Creeds Coffee Bar
Creeds Coffee Bar shares storefront space and a great brand reputation with its sister company, Creeds Dry Cleaning (a couture service that has been operating in Toronto for 25 years).
The beautiful, open space features warm wood and cool marble finishes for a stunning physical setting. In addition to being a welcoming place to enjoy a coffee and snack, Creeds Coffee Bar is conceptualized as a space where the performance of daily rituals – such as dropping off dry cleaning or going for coffee – is both interrupted and heightened by the experience of art. To mark this intersection between art and the everyday, a selection of film and video works from Creeds’ collection has been brought together under the subject of artists who transform mundane occurrences into poetic gestures.
390 Dupont St., 416-479-0277, creedscoffeebar.com. TW: @CreedsCoffeeBar, IG: @creedscoffeebar, FB: Creeds Coffee Bar. See listing.
Ezra’s Pound
Ezra Braves’ fascination with coffee began as a child. “I was captivated by those automatic coffee vending machines. A cup would drop and it would fill with hot water (and I assume instant coffee), you opened the door and there it was. But because I wasn’t allowed coffee, I had hot chocolate and badly burned my mouth.”
Before opening the Dupont St. location of Ezra’s Pound in 2007, the café paraphernalia and equipment he had collected for years overran his home. “Yeah, I wasn’t very popular at home. The basement was so full of cool café stuff there was no room for anything else. Come on, do I really need room for my grandmother’s dishes and my kids’ art work?”
He is often asked what makes his café so successful and why people don’t mind the line-ups. “When you come to the Pound, you are coming to my living room and will be treated as my guest. My obsessive personality drives me to ensure the coffee, experience, and the ingredients are perfect every time.” This relentless pursuit of café perfection led to his opening of The Espresso Institute of North America that trains and consults with cafés, espresso bars, and restaurants to achieve the same exacting standards. The business also wholesales and ships coffee all over the country.
238 Dupont St., 416-929-4400, ezraspound.com. TW: @ezraspound. See listing.
Future Bistro
We’re a neighbourhood institution and a Toronto landmark! The popular Future Bistro atmosphere is a favourite place to be in the Annex. At the corner of Bloor and Brunswick, Future’s has something for everyone with its unique style, serving up a variety of great menu items along with all day breakfast (until midnight) and homemade daily specials. The award-winning pastry counter is sure to satisfy sweet cravings with over 30 different cakes on display along with specialty espresso drinks. The renowned full service, outdoor summer patio, is the perfect place for people-watching while enjoying our famous sangria. Come and experience a Toronto classic!
483 Bloor W., 416-922-5875, futurebistro.ca. See listing.
The Grapefruit Moon
On an unassuming corner on Bathurst Street at Follis Avenue, The Grapefruit Moon cooks up comfort food in a down-to-earth atmosphere. Casual fare and microbrews are available day and night at this long-time Annex fixture – known as one of the best brunch spots in Toronto. It boasts a large patio and a menu that features a variety of veggie- and carnivore-friendly options, such as their vegan-grilled cheese, house-made Angus beef burgers, and lots of choices in between.
Beverages at The Moon range from freshly squeezed juice to Ontario craft brews on tap. The Grapefruit Moon provides a relaxed and intimate spot that evokes the magic of a lazy Sunday. Your freshly roast coffee will be served in a kitschy cup and your food comes on what looks like your grandma’s china. You won’t be disappointed.
968 Bathurst St., 416-534-9056, thegrapefruitmoon.com. TW: @TweetsOnTheMoon. See listing.
Insomnia
Nestled in the heart of the Annex, Insomnia Restaurant & Lounge has blossomed into a neighbourhood favourite, combining international comfort food options with seasonal and classic cocktails, great beer and wine and warm service. Insomnia’s famous brunch is popular, served in a bustling atmosphere complimented by the aroma of our signature coffee. An eclectic dinner menu will take you into the evening where the daily drink specials and late-night menu begin. Don’t worry if you get the twilight munchies, we’ve got you covered: the kitchen is open until 2 am, seven days a week. Welcome to your new favourite spot.
563 Bloor St. W, 416-588-3907, insomniarestaurant.com. TW: @insomniatoronto, IG: @insomniatoronto, FB: Insomnia. See listing.
Karma Co-op
For 40 years, Karma Co-op has been a one-stop shop for conscious shoppers in The Annex. This member-owned cooperative food store specializes in organic, local and fair trade produce and groceries along with health supplements and eco-friendly household products.
Karma Co-op carries over 200 bulk items and fresh organic produce from dozens of Ontario farms. Membership here comes with benefits, but you don’t have to be a member to shop! Karma Co-op is open six days a week and is just a short 10-minute walk from Bathurst subway station.
379 Palmerston Ave., 416-534-1470, karmacoop.org. TW: @KarmaCoop, IG: @karmacooptoronto, FB: Karma Food Co-op. See listing.
Midoco Art & Office Supplies
Proudly serving The Annex neighbourhood since 1987, Midoco is comprised four main departments: art supplies, office products, toys and craft supplies, and giftware. Midoco’s purchasing department enthusiastically seeks out new and exciting products, and the arrival of fresh and innovative goods is eagerly anticipated by our customers.
Browse through our website for a glimpse into our diverse offerings, or stroll through othe aisles of our relaxed store environment. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be happy to help you choose the perfect product for your needs.
555 Bloor St. W, 416-588-7718, midoco.ca. TW: @midocotoronto, FB: Midoco Art & Office Supplies. See listing.
St. Louis Bar & Grill
Since 2007, St. Louis Bar & Grill on Bloor has been a staple in The Annex when it comes to sports, wings, beer and great times. Try the 26 signature wing sauces, one-of-a-kind french fries and our famous garlic dill sauce – often imitated but never duplicated.
Home to seven daily deals sure to keep both your stomach and wallet happy, St. Louis Bar & Grill is 100% Canadian owned and operated. Join us as we cheer on our favourite Toronto sports teams.
376 Bloor St. W, 416-925-6689, stlouiswings.com. TW: @StLouisBloor, IG: @stlouiswings, FB: St. Louis Bar & Grill. See listing.
Sweet Pete’s
Sweet Pete’s Annex location is a carefully curated selection of our best bikes and cycling accessories from our three stores. With the commuter cyclist in mind we have stocked the shop with everything you could need on your daily commute. From helmets, locks, lights, bells, baskets and racks to a service department that will keep you up and running, Sweet Pete’s has got you covered. Flat tires are always fixed on the spot and test rides are always free.
1204 Bloor W, 416-533-4481, sweetpetes.com. TW: @sweetpetesbikeshop, IG: @sweetpetesbikeshop, FB: Sweet Pete’s Bike Shop. See listing.
Tranzac Club
Tranzac is the Annex’s arts & culture hub, with three distinct rooms buzzing with eclectic entertainment and an impressive selection of local beer on tap, run by the not-for-profit Toronto Australia-New Zealand Club.
Tranzac’s Southern Cross Pub has live music 7 nights a week – admission always free –featuring a mix of genres including bluegrass every Thursday and open mic every Monday.
The Main Hall is a 200-capacity auditorium featuring theatre, concerts, comedy, dance, craft fairs, fascinating talks and plenty more.
Check the calendar at tranzac.org, or drop in anytime to discover something new.
Tranzac is wheelchair accessible and available for private events.
292 Brunswick, 416-923-8137, tranzac.org. TW: @tranzac, IG: @stlouiswings, FB: Tranzac See listing.
See our full restaurant database here. Don’t miss our neighbourhood spotlight on the Annex here.
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