Great independently owned coffee shop in the neighbourhood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joe Connolly
Always polite, refined and respectful. I consider Zav's to be a pillar of the Woodbine community and a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. In an area with a myriad of coffee options, where you can find multiple staff on hand, Zav's is a family-owned business that offers a great atmosphere for everyone; especially those who have an appreciation for great art and music. (And they have excellent coffee to boot!)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Charlotte Duke
Zav's makes the best latte in the east end! I'm super picky with my coffee and it's hands down the best! The atmosphere is absolutely lovely - and the owner is so kind! A must try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brooke Ostrom
Both my partner and I have been here on separate occasions with our baby where we were demanded to leave our stroller outside while trying to get a coffee TO-GO! This space is absolutely conducive to having a stroller at the front cash for a to-go order — the owner, however, is not. Completely rigid in his “rules” and “policy” (illegal, btw) and has undoubtedly lost business because of his lack of accessibility accommodations. To say that he can “bring a ramp out to someone who needs it” is a ridiculous claim. Is one who uses an assisted device supposed to flag him down through the window just to seek the help for a basic human right? Keep the ramp out. Let strollers in 365. Get some winter mats and caution signs for slippery floors. Bonus: ditch the bicycles on display (no knock here - they’re lovely to ooh and awe at) to accommodate assisted devices if space is the true concern.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Tim Charron
Best coffee in the east end and the owner is friendly and welcoming. My wife and I go in with the baby all the time and he is nothing but accommodating (including holding the door open for us).Kid-friendliness: Friendly with baby and holds the door for my wife.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Danielle Mason
I love your coffee and food and the atmosphere inside with your art is lovely. However, extremely disappointing that you have not allowed strollers indoors and I had a personal experience of you asking a small group of moms (including myself) to leave because of our strollers. Regardless of what your prior review responses say, pointing to rationale behind this being due to the weather (winter or rain), that was not the case in my direct experience. In addition, not allowing strollers is actually a violation of the human rights code. Piece of business advice: Please also always have your ramp placed outside - you not only appear unwelcoming to those with accessibility challenges, but are losing out on a tonne of business from local families due to this restriction! It’s extremely hard to carry a stroller over a ledge, oftentimes babes are sleeping in the strollers and no parent will go out of their way to hassle to grab a coffee and leave their stroller outside…. not to mention, strollers are also very expensive items. I hope you will reconsider and allow strollers indoors. Thank you!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Arthur Talbot-kelly
Love Arya and the coffee here. Such a nice environment and I love how helpful he is with our stroller coming in and out of this shop.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anna Nowak
Coffee was good and owner seemed nice the first time I visited but the last time I tried to go get a coffee he wouldn’t let me in with a stroller which is a direct violation of the Ontario Human Rights Commission“Rules that ban or restrict stroller access pose barriers to families, particularly for parents who have disabilities and cannot carry their small children. Where, as a result of inaccessible design or stroller bans, persons with small children are not able to access a service, this may amount to a violation of the Code.”
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Tansy Chau
Needed to have a pause in my day and I ended up here.An absolutely lovely little coffee shop with a sunny window and chill vibes. I could see myself spending an afternoon here with a book or my laptop.Chai latte and chocolate chip cookie. Did not disappoint!Zav seems like a film maker, because behind the bar there were fascinating film posters. I'm interested! Should have asked about them but I guess now I'll have to go back.Very kind staff as well. Thank you for a solid place for a little respite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Frank Clem
Calm oasis. Beautiful classic and international music. I thoroughly enjoyed my soy latte and carrot cake as a late breakfast and so comfortable, I wanted to stay longer.
Been coming here to get work done since the pandemic. One of the best atmospheres for a cafe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Laura R
Zav’s coffee is a gem. Excellent coffee, bright comfortable space with beautiful art on display. The owner is friendly and always lovely to chat with. Great place to come to work, read, chat with a friend or bring your kid!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Isabella Massi
Perfect place in East York for a great delicious cup of coffee. Amazing atmosphere for working and studying. The music and the beautiful art simply energizes me! Also the coconut biscotti is amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mewded M.
The most personable and kind staff you have ever met. Arya always makes an excellent cappuccino and it is served with care.I highly recommend this cozy but spacious neighbourhood gem!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Arsalan M
My friend and i came here to study. We settled down and planned to sit for a few minutes before ordering. Within 5 minutes a bearded man approached us and rudely said "may I help you". We told him we were going to order after a few minutes. He immediately got very angry and said "When you come here you need to order something before sitting", which is understandable. I went to the front to get something while my friend watched our belongings but when he realized i only wanted a cookie he started banging on the table and yelling at me to go somewhere else. Perhaps he was upset that he couldn't milk more money out of us... goes without saying that you shouldn't study here. A simple misunderstanding made this grown man throw a tantrum. We ordered as he demanded and he was still upset.
