Where in Toronto can I read a book, maybe get a coffee, and enjoy a great view of the city?
January 2, 2010 10:52 AM Subscribe
Where in Toronto can I read a book, maybe get a coffee, and enjoy a great view of the city?
Where are places in Toronto where you can go in the afternoon to get a coffee, sit a while, and have a great view of the city? I’m especially thinking of high-up places with panoramic views, but other nice views are welcome, too.
Bonus if the place makes it easy to use my laptop (electric outlets, wifi).
I'm not looking for places where I'd have to order an expensive meal, or, you know, the CN tower.
I don't really care whether the coffee is any good. Actually - I guess I don't even really care if they have coffee. I’m really just looking for pleasant places to go once in a while, in the Winter months, to get out of the house a bit, do some reading, and not-too-serious computer work, and enjoy looking out the window.
Any suggestions?
Where are places in Toronto where you can go in the afternoon to get a coffee, sit a while, and have a great view of the city? I’m especially thinking of high-up places with panoramic views, but other nice views are welcome, too.
Bonus if the place makes it easy to use my laptop (electric outlets, wifi).
I'm not looking for places where I'd have to order an expensive meal, or, you know, the CN tower.
I don't really care whether the coffee is any good. Actually - I guess I don't even really care if they have coffee. I’m really just looking for pleasant places to go once in a while, in the Winter months, to get out of the house a bit, do some reading, and not-too-serious computer work, and enjoy looking out the window.
Any suggestions?
Response by poster: Thanks, saucysault! I've spent some time at the top of the Toronto reference library, which has some seats with an okay viiew. Are ther other branches you'd especially recommend?
I have this idea that hotels would have nice top-storey cafes where people can hang out, but so far I haven't had much like finding them...
posted by ManInSuit at 1:05 PM on January 2, 2010
I have this idea that hotels would have nice top-storey cafes where people can hang out, but so far I haven't had much like finding them...
posted by ManInSuit at 1:05 PM on January 2, 2010
Response by poster: Some places I know of....
Panorama Lounge: I think it's not open in the day, and not really a place you can go for a coffee..
Toulà Restaurant at the Westin Harbour Castle: I've been a couple of times. Hours are erratic. It's not really meant, I don't think, as a place to just sit and have a coffee - more as a fancy restaurant. Though the staff have been super-nice to me the coupe of times I've come and just ordered coffee...
Oh! Some googling just found: The City View Cafe, which is apparently in the Bay at Queen/Yonge. That sounds great. I can't believe I didn't know about it...
posted by ManInSuit at 1:19 PM on January 2, 2010
Panorama Lounge: I think it's not open in the day, and not really a place you can go for a coffee..
Toulà Restaurant at the Westin Harbour Castle: I've been a couple of times. Hours are erratic. It's not really meant, I don't think, as a place to just sit and have a coffee - more as a fancy restaurant. Though the staff have been super-nice to me the coupe of times I've come and just ordered coffee...
Oh! Some googling just found: The City View Cafe, which is apparently in the Bay at Queen/Yonge. That sounds great. I can't believe I didn't know about it...
posted by ManInSuit at 1:19 PM on January 2, 2010
If you can get into Robarts Library (I can't remember if you need a UofT ID to get in or if that's just to take stuff out) there are some nice views, especially the 14th floor.
I've heard good things about the view from the top floor of the Chapters at Richmond and John.
You could see if any of these cafes strike your fancy.
Panorama at Bay and Bloor is definitely more of an evening cocktail lounge type place, but if you go in the early evening on a weeknight, you can probably do some reading. The drinks are a little spendy, but you don't have to buy a meal or anything, and the view is truly wonderful, so I thought I'd toss that out there.
posted by ilana at 1:28 PM on January 2, 2010
I've heard good things about the view from the top floor of the Chapters at Richmond and John.
You could see if any of these cafes strike your fancy.
Panorama at Bay and Bloor is definitely more of an evening cocktail lounge type place, but if you go in the early evening on a weeknight, you can probably do some reading. The drinks are a little spendy, but you don't have to buy a meal or anything, and the view is truly wonderful, so I thought I'd toss that out there.
posted by ilana at 1:28 PM on January 2, 2010
Response by poster: ilana: Thanks! I've actually spent some time reading a the Richmond/John Chapters. It's okay. I hadn't thought of Robarts! I wonder if it's possible to go there without a card...
posted by ManInSuit at 1:41 PM on January 2, 2010
posted by ManInSuit at 1:41 PM on January 2, 2010
ilana: You need a U of T card to get to the 14th floor of Robarts (i.e., the stacks), but not the first two floors (not useful to the OP, unless he wants a view of harried students.)
I love Tequila Bookworm, and you can get a great people-watching view of Queen W on the bottom floor, as well as a far more peaceful seat on the never-used upper floor (including a rooftop patio which they close in the winter.) The top floor doesn't have a very impressive view, though. But they have numerous outlets, good coffee, enjoyable and modestly priced food, and an unhurried atmosphere. The Green Beanery at Bloor and Bathurst, and Coffee Culture, slightly east of College and Bathurst, also have everything you want except for a panoramic view.
posted by mellifluous at 1:44 PM on January 2, 2010
I love Tequila Bookworm, and you can get a great people-watching view of Queen W on the bottom floor, as well as a far more peaceful seat on the never-used upper floor (including a rooftop patio which they close in the winter.) The top floor doesn't have a very impressive view, though. But they have numerous outlets, good coffee, enjoyable and modestly priced food, and an unhurried atmosphere. The Green Beanery at Bloor and Bathurst, and Coffee Culture, slightly east of College and Bathurst, also have everything you want except for a panoramic view.
posted by mellifluous at 1:44 PM on January 2, 2010
joeclark would know the good branches to go to. I think North York Central is supposed to have interesting views. You should make it a project to visit all branches and blog which one has the best view/people watching.
