best places to buy coffee beans in toronto
Sep 8th, 2011, 01:11 PM
#1
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best places to buy coffee beans in toronto
Hey coffee drinkers in Toronto, where would be the best places to buy fresh roasted coffee beans. I'm from Hawaii and we have our Kona coffee but heard that Toronto is a coffee town.
Also, is a trip to Honest Eds worth our time? I don't have anything special to buy but I'm curious.
And lastly, we have to stay at a Marriott so which would be your choice:
Toronto Marriott Bloor Yorkville
Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre
Renaissance Toronto Downtown Hotel
We won't have a car, plan to do the Hop On Hop Off bus, probably taxi to and from the airport unless the subway is convenient (to Bloor Yorkville?)
Mahalo and Aloha
Also, is a trip to Honest Eds worth our time? I don't have anything special to buy but I'm curious.
And lastly, we have to stay at a Marriott so which would be your choice:
Toronto Marriott Bloor Yorkville
Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre
Renaissance Toronto Downtown Hotel
We won't have a car, plan to do the Hop On Hop Off bus, probably taxi to and from the airport unless the subway is convenient (to Bloor Yorkville?)
Mahalo and Aloha
Sep 8th, 2011, 01:20 PM
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Although I go to a lot of independent coffee shops, I don't buy beans but you might try the Green Beanery at the southeast corner of Bloor and Bathurst. I didn't know till I looked for their website that they have a location on King Street, too. http://www.greenbeanery.ca/bean/
Bloor and Bathurst on the southwest corner is Honest Ed's - it isn't a place I'd make a special trip to though - but if you're looking for coffee beans and you're across the street, you might want to wander in. I'm curious as to why you want to go there?
I'd stay at the Marriot on Bloor near Yonge (it's not IN Yorkville) but all locations are handy.
Bloor and Bathurst on the southwest corner is Honest Ed's - it isn't a place I'd make a special trip to though - but if you're looking for coffee beans and you're across the street, you might want to wander in. I'm curious as to why you want to go there?
I'd stay at the Marriot on Bloor near Yonge (it's not IN Yorkville) but all locations are handy.
Sep 8th, 2011, 01:22 PM
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Re the subway to Bloor and Yonge from the airport - there's a bus first from the terminal to Kipling station then something like 30 minutes from there to Bloor and Yonge Marriot. You might prefer to take a limo - they have flat rates.
Sep 8th, 2011, 01:44 PM
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thanks morningglory. I just read something about Honest Eds having 'everything and anything' you may want. don't know what I want so just curious. Thanks for the info on the subway. I was having a hard time understanding the schedule. I was leaning towards the Marriott on Bloor, but could you tell me why you would choose it?
Sep 8th, 2011, 09:02 PM
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Other than the subway closing at 1:00am and reopening at 5:00 or 6:00 in the morning (I think), the subway runs every couple of minutes. It can be very busy during rush hour with standing room only, and up to approx. 10 minutes wait during off-peak times, but usually it is pretty quick. There are also easy transfers to buses and street cars which also run frequently, just be sure to get a paper transfer where you pay. The TTC is an easy way to get around and is great way to see the real city. Unless you travel light, you may want to take a limo from the airport as the subway doesn't go all the way to the airport and it is a hassle to deal with luggage on buses and subways.
Regarding the coffee, check out Balzac in the Distillery District. They roast their own beans and the smell is just heavenly. There are lots of interesting shops, artist studios and galleries and the great Soul Pepper Theatre is in the area as well. The Distillery District is often used as a locale for movies and tv filming due to it's well preserved historic buildings.
Honest Ed's is worth checking out if you happen to be in the neighbourhood, but unless you are in the market for cheap goods, or like getting lost in a fun house maze of a building, I wouldn't say it is worth a special trip.
The Marriott on Bloor is located in a very upscale neighbourhood with lots of tony shops and restaurants. The Eaton Centre is more centrally located with a wider price range of shopping and the Renaisance is closer to the Entertainment District with lots of clubs and restaurants, which can be noisier at night.
Hope this helps.
Regarding the coffee, check out Balzac in the Distillery District. They roast their own beans and the smell is just heavenly. There are lots of interesting shops, artist studios and galleries and the great Soul Pepper Theatre is in the area as well. The Distillery District is often used as a locale for movies and tv filming due to it's well preserved historic buildings.
Honest Ed's is worth checking out if you happen to be in the neighbourhood, but unless you are in the market for cheap goods, or like getting lost in a fun house maze of a building, I wouldn't say it is worth a special trip.
The Marriott on Bloor is located in a very upscale neighbourhood with lots of tony shops and restaurants. The Eaton Centre is more centrally located with a wider price range of shopping and the Renaisance is closer to the Entertainment District with lots of clubs and restaurants, which can be noisier at night.
Hope this helps.
