The Sublime Cafe

Went on a Saturday late morning and the place was empty. Great space for studying and getting caffeinated. Awesome lattes. The entire place is filled with vinyl records. I’m not a vinyl record aficionado but it’s definitely the place for one. The space is decorated so pretty and full of character. Definitely would return.

Sublime café has awesome coffees and espresso’s. The gentleman behind the counter was very friendly and even gave my coffee for free since I was a first-​time customer.
I will definitely be back to such a hip place in the future
5 Stars

Yummy, quick, great espresso, excellent service. No complaints! Plus, perusing the record collection while waiting in line is an excellent way to spend some time.

Sublime sure knows how to stand out in a crowd, it’s a 2 in 1. Record store and café. And the good thing is that it doesn’t feel like one pretending to be the other, it’s got a great infusion of each aspect.
I’m not a music historian of any kind to really comment on the type of records they have here, some albums popped out and looked familiar to me, but most of them I couldn’t tell what they were.
The coffee is also very well done here, I’ve only had their americano and latte, nothing mind blowing but in no way has it ever made me second guess wanting to come here. Although it’s a little weird that almost half of their baked goods are on a tiny table a few feet after you walk in when the counter is all the way at the end of the space, a small observation I thought was interesting. But the baristas have always been friendly and welcoming and it should be no surprise that I’ve always enjoyed the ambiance here with great music, comfortable seating and good coffee. The lack of free wifi might keep a few people away but that’s maybe one reason why it’s always possible to get a good seat here!
I came across Sublime almost a year ago and it has found itself in the top 2 of my go to cafes in this area.

Great place to start the day!

VIBE
I only recently found out about this place. Kensington’s funny that way: you walk by a place for years and don’t know it exists; then boom: it’s this little treasure that’s come to you. I love all of the vinyl records and the long cozy benches. A perfect place to read or chill.
I DRANK
They have non-​alcoholic ginger beer here. Delish.
OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK
Truly sublime.

I really enjoy the character of Sublime, as you walk in there is a beautiful mural resonating good vibes into the cozy space. I love the fact that they make great Americano’s which can be truly hard to find in Toronto. Went by on the weekend to find live music being played by a local musician, sat and enjoyed my Americano to some good music taking in the scene and some art at the same time. If you’re in Kensignton and love coffee this is the place to go!

There are NO pretentious snobs in this joint. Staff I mean. It’s a friendly, down to earth place with an impeccable selection of jazz, funk, disco, brazilian, reggae etc records. And great coffee too. A nice refreshing change from the douche bags you often find in places like this. Rezz is a true collector and clearly knows his shit. Not a fake as hipster jumping on the vinyl bandwagon. Support something that’s legit. Check this place out.

Dernière journée à Toronto, le lendemain de Record’s day. Je dépose mes trucs, je vais me chercher un café. Je suis en mod qui carbure de la caféine. Le proprio me voit avec mon chandail marqué Meat is Murder, Tasty Tasty Murder et part à rire, S’ensuit une discussion ou il me raconte qu’il aimerait s’ouvrir un Burger Joint qu’il appellerait Bruce’s Burger qui est le nom de son meilleur ami hippie végétarien hardcore qui essaye d’élevé des tigres en végétarien. Commentaire weird, mais bref, j’ai tout de suite connecté avec le personnel, deux jolies et sympathique asiatiques très aimable et qui font de très bon café. Pour moi c’est l’ultime endroit. J’adore les vynils, je suis ringards ou vieux jeu, j’ignore si c’est pas les deux, mais j’aime beaucoup l’ambiance relaxe, d’un café qui vend des vynils. C’est donc records day, le proprio me montre une lettre signé du très débile Rob Ford, Maire de Toronto psychopathe. Après avoir bien rit, y me dit, regarde, je t’extensionne le rabais, je te donne 20% sur les vyniles. J’ai déja 1 double espresso, 2 – 3 thés dans le sang et je suis vraiment motivé. Je mange une tarte au pomme très bonne pour déjeuner et j’ai la motivation du champion en regardant tout les vyniles. JE dois dire, belle sélection. J’ai acheté un disque de George Lewis; un king du jazz Treme du vieux Nouvelle-​Orléans et un double album de Brian Evans vraiment bon pour 28 $ au total. Pas besoin de le dire mais, MINT condition! 100% propre et sans une égratignure! Je regardais le reste de la pile, malgré le fait qu’il n’y a pas autant de disque que certains autre endroits, c’Est suffisant et la sélection est top et le prix juste. Vraiment, c’est un endroit que j’ai adoré! J’ai parlé avec des fumeurs de cannabis enthousiaste qui regardait le livre des graines féminisées de qualités qu’ils vendent. Bref, C’est aussi un endroit ou se procurer d’excellente graine féminisés, j’ai jasé avec eux sur comment faire un beurre de marrakech et bien utilisé chaque branche plutôt que de faire du hash! et parler de voyage avec d’autres personnes du coin. Pas de blague, je me suis fait plein d’amis en 3 – 4 heures!

