Chris Williams
Google
Hands down, one of the best coffee shops in the entire City of Toronto. Jovially led by Tony, the staff are always welcoming and friendly. I’ve personally seen a few of Tony’s baristas move on at some point to become cornerstones of other reputable coffee shops.
And coffee. Tony knows his coffee. His espresso is creamy and smooth and never leaves any bitterness. I’ve introduced Manic to a number of coffee aficionados and I’ve yet to have one not be won over.
Not only does Tony know how to make great espresso, but he’s happy to talk about it too. Even if it isn’t coffee from his shop, he gladly discuss the attributes of any given bean or grind and how to get the best out of it. He has given me some fantastic advice over the years, including how to perfect my aeropress on the road.
Of course, if coffee isn’t your thing, Manic also has a lot of tea and other options to choose from. Just not the dizzying, ridiculous and saccharine-drenched array of options available in the big shops. In my opinion, that’s not a bad thing. And kombucha on tap.
Given that it is a coffee shop, you might expect pastries, but Manic goes well past that a great array of food offerings, all made fresh daily and in-house. None of that pre-packaged and re-heated fare often found in large ubiquitous coffee chains.
So well-made is the food at Manic that I know local businesses, including large hospitals, rely on Manic for catering.
If you haven’t had a good coffee in a while, make your way to Manic.