Finally managed to snag a seat at the ever busy Manic. Service seems to have taken a slide from my last visit, as I was thoroughly ignored for two minutes. (One usually expects to be ignored for no more than 45 seconds in a too-cool-for-school cafe like this.) The americano was quality (and served in a mug heavy as a cinderblock), but I am now disillusioned about my desire to chill here. Seating in the back seems strangely hot and humid and I could swear I was feeling the onset of malaria back there. No wifi either. What gives guys? OTOH: my wild blueberry scone was a delicious and crumbly adventure. I'm still undecided about this place, so three stars it shall remain. read more

Definitely one of the choicest places in Toronto for an espresso-based coffee beverage! The cafe itself has a great location at College/Bathurst, and if you're lucky to pop in at one of their quieter times you'll be able to take a seat and take the time to sip your coffee. Unfortunately a lot of the time it's almost TOO busy, and that's what is holding me back from a 5th star - because sometimes I want to loiter, maybe have a few coffees and just relax & chat/read while I caffeinate. My concerns aside, I can't stay away because of the deliciousness of the drinks. The soy lattes are a perfect mix of foam done just right and the bold but not bitter flavour of the espresso. I've also had an Americano as well, and even taken black there's no overwhelming bitterness. There's a small case of baked goods on offer, and usually one or two vegan selections amongst those which is terrific when i'm dying for a little coffee companion snack. Manic also sell a decent selection of beans if you really like what you try. Other random things that are pleasing to round this up: squirrels on the cups = adorable; water is help yourself on the counter; there's always some sort of art/photography on display (last visit there were some great custom skateboard decks on display!); the corkboard behind the bar with all sorts of stuff from friends/customers pinned to it. All in all, Manic is for the win. read more

After reading some of these reviews, maybe my palette for coffee isn't as refined as some of you out there, but this one particular experience being my first trip to Manic Coffee was greeted with absolutely the best cappuccino I've ever had. Each single sip was heaven in a cup on a Wednesday morning. Maybe its the Clover machine. Oh ad the ham and cheese croissant sammy was the perfect little size (and price) for an unhealthy morning nibble. read more

One of my favourite coffee places. Nice and cozy atmosphere but beyond the environment, they make a nice cup of coffee. I mainly come in for their cappuccino, it's absolutely delicious. read more

We were in Toronto for the week on vacation, and I brought my Intelli beans with me but forgot to grind them for the trip (duh). I ran over to Manic while my husband went to The Beer Store down the street (free parking). They graciously ground my beans and I ordered up a cappuccino. I didn't detect any pretension from the baristas. In fact, one of them commented how much he liked Detroit while I while I whined about the lack of non-chains up in the 'burbs. Back to the cap- Tasty, nice microfoam with a pretty rosette. I was a happy camper. Next time I'm in Toronto I need to try the Clover. read more

It has great latte, friendly staff, and lovely ambience. There is no wifi or power outlet though, so I would recommend it just for hanging out with friends and relaxing! I pretty much enjoyed their chai latte and almond chocolate croissant! The latte was perfectly foamy with the strong flavour and aroma of chai. The croissant tastes fresh and homy. My only problem was I couldn't get much work done because my laptop died and I found no power outlet. Next time, I will come back just for the taste of coffee and relaxation. read more

Manic Coffee - Chai latte, hot chocolate, blueberry danish, and almond chocolate croissant! All taste great! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

OVER IT. I live half a block away. This is not a "one off review." It's a good coffee. Yes. But it is not a GREAT coffee or the BEST. I want to enjoy my $5 dollar soy latte. Not be rammed into a line and then find nowhere to sit....or if I am sipping and sitting I feel watched like its a status check to be at Manic. read more