Great independently owned coffee shop in the neighbourhood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Always polite, refined and respectful. I consider Zav's to be a pillar of the Woodbine community and a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. In an area with a myriad of coffee options, where you can find multiple staff on hand, Zav's is a family-owned business that offers a great atmosphere for everyone; especially those who have an appreciation for great art and music. (And they have excellent coffee to boot!)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Zav's makes the best latte in the east end! I'm super picky with my coffee and it's hands down the best! The atmosphere is absolutely lovely - and the owner is so kind! A must try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Both my partner and I have been here on separate occasions with our baby where we were demanded to leave our stroller outside while trying to get a coffee TO-GO! This space is absolutely conducive to having a stroller at the front cash for a to-go order — the owner, however, is not. Completely rigid in his “rules” and “policy” (illegal, btw) and has undoubtedly lost business because of his lack of accessibility accommodations. To say that he can “bring a ramp out to someone who needs it” is a ridiculous claim. Is one who uses an assisted device supposed to flag him down through the window just to seek the help for a basic human right? Keep the ramp out. Let strollers in 365. Get some winter mats and caution signs for slippery floors. Bonus: ditch the bicycles on display (no knock here - they’re lovely to ooh and awe at) to accommodate assisted devices if space is the true concern.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Best coffee in the east end and the owner is friendly and welcoming. My wife and I go in with the baby all the time and he is nothing but accommodating (including holding the door open for us).Kid-friendliness: Friendly with baby and holds the door for my wife.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love your coffee and food and the atmosphere inside with your art is lovely. However, extremely disappointing that you have not allowed strollers indoors and I had a personal experience of you asking a small group of moms (including myself) to leave because of our strollers. Regardless of what your prior review responses say, pointing to rationale behind this being due to the weather (winter or rain), that was not the case in my direct experience. In addition, not allowing strollers is actually a violation of the human rights code. Piece of business advice: Please also always have your ramp placed outside - you not only appear unwelcoming to those with accessibility challenges, but are losing out on a tonne of business from local families due to this restriction! It’s extremely hard to carry a stroller over a ledge, oftentimes babes are sleeping in the strollers and no parent will go out of their way to hassle to grab a coffee and leave their stroller outside…. not to mention, strollers are also very expensive items. I hope you will reconsider and allow strollers indoors. Thank you!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Love Arya and the coffee here. Such a nice environment and I love how helpful he is with our stroller coming in and out of this shop.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Coffee was good and owner seemed nice the first time I visited but the last time I tried to go get a coffee he wouldn’t let me in with a stroller which is a direct violation of the Ontario Human Rights Commission“Rules that ban or restrict stroller access pose barriers to families, particularly for parents who have disabilities and cannot carry their small children. Where, as a result of inaccessible design or stroller bans, persons with small children are not able to access a service, this may amount to a violation of the Code.”
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Needed to have a pause in my day and I ended up here.An absolutely lovely little coffee shop with a sunny window and chill vibes. I could see myself spending an afternoon here with a book or my laptop.Chai latte and chocolate chip cookie. Did not disappoint!Zav seems like a film maker, because behind the bar there were fascinating film posters. I'm interested! Should have asked about them but I guess now I'll have to go back.Very kind staff as well. Thank you for a solid place for a little respite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Calm oasis. Beautiful classic and international music. I thoroughly enjoyed my soy latte and carrot cake as a late breakfast and so comfortable, I wanted to stay longer.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Been coming here to get work done since the pandemic. One of the best atmospheres for a cafe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Zav’s coffee is a gem. Excellent coffee, bright comfortable space with beautiful art on display. The owner is friendly and always lovely to chat with. Great place to come to work, read, chat with a friend or bring your kid!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Perfect place in East York for a great delicious cup of coffee. Amazing atmosphere for working and studying. The music and the beautiful art simply energizes me! Also the coconut biscotti is amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The most personable and kind staff you have ever met. Arya always makes an excellent cappuccino and it is served with care.I highly recommend this cozy but spacious neighbourhood gem!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My friend and i came here to study. We settled down and planned to sit for a few minutes before ordering. Within 5 minutes a bearded man approached us and rudely said "may I help you". We told him we were going to order after a few minutes. He immediately got very angry and said "When you come here you need to order something before sitting", which is understandable. I went to the front to get something while my friend watched our belongings but when he realized i only wanted a cookie he started banging on the table and yelling at me to go somewhere else. Perhaps he was upset that he couldn't milk more money out of us... goes without saying that you shouldn't study here. A simple misunderstanding made this grown man throw a tantrum. We ordered as he demanded and he was still upset.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1