Rise Coffee — Restaurant in Richmond Hill

I visited this coffee shop on a Monday around 7:15 am, shortly after it opened at 7 am. When I arrived, there was only one other table occupied, and the overall flow of customers was slow, apart from people coming in and out due to the adjacent fitness club. This coffee shop is actually an extension of the fitness club, which explains the somewhat hidden signage - there’s a clear sign for the fitness club, but not much visibility for the coffee shop itself.

The decor is minimal, with some cute touches like the turn table and mirror. While there’s seating available, it wasn’t the most comfortable for studying. The bench I sat on had a nice pillow for padding, but the distance to the table was awkward and couldn’t be adjusted. The tables with regular chairs looked more comfortable in comparison and they have some sofa seating as well. Lighting was good, and initially, the space was completely silent for the first hour. Around 8 am, soft music was played, which made the atmosphere feel livelier and less awkward.

I sat by the window, which got cold, likely due to poor insulation and the lack of incoming sunlight despite the bright weather outside.

The barista was very thoughtful, asking if I needed milk alternatives (they offer oat or almond) or if I wanted syrup added to my unsweetened matcha. I appreciated the attention to detail, and the fact that the matcha was hand-whisked was a nice touch. However, the flavor was underwhelming, being too mild and overpowered by the milk. On the other hand, the Iced Condensed Milk Cream Latte stood out. It had a strong coffee profile with minimal sweetness, and the creamy cold foam added a delightful texture.

Parking is limited but sufficient for the cafe’s flow, and it’s located in an industrial area near the GO station. I was excited to find a cute coffee shop in Richmond Hill, as there aren’t many in the area, but this spot fell slightly short of my expectations. While it might not become a regular destination for me, I’d consider visiting occasionally.

On a positive note, I loved the logo and design...

Nice cold brew from this cafe. It tastes good. Their use of espresso is very wise in the way that the taste will not be diluted by the ice cubes. The aftertaste is also nice and lingering.

I also appreciate the attendant. When I dropped by and wanted to try their coffee, I found that the cafe just closed. However, the attendant was so nice that he was willing to take up an extra work. He offered cold brew or Americano to me. Appreciate very much his friendliness and diligence. Bravo.

Next I will try their matcha drinks as I learn that their matcha drinks worth a try.

The cafe is clean. The sunroom is spacious. A wonderful cafe which can offer quiet time in a commercial and industrial area in...

Really love the cozy atmosphere here and how well decorated it is. I tried a few of their drinks here and it’s not bad. Nothing stood out to me however and some of their drinks are watered down (ie. mocha with almond milk) but I do think there’s room for their pricing to be improved. Prices for most drinks are advertised at $6 but somehow with additional fees, the checkout price ends up being 9$ for an average sized drink. It’s a bit disappointing that for ice is 50 cent extra - feels a bit like...