Dark Horse Espresso Bar

I’ve visited this Dark Horse Espresso Bar twice, and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite spots for a quiet break. It’s a great place to work or study, they have plenty of tables and even a cozy space at the back that feels a bit more private. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with beautiful chandeliers adding a nice touch of charm. They also have a small market section where you can pick up chips, wine, and other goodies, plus some merchandise. The coffee is high quality, I really enjoy the flavor and consistency here. One area for improvement would be the pastries. It would be nice if they could warm up or toast items like croissants, as that would make them even more enjoyable. That said, the overall food and drink experience is still very good. The staff is kind and professional, some are a bit more serious, but they do make an effort to provide good service. The washroom requires a bit of a “mission” to get to (you’ll need a key and a short walk), but it’s not a big deal once you know the process. Prices are standard for Toronto coffee shops. Cleanliness is generally fine, though sometimes tables take a while to get cleared, especially if people leave without tidying up. Overall, I recommend visiting. I’m giving it 5 stars because the experience is good and consistent, and I hope the small areas for improvement will be considered.

Tried only the matcha slushee but enjoyed it! Matcha flavour was there, and its texture as a slushee was decent. (Note: because it is matcha, it might not be as “refreshing” as you’d expect a slushee to be). Overall, I’d get the drink again and would love to try other menu items. Ambiance was great, felt spacious and calm. There’s seating in the back that’s elevated and lets you look out to the front. Good place to stop by and sit for a drink.

Can’t remember if it was Saturday or Sunday, but I had a good latte here last weekend. It’s the first cafe I tried in Toronto, during the hectic craze of helping my daughter move in for University, and I will return when we visit her next! Great service from the barista with short wavy hair, very friendly and upbeat! The space is large and modern but has kept the building’s vintage charm. It’s also next door to a record store! Recommend

I tried their Matcha Slushee upon seeing their signage out front. It tasted great and a perfect drink, at first... After a few sips, it was just ice and I could hardly drink anything. What made it worse was the paper straws, which kept bending on itself so I had to get additional straws just get through the drink. I also saw the barista pour a coffee syrup/flavouring of some kind directly into the coffee slushy, so while the matcha slush tasted good, I have no idea what's in it. That said, the atmosphere and the cafe was cozy. It was the perfect place for me to enjoy reading my book, with a nice ambience.

Their strawberry matcha is good. Place is pretty , perfect to study or do some work.

Matcha latte was super weak and just tasted like green-tinted milk. I asked the barista how much they usually add, and they just said - looking inconvenienced with no one else waiting - “I’ll add more” and it still was lacking. Dude. Service leaves a bit to be desired. Unfortunate as I really used to like coming here.

sad that I have to leave a bad review, because it truly is a nice cafe with a cozy atmosphere. unfortunately, their banana bread matcha left much to desire. I decided not to finish it because it just tasted like slightly sweet milk. I tried their iced pistachio latte the other day, which was the same, flavoured milk. Their sun-dried tomato danishes are delightful though. Additionally, the service is mediocre at best. Most of the baristas treat the customers like an annoyance.

I frequent this Dark Horse location, and it's great. They have great seating, on the main level and just up the stairs. Tons of space to come get some work done or hang out with friends. As for their drinks, I really enjoy their iced beverages. I normally get an iced vanilla latte with oat milk, iced mocha with lactose-free milk, or their iced elderberry hibiscus tea.