Alternative Grounds Coffeehouse & Roastery

I just popped in to grab an Americano while at High Park, but here are my impressions…
Homey, non-​pretentious environment, great to do get work done with/​out your laptop. Tables/​chairs looked comfortable. Interior was that of an older, established downtown café with various flyers on the walls, a mix of furniture, and younger/​older clientele as well. Barista was friendly. Plenty of seating on a Sunday afternoon.
My Americano was nice ‘n smooth, but not super in-​your-​face coffee taste.
Bonus: Take-​out cup, both paper & lid, were compostable, eco-​friendly! Wished the bigger chains would follow suit.

Tasty ethically sourced coffee. I buy all my beans here. Hassle-​free wifi as well. Good peeps.

I really like this place. I think i’ll make it one of my go-​to cafes now that I live in the area. It’s hard to find a neighborhood joint that hits all the criteria:
— good coffee
— good atmosphere
— free wifi
— walking distance
— enough tables
— not too busy
— non-​smoking patio
— half decent music that isn’t too loud (in case I want to listen to my own music)
Clearly i’m somewhat picky in this regard. This place gets all of this right. Try their iced coffee (they tell me it’s brewed overnight). It’s good. Not like that watered down crap they sell elsewhere.

Some pretty nice people. The coffee is meh. The food is also meh. The internet connection drops all the time and is pretty slow. The tables and chairs are all pretty much stuff most people would throw out.

The best. Unique and lovely. Brilliant coffee. Owners committed to the community and to making a better world. First fair trade café in TO. Unmissable.

«Bustling» is the mot juste for ALTERNATIVE GROUNDS on Roncesvalles at Grenadier. The barista was pleasantly flustered by the onslaught of patronage as they danced around each other singing a chorus of cheerful «sorry“s.
Roncesvalles is a neighborhood with a unique energy. People genuinely LOVE their local shops, cafes, grocers. They recognize eachother and «hey» their neighbours. I always feel like I’m in a (trendy urban) small town. Every third man has a baby strapped to his chest, and words like «local», «ethical» and «organic» are good for business.
The café itself has a fun, friendly atmosphere; there is a mash up of country kitchen tables, a wall of bulk beans to choose from… lots of vegan desserts, thick homemade soups… and 2 women squealing with delight at their samples of a tart cherry beverage (though I can’t guarantee they’re be here when you are…) Plus two bulletin boards jammed with local activities and going-​ons. Lots of seating in the back means you’ll always get a table… AG makes a great local hot spot!

333 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, On 416 534 5543

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 café 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.

Rather disappointed in this place, I must say. It’s like they forgot that going to a café is more than just getting coffee — you’re going for the experience as well.
They have very good coffee, and the prices are cheaper than the surrounding places, so those are the good points.
But everything else is weak — the atmosphere is dreary and depressing. It’s quiet, and not in a good way (is there background music? I couldn’t tell), so when people actually do talk, you’re deafened. The people at the counter give the distinct impression they don’t want to talk to you. I don’t like the hours, either — they close shop at 7pm on weekdays, which defeats the point, since they encourage people to work in there. At least, I think they do, ’cause everybody are on laptops.
This place is lacking in style and purpose, and it shows. Everything I mentioned could potentially be turned to become good points, and I hope they do something soon.
And the wi-​fi situation is screwed-​up; I’m not sure, but I think they’re borrowing (ahem) their wi-​fi; I’ve been told to log onto different networks each time I go.

My Indie Coffee Passport led me to Alternative Grounds, and that’s a good thing.
I chose to have their decaf Soy Latte and it was yummmmmy. Creamy, rich, filling. I find when I have a good soy latte, it’s like having a drink and a snack all in one, and I appreciate that. The barista was very thoughtful and brought my latte over to my table, even though I had it ‘to go’. I’m okay with being told my beverage is ready and I’ll just come get it, so to have him bring it right to me was unexpected and very nice.
The atmosphere was pretty casual. Even though all the tables were occupied, it seemed that you could just pull up a chair and make yourself comfortable wherever there was room. It was easy to see how you could become a regular here.

