Balzac’s Coffee Roastery

I really like Balzac’s. I come here often. It’s attached to the reference library.
They offer vegan cookies, steamed almond and soy milk, maple syrup in their drinks.
Everything is soooo good. I’m so glad it’s so close to me, I’m here all the time.
It is really busy on weekends and it’s hard to get a table at times.
There are two long communal tables, a bar along the window for sitting, and a few small 2 – 3 person tables in the back.
Drinks are a bit pricey but when you taste them its worth it.
A lot of work goes into them too, it was like a production.
I only wish they were open later. I think they close about 9 on certain weekdays.
Definitely worth checking out! It’s not too loud and its a great place to sit and do work. If you can find a spot.

Try their Marco Polo tea, it’s fragrant, sweet smell of flowers and fruits. I would buy large with 1 tea bag outside, which I can use later. Their peanut crunch and ham & mustard roll are great food options. They also have royalty card for free money.

2.5
I usually really like coming to Balzac’s but I think their coffee here is not as good as the one at distillery and liberty village. I had the mocha latte and it’s just not the same as the other location.
This location is great for students as it’s located right inside the reference library.

A very convenient and well placed café but the coffee is just coffee, if you know what I mean :-) nothing significant. One can also grab a few munchies while indulging in the great selection of books the Toronto Public Library carries. Other chain coffee shops are around, but at least Balzac is a better choice with more variety compared to them.

I ordered the Café Canadien on my first visit to the city a couple years ago. Every trip since then, I do my best to order one. Because their Saturday closing times, my pilgrimage usually occurs on a Sunday morning.
I’ve had maple syrup lattes at other businesses including a couple in the States. I like how the syrup isn’t too overwhelming. Enough to know it’s present but not too much to hide the other ingredients.
As for the service, the staff have always been friendly and professional. It was due to their helpfulness did I end up ordering the Café Canadien on my initial visit. I wanted to try something different.
Although it’s a few blocks from my hotel, the walk is well worth it. It’s also an excuse to allow me to order the latte guilt-​free.

The perfect joint to bring a book (Or a comic book) and enjoy a coffee on a cold winter day. Although the atmosphere is perfect, the coffee could be better

LOVE that this is connected to the Toronto Library, and really what a stunning library it is! But this isn’t a review of the library… Stopped by Balzac’s for a quick caffeine fix. Both my friend and I ordered single espressos to enjoy in house. The espresso was strong, which I love. I had only ever been to the Ryerson location, which has a completely different feel then this one. I liked them both for different reasons. I love the very large communal table in the centre of the restaurant, with sufficient other dining space as well. There was a random Beyonce basil plant on the counter, which cracked me up. Service was quick, ambiance was great, and the coffee was delicious. What’s not to like?

I came to Balzac’s for a business meeting and just ordered a fresh lemonade. I didn’t want to be wired during the interview so I opted for something light. The lemonade was very tart and I actually needed to add some more water to my lemonade to dilute it. It was not really overly sweet, but the sourness of the lemonade was overpowering. I’d probably try Balzac’s again since it might just be a one-​time thing and I didn’t even get a coffee.

Located at the Toronto Reference Library, they have an excellent espresso. It was smooth and didn’t have a chalky after taste. I think it was approx $ 2 though I can’t remember. I’ll have to come back and try their Americano and some their delicious cookies!

I work minutes from this place but only been here twice. Guess it is because I have a gold card to Star… you know what.
I am glad I decided to drop in on a Friday morning for a treat.
The ham and mustard roll was so good I had two! I also like that they have almond milk available. I had a salted caramel latte made with almond milk. It is one of the best lattes I have had in a long time. I am a caffeine freak and I love coffee in any form!
I love the coziness of this place. It is so airy and bright and they’ve painted and decorated with the color yellow. You feel like you are in an European café.