I had a Honduras blend by Intelligentsia coffee brewed with the clover machine and I was impressed. It was one of the best cups of coffee that I've had. Manic also carries 49th Parallel which is another great blend of coffee. I also ordered a butter croissant which was nice and flakey and contained a liberal amount of butter--as a croissant should be. The service that I received was exceptional. The barista allowed me to smell the aroma of the beans before they brewed them. Even though this place is small, it is definitely worth it to check it out. read more

If the hipsters were a bit cooler at Manic Coffee, I would think that I was in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Cute cool little cafe. There were plenty of seats, and people working with their laptops. In short, it looked like a cafe in a college town. The atmosphere is quite nice and a pleasant place to while away the afternoon. -1 *s for the mildly burnt latte. read more

Frankly I don't get what all the fuss is about... if it wasn't for all the hype I would have given this place 3 stars for sure but I feel as though 2 best fits my unimpressed demeanour. I ordered a coffee and specifically chose a blend that used the Clover Machine (since this was apparently the big thing with this place). Truth be told I don't remember what blend I selected because honestly it tasted no different than any other coffee I've tasted before. I don't know... tickle me indifferent at this point! read more

If you are strolling along College Street and need to caffeinate yourself, Manic Coffee does the trick! Once inside, the smell of coffee and cinnamon is warm and welcoming. The latte they served up was a bit cold, smooth, but a bit too much milk. However, I'm a huge fan of foam art! There was a decorative leaf in the foam... I tried to sip around it but gave up! I liked my latte more because it was so pretty. As for the atmosphere... I didn't like how people just sat there and read. There were times when it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Go to the library. If the place is full, you have to wait for a table because people are sitting alone and reading (and not buying more coffee). Ah well, I like chatting in coffee shops so we broke the silence by gabbing away. read more

Good coffee shop with a wide variety of tea and snacks...But no Wifi. Here's the thing, when at least 70% of your customers are using computers, you need to have wifi. Now I'm sure the owner's response is, "hasn't been a problem so far." To which my response would be, you don't know the customers you don't have. I need wifi. I don't want to use my data. And as I look around, the majority of people that come here, use their laptops. So fork over the wifi. In this day-and-age, if you don't want to have wifi and are a coffee shop, you need to have a No Wifi sticker on your door. Cause we just expect it. That's my rant. Now onto everything else: Customer Service - Great. Not overly friendly in a Starbucks kind of way, but many may actually enjoy it. I find the staff are helpful, straightforward and quick. Environment - Relaxing but music is a bit loud. I find the staff like to have music at the volume that THEY enjoy it, not at the level that customers would want it. If I have to step outside to talk to someone on the phone, your music is too loud. Food - Really nice! I love their Manic Cookie. Coffee & Tea - Both as great as any other coffee shop. Nothing better or worse. Washrooms - Clean enough which tells me the staff are conscious of having a clean environment. Conclusion: It's a good coffee shop but you can find the exact same elsewhere, and with Wifi. Some reviewers noted that they like how their isn't Wifi. But when most of the customers are on laptops, what's the difference? Have the darn wifi. If you're in the area, it's not a bad place to stop by and pick up something. read more

So, my co-worker Jed ghostwrote my five star FTR of Manic when it was new. He used to be Manic's biggest fan but he now no longer goes there, ever. Jed thinks that the customer service and coffee quality have declined significantly with Manic's growing popularity. However, my boss still gets coffee and lattes there, whatever that's worth. read more

If the review was just for their coffee, they would get four stars. However, they don't have WiFi. I mean, come on. I know I'm not in San Francisco, but I want internet with my coffee, damn it! It was also hotter than hades in here. I mean... it does get hot in Toronto in the summer, right? Too cheap to turn on the AC? Back to the coffee: fresh, brewed by the cup on the Clover. Just what I needed! My advice: grab the coffee and walk up the street to Kensington Market to walk around. Don't waste your time hanging out. read more