I came here as part of the Indie Coffee passport 2012 (ICP). This area is still a mystery for me as I haven’t been here before and thanks to ICP I got to discover it a bit.
The Setup is nice and they promote themself as being fair trade, organic and all things that are supposed make oneself enlightened. Now for the drink I ordered a Mocha as they didn’t have cappucino on the ICP drinks list.
Espresso: Mild
Crema’: NA
Milk: Frothed below average
Latte Art: NA
Mocha is below average. It neither has the espresso boldness nor the chocolaty flavor one seeks in this drink. Poor attempt at this drink
2 Stars

It is that time of year again where a bunch of us saddle up, our hopes flying sky high, hearts full of adventure and our Indie Coffee Passports nicely tucked in our wallets.
We are 5 friends who visit these road-​less-​traveled cafes and more often than not come out pleasantly surprised having discovered venues we would not have otherwise.
Sadly, Alternative Grounds was an exception. Sure, the place is mostly inviting, also certified Organic and fair traded but what good is that when the owner/​manager (a lady) is as rude as a charging rhino? Seriously.
Not only she suddenly told my friend whose turn it was to order that ‘she had just taken a break from serving customers,’ even though she literally had just served the previous customer 1 second before.
Upon finding out she had messed up my order, she casually demanded me «not to throw it away (as if I would) because «I am too busy to make me another one!» Luckily for me, her barista after discerning my disdain of her boss’ lacking level of service quickly… but quietly, offered to try to fix it at a later time.
We moved to the patio at the back to chit and chat, as we tried to make light of the awkward situation while waiting for my friend Karthik’s veggie samosa to arrive.
Then, the lady appeared, put the dish on the small table and with not so much as a smile or acknowledgement of our existence proceeded to slam the patio door on us. For real? What the heck was the lady’s issue?
Later, I went inside with my small latte and asked if the order could be fixed and the poor fella who was helping her –apparently the manager/​owner had gone on a break, was kind enough to make me another one.
My friends outback were teasing as I came back, asking about my safety as they feared the lady would have started tossing cups at me as she used me for target practice for having returned to fix my drink. Hyperbolic? Perhaps. However they were seriously worried the lady would have start telling me off.
The locals there seemed to feel comfortable, if a bit solemn and although it was not packed, it seems as if they get nearby regulars to both drink and hang out for a bit. Honestly, it was hard to find merit in a place where the manager/​owner detracts so much out of the venue as a whole.
I for one, shall never go back and I recommend all of my friends to avoid having to deal with an apparently neurotic lady, specially if she is ever having a bad day.

We came here on the Indie Coffee pass, it was very cute. A bit loud and the wifi is a slow, but otherwise the beans are roasted here daily, the coffee is good and they use mugs– very Eco friendly place. It was packed when I came here. once i finally found a table, i ordered the special of the day which was a nicely baked paan.

Drip coffee is *usually* good, and is as cheap as it gets in the city. Their espresso drinks always taste stale… maybe they just need a new machine or the one they use needs a serious cleaning.
They changed their menu somewhat recently and got rid of the great AG breakfast. Replaced it with a rediculous «Anne’s Breakfast» that seems like good value until you actually see it… it would not be a big enough breakfast for a six year-​old. The wi-​fi is free, but not 100% reliable. They are open better hours than most places on Roncy and are lots better than Lit and Roncy’s Bean down and up the street. Belljar is closeby and has much better coffee, but has no wifi and is closed by early afternoon. There’s Timothy’s right next door — it seems to fulfill the Coffee Time role in this neighborhood somehow.
In general, they are good, but need to improve the espresso drinks a LOT, make sure there is always some HOT drip coffee (sometimes all of it is lukewarm or cold). They need to have better SAVOURY baked goods. How about some croissants or scones? The plastic-​wrapped cookies are a bit cheese. Good bagels & cream cheese though.

Coffee here at Alternative Grounds are good.
Certified Organic and Fair Traded. Roasted daily in house. And the barista makes a good Americano too!
I guess being a place that is so good and popular with free WIFI access, everyone wants to hang out for awhile… a long long while.
It is not easy to get a seat here! And getting a seat that is close to electronic outlets? That almost impossible!
But Alternative Grounds Coffee House is definitely my first choice for a cup of Java when I am in the area!

