I stopped by Purple Penguin because it immediately caught my eye and there is nothing I love more than trying a new café. I ended up ordering the penguin cookie along with a matcha latte with vanilla syrup. They also had apple fritters on the menu but I did not see them on display and did not realize they were made fresh to order so I missed out. I am definitely a little regretful about that and will absolutely be going back specifically to try a fritter next time. When I walked in I was not greeted and the person behind the counter was decent but not especially friendly or talkative. They did not ask if my order was for here or to go and my drink was automatically served in a to go cup. I personally love getting my drink in a mug when I am at a café so that was a bit disappointing. I did notice however that they were much more conversational and friendly with customers they seemed to know which gave the place a very local neighborhood feel. The penguin cookie was similar to a shortbread cookie and it was quite good. The matcha latte was decent but very mild. I tend to like my matcha with a bit more punch and even with the vanilla syrup the flavor was still subtle. That said matcha is not usually a café's specialty and I am currently taking a break from coffee so I cannot speak to their coffee drinks. Inside there is seating and the menu offers a wide variety of sandwiches and food options that looked really appetizing. Everyone I saw eating seemed to be enjoying their food and drinks which was nice to see. Overall it felt like a cozy welcoming spot that a lot of locals frequent and build relationships with the staff. I do not have any major complaints and while I would not return specifically for the matcha I would absolutely go back to try one of their apple fritters and a sandwich. It is a cute cozy café with a nice neighborhood vibe. read more

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It was a pretty chilly day and I was walking along Queen Street East having just explored Tommy Thompson park and was really craving a nice warm coffee. So I got out Google and saw this place was close by so decided to go for it. I'm surprised whether reviews aren't even better for this place because it was so good. The seating is minimal just as a cafe should be however it's definitely worth going here. They have tons of breakfast options and eats however I heard that the apple fritters are the ones to get and therefore had to get one. I've also got a hot mocha. The coffee was super delicious and definitely one of the better Movhas I've had. It actually had real chocolate in it which was absolutely amazing. But the star of the show was definitely the hot apple fritter straight out from the kitchen. It was absolutely piping hots and had the perfect balance of sweet cinnamony sugary goodness. Honestly I have to come here again just for a plateful of these apple fritters because they were that good. read more

Got a mocha and an apple fritter as we were in the area and heard a lot of great things about this and place. And it did not disappoint! The interior was very cozy with ample seating! Everyone was so kind and the service was quick - the apple fritter did take about 5 minutes as they were making it fresh, but was well worth the wait! read more

Cute cafe, really nice people, broad menu, and a signature offering. Stopped by of course for their famous apple fritters. A bit heavy on the coating and wanted a bit more apple, but it was still very good. Piping hot, good fry (crispy, not oily), perfect amount of sugar. We also got: - Keto Lover: Tasty keto bread, good slab of brie and egg, would have wanted more of the bacon and avocado mayo. - Iced dalgona latte: If you want a really sweet drink, this is for you! Cafe is smallish, but has a good layout to maximize the space, and a great outside seating area. Service is super friendly and customer oriented - they were in the process of changing the oil for the fritters when we got there so had to wait a bit, and they gave us additional fritters for free! Bonus points for also being open so early at 7:30. I can definitely see why Purple Penguin is a place people waddle to. read more

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Overall rating: 4 stars Food: unique coffees and pastries Great for early risers or people who enjoy working in cozy cafes Texture: the latte was delicious meanwhile the cookie was baked the day off! Pricing: $5 for a latte and $5 for a cookie, pretty affordable, especially since the cookie is more intricate Ambiance: the walls are purple, cozy atmosphere, games on the shelves Seating & Parking: seats by the window, outdoor, and in the back Service: the service was kind and quick Music: jazz music Bathrooms: male and female Final comments: a great cozy cafe to work at! Small local cafe that has very relaxed vibes read more

