It's Jan 2026 and I still LOVE LOVE LOVE HotBlack Coffee on Queen St W. The staff are SO friendly and I loved watching them work their magic. They even recommended free jazz concerts hosted by Queen West BIA. Now that's customer service who cares about their community. Chill ambiance and great place to grab a quick cup of coffee and a baked good. read more

I was walking around downtown Toronto and checked Yelp, finding this highly rated coffee shop. HotBlack has a ton of fans, and I'm a coffee lover, but I was mostly disappointed in everything here. Walking in, it's confusing how and where to order. The barista behind the counter was so friendly, which is more than I can say for the patrons. I got the total staredown like I was an outsider who didn't belong, which was really, really weird. I felt unwelcomed by the obvious regulars who were hanging out. I ordered an overpriced traditional macchiato and a bourbon butter chocolate chip cookie. Neither of these items were good, and I would not get either of them again. The macchiato was made with espresso beans that had fruity notes, and I'm more of a dark / cereal type of espresso lover, so this wasn't to my taste. The barista highly recommended this blend, and I was sorely disappointed. It sure did look pretty, though. The cookie was even worse -- it was completely dried out and old, the gross kind of overcooked / slightly burned crunchy, not the yummy kind of crispy. You can see how overcooked and dry it looks in the photo. One bite and it was left uneaten. I don't know if I was there on an "off" afternoon or what, but I was extremely disappointed in everything about HotBlack Coffee. The best thing about the place are the window seats where you can sit and people watch. Other than that, there are better places for overpriced, mediocre coffee in downtown Toronto. read more

HotBlack Coffee - Disappointing macchiato and dried-out, burned bourbon butter cookie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Stopped by for a quick beverage. Didn't get anything fancy, just a Lemonade which did the trick. They only have high table chairs which aren't the most comfortable but staff were friendly. Not bad! read more

Surprisingly disappointed. My friends and I visited because it was highly rated on yelp and we just wanted some good coffee and pastries. The egg sandwich was steamed, as it was sitting in a warmer. So it was very chewy and lukewarm. We ordered that because it's there staple, and they have limited other pastry options. Coffee was pretty basic. I ordered a drip coffee with cream but my friends got 2 different kinds of lattes. And none of us particularly liked our drinks. I expected to taste some flavor notes from the blends they use. Inside is pretty small not a lot of tables. But nicely a couple moved to sit next to each other so we wouldn't be squished in the corner. The staff was really friendly. And they do take time to craft the drinks. I'm used to drip coffee having to go to a side table to pick up cream & sugar...but here they added that for me and had me tell them when to stop. So they do get kudos for hand crafting each drink. read more

HotBlack Coffee - Coffee & egg sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

The coffee is sooooo good. They take the simple, and make it amazing. Great service as well. Thank you for a great coffee shop experience. Love you folks! read more

HotBlack Coffee - Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Delicious coffee and other similar beverages. Several snack type items such as oat cookies or light sandwiches. Be sure to check your drink size, in our order of four people, 2 were wrong. The staff rectified it without issue, but it was disappointing as a first impression of this café. That being said, we really liked the drinks, so would happily stop by next time we're in the area and want a coffee. read more

My go to local cafe. As their name states, they make amazing hot black coffee. Staff is nice and remember you quickly and your regular order. The decor feels cozy with lots of wood furniture. read more

HotBlack Coffee - Hot black coffee Christmas tree - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Great coffee one of the better spots in Toronto. No wifi so you can't work on your laptop here. read more

HotBlack Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

You can't beat a hot cup of black coffee from these people! This is my go-to when walking or biking along Queen St., as it's difficult to pass by without stopping in. I like all the positivity coming out of the place with the "we are the best!" signs around. Great service with a smile, what more could you want? read more

HotBlack Coffee - Black and hot - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

My go to spot for coffee when in Toronto. They don't let you touch the coffee until you're ready to go, and that is amazing. Strong and efficient. Cold brew is on point, and don't sleep on the cookies! Excellent all around. read more

HotBlack Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

More of a bold taste but still good. Some seating inside. The service was good and the staff were nice. read more

