Hopefully this is the right place to post.
I’d love to hear everyone’s suggestions for their favourite coffee roasters specifically in Ontario. We use mostly espresso roast whole beans and some we have already tried are:
Social coffee
Ethica
Happy Goat
Crank
My Indie Roaster
Java Roasters
Many thanks!
Depends what style you’re into in terms of traditional darker espresso vs third wave. I’m very into my third wave, so my personal list:
Thank you! I have tried Hatch, Pilot, and Detour but willl definitely look into Subtext and Stereo.
My favs so far are Happy Goat (Forza Espresso and Brazilian Mogiana Espresso) and Buy Coffee Canada (Gold and Silver Espresso) .
Awesome, enjoy. Happy Goat is nicely available at Farm Boy but I try to support Toronto when I can. Subtext is very niche and a bit $$$, but Stereo is a cool cheaper west end spot.
I buy a lot of coffee from Las Chicas del Cafe based in St Thomas. They sell their coffee online, too.
I like buying coffee from different indie shops when I visit new coffee shops, too, especially on road trips.
I’ve tried Las Chicas too … bought from Farm Boy.
I liked Oakwood Espresso, on Oakwood north of St Clair W, if you’re in that area. I don’t think they sell it anywhere other than at their shop. I thought they would sell online, but they don’t.
https://oakwoodespresso.com/
Fika has some Scandinavian coffee they import. I’m not sure why their coffees aren’t available through their web store. I’ll take photos next time I visit.
Coco’s has some coffees with fun labels. I can’t remember the brand off the top of my head. I’ll take photos next time I visit.
I have bought some Vietnamese coffee from Rustle and Still on Bloor near Bathurst.
Thank you so much. On my rare visits to Fika I don’t think I ever noticed their coffee beans as I am usually too busy savouring their cinnamon buns. 
I wish they opened a bit earlier. I’m usually done with my nearby appointment way before they open.
For the best flavour, whole, roasted coffee beans should be used within 2 weeks of roasting if you’re keeping them at room temperature. At the supermarket, they are usually a lot older than that. After the beans have been ground, that drops to under a day.
I am pretty much set to Balzac beans (Farmers blend) from my local Costco though I do try some others on and off or get them as gifts.
Pilot was decent for espresso
United beans has been received well as gifts for drip coffee they offer a variety pack
Ezra’s pound from nearby as well (drip coffee)
Hailed blends (drip coffee)
Not local but can be is bought 49th parallel which was a pain to get right on Breville Barista express
I try to avoid buying beans from the supermarket. I buy online and they usually roast just before shipping. Most roasters ship very quickly.
We used to buy Lavazza Crema from Costco but it takes too long for us to finish. They’re really expanded their offerings. Kicking Horse is decent.
Jimmy’s has beans, and a location in Kensington. It should be open earlier. I have bought Jimmy’s beans a few times.
There’s also Pedaal on Harbord.
Ethica (Toronto) is my regular go-to.
September (Ottawa) also very good and have interesting beans.
Seven Mystery is another new-ish roaster in Scarborough.
Lots around … Too many … My wallet hurts … LOL …
But I also don’t limit myself to Ontario roasteries though. Lots of great ones in other provinces as well. This website is a good start … https://roastersmap.ca/
Ah ok. Again depends on how you use yours kicking horse is ok for drip and French press but not espresso imo. Lavazza too mass produced imo to be fresh. Balzac is a smaller player so I find their beans to be decent for espresso use as fresher?
I really like the “Ours Noir” from Nektar (Quebec).
Yes too many roasters out there and it can be a challenge finding something mr leny also likes. Not a huge deal as he grinds before brewing.
We used both Kicking Horse and Lavazza for espresso They were satisfactory but not the best. Mr Leny uses his espresso shots for lattes and I drink as espresso.
Hmmm ok I would suggest Balzac farmers blend (sold at Costco) or espresso beans. I picked up the Canada’s cup blend recently will try and report back soon. Recent haul pic level ground is pretty good imo
That’s an impressive haul. Do you use an automatic espresso machine?
Well to be fair it’s not all for me I buy for a bunch of friends as well. I have a trusty old breville barista express (have had it for you decade plus and never looked around even) for guests I end making French press or drip. For travel I take my moka Express and illy grounds if I have access to a stove where I am staying.
