Moonbean Coffee Company

Cafe: Moonbean Coffee Company
Address: 30 St. Andrew St.
Phone: 416-595-0327
Store Hours: Mon-Sun 7 AM - 9 PM
Website: www.moonbeancoffee.com

Wi-Fi?: No
Study Appropriate?: Yes
Stamp Cards?: No

Interior

Menu

Drinks - Soy/Almond/Lactose-Free Options?: Yes to all
- Rice milk available
- Offers smoothies and juice bars
- Offers Ovaltine hot chocolate
- Specialty drink is their Moonbean Cappuccino Shake

Food - Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-Free Options?: Yes to all
- Organic and fair-trade coffee beans, roasted in-house 2-3 per week
- Vegan bread and cookies
- Cookies baked every morning in-house
- Uses whole wheat bread
- Breakfast and lunch meal options available, such as bagels and sandwiches

Medium Chai Caramel Latte, $3.50

Large Raspberry Blueberry Parade, $5.25

Large Peachy Cream Smoothie, $5.25

Review

Drink of Choice: Jasmine Matcha Latte, $3.50

When I was still a cafe newbie, I was told to definitely visit Moonbean Coffee Company. Luckily, it was on last year's Indie Coffee Passport, so I had the chance to try this oh-so-popular Kensington Market cafe. I had their caramel chai latte the first time and I remembered enjoying it. I came back in the summer because I knew they also served smoothies and juice bars. When I bought two of their smoothies, I was so so so disappointed. Both their Peachy Cream and Raspberry Blueberry Parade were sooo bland! From what I could remember, I barely tasted anything from either of the drinks. I think Raspberry Blueberry Parade was only slightly (oh-so-slightly, like 1% slightly) better. That was a lesson learned, so I definitely would not be picking up any of the smoothies ever again.

Fast-forwarding to the day I came to interview the barista, Toshimi, and review this cafe. From what I remembered previously, it was still as packed as it used to be, no matter what time during the day. I never got the chance to sit outside in their patio during the summer. But for those who enjoy having their coffee under the sun, it's definitely there when it is open during the warmer season. If you like going to cafes later on in the day, Moonbean is definitely one since it is open seven days a week until 9 PM. They also sell the art on their wall for any collectors out there.

They sell coffee beans and different types of teas from all over. So if you are a tea or coffee fanatic, this place would be perfect for you to stock up on unique flavours like Toasted Almond or Banana coffee beans!  For the tea, it could cost anywhere from $1.75 to $2.95 per cup depending on the tea itself.

I definitely enjoyed my Jasmine Matcha Latte. It is the perfect combination of just sweet enough without it being overbearing on the taste buds. So definitely do not sweeten it any further. My friend made that mistake without tasting hers first and it became a sugar bomb for every sip she took.