HotBlack Coffee - Oat Milk Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Small and narrow place, great bakery items and nice coffee. 4 star only as my almond milk latte was not even as close as good as the regular latte was. read more

HotBlack Coffee - Bakery selection - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

This review is for the Hot Black Coffee on Charles Street but I don't find the location on Yelp so I'll leave it here! Gosh this coffee was SO good. I had it 4 days in a row and it was consistently delicious. I'd order the iced latte. I also tried their cheese toast which was pretty good, and their raspberry jam cookie. I'm still dreaming of their well balanced and delicious espresso. Definitely come get a delicious coffee here! read more

HotBlack Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I decided to give this place a second chance (especially the desserts) and I'm glad I did. When I came this time, there were no flies to be seen and a case protecting the desserts. The desserts themselves tasted great- I just docked it off 1 star because I couldn't shake off the fly scene last time hovering over the sweets. Lets get to the desserts themselves: Jam Cookie- 5/5. They have a note saying this is a best seller and I can see why! It's got the jam in the center but the cookie itself has little seeds (chia/flax maybe?) that adds a little crunch and texture. Fruit & Nut Cookie- 4/5. Also a delightful treat but it was a little more bread-y than I wanted for a cookie. Each bite had some nuts and seed so they definitely were not stingy on the ingredients. Date Square- 3.5/5. I'm a date square snob because these are my favorite desserts in the entire world and to be honest this place doesn't make the best ones. It's the dates themselves in these ones that weren't as gooey and sweet as I would've liked. I really wished I liked these. Walnut Butter Square- 4/5. I liked these! But not as much as the Jam cookies. They had a nice chewiness and the flavors weren't as sweet. I would get it again probably depending on my mood. Brownie- 2/5. I don't know what went wrong here but these tasted very bland and cardboard-like. I think I might've just gotten a bad one but wouldn't want to try this again. All in all, the sweets here are good for a coffee shop. Would come again if I was craving something sweet. read more

I was staying at the Hilton Toronto and was looking for a nice cafe nearby. I found HotBlack on Yelp and made my way towards it. This is a charming coffee shop (that apparently has been featured a lot) where you can get a good caffeinated drink and/or some baked goods. I really didn't know what I wanted so the nice barista talked me through some drinks and I ended up going with the Russian Tea (Earl Grey tea infused with apricot jam). It was unique tasting and good. I like how they have a little wagon to do some local deliveries. I also like their hanging menu. If I worked in downtown T-Dot, I'd definitely be frequenting this joint. read more

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An oasis in the middle of downtown Toronto. Not a lot of people know that they are one of the few café in the downtown core that can boast a backyard patio. If you are one of those early-birds, looking to bring someone special somewhere intimate, cozy and yet not out of the way, I think this is the place to be. My only recommendation for the shop is to sell more savory treats to balance out the sweet treats they already have read more

A small, cozy, cramped, and cute shop with wooden aesthetics. The staff had friendly & chipper vibe. Sun chai latte - extremely bitter & a strong tumeric-like flavor that overpowered the chai spices. A pass for me. Jam cookie - The cookie had a pleasant chewy texture with slight crisp outer edges. However, the shortbread was severely lacking in flavor, whether coconut (not sure if this was vegan) or butter. Even the jam didn't taste of a specific fruit. read more

