Lit Espresso Bar

It’s difficult to find a place where they serve sandwiches that contain 80% bread. I am hoping they can get the amount of bread in their sandwiches up to 90% by the end of the summer. I also appreciate their zero-​condiment policy. YUM.
Their coffee is awesome. Really great espresso drinks. Great tables and atmosphere. Decent amount of oxygen in the room.

This was the first coffee shop I popped into when I was figuring out where I wanted to live in TO. (Because, naturally, had to do a few neighbourhood coffee shop samplings.) The first visit won me over pretty quick for three reasons.
1. There is honestly no better aesthetic combination, in my humble and probably clichéd opinion, then distressed brick walls on ornate, old-​timey, engraved ceilings.
2. Their almond milk lattes don’t taste bitter and disgusting, but actually just as comforting and cozy as normal milk lattes.
3. Their manager (I assume) is such a happy light.
Overall, I see the Lit Espresso Bar as the perfect spot for studying/​working if you bring headphones (generally this place is packed with chatty coffee shop dates) and to soak up that traditional, cozy, coffee shop vibe.
PS. I would agree that the prices are just a tad steep, but they are a locally owned company, so I forgive them.

Lit is good overall.
Giving them 3 stars cuz they charge more for a latte than any other café I’ve been to, and it’s not better so value wise it’s just not a good one.
The staff is generally friendly an they have lots of dessert options.

I am starting to realize that buying coffee is now more about demographics than I would have thought possible. I have been to Lit on Roncesvalles three different times, and on each visit I wished I walked a few blocks south to Cherry Bomb to get a better coffee in a much less pretentious atmosphere. The coffee is good, but the staff has made me feel that I am not deserving of their attention. I hate the title «drip» coffee, when you don’t order some crafted $ 6.00 drink. I suppose I’m just not their target audience; «latte art» is about as important to me as dryer-​lint art. «It is what it is, but it ain’t for me.»

Popped in to kill some time before an appointment. I ordered a tea latte, which took some time to make, despite being the last person in line. It was more to do with the conversation being had with the customer who was before me though. It was super busy on a Sunday afternoon with lots of locals popping in. The atmosphere was nice and friendly, the décor was super cute. When you walk in it seems like there’s not a lot of seating but I believe it can seat roughly 15 – 20? It was just packed in, making it seem cozy. Great little neighbourhood café

Comfortable seating if not a tad bit crowded. Nice lighting, great design, love the big timber coffee bar.
The staff are really nice and make killer mochas made with almond milk. (Lactose and dairy free options!) It feels great to be able to sit here for a little while and do some work and enjoy a snack.
It’s my first choice on Roncesvalles since losing a few other locations and they offer internet connection which is important if you come here to do some work online.
Fun music though sometimes they bombard you with a lot and just a touch too loud. Other than that, stellar place. Worth dropping by.

Beautiful ambience! The café is big enough to feel spacious but small enough to give a warm and Cozy feel. Nice place to just hang out and relax with friends.

This is a friendly neighbourhood café in Roncesvalles that is very popular with locals. When I was here, I noticed it was very packed; the service was not as attentive as other places, though the coffee was spot on.
The latte art is good as well, and there are plenty of tables where you can sit and hang out, though the tables are closely packed together.
If you’re in need of a place to hang out in Roncesvalles for an hour or so, and need your coffee well made, this is the place to go.

Right off the bat: I like my cafes to have personality, and Lit has that. It’s slightly industrial chic, while at the same time managing to pull off a family friendly yet chill atmosphere. It’s hard to explain. But when I visited, you had all types making Lit home, from families to students setting up shop, from older couples enjoying a post-​church date to friends who would have a rowdier reunion if it wasn’t for the small space. Basically your neighbourhood coffee joint.
Lit made me a nice caffe latte, which I paired with a flaky croissant. I could have whiled away hours here, especially on a weekend morning when the world still sleeps. I might do that yet.

Decided to walk my old Roncesvalles neighbourhood on my day off today and was happy to drop in to one of my favourite coffee bars. I ordered the grilled cheese, which came on fluffy fresh bread, and a latte — both were very good. This is a nice comfortable place to hang out with an easy going atmosphere. Awesome Indie at just the right volume playing in the background. All around great place.

Lit has a chill vibe and is a great destination on a day off. The atmosphere is laid back and I love the easy going staff. They make a killer cappuccino with soy OR almond milk (which is necessary for me). My biggest pet peeve is when café’s don’t offer non-​dairy (Tim Hortons).
Had the almond croissant today and it was to die for. Perfect snack.

Delicious Chai Latte. Hotter would be great.
Quiet. Cozy. Excellent place to get some work done.