In the window is a small sign that says “analogue.“
Two things are clear, we are talking records and no wi-​fi which is refreshing change from all those macbook toting folks staking space at cafes. All good if you have one, I would like one if anyone has a spare.
Here is a space that is pretty mellow. Focus going here is spending time talking with your friends, reading a book, your journal or just enjoying an americano that is pretty good.
My favourite part of this space are the retro orange chairs near the front window.
One note for under tall fine peeps like myself, the order counter is on the high side much like Jet Fuel.

Café love! I think I may have found a new Kensington fave…
This is a funky little café that plays great music (anything from Billie Holiday to Black Lips) to accompany your espresso. I actually had a chai latte, which had just the right amount of spice and was nice and creamy. Friends had americanos and the mocha latte, and said those drinks were great too. Prices include tax, which is nice — no fiddling with change.
The space is a bit dark and I don’t think they have wifi. It is definitely more of a place to hang out and chat, or curl up with a book. No laptops in sight here! The walls are adorned with an eclectic array of art and there’s a sizable collection of vinyl for sale. There is also an old, upright piano by the counter. I spotted a double bass in the back, on my way to the bathroom. On some weekends, you might be lucky and catch some live music…

The americano and espresso are pretty decent here! But when I go to Sublime, I make sure to get a home-​brewed ginger beer whenever it’s available (most times). You can get it steamed in the winter and cold in the summer. Delicious. It’s spicy, sweet and tangy — just what the doctor ordered. All for just $ 4.
The atmosphere is very funky — intimate seating, dim lighting, vinyl record collections for you to peruse through and an espresso bar at the back. And bonus: Reza, the owner, is super friendly. If you’re lucky, you’ll meet his sweet little French bulldog, Lucy. Cute!
The only drawback: the hours — 11am-​7pm? Really? And they’re not open on Mondays. Boo.

A totally laid-​back Kensington café experience. This isn’t your corporate-​rush-​line-​espresso type of place. Saunter in, flip through some of the vinyl (I don’t even have a record player!), order your beverage of choice, & chill a bit.
Yes, whoever is working there is probably chatting with the customers & friends. I don’t mind. Where do I have to be in a rush? I’m in Kensington…
The baked goods are better than I anticipated every time & a wonderful accompaniment to my chai latte.

People I’ve talked to about Toronto have told me that it was a boring city lacking in any distinction or character. But I would like to argue (from an outsider’s point of view) that what it lacks in character is made up for in its diversity. Driving around town my husband and I commented that certain parts remind us of San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles and it dawned on me that a lot of Hollywood films are shot in Toronto and that those scouts probably see the same thing-​a metropolitan area that could be anything to anyone. That someone could find a place for themselves here. And that eclectic spirit is it’s distinction. What does this have to do with Sublime?
Well, you walk in, it’s part espresso bar, part vinyl record store (jazz and funk), part art gallery (check out the Star Wars pieces in the back), and it is owned and managed by people as friendly as they come. This place embodies that spirit of distinction.
As for the drinks and ambiance, they made us a couple of excellent mochaccinos, they have a magazine rack full of art and culture interest publications available for people to read, and the space has a welcoming, retro-​modern artsy vibe.
I’m actually surprised it’s not on Unilocal yet! Check it out, hope you enjoy it as much as we did.