Balzac's Liberty Village

Balzac's Liberty Village is a coffee shop on Hannah and Liberty in Toronto. The shop itself has a cool darker ambience...long narrow space. The service, as noted by others, could be a little more friendly. Just taking orders and ringing them in. The food and coffee was very good. 4 x ☕☕☕☕

Drink Quality: 3.0/5 Drink Selection: 4.1/5 Pastry Quality: N/A Pastry Selection: 4.0/5 Price: 3.3/5 Ambiance: 3.3/5 Service: 3.0/5 Cleanliness: 3.5/5 Location: 4.0/5 A 16oz iced caramel latte costs $7.40 (tax included, no tip), which is on the pricier side. Drink quality at this location is inconsistent and seems to depend heavily on the barista's skill. I've tried the iced vanilla latte four times here--two were excellent, and two were disappointing. The inconsistency appears to stem from differences in drink preparation. One barista mixed the vanilla syrup with the espresso before adding it to the iced milk, resulting in a well-balanced drink. The other added syrup directly to the iced milk, which prevented it from fully dissolving and led to a weak, unsweetened taste. Unfortunately, this location doesn't offer a patio, despite the outdoor space being well-suited for one. The interior is narrow, dimly lit, and awkwardly arranged. Seating consists of stools lined up against high-set windows, limiting both natural light and any real view outside. Service tends to be quick but impersonal--more of a transactional experience than a welcoming one

I even got there coffee to make at home and I am soooo happy with it <3

Warning!! I’m warning you. If you like Peanut butter and chocolate then if you order the peanut butter mocha… there is no turning back. You will dream about this! You will become so addicted your life will revolve around getting to this daily.

I went there 3 times. The latte is good. They offer alternatives like oat or soy milk for those who cannot drink milk. The desserts are delicious. The place is clean (toilets included). The customer service is excellent, the workers are helpful and friendly. I highly recommend this café.

Been here twice and had the ginger molasses cookie, cashew cookie, carrot cake, pumpkin mini-bundt, and salted caramel latte. All tasted good but my favorite items are the cookies and carrot cake. Not too sweet but just perfect. The people at the till are also quite friendly and willing to answer questions. My only issue was the flies! There were about 1-2 flies hovering in the shop while I tried to drink my coffee which didn’t make me comfortable. Otherwise, a great place to try for a quick decadent bite or drink in the liberty village area.

I had an absolutely wonderful experience at Balzac’s Liberty! From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that immediately put me at ease. The decor was tastefully done, creating a cozy ambiance that's perfect for both relaxing alone and catching up with friends. Balzac’s Liberty menu was a delightful surprise, offering a wide range of options to cater to various tastes and dietary preferences. The baristas were not only skilled at their craft but also incredibly friendly; they took the time to explain the different coffee blends and helped me choose the perfect one that suited my preferences. The attention to detail in crafting each cup was evident in every sip I took. And let's talk about the food! The pastries were freshly baked and utterly scrumptious. I couldn't resist trying a few different options, and I was not disappointed with any of them. The balance of flavors and the quality of ingredients used truly stood out. This Balzac’s is one of my favourite spots in Toronto.

It’s hard to see inside so I didn’t notice there is Balzac in Liberty Village. It’s nice and cozy atmosphere. Friendly staff:) I only had a gift card in this time, so I would come back to try drinks and pastries next time.

Came by for coffee the other day and it was a decent experience. Parking was available with the Green P surface lot across the street. Staff was friendly and the interior of the coffee shop was hipster. Ordered an iced mocha and it was great. Smooth espresso and chocolate that wasn't too sweet. There was plenty of seating for enjoying coffee and/or working. ~$6 for an iced mocha.

I've been to Liberty Village numerous times, but have only been to this Balzac's location once. It's beautiful and inviting on the inside. Service is streamlined with one person taking orders and another making coffee. I ordered a mocha, which tasted perfectly okay. There are a few tables inside for groups to meet and chat. However, there were a lot more single seats by the windows for independent work.

Nice interior with an older/industrial feel with it's light brick walls. My friend stopped by for a drip coffee and we thought it was on the darker side and a bit burnt. I personally wasn't a fan, but my friend enjoyed it enough to finish it. Definitely wouldn't recommend the drip here if you are looking for quality coffee.