(Ambiance)
The atmosphere is a mix of rustic and chic. The cash/​front is a stack of beautiful wooden railway ties with a varnished top. I want it! There is a classic Toronto tin ceiling and lots of pot lights so you can be productive anywhere. There is free fast Wi-​Fi but it’s a bit spotty. There are mostly tables for two around the room with a few larger tables. This place is also crowded, and outlets are scarce. There is a nice community feel in here. The guys behind the cash seemed a bit aloof with me but their interactions with regulars made me realise they are actually very nice. There was a group of ladies who came in with new babies and they were very accommodating. Speaking of new babies, lots of yelling babies visited this café today. Why, moms, why? It’s already quite loud when busy, especially with the latte machine. During most of the day the dull lull of background noise and the awesome indie soundtrack was perfect for getting my work done, but my concentration was broken once or twice with the peaks in volume in the early afternoon.
(Fare)
There is a handy chart on the blackboard illustrating the amount of milk added to shots, which means you don’t need to ask the difference between for example a macchiato and a latte. There is no difference in the number of shots between S, M, L, but they pull doubles by default, so guaranteed caffeine. They have a small menu of paninis they can grill up for you (the Caprese is tasty, with tomato, mozzarella, and arugula on a sweet-​ish milk bun). They also have a selection of teas, and a limited number of baked treats to pair with your beverage. Other reviewers have commented on the baked goods which makes me think they were just low on supplies today. Prices are pretty good, though. Oh, I almost forgot the latte art! Yay!
I think a friendlier vibe from the staff, more outlets, and more baked goods would elicit a higher rating. Overall, it’s a good local place to be productive, I’m glad it’s in the neighbourhood!

HANDS DOWN MY FAVOURITE COFFEE SHOP IN TORONTO!
Let me say that I lived in downtown Toronto over the course of 3 years and visited many coffee shops in my days there. Nothing can top Lit on Roncey. It’s the perfect atmosphere, and they serve perfect drinks and treats. You just can’t go wrong. Just thinking of their ginger molasses cookies makes me giddy with excitement! YUMMMMMMMMM
Every demographic is represented here so it’s a great place for people watching. This, however, might get in the way of study time (which is what I used to do at this shop). Wi-​Fi is available but there are a select few outlets so aim to come on a fully charged laptop unless you are predicting victory in the old sitting-​by-​the-​closest-​outlet game. I spent many a study hour here and never wanted to leave. It’s super cozy and actually made me look forward to study time. Did I just say that? OUF That’s saying something.
The employees are friendly and play a perfect subdued alternative playlist. Another reason to love this place. I couldn’t name most of the artists but it works for the atmosphere and that’s what counts.
Just go. You won’t regret it Unilocalers! :)

My favourite Cortado in the city of Toronto.
Great staff and although I was initially nervous about the switch from Stumptown to Pig Iron, the Pig Iron Coffee is getting better by the batch.

I went there to have a coffee and a pastry with my little one. The guy that served me the coffee saw that i was with a stroller and handed me the HOT coffee and the pastry. Can’t you see i have a baby and a stroller … could you help me??? … but he didn’t and i had to put sugar in it which was on the other side. So i had to move my stroller (so people could get through) with the HOT coffee and the pastry to put sugar in it AND then find a table. After a little while the waiter or the bartender came to ask me if i could move my stroller cos people could not go to the toilet. I moved it a bit just because there was no space to put my stroller without having it close to me (BECAUSE my baby was in it) but the bartender came again to tell me that my stroller was a hazard in the coffee shop and asked me to leave and that they will return my money … I was amazed and i just left. i didn’t want their money … AND JUST FOR YOU TO KNOW THIS WAS IN WINTER, so it was snowing outside!!!
Terrible customer service and not baby friendly at all!!!

I’m surprised at the negative reviews of LEB, but I’ve only ever had coffee and baked goods to go, so my review is not comprehensive!
The americanos are as good as you can get at any other decent café in TO, and I have a big «I want to go to there» for the scones. They come in interesting flavour combinations and are the exact right fluffy/​dense/​moist chemistry. The ambience seems really cosy and the baristas have always been friendly.

Roncesvalle has my heart. On a beautiful sunny day, this is a great place to stop by for a drink while chilling out on their beautiful sidewalks. The place has a great cozy sort of feel to it. Little thing to note is the height chart by the door behind the counter: super cute!
The drinks are good, the ice coffee seemed pre-​made, but otherwise fantastic. The food looked good too, but I was too full from a brunch to get anything else to eat. Will have to come by again when I’m in the area to try it some more.
Also, our server was cute as heck. Jus sayin.

I’ve begun ordering hot Black-​eyes (which are espresso shots in coffee) — but in a cortado glass (so less coffee). It takes the bitterness off of espresso and makes it oh-​so-​smooth. Also sounds like I’m ordering black guys if you say it fast. Which is not something you do at coffee shops generally.

I stopped in last night for a quick shot of Espresso.
From the moment you walk in the door and looked down the beautiful 16foot Pine bar, you’ll know that this place is different. They serve Stumptown roasted coffee that puts their espresso (double shot) a step above other Espresso bars in Toronto. The shot was well-​balanced, and full of sweet flavors. Best shot of espresso that I’ve had in Toronto for a long time.
— Stone