HotBlack Coffee - Sun chai latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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To be honest my first ever review of HotBlack Coffee began with a pretty high starting point before I got there. That's because HotBlack ( along with Neo ) is one of the few fine Coffee & Pastry places to keep a full service day (take out) during the COVID19 crisis whereas many others have punched out. I imagine this is especially welcomed by all the workers in the "healthcare corridor" between University & Bay who would otherwise have nothing except a couple of Tim's in the stretch from College to Queen. Fortunately getting to 5 stars required very little generosity because both the coffee and the service were excellent. The modified service model is very logical - you order from the doorway across a table blocking the entrance and the order is brought to the table - just like a drive-thru window only on foot. All four times I was served by one of the owners while a single masked employee worked deep in the store at a very safe distance from the public. I tried their in-house HotBlack blend and Colombian Galiardo. Both tasted like premium quality beans roasted to reveal their best profile (they roast their own). I had Flat Whites, Lattes and Cortados. I liked the fact they don't over-froth them. Subjectively I preferred the HotBlack, it's a mix of Brazilian & Ethiopian, anchored by a smooth, roasty Brazilian with just enough Ethiopian floral & spice notes for highlights without taking it too far in the direction of a spiced tea, as tends to happen with some African beans lately. Colombian had a nice initial taste with zero bitterness although it came with a small penalty of a slightly sour finish - I think the citrus note leans more toward lemon than orange - whether trade-off is worth it depends on how much you value that bright aroma. 4.5 with an easy decision to round up for finding a way to continue serving responsibly. Many people have had to soldier through this situation having to work and/or run errands for people who are isolating or vulnerable. I'm sure they appreciate and will remember the local shops which stood with them like HotBlack Coffee. read more

HotBlack Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Brilliant service and cool vibes! Unique blown glass artwork, plant wall, small outdoor patio in the back with blankets, got hooks under the tables for your bag, nice thick napkins in the washroom and they have refillable sparkling or distilled water! Just chat with some friends here for a few hours on a Sunday afternoon. Got a sun chai latte and a chocolate beef muffin. What I like about the muffin is that its super light and not sweet. You get a hint of sweetness from the occasional chocolate chips, but its not dense and caloric feeling like the typical bakery muffin. I am not a coffee person, but the latte was so good. Has a shot of espresso, you have that nice coffee aftertaste, and on top, it's so pretty! Comes in a cute double lined cup so its not hot to the touch and has a cool ombre colour too. The staff are super friendly and are happy to explain or suggest items and even follow up with you to see if you liked it. Definitely recommend! read more

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Excellent coffee spot, with even better pastries - I loved the Jam Cookie, and wish I had room for the egg and toast. Even though there was a line, it moved fast because of the staff. Only con is that I felt drinks were a bit pricy for what you got. read more

HotBlack Coffee - Jam Cookie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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We stopped in Hot Black Coffee for a midday pick-me-up and as we walked in the door, the aroma of the freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, instantly signaling the quality of what was to come. The coffee shop was so cute, customer service was on point, and their coffee awakened our senses, one sip at a time! We took our coffee to go so we could continue to explore Toronto! read more

This coffee shop makes efficient use of a small space, with plentiful seating (some at tables and couches, and most at small counters lining the walls) and a cute outdoor patio area with picnic tables at the back. Skylights are also a nice touch and make the space feel more airy. There's a good selection of pastries and cookies available, and I'd highly recommend the ginger brew coffee! As a heads up, they don't have wifi - but this is a good spot for doing offline work (some counters are too small for a laptop but would work for a book) or having coffee and talking. read more

This place is nice and cozy. I really like coffee and its quality and the cookies are so tasty. During my last visit my friend ordered almost the same as me and when she asked me about my bill it turned out that she paid around 3 bucks more which was strange, so she inquired about it and it was their mistake and I really like the way they handled it, they gave her 3 bucks back plus a cookie to apologize for their mistake. I think it is really nice of them. read more

Love the back patio at HotBlack Coffee. It just feels like an oasis and hidden secret place in the hood. Coffee was A-OK. For the wintery and rainy days, with no access of the back patio, I probably would feel quite clammed with the limited seating options indoors. I don't need free wifi and with HotBlack Coffee not providing that might give me a better chance to find a place to sit down and enjoy my coffee during busy hours. read more

I feel bad for giving this place a 2 star but my friend and I were very disappointed with our coffee. We originally were at another spot but saw the reviews at this place and decided we would try here instead. I ordered the Mocha. Let's just say it wasn't a mocha at all. It tasted more like a latte even after being told it was a mocha. It wasn't rich in flavour, and just didn't have the mocha thickness to it. The coffee beans were also burnt which didn't help the situation. The price point is also quite expensive. Almost $6 for a small cup of coffee which is kind of a scam considering the same $6 could get a big old cuppa elsewhere. It just really wasn't worth it. I really wanted to love the place. Maybe worth a second try but the first time was a real miss. The customer service is SPOT ON though. I don't think I've ever seen baristas so sweet at a place that was very busy. read more

