Issho Bakery — Restaurant in Toronto

Issho Bakery is, as its name suggests, a bakery. A bakery is a great place to purchase baked goods. But the store also looks like a coffee shop, so I bought some coffee. My regular latte with whole milk, medium sized. I also bought a spring onion cheddar corn muffin--the bakery part of this bakery/coffee shop.

The coffee was good, not great. The milk was foamed properly, but the flavour of the coffee--well, after a few sips, i threw it out. I would say it was a three-sip coffee, in that I could have three sips before wanting to chuck it.

But let me tell you about the corn muffin! Obviously made with real butter, real cheddar, and real spring onions, my mouth continues to water thinking about it. I need to go back and try the other baked goods.

The atmosphere, which I have already alluded to, is confusing. To be sure, it is charming, but I walked in expecting it to be more floury. I was instantly confused. The store seemed to be more about coffee than baked goods. The front counter had a high-end coffee machine, displays for the newcomer to look at instant coffee offerings, before they got to see any baked goods. Behind the service area where Mr. Store Owner was working away was a glass wall showing Mrs. Store Owner baking the next batch of something I am sure would be delicious. The baked goods were offerings you'd expect in a coffee shop--something to go with your coffee. No bread, buns, or whole cakes.

Perhaps it's a Japanese thing. I'm downtown Toronto and I was looking for a place to write this review. I walked in, and out again, of another Japanese "bakery" that was really a coffee shop. Perhaps calling it a bakery is smart advertising. However, I felt like I had been click-baited. So, I went to Black Bear Espresso right next door.

The service was very good. Mr. Store Owner (Japanese) was very friendly, and he knew how to foam milk. The coffee seemed to have been sourced from Japan, given that the bagged coffee offerings were from that island country.

So, in summary, Issho Bakery is a nice little coffee shop with awesome baked goods you can have with coffee that, well, needed the baked goods to mask...

This review is long overdue, as we've been coming to Issho since they opened in August 2023, and we've been regulars ever since. From day one, we've been warmly welcomed by Martin and Yuka, who always take the time to check in and genuinely ask how we're doing. They've created something really special here: a steady flow of regulars who’ve naturally become part of a little Riverdale community. We've even gotten to know other patrons over time, something that rarely happens at other coffee shops.

Honestly, whenever we're having a tough day, Issho is our go-to reset button. Whether it's the friendly faces behind the bar, a quick catch-up with fellow regulars, or just the comforting vibe of the space, it never fails to lift our mood.

Now for the coffee and food: we're obsessed. The cortados and pour-overs are our staples. I have to admit, I never drank much coffee before coming here, but Martin has completely spoiled me. Now I know what good coffee is supposed to taste like, and it’s ruined me for most other places (in the best way). We also love the yuzu espresso tonic and the military latte for when we want something a little different.

As for the treats, we’re big fans of the miso corn chex marshmallow squares, the canelés, and the kimchi cheddar scones. And in the summer? Don’t even get me started on the soffagatos, we're obsessed!

Thank you Martin and Yuka for building such a beautiful, welcoming space. Issho has become one of the biggest reasons we can't imagine leaving this...

This cozy place in east Chinatown is our go to. Martin and Yuka are amazing people and it shows in their baked goods and coffee. Huge range of pourover options and a nice coffee wall shelf that gets replenished every week with different beans. Their recommendations are always great so if you can't decide, just ask and they will point you in the right direction. Their caneles and sable cookies are super delicious! Besides their baked goods and coffee, if you just want to have a conversation about coffee, Martin is very knowledgeable! Both of them are extremely friendly and that's why my wife and I keep coming back. It's a small space so there isn't much seating besides a bench inside and a bench outside but that's what makes this place so cozy! Definitely a must go if you're in the area and even if you aren't, definitely worth the trip! Especially if you're waiting in line down the street at Lady marmalade, just go by and grab a quick coffee...