The Library Specialty Coffee

Amazing oat latte. Perfect ratio of espresso to oat milk, and the right beans for latte. If you like your lattes foamy, you will love this one. Barista was extremely friendly. Overall just a good experience <3

I always get the coffee and matcha here, and they’re amazing! Both drinks taste great and give me the perfect boost to stay energized and focused throughout the whole day at work. Definitely one of my go-to spots 🫠

For those in the Dundas area toward the AGO, The Library is a great place for a good coffee and a quick snack. The cafe is small, but offers excellent service and a great selection of coffees and quick snacks, such as cookies, cakes, and more. It can be accessed via the St. Patrick subway exit and several subway lines. The location is wheelchair-accessible, allowing for entry by customers with disabilities. It also has a spring-operated door. It's worth adding to your list of good places for quality coffee.

The Library serves some of the best coffee in the city, with beautifully crafted pour-overs and excellent espresso-based drinks. The vibe is minimalist and cool—more of a grab-and-go spot with limited seating, but the friendly staff make it welcoming. It actually has a bit of a Japanese coffee shop feel, which I loved. Their flat white is hands down the best in town, so if you’re into milk-based drinks, this is the place.

Recommend: Pour-over with house vanilla syrup and milk – lovely soy-honey aftertaste, though a bit pricey at around $10. Also good: Cappuccino – balanced and smooth. Skip: Cold brew – too bitter for my taste.

Cafe Name: The Library Specialty Coffee Location:281 Dundas Street W Date Visited: June 29th, 2025 Time of Day: 9:50 am Rating: 4/5 stars Drink(s) Ordered: Flat White Price: $7.34 CAD ⸻ First Impressions Minimalistic shop, pick up only. Baristas were relaxed. The crowd was quiet ⸻ Coffee Quality I had the flat white — it was balanced • Espresso: smooth • Milk texture: silky • Beans from the library- house blend. This drink did meet my expectations for a well-crafted coffee. ⸻ Food & Extras They had some pastries but did not seem to have anything for people with dietary restrictions such as gluten free, nut free, vegan, etc. Note: They have oat and macadamia milk as dairy alternatives. ⸻ Ambience & Extras • Wi-Fi: No • Outlets: No • Indoor/outdoor seating: Indoor and outdoor benches made to wait for pick up orders only. • Crowd: Locals Great for quick coffee stop.

[Matcha review only] Veeeery underwhelming matcha latte with a disappointing price tag. I ordered a standard iced matcha latte with less sugar at The Library and the total came to almost $9. I don't usually order matcha outside because of how pricey it is nowadays, but I was craving it and now I'm regretting it. The matcha is so incredibly faint, it honestly just tasted like I was drinking milk. The staff were so incredibly nice, but the matcha latte was just not it. I'd maybe come back and try their coffees since that's what they're known for, but there is a Matcha Matcha across the street if you specifically want a matcha latte!

The Library has excellent coffee with beautiful pour-overs and delicious espresso-based drinks. The vibe is very cool; the space has a very small amount of seating and more of a to-go situation, but the staff are friendly. It reminds me somewhat of a coffee shop in Japan. I think that The Library serves up the best flat white in town, so if a milk based drink is what you’re looking for, look no further.