This is my favorite Sam James location — they serve excellent coffee and delicious baked goods.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Vito Apa
Great sweets and the cappuccino was solid. Only downside (depending on hour of visiting) is lack of a washroom. But the library across the street has one!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elmahdi Elgadi
Good one u should try
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rachel Lewis
Good latte, yummy quiche, interesting crowd.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rory D
Utter embarrassment of a place. I’d be embarrassed to call myself one of the employees and I’d be embarrassed to own the place. Absolutely appalling service every time. Thought it would just be a one off, the next time(s): perhaps they’re just having a bad day. No, every time, the workers are miserable, careless and sub par. Given them enough grace and won’t be going again. Luckily we have genuinely fantastic coffee shops in Parkdale like Larry’s, who care about their customers, the level of service and quality of coffee. Sam James uses its moderately well known name to maintain any kind of clientele, when in actual fact, its coffee is mediocre in comparison to nearby competitors, the service is appalling, the cups don’t fit the lids (caused a coffee explosion all over my clothes). Simple fixes that someone who cared about delivering a good service could recognize and rectify. I’d say the one saving grace is the Robinsons bakery. Even there, why would you bake and sell artisanal breads, and not have slicing capabilities. Small things that a competent owner would spot and rectify, but again, Sam James fails to deliver on quality and care. Imagine spending $65 on 4 coffees, 2 loaves of bread and a couple of pastries…. Go to Brodflour, go to Larry’s, go to Forno, go to Rustic Cosmo. There are plenty of options, all of which will look after you better than Sam James.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
JT Interior Construction Co.
Sam James Coffee Bar is hands down one of the best coffee spots in the city. The espresso is smooth, rich, and perfectly balanced every single time, and their lattes and cappuccinos are consistently made with care and precision. On top of the amazing coffee, they also have a great selection of fresh and delicious baked goods that pair perfectly with your drink—everything tastes like it was made with quality ingredients and real attention to detail. The staff are always friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable, which makes the whole experience even better. The atmosphere is warm, simple, and inviting—perfect whether you’re stopping by for a quick coffee on the go or sitting down to enjoy your drink and pastry. Every visit feels consistent and reliable, which is why it has become one of my go-to coffee shops in Toronto.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Giorgia Vagnoni
I almost never write bad reviews, but I felt this time it was necessary. I’ve given this coffee shop several chances, but after multiple visits, this will be my last time coming here. The staff is consistently rude, and I’ve overheard them more than once making fun of customers’ accents or appearances. Just a reminder: if you whisper at the counter, customers can still hear you. You never know what someone might be going through mentally, and that’s why it’s so important to always be kind and respectful. The coffee it’s okay , the food is average and the unkind atmosphere ruins the whole experience. I really hope someone addresses this issue with the staff, because the way they treat people is unacceptable. I used to come here often because it’s close to my home, but after this repeated disrespect, I’m done. I would not recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Sonia F
Came back to take back stars. Not sure if the baristas hate their job because they can’t crack a smile or give a how are you to their customers for the life of them. I have to question if I’ve run their family over. Anyway coffee and pastries are fine. I only go in for a baguette now since the bakers are doing their job well.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
San
I love this location. It’s super cute and love being able to see the breads being made
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Karl Sowa
What a treat to have this in the neighborhood. The coffee is always great (with beautifully done latte art as a bonus detail) but what brings it into the sublime is the connected Robinson Bread bakery. Best quiche pastry I have ever had, best chocolate croissant I have ever had, the list goes on. The bread is amazing too. Truly gifted bakers.
This is my favorite Sam James location — they serve excellent coffee and delicious baked goods.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Great sweets and the cappuccino was solid. Only downside (depending on hour of visiting) is lack of a washroom. But the library across the street has one!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good one u should try
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good latte, yummy quiche, interesting crowd.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Utter embarrassment of a place. I’d be embarrassed to call myself one of the employees and I’d be embarrassed to own the place. Absolutely appalling service every time. Thought it would just be a one off, the next time(s): perhaps they’re just having a bad day. No, every time, the workers are miserable, careless and sub par. Given them enough grace and won’t be going again. Luckily we have genuinely fantastic coffee shops in Parkdale like Larry’s, who care about their customers, the level of service and quality of coffee. Sam James uses its moderately well known name to maintain any kind of clientele, when in actual fact, its coffee is mediocre in comparison to nearby competitors, the service is appalling, the cups don’t fit the lids (caused a coffee explosion all over my clothes). Simple fixes that someone who cared about delivering a good service could recognize and rectify. I’d say the one saving grace is the Robinsons bakery. Even there, why would you bake and sell artisanal breads, and not have slicing capabilities. Small things that a competent owner would spot and rectify, but again, Sam James fails to deliver on quality and care. Imagine spending $65 on 4 coffees, 2 loaves of bread and a couple of pastries…. Go to Brodflour, go to Larry’s, go to Forno, go to Rustic Cosmo. There are plenty of options, all of which will look after you better than Sam James.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Sam James Coffee Bar is hands down one of the best coffee spots in the city. The espresso is smooth, rich, and perfectly balanced every single time, and their lattes and cappuccinos are consistently made with care and precision. On top of the amazing coffee, they also have a great selection of fresh and delicious baked goods that pair perfectly with your drink—everything tastes like it was made with quality ingredients and real attention to detail.
The staff are always friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable, which makes the whole experience even better. The atmosphere is warm, simple, and inviting—perfect whether you’re stopping by for a quick coffee on the go or sitting down to enjoy your drink and pastry. Every visit feels consistent and reliable, which is why it has become one of my go-to coffee shops in Toronto.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I almost never write bad reviews, but I felt this time it was necessary. I’ve given this coffee shop several chances, but after multiple visits, this will be my last time coming here. The staff is consistently rude, and I’ve overheard them more than once making fun of customers’ accents or appearances. Just a reminder: if you whisper at the counter, customers can still hear you.
You never know what someone might be going through mentally, and that’s why it’s so important to always be kind and respectful. The coffee it’s okay , the food is average and the unkind atmosphere ruins the whole experience.
I really hope someone addresses this issue with the staff, because the way they treat people is unacceptable. I used to come here often because it’s close to my home, but after this repeated disrespect, I’m done. I would not recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Came back to take back stars. Not sure if the baristas hate their job because they can’t crack a smile or give a how are you to their customers for the life of them. I have to question if I’ve run their family over. Anyway coffee and pastries are fine. I only go in for a baguette now since the bakers are doing their job well.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
I love this location. It’s super cute and love being able to see the breads being made
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
What a treat to have this in the neighborhood. The coffee is always great (with beautifully done latte art as a bonus detail) but what brings it into the sublime is the connected Robinson Bread bakery. Best quiche pastry I have ever had, best chocolate croissant I have ever had, the list goes on. The bread is amazing too. Truly gifted bakers.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
A classic - quiet cafe for coffee lovers. I tried the iced vanilla latte which tasted just the way I like it!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bakery and coffee shop.
Awesome baked goods and terrific choice of coffee
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Limited seating makes up for the great coffee and delicious pastries
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
they charge for ICE ??? Loooooool absolutely not
Amazing Bread and pastries! I always leave with a bag of Butter knife coffee when I hit this spot 100%
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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