I think it is overpriced for a hot chocolate no wow factor, nice ambiance but the hot chocolate tasted okay, I wouldn't come back here a second time to be honest,

Came here while waiting for our table at Mildred's. Got a blueberry muffin and a chai latte while my friend got a flat white. The chai was good but nothing spectacular. Muffin was moist and not too sweet. The space is bright and pretty. Would be good for a quick stop in the morning but definitely too noisy to sit and do work here.

This location is perfect and love the interior of this particular shop. Located right on the corner in one of the busiest parts of Liberty Village. This place is a great quick stop on your way to work or taking a nice weekend stroll. Wouldn't reccomend this place for doing long hours of work as the seating is quite limited and usually taken up by the later afternoon. Come early if you're looking to do some work or reading! My favourites here: Magic bar & BB Detox tea.

We always have good luck stopping by a Balzac's store for coffee and a treat. Great coffee and service and always something to look at from a decor point of view. (Each store has it's own personality.) This one is particularly handy if you are in Libertyville or at the CNE grounds and want to sit for a few minutes in a nice environment. (It's a short city block directly north from the Go station.) Would I return: Yes Would I recommend: Yes

I'm a fan of Balzac's coffee, both the brews and espresso. Their baked goods are also very tasty! I find that this location is a particularly charming one and definitely has the quaint, Parisian bakery vibe they're going for. It's in a beautiful old building with exposed brick & huge windows. While there are always customers, the times I've been there it's been fairly quiet, making it a great place to relax with a coffee. Their prices are a little higher than other independent coffee shops but definitely worth it when you're looking for a treat.

There is no wifi here. If you are looking for a cafe to do some work on your laptop, go elsewhere. I was upset that I spent $5 on a kombucha to sit at a cafe with no wifi - until I tried the kombucha - I really liked it. Space is nice and service was good.

One of the smoothest americanos I've ever had. Staff were lovely, great quiet spot to get some work done.

I'm down with Balzac. My family doctor is in Liberty Village, so whenever I'm there I grab my coffee for the day. I've often considered popping in here to do some remote-working, but the long window stools ideal for this, are often taken. Not surprising given how many condos tower over this lil' area of town. Lattes are decent, staff is kind. Don't hate, caffeinate.

Good coffee and service. I tried the Guatemalan Antigua blend which was delicious. Very clean, bright and modern yet homey looking spot. I'll be back!

I love the space the moment I stepped inside Balzac's Coffee Roastery's Liberty Village location. The high ceiling, that retro feel... and that huge smile from the staff. Great place to chill out on a hot day as the AC was working full blast. Sadly the cappuccino was just so so... the milk was not foam properly led to the fail attempt of making any latte art.

This place has a very decent setup and a private entrance for the residents of the building adds a nice touch so Kudos for that. I stuck to the cappuccino and my friend ordered a latte Drink itself Espresso: Medium Crema': Good Milk: Frothed well Latte Art: Good After trying their other spot in the distillery district I was expecting the same run of the mill cappuccino but this one was quite decent . They do use all organic milk so if you are into that sorta lifestyle this place is just what the doctor ordered. As for chai tea latte, it didn't fare well as my friend commented it tasted like over sugared pre-made out of the box drink.

Like all their Toronto locations, this Balzac's has a very rustic and cozy, yet clean feel to the space. The place gets busy (as almost everything else in Liberty Village), but service is kind and quick, and there is a fair amount of seating both inside and some outside. The desserts are all presented in beautiful glass cake stands, and they are DELICIOUS. I find myself craving the peanut butter, chocolate, rice krispy, marshmallow something or other that I had there ALL THE TIME! The price tag is really the only thing that keeps me away, but I'll definitely be back for the million calorie treat!! :D

I enjoyed the dark roasted coffee - black and the soft ginger cookie. Love the cafe ambience. Only peeve was that the hot apple cider was not hot, it was like luke warm

Came here prior to our Toronto FC match. A well known barista for those in the city, this venue is in the heart of liberty village l, right across from The Local. She had the cappuccino and I had their Coronado. Both I have to say were delicious and prepared with lots of care. Truly a baristas....barista. Ambiance-wise is beautiful as if you've stepped into a rustic environment... Its definitely a popular joint for the locals and those who know their baristas! I'll be back when in the area!

