Sam James Coffee Bar is a coffee roaster in The Annex, Toronto.
Sam James roasts in a small Toronto facility since 2009, Harbord original the flagship cafe, beans across 20+ Toronto shops plus an online subscription.
Must order: The cortado at the Harbord counter or a 250g bag of the seasonal espresso.
Tip: Sam James trained much of Toronto's third-wave bench; cafes citywide carry the beans. Five Sam James locations across the GTA.
Address: 297 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON M6G 1G7
De Mello roasts on St Clair West since 2014, an award-winning Toronto specialty roaster serving six Toronto cafes plus a Seoul retail outpost.
Order: The Wassa Ethiopian single origin, brewed as filter.
Tip: St Clair address is the roastery; cafes at 2489 Yonge, 21 Spadina and elsewhere serve retail. Public tours by appointment.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Kenya, Costa Rica
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Cold brew, Whole bean retail
Reunion Island has roasted in Etobicoke since 1995, a wholesale-first Toronto roaster supplying restaurants and offices across Ontario and Quebec.
Order: A 12oz bag of the Coyote House Blend for filter.
Tip: Mostly wholesale and online retail; not a cafe. Sister brand Lit Espresso Bar pulls these beans.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Brazil, Colombia, Sumatra
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail, Wholesale
Propeller Coffee on Wade Avenue in the Junction Triangle is roaster Chris Kessel and Geoff Polci's specialty cafe-roastery since 2014, single-origin focused.
Order: A pour-over flight of the day's three single-origins.
Tip: Saturday morning cupping is free and open to the public. The retail counter sells micro-lot 250g bags.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Guatemala, Colombia, Rwanda
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Cold brew, Whole bean retail
Fahrenheit Coffee on Lombard is Vahe Tcheulian's espresso bar and roaster since 2010, La Marzocco machines and a small-batch Toronto-roasted house line.
Order: A traditional macchiato pulled tight at the counter.
Tip: Closed weekends. Six-stool room; most regulars order takeaway. The roastery is at a separate Toronto location.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Brazil
How they serve: Espresso, Filter
Pilot Coffee Roasters has run the Toronto third-wave canon since 2009, the Queen East cafe-roastery the flagship, beans across 100+ Toronto cafes and retail.
Order: A single-origin filter from the rotating daily list.
Tip: Cafes citywide carry the beans; the Queen East roastery is where you taste the cuppings. Subscription delivery available.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala, Kenya
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Cold brew, Whole bean retail
