This is truly a hidden gem in the Riverdale neighbourhood. It's a very cozy spot offering great variety of drinks and food. They were even open on new years day! Staff were friendly, attentive, very quick and efficient! There was a good amount of people picking up drinks to go as well as sit in for brunch. We ordered the salmon benedict with puff pastry and PJ Day Benny. It was a good portion of food and definitely filled me up after the gingerbread mochaccino. Food and drinks are amazing here! Their holiday drinks menu is even more extensive than major coffee chains! read more

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Glad I find this little local café gem hidden in a beautiful neighbourhood. I was looking for some healthy in the morning and they have vegetarian and vegan breakfast sandwiches. It was quite busy, with lots of people coming in and out to get drinks and food. Even though it is a small cafe, people all sat outside with their pet enjoying the day while I have it whole indoor area by myself. Sandwich is good. Warm and hot once arrive in front of you. More portion will be great but it really has fresh ingredients and the balance of different layer of sauce and veggies are simple and yet delicious. Combining the atmosphere and food. It is a 5 star. Need to try their lunch sandwich next time. Looks good on other review read more

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We just moved into the area, and needed a delicious lunch after unpacking boxes. We decided to check this cute cafe out. They were the best sandwiches we've ever had. We can't wait to go back and sit on the patio with a delicious treat (they looked great). The staff was super friendly and we bantered over the shared struggle of internet providers. People were sitting outside in the sun and playing a nice game of chess while they sipped their lattes. That scenario sums this place up perfectly! read more

Riverdale Perk Cafe - Inside and cozy :) - Cafes Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Super cute hidden neighbourhood gem with good food and a really lovely patio. 10/10 for ambiance. Lots of nice vegetarian options (I am not vegetarian but opted for the tempeh BLT which was very delicious). The ONLY thing that made me feel weird was being asked to tip at time of purchase before I had eaten the food or received any service. read more

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Met a friend this afternoon for coffee and lunch at this neighbourhood cafe. Neither one of us completely sure how this place came on our radar. Regardless, this cozy cafe has lots of drink and menu options. For hot drinks (on this snowy, winter, frigid day) they offer a vast array of tea and 3 types of coffee. For the coffee, 2 different sizes and there are no refills. The tea came in a mug larger than the large coffee. Nonetheless, it wasn't my favourite coffee but the tea was delicious! For food: I had the beet and Parmesan salad. Lots of fresh ingredients which blended well with the mild dressing. So many gluten-free and vegetarian options. Many baked goods that looked mouthwatering. Good spot for studying or catching up with a friend. Staff don't rush you out. Price point was very reasonable for the large portion sizes. read more

Riverdale Perk Cafe - Beet and Parmesan salad! - Cafes Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

During my 2 years working at the cafe, I've experienced and witnessed verbal abuse, disorganized management, constant workplace injuries, and 3hr shifts being very common. The step ladder I used for the job failed on me, causing me to fall and scrape my leg. Please do not work here, the workplace negligence from management is evident, and the tip pool is completely non-transparent and based off biases of the owner. read more

This place is amazing. When I arrived, the line was huge, but went by very fast, giving us enough time to choose our food. I ordered the cheesy eyed grilled cheese, and let me tell you, it was the best sandwich I've ever had. The caramelized onion and melted Swiss cheese created the most mouth-watering taste ever. The seating (outdoor) and interior were cute, and gave of a cozy home vibe. Small place but delicious. Definitely a 10/10 read more

Riverdale Perk Cafe - a woman eating a sandwich - Cafes Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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It's a super cute place with a nice patio but I wasn't a huge fan of the coffee and online it looks more like a hot brunch places but it's really more of a coffee shop. We both got bagels and they were alright but with what's online we thought they were doing more of a full kitchen breakfast. Cute to sit and have a coffee but not really for me. read more

Food was OK. Not very tasty but it taste healthy service was good. The servers were nice very clean and in front of the park. I did not try the hot drinks. Will go back when im in the area read more

Riverdale Perk Cafe - a view of the counter area - Cafes Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Seems like a great neighborhood cafe. I would love to have this cafe across the street. The WiFi tested at 15/8, there is at least one electrical power outlet so it's a good place to work. The cafe fits about 25 people including sofa seating at the front. One washroom in the back. I didn't see any high chairs. There is a self-serve infused water container at the front. The menu includes coffee, espresso, babyccino, hot chocolate, tumeric lattes and more. The pastry selection is about twice the norm. Staff is sweet and pleasant. Solid cafe option. read more

