Caffiends Fair Trade Cafe and Community Center Review

Cozy and inviting cafe - perfect for U of T students looking for a casual study or hangout space. They have amazing $1 drip coffee, plus the whole gamut of standard cafe tea and espresso beverages. They have plenty of affordable snacking options from local suppliers that are fair trade, organic and vegan whenever possible. My favourite is the vegan coffee cake muffin!
They're huge on sustainability so no paper cups here! You're welcome to take their ceramic mugs away and it's an honour system to return the mugs afterwards. Alternatively, bring your own thermos and they're happy to fill it for the same price no matter the size.
There is limited seating however and the cafe gets quite packed between classes and in the early afternoon. Open Monday to Friday during fall and spring uni terms only.

A great safe space for students and members of the community! I love studying here PLUS the drinks and food are amazing and fair trade

A hidden gem, offering surprisingly affordable coffee and the like. A solid student hangout. Try the coffee muffin, it's the best one. Keep in mind that the cafe doesn't use disposable cups, but you're permitted to take one of their ceramic mugs for a walk

Low key, run by volunteers, love the atmosphere, love the cookies.

Good coffee, fair prises! Great place for students by students!

Lovely place. Coffee is $1 and the students are friendly and helpful. A great campus institution and a good way for students to study in a nice environment.

I liked the vibe and location. Also great that it's all volunteer based. Vegan donut wasn't too bad.

Amazing loose leaf tea, and drip coffee! Very affordable!

It can be a little tricky to find as the building is not exactly on Charles St, but after asking a few students I'm glad I stepped in. The coffee is $1!! The Tea is $1.50! And their products are all good quality. Technically, you have to bring your own mug if you want to take out your drinks (they don't stock paper cups) but they have this amazing policy that you can take their mugs around campus -- just bring them back eventually! I had an excellent camino hot chocolate (they stock milk, dark and spiced chocolate varieties) and a chocolate chip cookie. They have cow's milk, almond milk and soy milk. An excellent place!

Lovely little cafe tucked away in Old Vic. Love the staff and the 1$ coffee (and the fairy lights)! Make sure to bring your own mug though.

I love Caffiends! The girls working there always so nice and great to talk to!! I also grab a cup of their $1 coffee before I go to the morning class I'm usually late for.

It's cheap for what it is, 1$ coffee and $1.50 tea. Took them forever to make me a simple iced tea though.

Volunteered here in the past; it's lovely locally-roasted coffee in a small, intimate setting full of students and profs. Can't beat the prices ;)

Tucked away in Victoria college, only students from this college seems to know about this place. Love the atmosphere here, its very cozy. They have $2 coffee and focus on fairtrade and sustainable organic practices. I have tried most things on the menu. Highly recommend coffee cake muffin and cinnamon bun. The scones and cookies can be a bit dry and leave a slight bitter sweetener aftertaste.

I hope this establishment is a friendly campus joke - obviously the worst cafe I've visited in my entire life, that says something. Took a nervous 'barista' a clean 12 minutes to nervously pour a mocha which was easily below room temperature. 50 percent of the cup full of foamed milk and the rest full of flavorless lukewarm liquid. Best part, are you ready? Worth 4.50, FOUR dollars and FIFTY cents to wait 12 minutes for a joke of a mocha. Wont be returning again.