Coffeesmith

On our last day in Busan, the rain decided to greet us with a plentiful arrival. Our original plans for outdoor activities were scrapped, and we decided to take it easy and walk to a local juk place for lunch.

Avec El

I had seen beautiful photos of lattes topped with a slice of fruit, and even attempted my own throughout the years. As we were planning our latest trip to Seoul, I decided to hunt down the original cafe that served these lattes.

Avec El
Location: 서울시 용산구 후암동 41-1
41-1, Huam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Cafe Onion

Cafe Onion made its initial impression due to the oddity of it, as well as the beauty of the original warehouse-like location. Having expanded to a total of three stores, the Anguk location is arguably one of the most popular, located in a traditional hanok setting.

Cafe Onion Anguk (카페 어니언)
Location: 146-1, Gye-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울 종로구 계동길 5

Bunkasha

There were a long list of cafes I wanted to visit in South Korea, specifically Seoul. Bunkasha had made the list last time, but due to my odd schedule and lack of appetite, I never made my way to any cafes. This time, I was determined to change that.

Bunkasha (분카샤)
Location: 을지로점 : 을지로 14길 20 호성p&p 2층
Eulji-ro 14-gil 20, 2F

Black Heart Café

We were recommended to try Black Heart Café when we were in Iqaluit, and so we ventured over on a late Sunday afternoon.

Black Heart Café
Location: 1405 Masak Court
Iqaluit, NU
X0A0H0

Blue Bottle Coffee

Have you ever had the feeling of knowing that something is made well but still not enjoying it? That is how I feel about good coffee.

I can recognize when I taste good quality coffee, but without sugar and cream, I do not enjoy drinking it.

Blue Bottle Coffee
Location: 300 South Broadway
Los Angeles
CA 90013 

Little Pebbles

One of my favourite types of cake has to be the chiffon cake; so when QuirkyAesthetics suggested stopping by Little Pebbles for some cake, I readily agreed.

Located in Kensington Market, they have a sign outdoors advertising coffee and Japanese desserts that certainly captured the attention of many passer-bys.

Little Pebbles
Location: 160 Baldwin St, Unit 4
Toronto, ON
M5T 3K7 

Neo Coffee Bar

I was in search of a place for to work for a few hours, and decided to pop in to Neo Coffee Bar on a Friday afternoon.

Neo Coffee Bar
Location: 161 Frederick St, Unit 100
Toronto, ON
M5A 4P1

Bean Around the World

Update (Spring 2018): this location has been closed.

There aren’t many coffee shops in Markham that aren’t Second Cup, Starbucks, and Tim Hortons… and now there is Bean Around the World, a coffee shop from British Columbia that opened its first location here.

Bean Around the World
Location: 5762 Highway 7 E, Unit 3
Markham, ON
L3P 1A8

Atlas Espresso Bar

Iced hot chocolate and iced vanilla latte

Update (November 2017): Atlas Espresso Bar has been closed.

I’m not much of a coffee person. Excessive caffeine gives me headaches and I’ve never gotten past the bitter taste of coffee, which is something I don’t intend to get over after seeing the coffee addictions during exam season. However, I do appreciate a place that does a good cup of java and has a couple side options for people who do choose to go without.

If you love your coffee prepared on the spot, Atlas is the place to be. The lady working at the counter was one of the co-owners, and very friendly and easy-going. They opened in late February and already seem to have quite a few regulars.

Atlas Espresso Bar
Location: 505 Front St W, Unit 59
Toronto, ON
M5V 1C1