Riverdale Perk Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Gem of a neighbourhood coffee cafe. Large patio from its corner position. Cute interior. We shared two sandwiches. The grilled cheese is a winner. read more

My partner stumbled upon Riverdale Perk Cafe, a little neighbourhood cafe near the park. The cafe has a vintage upscale ambiance. Like the store, the owner, Danielle is kind and charming. Everything is baked in house. We came for brunch but unfortunately missed it by 2 minutes due to the line in front of us. Instead, we opted for lunch. We ordered the Kale Caesar salad, herbivore burger and matcha latte. While the matcha latte was not to our liking, the Kale Caesar and burger were right up our alley. I really enjoyed the Spicy Kale Caesar ($12.5) topped with crispy chickpea, garlic chips, parmesan fricos, homemade croutons and smoked coconut "bacon" with sriracha and creamy caesar dressing. The various ingredients in the dish created a very unique textural experience. My partner devoured the herbivore burger ($12) within seconds. The pattie consists of organic quinoa. bulgur wheat, lentils, almonds, beets and carrots. The burger is completed with cucumber, tomato, avocado mash, swiss cheese, alfalfa sprouts and cilantro lime aioli. He raved about the aioli. Overall, we both really enjoyed our venture to Riverdale Perk Cafe. We will definitely be back for brunch! read more

Riverdale Perk Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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What's a Allonge? The staff at cash looked at me and said I don't know, let me go ask someone It is an Americano with extra hot water.. Hmm, I guess I am not going to order that and crossing my fingers hoping she is not the one that making my cappuccino. I do love the friendly and laid back vibe of Riverdale Perk Cafe. The patio is amazing overlooking a quiet neighbourhood street. There are also different seating option inside and of course I like to chill out on the coach. Their cupcakes are all made in house and looks just delicious, I will try that next time. Te Aro beans used in all their espresso drinks.. which is always my favourite! read more

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Came here to get some breakfast and it's a cute coffee shop on Logan street. Their spinach and feta pastry is a must try. The crust was so buttery, flaky and crispy. It was so good! read more

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I go there most days; delicious food, friendly staff, good service, lovely customers, comfortable indoors and 2 very nice outdoor patios.

Had a long drive planned for today popped into the Perk this Morning ordered a coffee and got just the right amount of cinnamon and my croissant was a great suggestion it was the perfect pick me up for my day thank you. if your in the neighbourhood and need a happy start to your day give them a visit. read more

We stumbled upon Riverdale Perk Cafe for a quick bite after sipping on some lattes at Rooster Coffee down the street. Great neighbourhood - if you sit at their outdoor seating area and you like dogs, then you're in for a treat. On a nice and sunny day there is an endless stream of cute puppies you can feast your eyes on Friendly service - the girls here are sweet and professional Food - minus one star because my roasted veggie salad bowl had WAY too much fennel seeds!! Every bite was like a brutal assault, being punched repeatedly in the taste buds by fennel seeds is something no one wants :( way too overpowering. I was able eat a good portion by biting with the perfect amount of pressure - enough to cut though the kale, but not enough to burst the seeds. This required way too much effort for a relaxing Saturday brunch so I needless to say, I won't be ordering this again. The other salad we got was very yummy! Cute little place, will definitely be back. read more

Riverdale Perk Cafe - Outdoor seating - every table had a little planter with a different herb, adorable. - Cafes Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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In keeping with their Central Perk reference (the cafe in Friends), this place is reminiscent of that same iconic hangout. Take away the urban feel, add soccer mom vibe, subtract squarefootage by half, and you have Riverdale Perk. Setting is most ideal for people with stable lives who have happy families, work in the arts, and would like to do a little reading/writing while enjoying cafeine or a light bite. read more

Riverdale Perk Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

A bite from our full experience review - "We stumbled upon this little neighbourhood spot on our exploratory bike tours. While the cafe is paying a bit of homage to Central Perk, there was not much of a parallel we could draw here. This fact did not diminish the sweetness of this local coffee shop." Full review via my profile! read more

