After a second visit to satisfy my cake craving I just had to put Bread and Roses in the Unilocal spotlight which it really deserves. I believe it was near the end of this past April that a friend and I came across this corner café at Bayview Village. My friend mainly tagged along since I was in need of a caffeine(and treats) fix and wanted to check out a place that was more alluring than Timothy’s. I ended up passing up one particular café in favor of this truly hidden gem. It was most definitely the name(!!Bread & Roses! simply has quaint ring to it) that drew me to it and once I saw the delectable display of gelati and very well-crafted cakes and pastries my friend and I both were convinced to try it out. Service was prompt and positive. I think we both got a medium sized gelato each, which came with two generous scoops as shown in the pictures. I also remember the coffee retaining a strong enough flavor of caffeine. I returned for a second trip today to get their cakes even though they are a tad bit pricey at a little over $ 6 dollars per portion and decided on the Tarte aux Fruits and Dumas a chocolate mousse based cake, both which just looked too good to be devoured. The cakes, gelato and pastries seem to be the highlights at Bread & Roses and I am not sure whether I would be keen enough to try out their sandwiches and salads any time soon. Next summer I’ll go check out the location on Bloor St. West
Christine P.
Place rating: 5 Downtown Core, Toronto, Canada
They have great sandwiches made with really soft housemade bread. I love their grilled veggies. Their seafood salad is amazing, I crave it time to time. Now, their pastries are also great. I usually don’t have a sweet tooth but their chocolate chunky cookies are my absolute favourite and their chocolate macaroons are so moist! Gelato also made in-house.
Nicole C.
Place rating: 4 Toronto, Canada
Stopped by for a pre-workout panini. I wasn’t expecting much when I saw that all the vegetables were pre-grilled and in the panini. However, upon biting my sandwich I couldn’t tell. Very tasty, just cheesy enough and a good balance of flavour. Also, got a few veggies on the side and what appears to be homemade dressing.
Cher A.
Place rating: 4 North York, Canada
I’ve been to this coffee shop a few times and every time I visit the food and service is great. Sometimes the line is really long(imagine the lunch rush) but it’s worth it. It’s a cute coffee shop in the middle of the mall with delicious baked goods. They also have gluten and lactose free options. PS: The Macaroons are amazing!
Laura L.
Place rating: 4 Pickering, Canada
Came here twice, and was not disappointed — except that they don’t have cannoli(or lobster tails). I told my husband, I refuse to drink bad coffee, and this place does not disappoint. I tried their napolitan, and it was as creamy and fresh as can be(not soggy at all).
Katherine A.
Place rating: 4 North York, Canada
A little on the pricey end for baked goods, but the baked goods are GOOD. Also their coffee products are great. The set up is annoying(order your desserts on one side and coffee and food on another side), but the service is good and overall they do a good job.
Isabella C.
Place rating: 4 Toronto, Canada
I came here after dinnertime on a Friday evening in search of coffee and desserts, and nothing more or less than that. We were able to choose from a good assortment of cakes and pastries — unlike at Aroma or most other cafés/restaurants, where the assortment of cakes will comprise chocolate mousse, cheesecake, and red velvet. The cream puff was fresh and not soggy — and the least expensive of all! The cake was well made and I would compare it to something you might have at DT Bistro. The apricot strudel(pastry?) was not too sweet and offered a nice change from the other two sweets. Although it was expensive, the mall was fairly quiet and we were able to enjoy the dessert. The only drawback is that there aren’t many spots to sit inside the café space itself and most seating is in the mall, in the middle of the general walkway. I would definitely mark this down as a suitable dessert place, as there aren’t many like this in Toronto!
Alex L.
Place rating: 4 Bayview Village, Toronto, Canada
Arguably the best coffee shop in Bayview Village, with more soul than the other mega chains located in the mall. Compared to the competition, they have the best service, with a core regular staff that doesn’t rotate as much as the soul-less Aroma, Pusateri’s, Lettieri, or Starbucks that are your alternatives. Sure there is the other food court style café whose name escapes me, but Bread and Roses has better food. They serve illy coffee and have a crêpe and gelato station along with high quality pastries: this gives this place a much more premium feel than the more crowded seating at the other places where you seem to always be fighting for a table. The former Delices de Bayview located in this same place used to be a favourite of mine, and I see myself continuing this tradition with Bread and Roses.
Jennifer K.
Place rating: 3 Markham, Canada
Bread & Roses in located inside Bayview Village Shopping Centre. A second location of Bread and Roses in Bloor West Village. Super busy on a Sunday afternoon. A good place for baked goods, a sandwich or cookie. They carries Rahier’s products too. There is seating both inside and outside of the Café. Butter Tarts($ 2.75) and Tea($ 2.65) were great as an afternoon tea break or they have espresso or smoothies too.
