Jeffrey from Toronto

About me Cyclist in the morning. Ad guy by the afternoon. Urban explorer in the evenings and on weekends. I like to wine and dine the new, and keep a regular presence at the old where the standard is set high. My diverse universe includes: arts, culture, sports, current events, and a wife and kids. Life is good. So is ice cream. Why Toronto What I love most about Toronto i...
Oct 5, 2025

Dineen Outpost Toronto

"Pretty" awesome cafe

""Dineen Outpost" is a great coffee shop in Toronto. It's not just the coffee itself, it's the regulars, the seating, the overall vibe, the plain beauty..."

What makes a great coffee shop? The answer likely includes the coffee, but possibly the seating, the nature of regular customers, and the overall vibe. In Toronto’s east end, Dineen Outpost is a real standout for all those things, and also its beauty.

In fact, one of the few latte lounges even in the same aesthetic league is the original Dineen on Yonge St. at Temperance. I actually prefer this Gerrard location, because I can usually get a seat, and enjoy a moderately-voiced conversation. This is less possible at their downtown location.

I also love the high ceilings and front room with large windows that face south and east. The airiness of the room feels a bit “Paris in springtime.” I also like the bank of leather-cushioned seats that surround many marble-topped tables easily manoeuvred for various group configurations.

Dineen Outpost offers a fine selection of sweet and savoury baked goods, and draft beer is served after 11am. Yes… this is way more than a good place for java, it’s extremely “pretty” good.

What’s Spot On:
• East-facing patio in warmer months is well positioned for good morning sun.
• Dineen Outpost sits amid a tight strip of shops, bars and restaurants that jointly represent a hipster haven. So, after you caffeine up, taste the good eats at Chula Mexican Taberna, down a cocktail at Poor Romeo and Pinkerton’s Snack bar, trim your beard at Little London Barbershop, and confess your love of barroom intrigue at the Vatican Gift Shop.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

This week 25% off

with the code fall25

*on our yearly membership

About this spot

Gerrard Street East 1042

Small latte:

C$

3.95

4169247515

Our Toronto City Guide

Find your way with 145 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Toronto guide.

Join as a Spotter?

Loved this Spot? And love your city? Join your local team. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Toronto

Khau Gully

Best Northern Indian Food in Toronto

"Khau Gully" is my favorite Northern Indian restaurant in Toronto. Street food is its thing but it's best to sit in for its beautifully painted dining room

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Cameron

Bryant

Oct 15, 2025

The Shameful Tiki Room

A night in Hawaii

The Shameful Tiki Room brings Polynesian-inspired food and an overwhelming list of tiki drinks — no jetlag required! One of the best themed bars around.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Astoria

Luzzi

Oct 13, 2025

RE Place / Poured Coffee

Low-waste for the win

From biodegradable bamboo products to personal care items that are better for both you and the planet, you can find plenty here for a more sustainable life.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Oct 13, 2025

Good Intentions

Shop to support women

It’s rare that I leave this store without having bought something, be it a beautiful ring for myself, or a unique piece of artwork to give as a gift.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Oct 13, 2025

Gia Restaurant

Plant-forward perfection

With environmental sustainability in mind, Gia is a “plant-forward” restaurant, with the goal of sourcing produce locally, and organic when possible.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Oct 13, 2025

Scout

Gift giving made easy

Besides selling goods from small, often local, independent makers and mindfully selected brands, they also help to support local charities and initiatives.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Oct 13, 2025

Philistine

Curated clothing & goods

Founded over 15 years ago as a purveyor of vintage goods at local markets and pop-ups, Philistine now has two shops of its own, both on Queen Street.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Oct 13, 2025

Aloette

Toronto’s best restaurant's cooler sister

"Aloette" in Toronto is an upscale bistro with a wider range of food. Their burger is definitely a staple, and their iceberg wedge salad is a sleeper hit!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Anita

Kim

Oct 11, 2025

La Salumeria

The perfect midtown deli

"La Salumeria" is always where I go when I need something delicious on-the-go during the day. It's a delicatessen that also makes the best sandwiches!

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Anita

Kim

Oct 11, 2025

Gift Shop

A not-so-secret secret speakeasy

"Gift Shop" is a secret, magical, speakeasy-type cocktail bar at the back of a barber shop in Toronto. It's actually quite well known though, so get read

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Anita

Kim

Oct 11, 2025

Swatow

My go-to for hole-in-the-wall Chinese food

"Swatow" Toronto's been my go-to for that kind of Chinese food for years -- you know, the comforting, inexpensive stuff that's still plentiful & delicious.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Anita

Kim

Oct 11, 2025

Parallel

My fave Israeli spot for brunch

"Parallel" in Toronto makes their own tahini with a huge stone grinder and they use it in just about every dish in the menu, including the amazing hummus.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Anita

Kim

Oct 11, 2025

Heading to Toronto?

145 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Toronto app Home
Toronto app Home
Toronto app Map
Toronto app Home

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

145 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Coffee & tea

Our team loves Toronto

Get to know our other Spotters from Toronto

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
7300
Made with the 💚 of 500 Spotters.
Filters