Riverdale Perk Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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My friends and I took our daughters to the cafe yesterday. We bought and enjoyed salads, sandwiches, coffee, and treats. Unfortunately the patio was full, so the cashier suggested we take our food to the park two blocks north. I retuned about an hour later because I was need of the washroom, and was promptly told by one of the staff members that I was not permitted to use the washroom because I was not a patio customer. My friend encouraged me to email the owner when I got home, surely there had been a mistake. Nope! The owner informed me that this is a Covid measure. I think it's ridiculous to segregate your customers. I am a paying customer, I should be able to use the washroom. At the time of purchase the cashier asked if I would like to leave a tip - which is tacky and manipulative I think - but I did, as I recognize small local businesses need our support. So my friends and I can collectively spend $100 and tip for take out food, but are turned away when one of us needs a washroom! The owner said her staff don't have time to clean the washroom for non-patio customers, and that she's just trying to keep the neighbourhood safe. Well, I live in the neighbourhood, I am a paying customer and you sent me to the public park to use the washroom! My suggestion: if you can't manage keeping your washroom clean once the patio is full, consider temporarily closing your cafe until the flow of customers is more manageable instead of dividing your customers into classes of value. Highly disappointed, won't be returning. read more

I have been here for brunch, breakfast, and lunch several times & the food has always been delicious. Since I have always had such good experiences here (& at this point would consider myself somewhat of a regular), on my most recent visit in September, I decided to review. Food: Homemade, vegetarian friendly, breakfast/brunch(Sundays)/lunch Personal favourites so far: - Breakfast: PST (Proscuitto, Spinach, Tomato... and egg) sandwich - Brunch: caramalized banana french toast OR cornbread benedict (it's a tie) - Lunch: crunchy thai bowl (kale, wild rice, veg, peanut sauce) Coffee: they do everything but just drip is self serve and locally roasted - I love it Quick bites: she makes muffins/scones fresh each morning, and does breakfast bars (like a homemade granola bar) to take away fast Dessert: many treats (all homemade) - cakes, cookies, bars Service: fast, friendly, often the owner herself Wifi: Yes Patio: Yes Art: Always a local artist, changes periodically Parking: street parking free (after 7am) Overall, this is a bit of a hidden gem. Nestled right in the middle of Riverdale homes (just south of Withrow park), it almost surprises you to see it's patio furniture, cute awning, and daily bustle when you come across it. I'd highly recommend for Sunday brunch, a quick pop-in in the morning, or a sit down lunch. read more

VIBE Not to be confused with Central Perk from famed hit show, Friends (whaa whaa), this Perk does feel like it could be transplanted from a TV show if it were set in Brooklyn. But the Riverdale nabe is lucky to call it their own. Service isn't exactly urgent but it's laid back. Clientele is the type that like to get to know their neighbours. Nice little patio in the summer. A great place to catch up on your favourite book. I ATE The last time I was here I had a sandwich and salad. It was hearty, healthy and delicious. Plus, I can tap away at the lap top and look at pretty art work on the wall for an afternoon. Chairs aren't exactly made for sitting there all afternoon but if you're in the middle of a leafy, green neighbourhood with not much proximity to much else (especially if you're car-less) then you make do. Coffee and tea selections aren't anything to sing home about. That said, it seems that they have a nice selection of sweets. OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK So perky. As cliche as it sounds, it truly is a gem. I hope it stays around for a while. read more

Checked out Riverdale Perk as part of the East End Coffee Crawl Pt. II - their name says it all. Very cute, quaint, and nestled in the heart of Riverdale, out of the way from the hustle and bustle of the city. Riverdale Perk is that secret spot only the Riverdale locals know about.. until us Yelpers found out about it.. and wanted to spread the word about this charming spot ;) By this time, I had my second Americano.. this time a single.. caffeine buzz was kicking in and I had to clean my palate... they serve Te Aro Big Bro espresso beans and boy was it tasty. They servers were really nice, despite a flood of Yelpers visiting their establishment. I had a great time here, despite the short visit. read more

