Alternative Grounds - CLOSED

This cafe is no longer in operation.

Cafe: Alternative Grounds
Address: 333 Roncesvalles Ave.
Phone: 416-534-6335
Store Hours: Mon-Fri 7 AM - 7 PM, Sat-Sun 8 AM - 7 PM
Website: www.alternativegrounds.com

Wi-Fi?: Yes
Study Appropriate?: Yes
Stamp Cards?: Yes, but a prepaid card

Interior

Menu

Drinks - Soy/Almond/Lactose-Free Options?: Yes to all
- Offers Mint Condition Latte
- Offers Cinnamon Heart
- $14/pound for regular coffee
- $15.50/pound for decaf
- Baked goods from Desmond and Beatrice and Sweets from the Earth

Food - Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-Free Options?: Vegan and gluten-free
- Also offers dairy-free and wheat-free options
- Offers bagel sandwiches
- Offers soups
- Offers empanadas
- Primarily a vegetarian cafe

Review

Drink of Choice: Cinnamon Heart, $3.45

Upon entering Alternative Grounds, I immediately liked the atmosphere. They had a cozy set up and everything about it made me feel welcomed. Right away, I could tell it was going to take awhile for me to get my questions answered for this review. I was able to ask one of the three baristas on duty, Amy, briefly about the menu before a couple of customers came in to order.

In the meantime while waiting, I went ahead and ordered a Cinnamon Heart, which is a rooibos tea espresso with steamed milk. It was absolutely delicious! If you have a sweet tooth like me, Cinnamon Heart is definitely for you! I'd definitely come back just for this drink alone!

When I found the opportunity to talk to the barista quickly, I was able to inquire some more about their coffee. They roast all of their coffee beans everyday at their Bloor and Lansdowne location. They sell their coffee beans to other cafes as well. Customers are free to come in and buy themselves some coffee beans and tea if they wish. It costs $14 for a pound of regular coffee and $15.50 for decaf. It is a vegetarian cafe that offers vegan options, along with gluten-free, dairy-free and wheat-free! As well, they have a prepaid coffee card that could get you 9 coffee drinks for $13.18 (tax included)

Overall, I really liked the atmosphere. The downside for me personally is the location because it is far west from the downtown core and I could get a bit lazy with that distance. However, if you live in or near Roncesvalles, I think it would be worth stopping by.