Sep 9th, 2011, 05:01 AM
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Honest Ed himself is now deceased, but his store stays on. It has a huge range of stuff -- my daughter bought an air conditioner there in July -- but muc of what is sold there is very inexpensive and intended for people on very limited budgets. If you need a $5 necktie, this is the place to go.
The advice given already -- if you are in the neighborhood, drop in -- is pretty good.
The Renaissance is in a baseball park. I'll be within 50 yards of it this morning and had a home and office 200 yeards away for more than a decade. Mix of bars, stores, convention center, broadcasting network headquarters, and short walk to the waterfront.
I guess split is what you like: High class shopping (Cartier, Mont Blanc) pick Yorkbville. Middle class shopping, pick Eagton Centre, avant garde trendy pick Renaissance.
Any choice has lots to be said for it.
Bus fromairport: I had a client right across fromthe airport and have taken the bus there dozens of times. It'll cost two people $6 to get to the Yorkville Mariott, easily. Subway stops underneath the hotel.
This will work fine with little luggage, but big bags are awkward to get onand off the subway.
To use the subway to Eaton Centre or Renaissance requires changing subway trains and carrying luggage a couple of blocks to Eaton Centre Mariott; switching to subway and then streetcar and then walking several blocks to get to Renaissance.
BAK
The advice given already -- if you are in the neighborhood, drop in -- is pretty good.
The Renaissance is in a baseball park. I'll be within 50 yards of it this morning and had a home and office 200 yeards away for more than a decade. Mix of bars, stores, convention center, broadcasting network headquarters, and short walk to the waterfront.
I guess split is what you like: High class shopping (Cartier, Mont Blanc) pick Yorkbville. Middle class shopping, pick Eagton Centre, avant garde trendy pick Renaissance.
Any choice has lots to be said for it.
Bus fromairport: I had a client right across fromthe airport and have taken the bus there dozens of times. It'll cost two people $6 to get to the Yorkville Mariott, easily. Subway stops underneath the hotel.
This will work fine with little luggage, but big bags are awkward to get onand off the subway.
To use the subway to Eaton Centre or Renaissance requires changing subway trains and carrying luggage a couple of blocks to Eaton Centre Mariott; switching to subway and then streetcar and then walking several blocks to get to Renaissance.
BAK
Sep 9th, 2011, 10:16 AM
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It seems incongruous to stay in high end Yorkville and take the bus from the airport! Just take a limo from the airport. It's not that much. Probably the same cost whether you go to Bloor, Bay(Eaton Center) or the Renaissance.
Sep 9th, 2011, 11:41 AM
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Thanks to all. All the hotels are the same price w/breakfast. However, the Bloor room is significantly smaller. I'm hoping w/ the Hop On Hop Off tour for the 3 days we'll get a nice flavor of the city but it's really great to get locals' perspectives. A long time ago a friend taught me to use public transportation, that's why considering the subway. Also had some bad experiences w/ cab and limo drivers but will take it for convenience, time and safety reasons. I have no special interests, just wanting to experience your city and hopefully return for more.
Sep 9th, 2011, 01:01 PM
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Been volunteering at the film festival so just reading replies now - I'd choose the Bloor Marriott because I loathe the Eaton Centre to which the hotel is attached - but if you do stay there, the bus outside will take you to Yorkville right straight up Bay Street. Or you could walk, it's not very far.
Sep 9th, 2011, 04:58 PM
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MG, can you get a signed pic of George Clooney for me? 
When we stayed at Marriott Eaton Centre recently we only cut through the north end of the Eaton Centre to go to the theatre on Yonge St.
You can stay at the Marriott hotel & totally avoid the Eaton Center. It's not as if the Marriott is "atttached" as in you walk in the lobby of the hotel & you're in the Eaton Center! You enter the Marriott from Bay St just north of Queen Street West.
When we stayed at Marriott Eaton Centre recently we only cut through the north end of the Eaton Centre to go to the theatre on Yonge St.
You can stay at the Marriott hotel & totally avoid the Eaton Center. It's not as if the Marriott is "atttached" as in you walk in the lobby of the hotel & you're in the Eaton Center! You enter the Marriott from Bay St just north of Queen Street West.
Sep 10th, 2011, 12:26 PM
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Never saw George, wish I did - I wasn't there for his gala red carpet walk. Saw Jason Statham today but missed Clive Owen and Robert DeNiro (or so others told me). They're here for Killer Elite.
The Marriott used to have an entrance right into Eaton's department store second floor or maybe it was the third (now Sears). They must have boarded it up when Sears took over.
The Marriott used to have an entrance right into Eaton's department store second floor or maybe it was the third (now Sears). They must have boarded it up when Sears took over.
Sep 10th, 2011, 12:45 PM
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MG, too bad about George.
I cannot say that that entrance is not still there. To cut through the EC we were directed by the Marriott concierge to go out through a pretty little courtyard. We crossed the courtyard then entered the north end of the EC. Quick scoot across the EC to Yonge St & Canon Theatre.