HotBlack Coffee - Mocha. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Solid independent cafe amidst the sea of chain cafes in the area (Starbucks, Second Cup...). It's a little small and crammed inside. There's a communal table and a very narrow ledge with stools at the front, and a ledge at the back (for standing). But in the summer, the back patio is a great little spot to take a break. In the winter though, because the space is so small, beware the constant chill of cold air blowing in from the door. They put a curtain there as a barrier, which helps but doesn't totally block that Canadian winter... I like their espresso based drinks and they have lots of options for other kinds of specialty coffee drinks or tea lattes. If you want something cold to go, they have Village Juicery juices. They make their own bread! It's great. The baked goods look nice too although I've never tried them. Service is efficient and friendly. They have a loyalty stamp card. I would say this is a good place to grab a coffee if you need a quick break. But I wouldn't come here for an extended time (e.g. to do work/read, or a long catch up with someone) because the limited seating and high foot traffic makes me guilty if I stay too long. read more

HotBlack Coffee - Back patio - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Very satisfying experience! We came here after we saw the "on New York Times" sign and glad we did. We ordered a iced latte, apple cider, egg toast, and chocolate banana muffin. The iced latte was good (could use more coffee) and the apple cider was very flavorful. I really wanted to try the egg toast (after seeing all the Yelp reviews) - and it was pretty good. The toast was very crunchy and the egg was really well cooked. I initially tried using a fork and knife to cut the toast, but it was too hard/crunchy. The chocolate banana muffin was very moist and delicious too. What I really loved about this place is the service. The employees are so friendly and warm, and very helpful with ordering or if you have any questions. We were hesitant to get a stamp card at first, but we ended up starting a stamp card and also buying another black coffee for the road! read more

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An aesthetically pleasing cafe located where all the hippest kids gather. Their menu selection is your typical cafe fare with a few of their own concoctions. Their coffee is quite nice and their staff are even nicer! Everyone is a delight to speak too. However, don't let the visual stimulation fool you, the drinks feel quite average overall. As a casual coffee drinker, I couldn't tell you how this coffee was any different than most other coffee shops in the area. In addition, if you don't drink your coffee black, the place you buy your coffee is pretty moot. Their house drinks are quite interesting though and may be worth trying, despite the higher price point. read more

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Loved this place from the moment I walked in. The menu, the light fixtures, the baristas' aprons, the private patio...I could go on. I ordered an 8oz ginger brew latte, while my boyfriend got the mint chocolate latte. Their drinks come in these beautiful double-layered glasses, which I am seriously debating purchasing for myself. I really liked my drink, and the ginger was an unusual touch. The patio is furnished with large picnic benches (an interesting choice, given that most customers were in groups of 2, resulting in pairs sitting across from each other on either end of each bench). The details here are delightful - each bench had a jar of fans to help guests cool down in the afternoon sun (which you can purchase for $2); there are also pinecones and other rustic items to add further charm to the simple area. They've created a fabulous aura for sipping coffee. I would definitely come back to try some of their baked goods and other drinks. Absolutely stop by if you're in the area! read more

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This place does really innovative takes on coffee. They have a gingerbrew latte if you're looking for a spiced caffeinated drink with a bit of a kick to it, as well as the green eyed latte, which is a mint flavoured latte. I enjoy both very much but must say they're not as creamy as regular lattes - this isn't bad or anything, as I still enjoy both very much. I've also had some s'mores in their back patio in the winter, which were really great, too. Lastly, I once bought a super fresh loaf of bread from which they usually make sandwiches- this was super delicious. Over all, this place is a small, bustling cafe with friendly service, tasty treats, and a unique twist on coffee. read more

HotBlack Coffee - Green eye latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Love this coffee shop! The mint chocolate latte is so delicious. Perfect amount of sweetness! read more