COFFEE PASSPORT - 1. Intelligentisia, Sam James, Te Aro, (soy latte) 2. Crema, Green grind (soy latte), Ideal coffee (chai latte) 3. TAN, Green beanery (soy latte), Cafe Novo (soy hot chocolate) 4. Mascot (soy latte) 5. Bisogno Espresso Bar (soy latte) 6. Manic Coffee 7. Tampered Press (chai latte) I was very excited about this place bc it has Intelligentsia coffee. However, I was sadly disappointed but I didn't like it at all =(. I actually didnt even finish it. read more

I gave them my business but that was not enough to let me use the washroom. Fortunately there are businesses nearby that offer patrons washroom access. read more

It's probably just me but I don't understand what the hype about Manic is. Sure they know a lot about coffee and your tea is served in a bodum press but the place is so simplisticly dull. Plus the barista was giving me the eye of "order now or I shall attempt to kill you with my hateful stare" which made me really consider whether I wanted to stay there or not. Now I'm not a hardcore coffee drinker and I like my espresso drinks a little sweet (call me what you like but I need to feed my sweet tooth cravings) but damn that cappuccino was the most bitter thing I've ever tasted! I'll stick to Aroma Espresso read more

Manic is absolutely bursting at the seams of amazingness but maybe you never noticed it because the place is concealed by an average-looking storefront. Once you peer inside, you might get an idea of what's going on. This is one of those super cool places. Either you make it a destination to sustain your already established coolness factor or you sit there and think "I am significantly cooler than I was since I walked through the door," but you will always receive a dazzling caffeinated beverage. The decor is pretty awesome and the machinery is hardcore. As it's around the corner from UofT, it's a nice place to study and it's typically packed with students who take over tables with papers and books for what seems like hours on end. You'd also guess there is a dress code of sorts because people are hip-ly dressed to the nines, even if they're in their sweats. No matter who's there to look good and get their fix, it's hard to catch a table so perhaps you should get your joe to go. Manic is serious about its coffee and its clientele are serious about Manic. read more

#indiecoffeepassport stop #4 I stayed here for less than 15 minutes. It's the longest time spent I've ever spent at Manic Coffee. With impending dinner plans, I had but a few minutes to soak in the atmosphere. Manic Coffee isn't so much a café as it is a study hall. It's close to U of T and OCAD, which means students spend their evenings and weekends stationed at one of the tables. The friendly barista stamped my Indie Coffee Passport and I took my Americano to the only table available, in the back. Compared to the warm glow and inviting comfort of the front room, the back room has harsh light and a Spartan atmosphere. I scanned my surroundings: Students' gaze rarely left their computer screens, which illuminated their faces. They blocked out any distraction by listening to their iPods despite the fact that music played in the background. Flashbacks of my college days suddenly revisited me. Would I return to Manic? Yes, but only to get my coffee to go. It's too busy for my liking, even if everyone was quiet and focused on their work. The rows of magazines look like an art installation rather than an organized shelving unit. They serve a good Americano. read more

Last day of the Indie Coffee Passport, and I had to get to this place at my nephew's recommendation. Indeed, I invited him to join me in my last hurrah. (Second-last, actually, 'cause I also squeezed in F'Coffee in the east end.) Requested a Cortado* which was excellent. My nephew had a superb cappucino. My oatmeal chocolate chip cookie was great, and he loved his ginger cookie. The coffee guys** were very skilled and helpful and this was as good a coffee experience as I've had anywhere (see Crema and Rooster Coffee House. Well, almost...Jay at Rooster and Eric at Crema put those over the top for 5-stars). *Similar to a Macchiato, with a bit more milk. **Do coffee guys like to be called baristas, or has Starbucks ruined that title? read more

By no means am I a coffee connoisseur, but the soy cafe latte here is the bomb!! It reminded me of my first cruise, along the Alaskan waters, when I had free range to the cheese plate at the open buffet every night. Only then did I know what real cheese was, not the goo that comes in a neon-coloured brick at No Frills. Thus, the steep descent into fancy cheeses resulted in greater grocery bills and spurred on the development of love handles, otherwise known as a Canadian Tire. The lesson? This latte here might be the start of another habit. Good thing I don't live close enough to feed it! read more