This Balzac is right on my commute route to work, so I come here really often in the mornings for my caffeine fix. This cafe is actually super cute and although it's usually pretty busy when I'm there, it still has a kind of cosy feel to it. I don't drink coffee because unfortunately for me, I'm sensitive to caffeine. So I usually end up getting one of their teas or a chai tea latte, which is pretty good! The staff have always been lovely and they are always moving pretty quickly! The cafe itself is pretty cute! Lots of exposed brick and massive windows to bring in a lot of natural light. If hanging out in cafes was something I started to do- this is a primo spot!

We picked up 2 medium roast coffees as part of our morning walk. We were very disappointed - what we purchased didn't smell like coffee, they didn't taste like coffee. Please review your processes.

Best bean juice I've had in a long time. Definitely prefer them over Starbucks and I've been a die hard fan of them so for me to switch it's gotta be good and trust me it is. Service and fast and friendly . Only thing I wish they had was frappuccinos but I can live without that :)

Starbucks nitro cold brew was much better. Disappointed with that but i have had good coffee at other locations of Balzacs

On a crisp, sunny Autumn day, Balzac's is the perfect spot to end up after a stroll around the neighbourhood. Its bright and airy room is accented by its large graphic floor tiles. Situated in a former toy factory, retro signage is hung along the brick lined walls. The line up went quickly and I ordered my usual latte. I didn't have to wait long before my drink was done. I took a seat on the stools, overlooking the trees on the street with the bright yellow and red leaves. The latte was smooth and creamy, and at a perfect temperature. There's a lot of seating in the space, but it never felt crowded. I spent a good thirty minutes there, just taking in the experience.

People working here weren't the friendliest and the vanilla latte that I ordered was just meh. Nothing really stood out for me from this place except how hot it was inside because I was sweating upon ordering my latte.

I've been to the Distillery District location numerous times and I love going there for coffee and for the elaborate decor - such as their beautiful antique chandelier. This location's decor is not so elaborate but you get the same Balzac's feel here. I came here with a larger group (7 people) and it was difficult to catch up with the limited seating (mainly bar seats and tables of 4). However, still stays true with great coffee and friendly staff. Although I would have loved a better looking glass for my iced Americano.

Perfect for a meeting with a client, studying, have a date or getting together with a friend or a family member. Staff are great, friendly, perfectionists with making wanted beverages and I am very happy with their friendly service. I always enjoy my favourite treat which is a euro lemon tart and chai latte.

I enjoy Balzac's coffee. It has a nice flavor and the light/dark blends have a nice kick of caffeine too. While the coffee is consistent and good, this location is spartan and cold feeling. There's no wifi, minimal seating, and ample empty space that feels like their waiting for furniture to arrive, but it hasn't yet (and they've been open for quite a while, so that's not it). I agree with Eric: good place to grab a cup and leave, not a cozy cafe to sit with a friend or a book and enjoy the cup in house.

Setting: surprisingly large despite the small store front. Interior is a restrained art nouveau style with the usual period advertising and local newspapers and flyers by the door. Is themed on French playwright honor Balzac, but thankfully in a subtle way. Staff: polite and efficient Coffee: ordered Canadian coffee, good coffee no complaints. Ice tea was also refreshing and well priced

Absolutely loved my experience here!!! They have organic milk as their "milk" and made me a delicious cup of latte!!! Also, they carry Mariage Frères teas from Paris. They also have GF options for baked goods. Love the French bistro look of this place with super cool old school tiles and decor. Super high ceiling with loads of natural light coming true. The place is super clean and pleasant to sit in to enjoy your cup of java or tea. Cheers!

The worst flat white I've ever had. When I ordered one, they asked me what size I wanted (I should have left then) and then proceeded to charge me $5 for a scalding hot shitty latte. It's sweet that they hire baristas with little to no experience but maybe have prices reflect it? Never been before, NEVER going back.

