sofas/armchairs at the back or in the wicker chairs in the front overlooking Queen street under the sunshine... I was surprise when my cappuccino was served in a paper cup?!! I asked the nice guy why not in a mug? I cannot drink from a paper cup that is hot to touch (I have history of spilling hot drinks all over myself or my friends)..I need a mug!!!! Sorry.. they don't have MUGS!! The cappuccino itself is quite good... the roast was a little weak to my liking but the froth was dense and milky... Note to Management: " Please have some mugs!!" and I don't care how environmentally your paper cups are!!!

Yet another oversized café with only a smattering of tables and chairs. Is this a new trend in…read moreToronto? I swear you could play European handball in here, yet you'll only find two easy chairs, two kitchen-sized tables and several rattan seats near the front. That's not to say the atmosphere isn't swell. I'm sick of saying "exposed brick" so I won't. The Queen St façade is all windows, and the natural light just pours into this high-ceilinged space. And as a graphic design enthusiast, believe me, I love negative space -- but more seating wouldn't hurt. My latte was served at approximately 451 degrees Fahrenheit and took some time to produce, but it was tasty and only $2.75. There is art on the walls (for sale) and a few bookshelves laden with reading material (also for sale). I would certainly spend time in this place (free wifi) but be warned: the music is horrible. I heard two Police tracks while in here, need I say more? Obligatory Title Pun: This place is on the LEVEL. Menu Readability: A big old chalkboard with (gasp) really poor handwriting. Need to mention: They also serve paninis, grilled cheese, bagels and soup. Cash only. What this place teaches me about myself: Don't stand/Don't stand/Don't stand so close to me.

Contra Cafe - coffee - Updated May 2026

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