Another option is Harbourfront. There is free wifi and a pub with windows on the lake. Or hop across to Toronto island and see if anything is open (probably not, but maybe just ride the ferry back and forth for a few hours).
posted by saucysault at 1:46 PM on January 2, 2010
Another option is Harbourfront. There is free wifi and a pub with windows on the lake. Or hop across to Toronto island and see if anything is open (probably not, but maybe just ride the ferry back and forth for a few hours).
posted by saucysault at 1:46 PM on January 2, 2010
North York Central does indeed have a great view from the top floor, if I recall correctly.
posted by mellifluous at 1:49 PM on January 2, 2010
posted by mellifluous at 1:49 PM on January 2, 2010
Oh, I forgot about North York Central! Yes, yes, that's a good view.
posted by ilana at 2:19 PM on January 2, 2010
posted by ilana at 2:19 PM on January 2, 2010
Response by poster: Cool. North York Central is pretty far from my usual beaten path, but I will definitely check it out.
Tequilla bookworm, Green Beanery and coffee culture are all really nice places. But for some reason the winter really makes me crave a view more than people-watching.
If there are particular places at harbourfront with nice views of the lake, that'd be cool...
posted by ManInSuit at 2:46 PM on January 2, 2010
Tequilla bookworm, Green Beanery and coffee culture are all really nice places. But for some reason the winter really makes me crave a view more than people-watching.
If there are particular places at harbourfront with nice views of the lake, that'd be cool...
posted by ManInSuit at 2:46 PM on January 2, 2010
There are a few sofas and footrests on the second floor of Sheraton Centre by the big windows overlooking Winston Churchill's statue and Queen Street. I've sat there waiting out snowstorms with a book and it's quiet and comfy. Nobody will bother you, but they won't bring you coffee either. There is a starbucks downstairs though.
posted by jamesonandwater at 6:46 PM on January 2, 2010
posted by jamesonandwater at 6:46 PM on January 2, 2010
there's a cafe at the Art Gallery of Ontario on the fifth floor (looking south) that has a pretty great view. The last time I was there someone was snoozing over her book. You need to pay admission to get into the gallery, except when it's free (on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8:30 pm).
posted by Joad at 6:51 PM on January 2, 2010
posted by Joad at 6:51 PM on January 2, 2010
ms scruss, who has been to all but one of the Toronto libraries, seconds the recommendation of North York Central library for good views.
Note that patronizing Green Beanery supports Lawrence Solomon, something I did not feel able to continue to do.
posted by scruss at 7:49 PM on January 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
Note that patronizing Green Beanery supports Lawrence Solomon, something I did not feel able to continue to do.
posted by scruss at 7:49 PM on January 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
The watermark (I had to look it up) was the pub by the lake I was thinking of.
The library at College and Spadina, Lillian H Smith, has a nice view of the snow through the street lights.
I haven't been to OCA since they became OCAD, I wonder if non-students can go in the tablet?
C5 at the ROM would be an expensive option, it is a shame avenue at the four seasons isn't higher up.
posted by saucysault at 8:54 PM on January 2, 2010
The library at College and Spadina, Lillian H Smith, has a nice view of the snow through the street lights.
I haven't been to OCA since they became OCAD, I wonder if non-students can go in the tablet?
C5 at the ROM would be an expensive option, it is a shame avenue at the four seasons isn't higher up.
posted by saucysault at 8:54 PM on January 2, 2010
Response by poster: Joad - Yeah I wondered about the AGO cafe - i'd been there but couldn't remember if you needed to pay admission to get in.
scruss: I have to admit I am curious as to what's keeping your wife from visiting that last library. (I know that's not strictly a response to the question, but I'm hoping the mefi gods will allow us this slight derail).
saucysault: I will check out the watermark! And yeah - I've enjoyed Lillian H Smith libarary - it's nice there.
j&w: the sheraton centre sounds good...
posted by ManInSuit at 9:18 PM on January 2, 2010
scruss: I have to admit I am curious as to what's keeping your wife from visiting that last library. (I know that's not strictly a response to the question, but I'm hoping the mefi gods will allow us this slight derail).
saucysault: I will check out the watermark! And yeah - I've enjoyed Lillian H Smith libarary - it's nice there.
j&w: the sheraton centre sounds good...
posted by ManInSuit at 9:18 PM on January 2, 2010
ManInSuit - Thorncliffe library is closed for renovation until late Spring.
posted by scruss at 6:02 PM on January 3, 2010
posted by scruss at 6:02 PM on January 3, 2010
The Lettieri in Honest Ed's, across from the Green Beanery has wifi (which GB doesn't) and lots of power outlets and wraparound windows. It's my favorite people-watching place in that area.
posted by mendel at 8:29 PM on January 3, 2010
posted by mendel at 8:29 PM on January 3, 2010
No coffee, but feel free to just waltz right into OCAD, go to the top, and sit in one of their huge window ledges overlooking Grange Park and the downtown.
I'm not sure on wifi access, but I'm willing to bet there are a million outlets, given the OCAD Mac addiction.
posted by heatherann at 6:39 AM on January 22, 2010
I'm not sure on wifi access, but I'm willing to bet there are a million outlets, given the OCAD Mac addiction.
posted by heatherann at 6:39 AM on January 22, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
High Park has a nice teahouse too.
posted by saucysault at 11:20 AM on January 2, 2010