NOT good for kids and people with disabilities. I didn't have a chance to even check this place out as I was with my son in his stroller and their only entrance has a tall flight of stairs. This is very disappointing.

Many a Yelp Toronto CM has sat in this very cafe before me and written a review. Previous CM's have made mention of disgruntled staff, poor-ish service or a total lack of free WiFi... did WiFi not exist back in 2011??? I'm happy to report that my recent Sunday afernoon visit to Balzac's Coffee was pleasant on all fronts. The WiFi was strong, I found outlets to plug into right away, the staff was friendly (and border line flirty.. yes I'm onto your flirtatious ways you golden haired minx), and for a Sunday, I never thought I would find such a relaxing chilled out place in all of the city, let alone the busy Liberty Village. Maybe it's their nondescript front entrance which he/she without a trusty Yelp app armed with the ever useful Monocle, might walk past, but this place was cozy and quiet. Set in the side of one of the re-purposed factories (now lofts) of Liberty Village the stone exterior and loft style interior are tres chic in my book and make me long for a transplant north of Steeles. While working at this late time in the day, I opted to avoid further caffeination and settled on a Hot Chocolate. Maybe it was because I got a small, but even though it was made with an unmarked chocolate syrup, the milk was frothed, thick and there was no heavy syrup at the bottom like so many disappointing Tim Hortons Hot Chocolates Side note: Timmies HC is like drinking chocolate flavoured water until the bottom where the syrup is so thick it's almost unbearable. I digress... looking for a place to do some work or reading in Liberty Village, I'd recommend paying this place a visit. Pro-tip: Ask for the WiFi password from the cashier when you pay.

Located in Liberty Village, this is a great place to read, study, or just to hang out - if you can find a seat that is... I've stepped into the cafe twice (once on a weekday) and both times it was packed. I tried their maple latte, it's great for someone who loves the aftertaste of maple syrup. I unfortunately am not one of them. I would definitely want to come back and try more of their coffees, but I'm hesitant because of the difficulty to find seats.

Coffee is bitter and probably the most expensive I've had in TO. WIFI was 'down'. The macchiato had too much milk, and the cappuchino was served in a large glass; not sure whether in this pseudo-French locale cappuchino translates into cafe-au-lait. But that's what it looked like. The waitress behind the bar displayed a mixture of boredom and rudeness. No eye contact. Perhaps she is chronically constipated.

Not a bad spot on a Sunday afternoon. While not as overarchingly beautiful as it's Distillery District sister store, this Balzac's is definitely a lovely spot. Big windows, exposed brick, a charming antique tiled floor. No wifi or outlets, so this more of a place to read or chat or mull over your own existence. It was delightful on a Sunday afternoon when I first went, but on night's when it's crowded it can be unbearable. Choose wisely. I recommend their brews over their espresso, especially the Balzac's Blend. Liberty Villagers should consider themselves lucky. Obligatory Title Pun: ZAC'S a coffee maniac. Menu Readability: Yeah. Need to mention: There's a parking lot across the street. What this place teaches me about myself: No wifi makes me nutty/needlessly existential.

They open last December but it was the first time that I got the chance to go. They are serving a good coffee. I find that the employee are very nice and its a cool place to go. Its a very small place so sometimes you may have to wait for a table.

Why's everyone hating on Balzac? Maybe it's not as "beautiful" as it's Distillery District sister location, but it's still much nicer than your average coffee shop. There are too many indie coffee shops going up that have absolutely no room or seating. Balzacs is quite spacious and since it's tucked away in a quieter area (than say, Queen st or King st) there's a good chance you can actually find a place to sit down and relax. My regular brewed coffee was quite good. Good selection of treats here No wifi? WTF.

Not even close in appearance or quality to its sister unit in Distillery District, I was quite disappointed when I asked for an espresso and it was just "meh". There was a guy eating noodles inside and I couldn't get it. Noodles inside a café? The service, the coffee, everything there is OK, and if you once had something at Balzac at the Distillery, you will be sooo frustrated, you'll rather walk a block and go to Starbucks, at least you know what you're getting.