Going against the grain I know, I wasn't too impressed. The inside is sort of run down, although there are large windows that let some beautiful natural light in. The staff was "meh", and my tea was almost $3. Normally I don't mind spending a little skrilla on something delicious, but $3 for your average loose leaf green tea, seemed a bit much. They did offer unlimited hot water, and it was served in a bodum tea press, BUT still... It was just okay. But then again, I didn't try the coffee, and I THINK that's why most people go to coffee shops... read more

This is a wine bar for coffee. Finally a star that's worth the bucks. A brilliant selection of beans. Perfectly prepared. It's worth splurging for the 5 dollar cups of Clover-produced coffee. A true mid-day treat. Always busy. Always worth it. read more

This cozy place has excellent organic coffee, in-house made ice cream, and healthy desserts. The place is brightly lit and modern. The main entrance is accessible, but unfortunately, the washrooms are not (there's stairs to the basement) There's also no wifi. read more

Manic Coffee - inside Manic Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Decent cappuccino, nice space, friendly staff, no WiFi, newspapers available, good looking snacks.

Always a little too crowded on Sundays, which is convenient if you're up for sharing tables (rubbing elbows) with strangers and making new friends; although annoying if you're battling for the limited electric outlets. Wifi is also lacking. Other than that, the atmosphere is nice but not entirely conducive to studying. Deserts and green tea are tasty enough. read more

My boyfriend and I are on a search for the Best Americano in Toronto. This place is top on our list at the moment. Great service, calm atmosphere and the barista gave us three free blueberry muffins (which were amazing) as we left-in order to avoid throwing them out as they were closing soon for the night. I will for sure be back! read more

Beware of predatory upsells here while in an uncaffenated state. Happened to me with extra shots of flavour syrup. Will be bringing my business elsewhere in the future. read more

I'm not a Manic Maniac. There are so many places for good coffee these days that one isn't too much better than the next (in my opinion). So if that's the case, why choose Manic? well if you like waiting for seats, I guess it's alright. If you sometimes like a time-limit on your spot, that's also a good reason to go. If you like snobby baristas that have little patience, you should check it out. Aside from those reasons, you can try a cup of coffee from their clover machine which makes a good cup of joe but again, not THAT much better than a standard latte. They do justice to coffee but the quality of coffee is burdened from the poorer quality of service and experience that customers look for in a coffee place. read more

went here in my hunt for an amazing latter art inside my cup. but I ended up in an ice cream heaven! somehow I totally missed that on their website and it came as a total surprise that they make their own ice cream and the flavors....omg the flavors.... are to die for! ok so they have flavors like: earl grey roasted banana strawberry-lychee chai tea salted chocolate sesame and oh so many more that I couldn't remember. but the big secret is that chai latte ice cream is the best=) so I did end up getting a cup of cappuccino and it did have a cute simple latte art on it. but oh the ice cream is probably what will bring me back here again! read more

Manic Coffee - squirrel and a nut - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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I've tried and tried to get used to the strong, brown sludge that makes millions everyday for Mr. Starbuck but most of the time I prefer my Tim Horton's. But I hate feeling trashy and conflicted when my friends ask me where I want to go for coffee on a Saturday afternoon...Thank God I now have an answer that doesn't have the initials T.H; instead I suggest with a puffed-up chest, Manic Coffee. Manic Coffee is a small place on College Street, where the people who work there don't just do it because they are artists who need a job on the side. Honestly, each cup of coffee they serve up is a work of art, down to the leaf design delicately carved (can you carve milk) into the foam. If you have a sweet tooth, try out their café mocha, it is incredibly rich and made with genuine Ghirardelli dark chocolate. read more