A friend recently visited Purple Penguin Cafe for one thing: apple fritters. I looked at her fritter photos and knew that I needed some. I love fritters! I absolutely love the cafe's name. My favourite colour is purple. My favourite bird is the penguin. And, I love a good cafe. I drove down to Leslieville last Thursday. I was on a staycation, so it was nice to go during a weekday afternoon. This cafe is on the southeast corner of Logan and Queen Street East. I did street parking along the north side of Queen Street East. I am digging the Green P parking app these days. I don't need to bring change with me and touch a parking payment machine. I typically don't have any change with me, especially during this pandemic. If you do want free parking, you have the lot a bit north of Queen, on Logan. There's a Value Village that used to be a Valdi discount grocery store eons ago. Yep, I went there with memories of seeing my parents buy a lot of canned condensed milk. It explains why I don't put any milk in my tea these days. I walked into the cafe. It's cute and purple, with penguin artwork and more! I said hi to June, who owns the cafe. She was sweet. I ordered six apple fritters for $10. I also ordered a pineapple fritter for $5. I needed something to wash my fritters down and have a weakness for hot chocolate. I got a small marshmallow hot chocolate. I paid with a debit card. Tip. Tap. Done! I got my marshmallow hot chocolate first. I wanted to rip my mask off to drink it, but two more customers had walked in. I held off. It was a true test of my strength. You can order online. I wanted to see everything, so I waited a bit for my made-to-order fritters. The wait wasn't all that long. I was taking photos, so that helped. She asked whether I wanted everything in a box or a bag. I asked for the pineapple fritter in a bag, as I was going to devour it in my car. I asked for the apple fritters to be in a box. She did all that and was so sweet. She brought my fritters to me. It was so nice. She asked whether I needed a bag. I was okay, as I only needed to walk across the street doing my balancing act. Luckily, the couple in front of me held the door, so I was great. I sat in my car to enjoy my goodies. My car smelled so good! I loved that my marshmallow hot chocolate was in a cup with a pretty purple lid. I took the lid off and was so happy to see little rainbow marshmallows from my childhood. What blew me away was that these marshmallows were toasted. It's another reason why I need my own torch. You do need to take the lid off to enjoy this hot chocolate. It was great having marshmallows with every hot chocolate sip. It wasn't an exceptionally sugary hot chocolate. I was relieved because the marshmallows provided all the sugar that I needed. The pineapple fritter was $5. Why? First, it's larger than the apple fritter. Second, when I bit into it, I was not expecting a full, juicy, thick pineapple ring. It was naturally sweet and didn't have that stinging aftertaste that lingers on your tongue. The duality between the crispy fried dough and sweet pineapple ring worked well, with cinnamon and sugar on the outside. Yum! I avoided eating the entire box of apple fritters as I drove home. I had one, though. OMG! It's the best. Sweet apple chunks, with cinnamon and sugar goodness in every bite. The fritter was heavenly and so good hot out of the fryer. I am such a fan. I will return to get more fritters, and give the Oreo and banana fritters a try. I will also go with a large hot chocolate next because it's good and I need the largest size possible. This place also has Montreal-style bagels, which made my soul overflow with carb love. What a lovely cafe! It's bold that it's across the street from Starbucks. Between the two, when it comes to apple fritters and hot chocolate, Purple Penguin Cafe has my heart. (29) read more

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It's great place a lot of the times they short on my orders of 12 I only get 10 or Oreo flav is always so tiny and not even orio inside

As an early riser, I appreciate that Purple Penguin Cafe also opens early, even on the weekends. This meant I was able to pick up fresh, made-to-order fritters before meeting up with family on a Sunday morning, and of course sneak one in myself before heading out. On to the fritters, the batter tastes light and fluffy, and isn't too sweet, which really let's the apple flavour shine and the cinnamon sugar sing. As a bonus, even after 8 hours---because I ordered some extra fritters, they still tasted great! If you're in the area or if you love apple fritters, be sure to add Purple Penguin to your itinerary. read more

