Spinelli’s Bar Italia

I took some co-​workers here for lunch because we were in the neighborhood and I couldn’t stop raving about the paninos.
I love that there is a wide variety of beverages available at all three of the café’s. This one doesn’t have the same vibe as the original, but it gets the job done.
This is the place for lunch if you are in the neighborhood. They have a great selection of sandwiches and baked goods to satisfy just about anyone’s appetite.
The Espresso based beverages here are a wonderful thing. It is a great place to grab a coffee and a cannoli to take a break from shopping in the attached Italian Center.
They always have paninos in mild and hot wrapped and ready to go. If you don’t have time to sit and enjoy the atmosphere, I highly suggest one of these gems. I have never been able to eat a full one in one sitting. They have a great selection of meats on them and are phenomenal when heated.
This place is BUSY! There might not be a lot of parking available in the lot, but there is usually some on the street if you get stuck for a place.

Sorry to be a nuisance. Thank you Monica for pointing out to me that the Italian Centre Shop has a «separate» name for the bar caffe’… Therefore, the review I wrote is being reposted under its proper name vs. under the Italian Centre Shop. Sorry, but I still hope it’s useful :-)
It IS a caffe’ bar? (can you call it that… it is more a ‘café’ ‘ – there is no bar at which you can stand and have a quick espresso). In any case, I went in today as I was on my way to take a friend to the airport to take a flight to return home from being with us for the New Year. I know that the «café’ «typically has very good cappuccini so I thought it would be nice to have that AND perhaps a warm soup/​sandwich and/​or salad so she wouldn’t have to buy at the airport.
I do need to say that my friend cannot eat gluten, the STORE does carry items that are «gluten free» AND they have their ex-​restaurant soon to become an «order and go» place RIGHT next door, so I would have thought (silly me, really) that this location would have expanded by a WEE bit their options for ordering food AND perhaps trained their staff behind the counter to understand the difference between «warming up» a croissant vs. SMASHING it in the panino maker to «warm it up». Yes folks, I was asked if I wanted the croissant I ordered «warmed up» and the young woman behind the counter took my «yes, please» to mean: «Yes, please, smash it in the panino maker since I would rather have a FLAT piece of buttery something instead of what it IS… a CROISSANT». To say the least, when I saw her turn around with it I told her I didn’t want it AND though she offered me another, I didn’t bother since there was nothing my friend could have AT ALL by that point.
I did not mention that the cappuccino WAS GOOD (thank goodness), however, it WILL remain that kind of a place for me… to get an espresso or a cappuccino.

As far as a fabulous espresso based beverages, on the deep south side, goes… Well, you are looking (ok, reading) about it! It: As in the one and only place. In a suburbia that is filled with ill StarB’s and second rate Second Cups, once you wander south of Whyte Ave, there is a serious lack of authentic and really outstanding caffeinated bevvies!
Now Spinelli’s could literally be an espresso machine in a parking lot and still receive a 5 star rating, it’s that good. But no, there is much more to it. It also has tasty in-​house made sweet treats (including the to-​die-​for cannolis I have written about from the original Spinelli’s location) gelato and a whole selection of Gluten Free squares! It is hooked onto the Italian Centre Market south — so convenient to get your caffeine fix and grab groceries at the same time! As well, there are some of cute shops and ample parking. Ms Teresa sure knows how to pick a location and provide the best quality of everything that is on the menu.
Cin Cin Spinelli’s!

One of the best places to grab something for lunch. Tons of sandwiches and tasty deserts to try at very reasonable prices. Great coffee too. They get a lot of my money!

I used to work at ICS in the café and loved it. I was there for almost two years, and I still frequent it there often!
Large Double shot Soy latte is the way to go

You might not know this place exists unless you frequent the Italian Bakeshop it’s housed in. Off to the right of the main grocery store’s doors, this quiet little café serves typical lite Italian fare: paninis, a huge selection of cakes, and different kinds of coffee.
It’s medium-​sized, with about 10 or so tables and low lighting perfect for a casual date night. The fancy coffee drink I tried was pretty good, and the staff were very friendly.
I normally wouldn’t think of a grocery store as the hottest date spot, but I would recommend it for a casual coffee meet up. You can even get some shopping done on your way out!