Cafe Paradise — Restaurant in Toronto

[Update 3rd March 2025] I went today for quick coffee and seconds after receiving it the owner came to me and verbally attacked me because of my review. I asked him to talk later since I am chatting with my friend and he refused. He didn't address my previous concerns. He kept saying "why I came back when you said you wouldn't come back". Who talks to people like that?! At least address the issues I mentioned in my review. And instead of asking how to improve and explain his situation he just asked me to not come back again! That confirms the attitude I mentioned in my last review. I refused to engage in argumentative discussion. He could have easily turned this situation into a positive experience, mature and productive conversation but maybe that was new to him. Bizarre interaction and rude.

[Old review] 👇 I had coffee at this cafe last week and noticed that the servers were unwelcoming, but I didn’t say anything.

Today, we went for a brunch, coffee, and a cookie. The coffee was cold and bitter and the food "The Full Monty" was also cold. My friend said the eggs were too small and the whole dish was cold. They also served him without cutlery and it took a while to get some because the staff was "busy". They would look at you while you were raising your hand but just ignore you. And if you politely ask for help they will just say they are "busy" without checking on us later.

When they finally brought what we requested they just dropped it off and left. I got one set of cutlery, but my friend gave me his potatoes and bread, so I grabbed another set from the table beside me. They did not serve us sugar and when we asked for it they got em without a spoon. I just used my friend spoon. I think it will be faster to walk to the takeaway counter to get a coffee stirrer myself. The place was busy but it was not full. The staff were busy taking photos and videos for their social media accounts. Yeah its gonna look beautiful on tiktok because you can not film your attitude. I liked the foccacia. It was light and fluffy and the vegan cookie was ok. I will defiantly not gonna...

Don’t support Paradise. It’s not worth it, especially with so many gems nearby that actually care about you.

What changed? Is it the management? The staff? Priorities? Whatever it was, has rotted what used to be the highlight of Bloor St W.

The hours say they’re open until 9pm but numerous times now they’ve kicked everyone out early (!!!). The first time it happened around 8pm (no apology, no explanation; they just come up to you and tell you you have “a few minutes to pack up before they close”). There were no announcements anywhere prior; not in person or social media that this is a thing.

The last time it happened, they kicked everyone out at 6pm, 3 HOURS before their alleged closing hours (mind you, there were multiple people who arrived less than 30 minutes before the announcement and paid for drinks to stay. The staff didn’t warn them of the potential early closures, of course.)

The staff are catty and lifeless; hard to tell if that’s a job requirement here or if it’s because of how they’re treated. The girl with dark hair and heavy bulky eyeliner was awful; kept rushing us, gave attitude, and would just stare blankly when asked basic questions. Zero social cues in that gal. The food, as others have said, is overpriced and mediocre.

The manager seems to prioritize profit over basic human decency. As a customer, you just leave with a sour taste and disappointment that you keep hoping for the better but leave (3 hours early) having experienced the worst.

Paradise, just change your hours. Or make an announcement EARLY. Don’t let customers arrive and spend money expecting shelter from the cold or a place to have a meeting and proceed to kick them out less than 30 minutes after taking their money.It’s not only scummy, but a sad sign that your business, when not doing well, throws your customers under the bus first.

That’s genuinely the most baffling thing I’ve ever encountered and I’ve worked in the industry. Plain embarrassing for the...

Johan Sebastian Bach wrote cantatas and oratorios to celebrate the glory of God and the wonders of Creation. I wonder, however, what miraculous music the great German composer would have written to celebrate the deliciousness of the Apple Fritter (capital letters intended) at the Paradise Cafe. It is a revelation. I am happy to do a 7 km walk round trip from my house just for a single bite of what is the best apple fritter I’ve ever tasted - and I’ve been on a quest to find the best for years. Get there before 14:00 hours to find one. They go quickly. Still, should you arrive and not find the fritter, try the chocolate brownie, pain au chocolat or the focaccia and take a loaf of their sourdough bread home. Everything they make is the best in its category in Toronto- and maybe the whole of Canada. I want to stress how delicious and authentic the olive or tomato focaccias are; delicious olive oil and just the right dose of salt. Understand that I’m no carbohydrate amateur. I’m from Naples, Italy: home of pizzza and various related baked items; and in Naples breakfast is often a croissant with coffee. So, understand dear reader, that I understand the subject about which I’m deliberating. I am writing this review; because the baker at Paradise Cafe deserves the highest praise, as do the lovely staff who serve them. But I was reluctant to do so: these fritters, croissants, breads and brownies (and then some) are so delicious that I was trying to keep this wonder of carbohydrate excellence all to myself. I realize now that after this review is posted, I will have to leave the house at least two hours earlier to make sure I find my fritter. But in the finest catholic tradition, I was taught to share what is good. And the baker at Paradise - not so accidentally perhaps - is aiming to please divine clients as we as ordinary ones like me. Let’s just say that Dante Alighieri would surely...