Additional to Will L. I would like to say not only was the server very nice but when I was heading out the door I overheard a customer saying he didn't mind waiting behind the crowd of (Yelps) since the server was overwhelmed by us somewhat. Nice & friendly neighbourhood so that's why I second the motion for Shari M. to move to the neighbourhood. Although when Adeel O. went to the Logan/Riverdale corner Convenient Shop, the staff didn't know where the shop was but the customer KNEW! I got a Latte to start my day and even though it took me until the next stop of the crawl to finish it, it was definitely good to the last drop. It's like I didn't want to let it go. I wanted a teaspoon and there was two containers of metal teaspoons with faded labels of "clean" or dirty" on the other, I THINK! Anyways, I figure it's 50/50 probability of getting a dirty spoon and if I was awake I could probably see which were actually dirty. BTW, I would like to thank Adeel O. (THE planner) for getting me to Riverdale Perk, nice guy. Also Kat F. for the overflowing schwags. Susan C. I did get ONE passionfruit chapstick! read more

I'll echo the sentiments that this cafe alone makes me want to move to this neighbourhood. Tucked away in Riverdale, this place is a nice break from so many other coffee shops in Toronto that seem cut from the same cloth. The crowd is diverse: families, 30 somethings on laptops, a few teenagers thrown into the mix. The music is awesome, but light enough to function as background music. This place has a really nice relaxed vibe, reminiscent of a smaller city. I highly recommend it if you're ever in the area. read more

the perk is that its cuddled within main streets and a hop skip from withrow park. this place was very relaxed when i passed by before five pm on a friday, with a couple of ladies sitting on their white couch, one of them breastfeeding (hey you notice these things - boobs are boobs man.) i wanted to sit down and get a cappuccino right away but had no time and so after a little photo session with my battery-eating hunk-a-junk i call a camera and the perks inner sanctum i called it quits and came back a few hours later when it was not only still chill, but romantic. this place gets 6 stars for ambiance - there were chandeliers tuned with the lights held low and candles flickering as gaelen, the barista silently played as i walked inside. it was just me and him and it was a great opportunity to afford me time to get to know the place and the kind of folks that run it. well, gaelen was clearly an interested and intelligent guy and a breeze to shoot the breeze with. he gave me a little background about the history of the place (originally owned by another, reclaimed by the current owner to great effect). i ordered a double shot cappuccino that arrived in the same size takeout cup that would feature a latte. as per gaelen the size of cup is not what matters but what you put in to it. in other words, there are different combinations of foam, milk and espresso that go into a cappuccino versus a latte. so this place has its own take. the coffee was fine, nothing too rich, but enjoyable. what floored me, in addition to their soothing locale was one of their desserts...or late lunches?...which happened to be in the form of a blueberry coffee cake. it was like a mini loaf of bread filled with a little coffee, blueberry and love. it was made there and was worth the 3 bucks i spent on it. in terms of price, this place is not cheap. the cappuccino was about 4 bucks which is expensive considering i can get an organic one on queen for 3 and a quarter. though this place feels like a place id prefer relaxing in. so its an ever bobbing scale as all coffee shops are. its good to know that its close by, near a wonderful park and also a place for a seemingly good and relatively inexpensive lunch and brunch, one day soon to be devoured. read more

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I am in love with this spot. I would move to this neighbourhood just to be near this place. I feel bad writing this review cause I don't want more people to know about it! I want to keep it all to myself! This was my first stop on the Easter (minus bunny) java jaunt. The coffee I had was mighty tasty and all the pastries and treats looked delish. Sarah L mentioned she had a roast beef wrap recently and was quite pleased. I will be back very soon! read more

Atmosphere: This is clearly a neighbourhood joint. You can tell it's the local hangout on Saturday morning which gives it a great friendly and homey vibe! Food and drink: The coffee was good and the brunch menu was very reasonably priced with good portion size. I loved that they could make almost everything on their menu vegetarian. However, the kitchen is small so don't expect to be able to deviate far from the menu (I asked for scrambled rather than fried eggs, and they weren't able to accommodate). I ended up getting the french toast which was delicious! read more

Favorite coffee house in town. Great coffee. Laidback vibe and quaint location. Shaded outside patio is perfect way to meet a friend have a delicious pastry or yummy banana bread. Everything is homemade and the coffee is from a local roaster. And...it's reasonably priced. My favorite thing to do is to walk in graffiti a coffee to go either on my way to work or to Withrow Park with my dog. read more

