The view is great of the Toronto Harbourfront. You just need to wait for construction to finish on the small parkette in front of the cafe. Large patio to eat and relax outside with a wooden sitting wall.The cafe has weird operating hours. Literally only on weekends. Check IG or call for the latest updates. Went twice during the week times and it was closed despite checking on website.Expect long line ups on a weekend as literally there was one person at the till and 1.5 people making drinks.Other than that, nice place to catch up with friends, decent background music.Vegetarian options: Yes - it's a coffee shopDietary restrictions: Confirm with serverParking: Downtown TO by the waterfront. Many paid parking options.Kid-friendliness: YesWheelchair accessibility: Yes - accessibility ramp
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Aaron Barry
On vacation and found this venue on maps looking for a nice place for breakfast. Very disappointing - food was cold in the middle they obviously heat up pre prepared sandwiches and coffee wasn't great for a premium price. Had to go elsewhere.
Carmen G.
Review is based on their venue space alone. I've been here twice already for private parties so the entire space is booked out and clear of tables/ chairs. It really is a large space you can use for whatever the event may be. The event I attended was a birthday and for night time, so the entire space as booked out and for our friends only. They do your regular bar rail drinks that you can order or get a bottle. The space is spacious and can easily holy over 100 people. We had about 50-60 at the space and there was still a lot of room left for others to join. The best part is that the outside is overlooking the waters, with a skating rink in the winter. If you're looking for event space in the future, definitely consider Boxcar Social. However, since it's at the Harbourfront, the parking is quite expensive and is underground right beside the Harbourfront Centre.
Peter Asselstine
I used to love this place when it was reasonable… Absolutely fantastic location and nice atmosphere. Coffee is Good, but not great and overpriced.6.50 for a med. latte is nuts when you pack on their minimum tip suggestion of 18%.Thats 17.50 for two mediocre coffees in a Takeaway cup is steep, albeit a nice location!I find the service in the summertime is hit and miss. Depends on who is serving and how they feel that day.Nice place to work all day with the rental fee of a latte.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Sue Kennis
Cozy and genuine. Great for a night out!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
EzLife
Amazing coffee shop by the water - would recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Roopesh Dhara
Good place
Anna Keran
Place had 5 other guests but still took 25 mins for breakfast. When it did come tater tots cold, Toast and eggs all cold to the touch. Ordered a breakfast tea sugar and milk separate they had added steamed milk. Ladies tried they're best but no excuse to serve cold food.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
Michelle Austin
Had a lovely catch up here, nice atmosphere, good coffee and food. Not an expensive spot compared to a few other brunch places in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Liam Herbst
Wonderful setting and service. Great spot for a casual work day or to pop in when walking or biking along the lake.
great location for a Sunday morning brunch or coffee. Awesome vibe, great views of
Atmosphere: 5
Will Webb
Great place! Friend staff and fun.Boxcar Social, a Toronto-based indie cafe chain, offers several notable benefits to its employees. Key among these is the provision of profit shares from the cafe's revenue. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to involve staff more directly in the business, providing them with opportunities for leadership and a say in decision-making processes. The company aims to create a space where staff can develop their leadership skills, receive mentorship in managing a location, and contribute to various aspects of the business, like programming, costing, and labor hours. This approach also aims to foster a sense of autonomy within a cooperative structure, enhancing the team's engagement with the coffee community and aligning with Boxcar Social's larger philosophical values.Vegetarian options: YesDietary restrictions: YesParking: EasyKid-friendliness: YesWheelchair accessibility: Yes
The view is great of the Toronto Harbourfront. You just need to wait for construction to finish on the small parkette in front of the cafe. Large patio to eat and relax outside with a wooden sitting wall.The cafe has weird operating hours. Literally only on weekends. Check IG or call for the latest updates. Went twice during the week times and it was closed despite checking on website.Expect long line ups on a weekend as literally there was one person at the till and 1.5 people making drinks.Other than that, nice place to catch up with friends, decent background music.Vegetarian options: Yes - it's a coffee shopDietary restrictions: Confirm with serverParking: Downtown TO by the waterfront. Many paid parking options.Kid-friendliness: YesWheelchair accessibility: Yes - accessibility ramp
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
On vacation and found this venue on maps looking for a nice place for breakfast. Very disappointing - food was cold in the middle they obviously heat up pre prepared sandwiches and coffee wasn't great for a premium price. Had to go elsewhere.
Review is based on their venue space alone. I've been here twice already for private parties so the entire space is booked out and clear of tables/ chairs. It really is a large space you can use for whatever the event may be. The event I attended was a birthday and for night time, so the entire space as booked out and for our friends only. They do your regular bar rail drinks that you can order or get a bottle. The space is spacious and can easily holy over 100 people. We had about 50-60 at the space and there was still a lot of room left for others to join. The best part is that the outside is overlooking the waters, with a skating rink in the winter. If you're looking for event space in the future, definitely consider Boxcar Social. However, since it's at the Harbourfront, the parking is quite expensive and is underground right beside the Harbourfront Centre.
I used to love this place when it was reasonable… Absolutely fantastic location and nice atmosphere. Coffee is Good, but not great and overpriced.6.50 for a med. latte is nuts when you pack on their minimum tip suggestion of 18%.Thats 17.50 for two mediocre coffees in a Takeaway cup is steep, albeit a nice location!I find the service in the summertime is hit and miss. Depends on who is serving and how they feel that day.Nice place to work all day with the rental fee of a latte.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Cozy and genuine. Great for a night out!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Amazing coffee shop by the water - would recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good place
Place had 5 other guests but still took 25 mins for breakfast. When it did come tater tots cold, Toast and eggs all cold to the touch. Ordered a breakfast tea sugar and milk separate they had added steamed milk. Ladies tried they're best but no excuse to serve cold food.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
Had a lovely catch up here, nice atmosphere, good coffee and food. Not an expensive spot compared to a few other brunch places in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wonderful setting and service. Great spot for a casual work day or to pop in when walking or biking along the lake.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
great location for a Sunday morning brunch or coffee. Awesome vibe, great views of
Atmosphere: 5
Great place! Friend staff and fun.Boxcar Social, a Toronto-based indie cafe chain, offers several notable benefits to its employees. Key among these is the provision of profit shares from the cafe's revenue. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to involve staff more directly in the business, providing them with opportunities for leadership and a say in decision-making processes. The company aims to create a space where staff can develop their leadership skills, receive mentorship in managing a location, and contribute to various aspects of the business, like programming, costing, and labor hours. This approach also aims to foster a sense of autonomy within a cooperative structure, enhancing the team's engagement with the coffee community and aligning with Boxcar Social's larger philosophical values.Vegetarian options: YesDietary restrictions: YesParking: EasyKid-friendliness: YesWheelchair accessibility: Yes
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Avocado Toast, Tomato Salad, Poutine, Chicken Nuggets, Steak, Charcuterie Board, Tacos, Calamari
Good coffee...but my least favorite of the boxcar. Queen East...then younger if it still exists...then this.
I live nearby and sadly had to remove my previous recommendation for the coffee experience. Go for the beer or food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
Highly recommend this downtown brunch spot; it's among the best! The menu offers great variety, and the portions are generous.