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I saw my friend's picture of the apple fritters, and my heart started pounding!! What?! Another place that sells apple fritters besides Tim Hortons?! MUST TRY. And so I did you can go to www.purplepenguincafe.com and order online for pickup. Or simply call them directly to order and pickup. Originally I thought of ordering either one ($1.75) or three ($5) apple fritters, but my friend insisted that I can eat all 6 ($10). So I listened to her and ordered 6. Afterall, the size of the fritter is smaller than a regular donut size. I also ordered a banana fritter ($5) as well. When you placed your order, they asked when the pickup time is so that they can served those fritters to you fresh and warm. Overall, I was impressed by both the apple and banana fritters. It's not doughy and heavy. And not crazy sweet at all. The only thing that prevented me from giving it a full 5 star rating is that they burnt the banana a bit with the charred taste. But I would go back in a heartbeat for the apple fritters. read more

Purple Penguin Cafe - Apple and banana fritters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

This small local cafe is full of energy. Owner is very friendly and a lot of loyal customers keep going. I love their choice of jazz music and all the detail of the decor made you feel homey. They serve coffee from local roaster and sandwiches are nicely done. The Made-to-Order Apple Fritter is must try item. It was so fresh and hot with very soft dough and Apple slices inside. A lot of people order them to go as well. read more

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I saw something about their fritters and needed to check it out! It's very cute on the inside and I love their purple themed cookies. However that will be a cookie that we tried didn't taste like much it was sort of dry. But very cute and appealing potentially for kids. We didn't try the banana fritter loaf but it looked very moist and delicious. Instead we went right for the fritters we got three apple fritters which ended up looking more like five in her bag that they gave us and we also got one pineapple fruit or which also ended up being more like three. So keep this in mind when you're getting them if you just want a small treats maybe don't order too many. It's hard to go wrong with deep fried dough dusted in sugar cinnamon stuff with some sort of fruit. They were tasty but they weren't mine blowing. The girls and the counter we're very friendly. Things to take a long time but potentially things are taking longer due to Covid. I would suggest checking them out for sure as a fun place to bike to you or go for a treat. There is some patio seating on the side of the restaurant and on Queen Street. However I don't think I'll rush back there read more

Purple Penguin Cafe - Outside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Very bitter latte, without any fragrance at all even they use my favourite coffee roasters coffee. It's obvious the barista lacks of the basic technique to dial in the coffee. Will not recommend if you are serious about your coffee. read more

What a great find just across the street from Starbucks. Reasons to eschew corporate America for locally owned Purple Penhuin: 1) June, the owner, is awesome - friendly and funny 2) the cappuccino is just the right combination of bitter and creamy 3) the bakery items are baked in-house or locally and are super fresh 4) try the Montreal bagel with cream cheese and tomato - so simple and delicious. 4) the chairs are purple and designed to stay a while 5) the window seats are perfect for people watching 6) the apple fritters are made to order and are out of this world. 7) their organic gluten free baked goods are made on site and very yummy. read more

Purple Penguin Cafe - June, the hilarious and kind owner! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Easily one of the worst lunches I've had in the City of Toronto. The bacon on my partner's sandwich wasn't properly cooked, the soup was cold, and our pickles tasted rotten and mushy. The person serving us seemed extra sarcastic in their service, telling us how "good" everything on the menu was. My tuna wrap was so salty, I couldn't actually eat it. The kale inside the wrap was brown and I ended up tossing it. You could get a better lunch at the Starbucks across the street. Not to mention cheaper. Absolutely dreadful expensive lunch. read more

Purple Penguin Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

a charming place! I love their indoor and outdoor decor (with the lovely purple facade brightening this part of Queen East). Very good coffee and hot chocolate. I have to yet try their sandwiches but I really liked the iconic Purple Penguin Cookie: perfect simplicity that manages to be very satisfying. It is hard not to hate the greedy corporate Starbucks for setting their shop right across the street from the Penguin so they can steal their customers. so sad. I hope that the Purple Penguin will prevail! :) read more