I always visit an independent coffee shop hoping to love my experience and want to come out feeling like I’ve spent my money somewhere better than the norm.
The ethical sourcing of coffee beans and tea leaves as well as the truly local experience at Roncy’s Alternative Grounds is a huge pull in the area. Lit espresso, though a little more tempting for the Stumptown beans is pretty hipster and busy unlike the sleepy AG.
I ordered the veggie surprise sandwich (pâté, bean sprouts, cucumber on sesame bagel) and Earl grey tea. The service was slow, I had to catch the barista’s eye to make my order and I had to return to ask for milk.
I would definitely return to try the coffee and when I need o get some work done. AG is not a place in which you’d expect to get distracted.
Study/​Work friendly? Yes.

Been going ever since we moved to the area.
Awesome coffee and friendly staff. We mentioned once going to the zombie walk and they were able to help us with a costume which was kind of random! Love the fair-​trade thing.
Homey atmosphere. Always looks busy but is quiet and you can normally find some seating hidden between a couple of regulars.
Recently I had a mint-​twist thing which was like a hot chocolate with mint tea steeped in it — super yummy. There are some good vegan treats too, though not all are made in-​house (local nonetheless).
Con: we wish it was open later! I do enjoy a coffee after 7 sometimes, and the Timothy‘s down the street just doesn‘t cut it anymore. That‘s more expensive, and not as delicious, anyway.

I’ve been going to AG regularly since 2009, ever since I started hanging out in Roncey/​High Park. It’s become a Friday morning ritual for myself and a group of friends. Well actually, many of them have been going here for years and years for a morning coffee before work… I just started joining them in 2010!
Their menu is all vegetarian, vegan-​friendly and delicious. My favourite thing is their samosas, which I’m pretty sure are from Raani foods. Although, I gotta say their veggie pâté open-​faced sandwiches are amazing too. I’m addicted to that vegan pâté they use!
Coffee is good — all fair trade, lots of organic options, and they always have three types on. Espresso beverages are good too — not the absolute best I’ve ever had, admittedly, but very good. Good tea selection too, if you’re not a coffee drinker or you’re off caffeine (been there, done that, keep getting sucked back in by the dark roast coffee they have here!).
In the summer, check out their back patio — very cute, good place to bring a few friends to chat the afternoon away.

Been going to Alternative Grounds since I first moved into the Neighbourhood. I originally made the schlep here because it was one of the few Fair Trade shops in the city back then.
Not much has changed in 14-​years. It is a hang-​out for progressive political types, and is kid-​friendly.
The drip coffee is very good, but not a fan of their espresso products. Good food wraps, and breakfast bagels.
When I’m on Roncy, this is my main coffee shop.

Best coffee shop on Roncy — comfy atmosphere, tasty and affordable, not at all pretentious. There’s a clear crowd of regulars, but you won’t feel like you’re imposing on some private party — plenty of friendly conversation if you’re looking for it.
I love the clear values focus on connecting the coffee to the growers — it’s evident this isn’t fair trade as a marketing scheme, but a real core mission at AG. The random collection of mugs, and the cabinet for keeping your own there, makes this place really feel like a community.
A great place to get work done, or not.

So I’m sitting in Alternative Grounds, drinking a pot of lemon tea, eating a samosa, enjoying the music, when this wasp flies over and starts helping itself to my mango chutney. It would not leave me be (e). My first instinct was to kill it … it was being slow, sluggish… but then I remembered where I was, and didn’t want to be judged for killing a creature. So, I get up to move tables, and it stings me in the neck. Can you believe it? It was the worst! The staff were nice and gave me a garbage bag of ice (no paper towels, I guess). But after making a huge dramatic scene about it, I had to leave and go to Timothy’s down the street (bee-​free fyi).
Aside from the wasp, the snack was actually quite good. They have an all-​vegetarian menu with salads, granola, empanadas, roti, salad, sandwiches, etc. The options change daily. I’ve had the potato/​pea samosa and the tofu/​spinach — both are delicoius –baked not deep-​fried. The service is a bit slow for food — but they’ll bring it out to you, which is nice.
If I’m not too traumatized, I will return.