The 6 Best Coffee Shops To Work From In Midtown Toronto

Yonge and St Clair is the business hub of midtown Toronto but whether you work from home or from the office, sometimes you just need a change of scenery. So we’ve put together a local guide of the best coffee shops to work from to help you find your new favourite midtown spot.

1. Mary Be Kitchen 

Mary Be Kitchen is perhaps best known for being a healthy local choice in a sea of french fries. But it’s also an excellent place to work remotely, and with strong WiFi you won’t be the only laptop in there.

This is a bustling spot with both grab and go, and sit down service. There are plenty of tables to choose from, an intimate patio in summer, and hot desk style communal seating options complete with individual outlets for those who really want to lock in on productivity.

Grab a sandwich or order off the delicious guilt-free seasonal menu that lets you build your own combo. They also open early during the week and have a dedicated breakfast menu to kick off your day right. The vibe here is bright and fresh, and the uplifting atmosphere is ideal for tackling your to-do list.

📍21B St. Clair W
marybekitchen.com

2. Lil E Coffee Cafe 

If you like your remote work cafes with a side of purpose, you won’t find a better place than Lil E Coffee Cafe. This cafe is part coffee shop, part social enterprise. Lil E is staffed by young individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. Here, they receive training and employment experience to equip them as they enter the workforce.

Choosing Lil E as your work spot means supporting this all-Canadian cause, but it also means high quality coffee from Calgary-based Rosso Coffee Roasters and delicious baked goods from local Toronto bakeries.

Seating is limited but designed thoughtfully for laptop users with counterheight outlets, comfortable stools with backs, and good WiFi. This is the perfect place to pop in for a few hours of work in a bright and friendly environment.

📍2 St. Clair W, #107
instagram.com/lilecoffeeyyz

3. La Barista Cafe 

La Barista Cafe is the place long-term Yonge & St Clair residents love and new arrivals overlook. This family-owned cafe has been serving the neighbourhood for over 20 years and their friendly service and affordable prices have kept locals coming back again and again.

Situated just below Loblaws at the northeast corner of Yonge and St Clair, this neighbourhood favourite has it all. Ample comfy seats in their dedicated seating area, good WiFi, warm service, and a menu with something for everyone. From coffees to smoothies and sandwiches to fruit salads, you don’t have to spend a lot to get a lot at La Barista.

There can be plenty of foot traffic here so pack your headphones if you need to concentrate on your work. Outlets can be tricky to nab so charge your devices in advance. La Barista is also connected to the subway so if the weather isn’t on your side, this is a great place to stop in for a hot drink served with a smile.

📍12 St. Clair E, lower level
instagram.com/labaristacafe.toronto

4. The Coffee 

The Coffee is a newer addition to the neighbourhood and is poised to become our next hidden gem. You’ll find this little haven up a few steps at the back of the lobby at 30 St Clair Ave W. 

This is not a place for video calls, but if you’re looking for a calm and quiet spot to answer emails or work distraction free, this is the one. There’s a good array of tables, reliable WiFi, and plenty of natural light, but outlets are limited so be sure to charge up if you plan to stay more than a few hours.

If you’re a coffee aficionado, you’ll appreciate the perfectionist approach to the “Purist” menu that includes a latte that’s hard to beat. And if you’re looking for something less serious, the Signature menu offers flavoured coffees, matcha, soda, and teas.

They also feature pastries from local Toronto bakery Circles & Squares and a variety of sandwiches to fuel your work day.

📍30 St. Clair W
thecoffee.jp

5. Union Social Eatery 

Although not actually a coffee shop, Union Social Eatery is a local favourite for remote work. With a long bar, high top tables, quiet corners, and big booths perfect for larger groups, whatever your work day brings there’s a spot for you here.

Set yourself up by the huge open window in the warm weather, or nestle into a cozy table on a snowy day. Soft lighting, large tables, and a spacious layout make this a perfect place to work for a few hours or the whole day.

Like the other spots on this list, Union Social Eatery serves coffee but they also serve great food, like the fan favourite almond crusted chicken tenders. Plus, they have vegetarian and gluten-free options, and Social Hour food and drinks deals 2-5pm daily.

In addition to the free WiFi, comfy seats, and tasty eats, what really makes this place special is the staff. The team here is so welcoming and are the sort of people who will remember you the next time you visit.

📍21 St. Clair W
unionsocial.ca

6. Circles & Squares 

There are so many excellent businesses around Yonge and St Clair, but this last pick is a little further north. Toronto has no shortage of excellent bakeries, but Circles & Squares, opposite Davisville subway station, has accolades to back it up, including being named Ontario’s best butter tart maker for 2025. When one of Toronto’s best bakeries is one subway stop or three stops on the 97 bus away, it belongs on the list.

They offer a wide variety of baked goods, sandwiches, and bowls, all made in house and they’re so good they supply countless other coffee shops across the city.

There is window seating in the main cafe, perfect for work with some intermittent people watching, but if you head toward the back and up the stairs you’ll find a full seating area. The tables are well spaced and private enough for video calls. They have free WiFi, outlets, and tables large enough for all your devices plus any other supplies you bring along.

This is a bit of a favourite remote work spot in Davisville so you’ll want to come early to grab a table and if it is busy, we’ve given you plenty of other great options to check out in midtown.

 📍1909 Yonge St.
circlesandsquares.ca