This is the first time I have ever taken a sip of coffee and shocked myself. I don’t want to sound overly critical, but after ordering an almond milk latte this afternoon, I have to say that this coffee was perhaps the worst I have ever had. In my entire life. I can’t even say that it was bitter, because I like drinking my coffee black. If I had to imagine what drinking poison would be like, this latte is what I assume it would taste like.
It’s a real shame though because the location is great and the vibe is really nice. Maybe it was an off latte? If I can work up the nerve maybe I’ll try another.

I had the home made iced tea here and it was pretty bitter, actually. The coffee seems run-​of-​the-​mill and the setting is nothing to rave about. Prices are fairly good for this area of town, which is one saving grace, and the rest of the Toronto Reference Library is gorgeous. Well located if in need of a pick me up for studying, otherwise there are better coffee shops to spend time and money at.

Great location, inside the Reference Library, and good atmosphere too.
Giving it 3 stars since the baristas could work on their espresso machine skills. Shots are pretty bitter here with no crema. Maybe the baristas could try to dial in their machines… I bet if they had to drink what they were serving, they would up their game.

I love Balzac coffee.
It’s a welcome change from Starbucks & Second Cup, & I often buy the coffee beans from them for home brewing — beans that they were nice enough to grind to my preference.
I’d recommend also the pastries, they’re delicious. Check out Balzac’s all over the city, even collect a mug of each location if you love it as much as I do!

Books and coffee no better match wouldn’t you say? Well if you agree (and I’m sure you do) plop yourself down right here! Right off the library a perfect place to sit down and read (coincidence or marketing strategy??) Exquisite lighting provide by the best lighting provider, the sun, is shining though giving a bright and happy atmosphere.* Warning note! Late cups do not have handles! Do not spin the cup around looking for it, you will not find it. DO NOT WORRY! I know you will be sitting their palms sweating wondering how the Doogle Berries do I drink this! Just take it like Bell did beauty and the beast moment here (proof Disney taught us something) the trick is not to hesitate. Take the ‘bowl’ with both hands pinkies up for a little queen class and take a sip. You got this! If your not feeling ready for the awaited latte bowl just go for the standard coffee they come with handles. Now you are ready for Balzacs café experience! Have fun and enjoy!
*note atmospheric lighting only provides on clear and sunny days. Standard lighting will be provided for all open hours.

Good coffee and organic hot chocolate. I was disappointed «Armand croissant». The taste was pretty hard.

Stopped here to meet up my photography walk tour. It has a cute charm to it, a good variety of coffees/​teas. I chose the Parisian Tea — a very light blend of tea with vanilla syrup. It has a frothiness about it that reminds me more of a coffee type drink than a tea. But it was nice light taste with a hint of something sweet. I didn’t get an opportunity to try any of the pastries unfortunately. I love reclaimed wood type of feeling for the tables. Feels so rustic and gives the place an un-​bougey feel.

Balzac’s has a certain nerdy charm to it, and there’s something about having a coffee right at the foot of the reference library that stimulates wonderful conversation, or so I like to think.
But the pastry I had (almond chocolate croissant) was tasty but too buttery.
The cappuccino was borderline revolting the first time I had it, decent the second time. I won’t be ordering it a third time.
So overall, Balzac is more ambiance than appetissant. But still charming in a passing way.

Decent coffee shop close to my work.
Great alternative to your typical Indigo-​Starbucks combo. This coffee shop is in the same building as the Toronto public library.
Give their jumbo cookies a try. They are drool worthy.

I come here on the regular since moving to the Bloor-​Yonge area. And thank goddess for this coffee shop located on the bottom floor of the library (also, drinks but not food are allowed in the library! yay!).
The baristas are really nice and always try to make conversation with the patrons.
They have really yummy vegan soups all days (my fave being the moroccan stew), and vegetarian sandwiches (although those tend to run out earlier in the day), and often have vegan baked goods as well. Their coffee and specialty drinks are pretty damn good, not my favourite but heads above Starbucks.
It can get crowded past 5pm and during weekends :(
Understandable given the prime location, free wifi, and ample power outlets.