In a 2017 article for Grub Street, writer Chris Crowley remarked that many New York City restaurants are turning to the all-day-cafe model, and likens them to European wine bars; “small places where everyone can go to relax without worrying about reservations or high-priced entres.” Cafe Leva has fit this description, and has been ahead of the trend, for years. Part bakery, part wine bar, part coffeehouse, Cafe Leva has it all, and is No. 1 for us because it’s so far removed from mediocre cafes with good-enough coffee and an assortment of pre-packaged or stale baked goods. Start your morning with espresso from local roaster Ace Coffee Roasters, meet a friend and share a Neapolitan pizza for lunch, or linger over a glass of great wine and arancini on a weekend evening. If you eschew espresso, Leva’s sweet, subtle chai has long been a cult favourite. It’s an approachable, airy space with plenty of seating at communal tables and a full menu served from open to close, to eat in or take out. While everything is homemade and tastes fresh, it’s hard to resist the flakey scones, and Leva’s soft, slightly chewy pizzas are definitely the stars of the main menu. -Breanna Mroczek
Chances are, you’ve stopped by Rosso for a pizza at least once, or perhaps lingered over a leisurely brunch. However, we urge you not to overlook this Garneau spot when you just want a fantastic coffee. Stop by in the morning for a creamy cappuccino or perfectly smooth shot of espresso, paired with house made biscotti (the flavours change regularly) or rich, nutty small- batch granola, also made in house. -Adrianna MacPherson
You may know this space as Red Star Pub, but by day it’s a spot to enjoy lattes and Americanos and a substantial variety of baked goods and hot sandwiches. You can’t go wrong with the kouign amann or a scone for a sweet treat, and the BLT is a symphony of textures from the dripping, melted white cheddar to the perfect crunch of the homemade English muffin. -Breanna Mroczek