I cannot say that that entrance is not still there. To cut through the EC we were directed by the Marriott concierge to go out through a pretty little courtyard. We crossed the courtyard then entered the north end of the EC. Quick scoot across the EC to Yonge St & Canon Theatre.
Sep 11th, 2011, 10:12 AM
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Coffee beans: I find it hard to imagine better beans than in Hawaii, but anyway...
I was in Whole Foods yesterday, and spent some time just sniffing the geat selection of beans.
There's a Whole Foods on the lower level of Hazelton Lanes, and unscale mini-mall a few blocks from the Yorkville Mariott.
Ifyou want to see where lotsof real Torontonians live, and try public transit... that the Bloor Danforth subway west from Yonge and Bloor, or Bloor and St. George, to the Jane Station.
Get off,and walk eastbound on Bloor.
On the first block there's a coffee roasting store. Just sniff and you'll find it.
From there, keep walking east to either Runnymede Subway (this will be through Bloor West Village, and is a tenmiinute walk)or continue east to High
Park subway / High Park itself, which is a giant public park.
Still open to walking? Go south through the park all the way to The Queensway, and take a streetcar back downtown.
Lots to see on this walk.
I was in Whole Foods yesterday, and spent some time just sniffing the geat selection of beans.
There's a Whole Foods on the lower level of Hazelton Lanes, and unscale mini-mall a few blocks from the Yorkville Mariott.
Ifyou want to see where lotsof real Torontonians live, and try public transit... that the Bloor Danforth subway west from Yonge and Bloor, or Bloor and St. George, to the Jane Station.
Get off,and walk eastbound on Bloor.
On the first block there's a coffee roasting store. Just sniff and you'll find it.
From there, keep walking east to either Runnymede Subway (this will be through Bloor West Village, and is a tenmiinute walk)or continue east to High
Park subway / High Park itself, which is a giant public park.
Still open to walking? Go south through the park all the way to The Queensway, and take a streetcar back downtown.
Lots to see on this walk.
Sep 11th, 2011, 12:27 PM
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OK, I'm in the minority here but I think Honest Ed's is worth the trip to Bloor and Bathurst. Not just because it's a really fun store but also there's a nice little block of shops, restaurants and artist's studios at the west side of HE's on Markham Street. I'd visit HE's and Markham Village and then walk along Bloor starting at Bathurst and ending at Spadina (or farther if you want to get to the Bata Shoe Museum, the ROM, Yorkville, etc.).
That stretch of Bloor is cheek-by-jowl with unique shops, ethnic restaurants, coffee shops and bookstores. It's an old area of the city called the Annex and is popular with UofT students and art students, profs, writers, etc. I really think it will give you a much better 'flavour' of Toronto than some of the ritzier or more touristy areas.
As far as coffee beans go, heck, I'm a Starbucks girl but you certainly don't have to come to Toronto to get those. There's a nice coffee shop called Aroma on Bloor a block east of Bathurst.
That stretch of Bloor is cheek-by-jowl with unique shops, ethnic restaurants, coffee shops and bookstores. It's an old area of the city called the Annex and is popular with UofT students and art students, profs, writers, etc. I really think it will give you a much better 'flavour' of Toronto than some of the ritzier or more touristy areas.
As far as coffee beans go, heck, I'm a Starbucks girl but you certainly don't have to come to Toronto to get those. There's a nice coffee shop called Aroma on Bloor a block east of Bathurst.
Oct 5th, 2011, 03:38 PM
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Mahalo (Thank you) to everyone for suggestions. Ended up staying at Renaissance next to Rogers Center, watched a football game from the bar. Hop on hop off tour is a great deal. Had lunch at that sports bar voted best by ESPN viewers. Did manage to visit Honest Eds, worth a one time visit. Had my pie in the sky at Wandas. Got lucky w/ the Toronto Greeter, great guide. Also bought my coffee beans from Balzaks and chocolate from Soma. Wish I had opened it there, would have bought more. Aloha
Oct 12th, 2011, 11:36 AM
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Toronto has this wonderful greeter program[[email protected]]. It's similar to NYC's Big Apple Greeter (BAG, which we've also been extremely please with. You sign up for a greeter and someone is assigned to show you a little of his neighborhood or city, you can specify or the person will throw out suggestions. Our Toronto greeter was a young man, working for a bank, not what I expected of a greeter but he was awesome. His knowledge of the city/sites/history, etc was impressive but his love for the city made the biggest impact on all of us. If you live in Toronto you can't participate but if you go to NYC, Chicago, etc. look into it. Or if you have out of town guests. The Real Sports Bar and Grill is adjacent to the Air Canada Centre. I think they have over 100 beers to choose from and the food was good. It was my last chance to have pea meal bacon. Also 199 TV channels airing all live games.