Balzac's has made its way to the heart of Liberty Village; this location is a great alternative to the other coffee shops in the area. The coffee is great but unfortunately, the service is sub-par. I found the folks behind a counter have a bit of attitude and service does not pick up when there is a huge line up. They have wifi available, just ask them for the password. It is descent connection but does have a tendency to cut-out every now and then. They even have patio seating in the summer which is great for people watching in the Liberty Village area.

Coffee is fine. Not amazing, food options are few and average. Only bakery goods and a premade yogurt with granola. Service is average, but it's counter service, not table.

Excellent lattes and espressos. Prices are on the higher side. One of my go to places in Liberty Village for hangouts and some quality alone time.

Friendly, fast and great coffee atmosphere - group seating is limited. Wicker seats, don't look overly comfortable. Although, I must say I did not sit in them. I would definitely bring a client to this location, for a coffee meeting, however, I would risk that we would not be able to get a table together. Parking is very limited and you are better to walk. If you find a spot you're lucky. I will definitely go back to this location.

I drink my coffee black. It's good here. I found it to be smooth. Not over the top bitter, or requiring milk/cream sugar. My friend and I walked my dog over Saturday morning for a coffee, trying to avoid the long line up at Starbucks. The interior isn't mind-blowingly beautiful but it reminds me of a coffee house from an old school film. There is actually space to sit and enjoy coffee, unlike many places which have a measly 4 or 5 tables. ...I think many more mornings will be spent here, rather than other places.

While in Edmonton, I had always heard about how amazing their coffee was. Although I had their Iced Chai Latte, I surely wasn't disappointed. I know the next time I visit, I will have to try one of their coffees. Their patio is very small with a few tables. I actually had very friendly staff greet me and also offer me one of their cards. I left with a very good experience and would recommend anyone to visit.

Are you an early riser? Frustrated that Mildred's Kitchen isn't open yet? Then come on down to Balzac's, enjoy the super cute atmosphere, Canadian Latte and a Magic Bar (Oreo, coconut & chocolate chip!). Spend a moment looking into our lovers eyes and being thankful. Finish the deliciousness of your latte and walk to breakfast. This is the recipe for a great morning in Toronto :-)

If I had known about Balzac's earlier, I would have gone here for my coffee. The coffee shop is tucked away at the end of Hanna street, so if you take a different route on a regular basis, you may miss it. I have only tried their drip coffee. I opted for the pale roast for a milder flavour, which was simultaneously mild and flavourful with citrus and floral notes that danced on my palette in a beautiful way. My only complaint is that I like my coffee hot (maybe even scalding hot), so that once I add cream it is still really hot. The coffee was colder in temperature compared to Starbucks and Aroma, even though they make a few batches an hour. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they serve organic coffee, milk and cream (Harmony, my favourite). They also have a coffee funnel next to the garbage for patrons that wish to pour some out before they add their milk/coffee, which is a nice touch missing from other cafes. The atmosphere was quaint and cozy. If I wasn't on my lunch break, I would have loved to sit down and enjoy my coffee to stay along with a good book. Also, love the name and inspiration of this place which pays homage to Honore de Balzac.

The place was cute but no where close to the beauty on mill st. I found the staff rather pleasant and enjoyed my quiet time on a not so busy Wednesday. It is however a nice change from the typical franchised coffee shops.

I will admit I'm very selective about my coffee. I will go without if my only options are Starbucks or Tim Hortons. What I do like about the place is they use organic milk, and have sugar free almond milk as an alternative.. The coffee however, is bitter and overpriced. I only go there if I'm desperate for a cup of coffee and my fave spot is closed. Typically I don't need any sugar in my latte but at Balzac's I do.. Some of the staff are pretentious.. and i'm really not sure what there is to be pretentious about... it is coffee after all.

notbadface. Really big windows and exposed brick and tiled floors makes it feel very comfy and welcoming as far as coffee shops go. It's not a very wide shop but rather long and narrow, so there's a lot of stool/bar-like seating along the windows. The coffee here is also quite nice with a lot of options to choose from.

Wow, so many mixed reviews. Well here I am and I have never been to their main location. I was on my way to the little shopping tunnel just south of here, and I'd heard of these dudes so I picked up a Cafe Canadien. It was super delicious. I liked the interior just fine. So there you have it!