5 Design-Led Coffee and Tea Shops in Canada to Hang Out In
Coffee and atmosphere.
Photo of Cafe Even by Felix Michaud
Whether it’s watching the world go by from the vantage point of a cafe window or choosing new coffee (or tea) for home brewing, good design can do a lot to enhance the experience. In this selection of coffee and tea shops across Canada, the intentional designs help create an atmosphere of community and serenity—ultimately encouraging a slower pace and deeper enjoyment.
Photo by Felix Michaud
A garage door in Montreal’s MileEx neighbourhood hides a meticulously designed coffee shop and in-house roastery. Even Coffee’s founder Andrew Werbowyj collaborated with Future Simple Studio to create a space that encourages a deeper appreciation for coffee. The studio drew on earthly tones and precise lines with raw elements for the design. A silver mesh curtain delineates the space, and warm hues of brown are reminiscent of the stages of roasting coffee beans. At the solid concrete bar, baristas carefully prepare coffees and serve flaky croissants.
___
In Vancouver’s Fraserhood, the aptly named Slo Coffee is intended to encourage embracing a gentler pace. The team collaborated with Little Giant Studio for the interiors, which are distinctly warm and welcoming. A curved wall-to-ceiling transition brings a softness to the space, while a tiled bar in terracotta hues sits underneath a wood-wrapped light. Slo offers a selection of tempting seasonal drinks—think a yuzu espresso tonic or a creamy iced hojicha with homemade pandan cream.
___
In Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant, Cultivate is a rare tea shop and tasting room envisioned by owner Jude Wang, who first became captivated by tea during a trip to Beijing’s Nanluoguxiang Alley in 2011. The shop is airy, welcoming, and with almost entirely custom built interiors, from the Douglas fir millwork and cabinets—which Wang stained by-hand with pu’erh tea—to the custom shoji paper screens on the windows that bring in plenty of natural light. Wang is passionate about sourcing unique teas, and sharing the beauty and craftsmanship of each tea. With that in mind, a matcha or tea tasting comes recommended, where guests sample limited edition varieties and can uncover more about the stories behind each cup.
___
For Lion Coffee in Toronto’s Corso Italia neighbourhood, Dubbeldam Architecture + Design was tasked with creating a welcoming and community-centric space. Lion Coffee was created by a young couple with a strong passion for coffee, who looked to have the space feel welcoming, approachable, and ultimately serve the community. The interiors feel cozy, airy, and light-filled with a large window. Anchored around a long, curved counter with fluted wood paneling, the neutral palette is accented by soft green walls and textural paper lanterns overhead, creating a serene space to catch up with friends or simply relax.
___
View this post on Instagram
Minimal design meets Canadian architecture at Oidé Coffee. Housed within a two-level space in architect Arthur Erickson’s Waterfall Building in Vancouver, Oidé has created a pared back yet playful space that puts the focus on expertly prepared coffee and matcha. The minimal concrete interiors are punctuated by cobalt blue plywood stools from Vancouver-based A1 Studio, alongside selected art pieces. The cafe shows how compelling a minimal approach—both in the design and the menu—can be, where the focus is on a few things done well.