HotBlack Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Hi Jimson, On the day I visited, there was no menu available and the employees offered us about 3 iced teas, in addition to an iced latte, iced coffee. So that would equal 5 cold drinks, not "20." Thanks for replying though! :) read more

HotBlack Coffee - Iced Mint Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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A very cute little coffee shop, complete with a patio outside with blankets! I got the green eye latte, which was essentially a mint coffee latte.The drinks came out really fast and I like how they let you add the sugar by yourself so it doesn't come out super sweet. My latte had a good amount of froth and was very smooth. The flavor was very interesting, but I'm not sure if it would be something I would order again. I would however, be interested in trying their other drinks next time. read more

HotBlack Coffee - Apple Cider and Green Eye Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Used to love this place, but they've unfortunately succumbed to this baffling local trend of making everything as acidic as possible. One cup of hot battery acid later and I'm confident that I'm unfortunately never coming back. read more

If a cafe can do a cortado well, I'll keep coming back. And this place does a mean cortado. Lattes tend to be too milky for me, and their cortado was just milky enough to cut the acidity without being too much. They have non-coffee options as well and I'll have to go back to try those. The place is cozy and the seating is pretty limited, but I like to go to the back where there's a bit more room, even if there are fewer seats. The baristas are friendly and the desserts are good. I recommend the walnut square! read more

HotBlack Coffee - Walnut square - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Ahhh this coffee place is a gem. I can't believe I didn't try it before! Conveniently located on Queen Street, this place is very cozy and welcoming. There were a lot of customers - both staying in and ordering to go. Baristas were very friendly and positive, the coffee shop itself has calm, relaxing vibes. I ordered a vanilla cappuccino to go and it was amazing! I love myself some good quality coffee beans and this cappuccino made my morning. I believe they also have a patio which I would definitely be visiting soon. read more

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In every city I try local coffee shops and HotBlack did not disappoint! It was very good. I got a simple vanilla latte and it was very good and did not let me down! read more

I came here many times with my husband. I think my husband came here more than me though. It takes only 5 minutes for him to walk from his workplace. Coffee was good. Snacks were yummy. Service was excellent. If I have to rate what is the best for Hot Black Coffee, I will rate 5 stars for their service! Every time I came here, I experienced only the best service. I could say they do care about their customers. End of the story! ^^ read more

Sitting in the comfy confines of HotBlack Coffee on an early quaint Saturday morning in downtown Toronto just before the hustle and bustle of city life wakes up is one of those little pleasures in life that often is taken for granted. This little Queen Street West coffee shop on Queen Street West truly lives up to its name: simple, warm, down to earth... all the same qualities that a simple cup of hot black coffee would bring. The store interior consists of a red and white theme with a contrast of wooden finished signage and furnishing. Coffee offerings are generally of the varieties that would allow one to enjoy the pureness of the coffee beans... no fancy coffee foam art or gimmicky add on or copy cat matcha this and that... I got an Americano and it was simply good. Aside from that the egg on a toast was again simple but yet satisfying in a very wholesome way. I was skeptical at first because the appearance of the toast was kind of meh...but once I took a bite I knew that they really care about the selection of ingredients... three year old cheddar, local farm raised eggs and homemade sour dough bread. The bread had the necessary crunch at the bottom and the bread was very good. If the egg could be a bit runny would of made the toast perfect. There was also a little red wagon near the entrance with a sign that says we will delivery and cater within wagon distance. I thought that was really cute and fit the brand well. I look forward to coming back in the future to unwind and to try their baked selections. read more

HotBlack coffee is by far one of the best coffee places.. The service here is amazing; everyone is always welcoming and nice. I usually get a latte and they never disappoint. It has just the right amount of milk (for me) and they have a variety of baked goods. The best part is their baked goods are a variety of gluten free and vegan and just regular, so anyone can come in and grab a snack with their coffee if they wanted. The coffee prices are a bit more expensive than other places, but the quality of the coffee and beans makes it all worth it. I'm so glad they survived during the covid period and glad to be able to actually step into the store to order now read more