Purple Penguin Cafe - The Purple Penguin Cookie is very delicious! perfect for dunking in coffee! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Cute place with a purple emphasis. (Surprise!) They serve coffee, juice and have a small good menu as well. Server was kind. Washrooms are down a steep flight of stairs in an old basement. They could use a thorough cleaning, though they were ok. One thing of note: They do have a very small apple fritter that they cook on demand with real apple. It was delicious - warm, fresh and tasty. This, if anything, is a reason to stop here. Would I recommend? for people in the area it is an option. Would I return? unlikely. there are lots of other options to check out. read more

Purple Penguin Cafe - Interior - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Great expresso drinks and food with a smile. Places like Purple Penguin are so important for a neighbourhood. read more

I strolled in here randomly on a lazy Sunday afternoon and I've become a fan! I much prefer this place over Starbucks across the street if they opened later and if Sbux didn't have their loyalty program that keeps me going back for more. Features - Comfy purple seats - Lots of table space - many tables despite such a small space. - Power bar - for multiple people to plug in - Decent wifi connection - Latte in a glass - Yummy apple fritters made to order - Quiet work environment with soft music in the background - Food for every type of diet - for the health conscious peeps - Friendly staff read more

Purple Penguin Cafe - Apple fritter and matcha latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Food was mediocre and the wait staff were unfriendly. Ordered a western bagel, was dripping wet with something and bagel was just ok. Our order came up and we were notified by another patron, the uninterested staff couldn't have been bothered. Didn't tip as its counter service, maybe that's why we were treated this way? Not recommended. read more

Came in here because I wanted try something other than Starbucks. The vibe here is very cozy and definitely a good spot to just chill with a nice cup of coffee. The prices are pretty standard and the coffee is good. I had one of their purple penguin cookies which is like your average shortbread/sugar cookie, but I had to get it because I love penguins :) read more

Purple Penguin Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I visit this cafe at least thrice a week to get my morning started with one the best Chocolate chip and Banana muffins I've ever tried, actually you should try all the muffins there are. They make a fresh batch and it's gone within an hour! Apple fritters are made to order and obviously a must try. I gave 4 stars only because the pricing is a bit high and one can easily find themselves in Starbucks to save some Loonies. read more

Purple Penguin Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I stumbled into the Leslieville area and wanted to get my daily dose of caffeine. I have to say I love the colour purple and when I found a cafe called Purple Penguin....Of course I had to check it out and plus reviews were great!! Purple Penguin Cafe is located at an intersection and nicely situated at the corner. There is a Starbucks right across the street but when there's such a cute cafe ...you gotta try something new! The cafe itself is small but cozy and comfortable. I don't have to say but the purple added a positive touch for me. There is a number of yummy treats and various brewed coffee types to choose from. This would be a great place for a coffee date, a hangout spot or studying. The atmosphere is nice and casual and the staff is friendly. I got a flat white and the espresso was bold yet not overwhelming. I enjoyed it quite a bit and will be back to try their food items and other caffeine options. Give it a try:) read more

Purple Penguin Cafe - Soy flat white - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

This cute cafe isn't a bad place to visit. Their French toast breakfast had a very good whip cream and buttery centre however their cappuccino wasn't my favourite. The foam at the top tasted burnt and the coffee bean was also a little well done for my taste as well. Not a bad place to go but would not go again. read more

Purple Penguin Cafe - Cappuccino and French toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Based solely on the Apple Fritter. (which is advertised out front so if you lead with your best foot...) I was so excited for a made-to-order apple fritter. I love fritters. They're my favourite doughnut. Yuck. Under cooked, airy donut that was bland and definitely not in my definition of a traditional apple fritter which is more dense and cake-like. (Just look at my picture of it). Very dark interior. The chairs were comfortable. read more

Purple Penguin Cafe - Two-bit sized. So mediocre, despite being warm. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I come to this lovely café, technically every single day. When you walk in, you feel a wonderful and peaceful energy, and that's what makes me come back all the time. They have a wonderful and delicious coffee, and very easy on your stomach, compared to Starbucks that makes me sick in the stomach. I love the atmosphere, their staff is wondeful, they are very kind and friendly, and they don't rush like any other places, where they just want you to get out of there. The food is great as well, it is simple, economic, but, enjoyable. I love this place. I think this is what the people in Leslieville needed for a long time. Don't forget to try their Legendary Apple Fritters! :) read more

