The Library Specialty Coffee

Editor's Review

After only a year of being in business, The Library is quickly climbing the ranks of Toronto’s best coffee shops. Owner Jeffrey Ji learned about specialty coffee while studying in Melbourne and was able to learn the craft from some of the industry’s top resources like roaster St. Ali. He took these learnings and inspirations back to his home city of Shanghai and opened his first coffee shop. Lucky for Toronto, he has brought all of his experiences and worldly knowledge of the industry to The Library Specialty Coffee.

Educating his customer base is a major priority for Ji, which is obvious when walking into the shop. The front of the narrow room has a shiny chrome La Marzocco Linea PB for those seeking espresso-based drinks and a slow bar in the back directly in front of the separate roasting space. Originally opening with beans from international roasters such as Sweet Bloom out of Denver, Ji now offers a wide selection of his own coffee roasted on a Diedrich IR-2.5, but will continue to feature other roasteries from time to time. 

The entire staff is excited to discuss and educate whenever possible. With all of the coffee gear around on the bar and retail shelves, along with a glass partition to allow customers to see into their mini-roastery, it is a coffee paradise filled with learning potential. One of the city’s best destinations for a coffee is also one of the best places to learn about it too.

Reviewed by Peter de Vooght.

Cafe Features

Buy Beans

Wifi

Loose Leaf Tea

Toilets

Coffee + Drinks

Filter Coffee

Iced Coffee

Non Dairy

Decaf

Cold Brew