Great location. Easily accessible by ttc. Very friendly service. Pricing is very fair for their drip coffee which has a nice flavour for a pick me up! Duely note they don't have wifi so come with a paper or a book! I like there self serve water dispenser, a very nice touch! read more

Came here on a Sunday late afternoon, there were a lot of tables available. The staff were ok, not super friendly but not bad either. Minimal decor with nice wooden tables and chairs and was very spacious. It was not very loud - great place to chat and we ended up staying there for over an hour. Got the iced lychee tea - the loose tea was steeped in a french press then topped with ice. It wasn't served really cold since it was just made but it was still refreshing and had good tea flavour (not much lychee) but still good. The latte that my friend got looked really good, foamy and had a pretty pattern on top. We shared a cherry danish - it wasn't very sweet which was good with lots of cherry and a light layer of cheese, the pastry itself could have been crispier but it was still really good nonetheless. read more

With tv on the radio playing, I tuck into a creamy, rich latte and smile. This latte is very good. The only complaint I have is how damn hot it is in this coffee shop, but then again, it could be the radiant heat from all the MacBooks. read more

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

I am not much of a coffee connoisseur, so I probably have no right to an actual opinion on this place. It's funny, I didn't realize that there was any hype to speak of about these guys, it just seemed like another random shop that had sprung up out of nowhere. I had the concept and workings of the "clover" machine explained to me, and it sounded impressive, if not a little indulgent. Buying a regular coffee, *period* whenever I crave one is about the extent of my daily indulgence, and trust me, it's enough. It was good, it wasn't clover, and later that day I (100% true) suffered from a concentrated bout of anxiety. It may have been a coincidence, or the hot day, or a combination of things, but I couldn't help but think that the name "Manic" was chosen for a reason. I suppose it's good that they are delivering what they promise: some strong, jumpy beans. read more

OMFG yes. Intelligentsia coffee in Toronto. I repeat: Intelligentsia coffee in Toronto. They even do the little leaf decoration on top of your cappuccino foam (maybe they'll do a maple leaf upon request). I liked it better when it was Cobalt, the bar, but alas, Cobalt is no longer. This is the best thing one could hope for in its stead. So if you're not a coffee snob or a native Chicagoan: Intelligentsia coffee freaking RULES. Get your ass down here for an espresso drink if you are within 10km of College and Spadina. Oh yeah, and it looks like a great place to chill out and work and nurse a cup. I'm going back. Totes. read more

There's something I just don't like about Manic. Maybe their customers ? Maybe their staff? I always leave grumbly. The product is fine but it's nothing special. I need to remember this so I stop giving it a shot, so I'm writing this review for my future self. read more

This place wowed me when I first went in two years ago. Recently I visited this place again but they don't have the yummy scones I loved. (or much of a selection of baked goods at all) And the flavour of the latte tasted more dilluted then it did before. I remembered the latte to be smooth, rich and delicious but my last visit was disappointing. I traveled 1.5 hours to get downtown but it was on the same satisfaction level as Starbucks and I could have easily just driven 5 minutes to get a latte here. They're undergoing construction right now. Hopefully they'll get their wow factor back. read more

I walk everywhere in this city and feel like I have hit up 75% of all the coffee shops and I have to say this is by far my fav! Staff is always excellent and the best coffees around. Thank you!! read more

I was there today and bought the Black Cat. They have the most awesome muffins I've ever tried, I could count three whole berries inside the giant muffin. And offered me a shot of a real, short, dark espresso ristretto. This is hard, hard to find. They also have free wi-fi, no login or password required. I just sat there, drinking the great espresso and tasting the great muffin while reading my e-mails. Great experience. The guy who served me was very friendly and knew everything about dark-roast coffee, really - specially brazilian coffee. He suggested me a blend (I was there to buy something very strong) and I'm now tasting it at home, very good stuff indeed. I must go back there with my husband, who is the coffee-lover. read more