It's convenient for me to stop here and the espresso and desserts are quite nice. It's a bad stroke of luck that every time I stop by I somehow receive the slowest service and have to watch people who have come after me get their order first. I enjoy sitting outdoors though. The inside is full of VERY loud locals. read more

Riverdale Perk is a great morning stop for coffee and a bite. Don't let the sea of strollers scare you away - there are usually a few seats outside you can escape to that are tranquil and serene. The lattes are deep and frothy, and the bagels are lightly toasted with just the right amount of cream cheese. The staff is also extremely friendly and courteous. If you ask for water, they'll bring you a carafe w/ cranberries floating on top. It doesn't get much classier than that! read more

Such a cute cafe hidden in the middle of the beihgbourhood on small-ish streets. With such a nice patio. And I love the vintagy/rustic and quiet atmosphere. They make killer fresh smoothies and lots of delicious pastries. They also made iced hot chocolate on the spot (not on the menu) and it was delicious. Special of the day was sangria lemonade also lovely. Staff is super friendly and welcoming and I will definitely be coming down back again to enjoy the whole experience all over again. read more

Since I live in the neighborhood, I have been there several times. The environment was great, but the food is eh... Disappointing. I had hot chocolate. Good! Cookie. Average. The cupcakes and bars. I don't like it!! read more

I have IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and the owner was unwilling to create something from her "very small" kitchen that would allow me to eat without going into spasms of pain. I mean how hard could it be to mix in your rice with a few veggies ready to go? I find the service of the kitchen incongruous with putting the customer first. I won't be coming back. read more

I have to gone to the R perk many times since my last review. It always has something new and delicious on the menu . Great atmosphere, cozy and friendly. And now with warm good weather coming! Outside options with tables in sun or shade . No ' Hurry up leave please , " --or a rushed out feeling here! " Stay, enjoy yourself ," have a snack or meal ; something yummy home made, and relax , ! Perfect. read more

PLEASE DONT GO HERE. I used to love going to the Perk until I took a glance into their kitchen while going to the washroom. It was disgusting. I also had their fish tacos, brought them home and the fish had totally gone bad I have also found hair in my food on multiple occasions. Also, all of their baked goods are frozen every night after being out on display all day. This keeps happening until they sell everything. Trust me, nothing is fresh. The staff is also very rude. The girls don't seem like they want to be there and don't care about their customers. Save your money, don't take a risk eating here. read more

I was very disappointed with my first visit to this coffee shop. My latte was delicious but the roast beef sandwich with was awful - the beef tasted slimy, as if past the best before date. When I took it back because it "wasn't good" the server did not ask any further questions. I ordered a bagel instead. When we paid ($40. approx. for lunch) we were told that she couldn't take the roast beef sandwich off the bill "because they made it." This is not the sort of service we're used to and will probably not be back, unless it's just for a coffee. read more

Not the best coffee, sub par desserts, sub par service, sub par rating. Actually the coffee might be below par, as it is weaker than Tim Hortons. A neighbourhood disappointment. Too bad because it is near the park and would be a great place to stop by. Alas, the offerings are not very good. read more

I LOVE the Perk. I love that it's off the main drag and a bit of a hidden gem usually only frequented by locals in the know. It's quaint, friendly and charming. Now, the caveat...you have to like children to appreciate this place (most times). There are usually many at-home moms and their kids here or, as Jimi notes, some breast-feeding action going on (I am one of them). This volume of kids means that there could sometimes be stroller traffic and a higher volume of little voices that some may appreciate. The food is surprisingly delicious. The Sunday brunch is quite gourmet with the eggs Florentine stealing my heart. Great quesadillas and grilled cheese too. Coffee is tasty as is the large selection of desserts all very reasonably priced. Their muffins and soups du jour are always great. The service is decent given it's usually 1 person out front and 1 prepping the food in back so it's not amazingly fast but respectable. My only beef is the fact that it's cash only which sometimes catches you off guard and give that it's in the middle of Riverdale and not on the Danforth, proximity to a bank machine is not good (Convenience store next door has an ATM...and is usually open). I am happy to live in a neighborhood with a unique and lovely little place like this :) read more

Still a really cute cafe, but the coffees and lattes are much too weak. Despite its proximity to where I was staying during my Toronto sojourn, I found myself skipping this place for other cafes for a caffeine buzz. read more