Purple Penguin Cafe - I love it - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Just found this gem. Montreal style bagels are to die for. Coffee is a 10 - and I'm a picky coffee drinker. Great place for breakfast or a mid morning boost. read more

Great fritter! I can only speak to the fritter but it was quite good. We went in on a Sunday morning and ordered a few fritters. They do take a minute or two but they are made to order, I am not quite sure how this would work if it is busy. We ordered six fritters which were nice and warm, for three people and before I could even take a pic, 4 were gone. It is a different fritter. Instead of a dough filled centre like most fritters in the case there is a large piece of apple at the centre which clearly has been dipped in a batter. They are also nicely sprinkled in cinamon sugar. I would definitely stop by again for a fritter. A few suggestions to the owners, there are way to many tables here, it feels a tad crowded. read more

Purple Penguin Cafe - Apple fritters disappear quickly - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Life in violet More homey than that Starbucks Right across the street. Coffee in fine glass This the most friendly cafe Here in Leslieville They got a kitchen Pumping out fresh small bites, yo Must get apple fritters! {TTC: Queen Street streetcars to the southeast corner at Logan Ave.} read more

Purple Penguin Cafe - About as much booze as youll find here - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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NICEST OWNER ON BLOCK. There is coffee everywhere in area and no one nicer than this lady. No food is better either because all food home cook fresh in back. Nothing frozen like Starbucks. Bathroom scary. Do not be alarm. Always clean, smell nice and comfortable place to do personal business. Coffee better than average but not best. Food best. Things to try: -Fresh Apple Fritters -Dr. Seuss Sandwhich -A Penguin Cookie -Snow White Salmon -The Penguin Morning Lots of reasons to come back...Maybe you see me there? :3 read more

Lovely spot with comfortable booths and nice wide tables (perfect if you need to get some work done). Their apple fritters are a must try! Made fresh to order, and they are absolutely delicious. The staff and especially the owner are so nice. I've been here since they first opened a couple of years ago, and they've always been great. My only complaint is the hours of business- they close rather early, and now that I work 9-5 I hardly catch them when they are open. If you're ever in the area looking for a place to work or chat with a friend, this is it! read more

Bagel was made of concrete. What a disappointment. Bought them in the morning so it wasn't even a last batch of the day kinda thing. Really no reason why it was stale other than it was baked the day before. The apple fritter was yummy, the lattes were fine and the customer service too but overall not a great experience. read more

"We were curious to find out from June (the owner) that Purple Penguin opened about a year ago and holds community-focused events as well as live music (harp) on occasion. " "We also could not resist trying their pro-biotic frozen yogurt in a cone, like ice-cream. It was very yummy and with less fat than a traditional ice-cream. An experimental treat, we though." A few bites from our full experience: http://ilianaspalette.blogspot.ca/2015/08/purple-penguin.html read more

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Small cafe that serves delicious and healthy sandwiches, bagels, and salads. I'm glad my friend and I were able to grab a seat.. considering the minimal seatings they offer.. It's cute how they have PURPLE chairs and I love how they are so comfortable to be on. I've seen many yelpers talk about the poor service.. I thought they were pretty friendly and patient Food is sooo good. I ordered an Asian pork wrap which was filling and had this delicious sauce inside lol - the wrap had house marinated pork, carrots, arugula, and lettuce I also had an apple fritter : super cheap and soo delicious! It's coated with sugar and the apples tasted very fresh when I took a bite. Since they fry it, it has a nice soft crunchy texture on the outside- It's a must try !! They also sell coffee! They sell Demello- apparently it's a good brand haha read more

Purple Penguin Cafe - Asian pork wrap , Americano , apple fritter - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Snacks are a bit pricey, but the beverages are great and the atmosphere is relaxing and welcoming. The seats are comfy, which is important because you can bring friends here and play board games for a while. Having a coffee related drink and playing the available board games here is a lot of fun. Recommended. read more

Purple Penguin Cafe - Scrabble and hot chocolate - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

So not impressed. I went back here because I had a great cappuccino last I was here. This time I actually walked past 3 cafes to come back here. I asked for two single shot Lattes with Soy milk. The guy making the Lattes said no problem And started to make a double shot. When I said wait is that a single. He said "oh no-it's ok, I'll just make it a single. Stopped the machine mid way then placed the other cup under it and started the machine again. Anyone who works at an espresso bar --like I have--knows you do not do that. I don't think I'll ever come back as Mercury coffee is a block away and I couldn't see them do that. read more

The spot is very warm and welcoming. The tables make for a great space to have a quick bite or a long work session. The staff is very friendly and ready to help with suggestions. The $$though.... a bit much for what you actually get. I'd come for the coffee but it's not worth the cost for much else. But great space! read more

*3.5 stars* Tried this cute cafe out for the first time this morning. Loved the purple themed seats and sofas! It's a small space, but also cosy and relaxing, the plush comfy seats tempt you to stay for a long time! Service was polite and friendly and made a customisation to my sandwich (multigrain instead of white bread) with no fuss. The menu -as far as small panini and sandwich type places go - is extensive. (Note: the menu pictures posted above by Roland are out of date, with more options available now). There's a great selection for vegetarians, while meat eaters won't be disappointed with about a dozen different meat-based choices. There's a strong emphasis on various cheeses and apple/apple butter in a lot of the options, with bacon often added to supplement the other meats in the sandwiches. Yummy! All expected espresso and tea-based drinks are available, as well as hot chocolates, brewed coffee (four sizes to choose from)and a smell but enticing selection of baked goods such as apple scones and the cafe's "legendary" apple fritters. After being tempted by almost everything on the menu, I settled for the ham, apple and brie sandwich with a small americano. Coffee was perfect and the sandwich, despite the almost complete absence of brie (!!!), was just delicious. The ham was fresh and flavourful and the melting apple on the crunchy bread was to die for! Why only 3.5 stars? Take a look at the picture I added of the ham, apple and brie sandwich. That sorry-sized portion cost 9.95. When I pay that amount for a sandwich, I sort of expect either a decent sized portion or a small side of fries/home fries/salad/something with it. This is the standard expectation of brunch value in the neighbourhood, and I feel if TPP continue to offer these small portions against ten dollar charges, they will very quickly price themselves out of the local market. Other competitors on the same block offer larger sandwiches with a huge side order for about the same price. Are the owners aware of this? As mentioned, there was hardly any brie whatsoever present in the sandwich - I felt quite cheated considering the price I paid. And I wish they would remove the "legendary" apple fritter sign - how can they be legendary when the cafe has only been open a month?! I hate cheesy pretentious advertising like this! Quite a conflicting review I know, but I wanted to tell the entire experience in as balanced a way as I could. In summary - this place would be perfect if I were rich! Right now, theres too much great competition nearby offering better value for similar food quality to allow me to become a regular here. read more

Purple Penguin Cafe - Ham/apple/brie sandwich on multigrain. Delicious, but $10 for this portion?! C'mon... - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Amazing gem in Leslieville. Great prices, great service! Coffee, Tea and the food was all superb!! Thank you June!

I had the hand pressed grapefruit juice, and the Purple pig sandwich. It's was so delightful- walnut bread, chicken breast, bacon, carmelized onions, arugula and Brie. Just wow. Good food, friendly staff, clean cafe....love it. read more

Purple Penguin Cafe - Purple Pig sandwich and hand pressed grapefruit juice - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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This little cafe is cute, and it's not just the name and the decor. The service is welcoming and friendly, and the workers are very accommodating. It's a nice place to have a chat and unwind, or even play a game or two. read more

Purple Penguin Cafe - Green Eggs and Ham bagelz - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Toronto, Ontario