NEO COFFEE BAR KING X SPADINA — Restaurant in Toronto

This place has a really nice vibe overall, but unfortunately, the customer service was disappointing.

I ordered a strawberry matcha this week, and the barista went way overboard with the matcha. I’m not an expert, but I drink matcha regularly and know what it should generally taste and look like. I’ve honestly never seen a matcha drink this dark before. The matcha itself was fresh and high quality, but they simply added too much - there were multiple clumps floating around, and it tasted incredibly bitter. On top of that, the “strawberry” part of the drink was very sour.

I don’t usually complain - if a drink is remotely drinkable, I’ll just leave it. But this one was genuinely bad. To give more context, my friend ordered a regular iced matcha and hers looked and tasted completely different (and much better), which confirmed for me that something was off with mine.

Reluctantly, I went to the counter to explain that the drink was extremely bitter. The girl at the cash register was very rude. She told me if I didn’t like it, I’d have to buy a new one — and when I asked why, she said it was because I’ve "never had high quality matcha before" and that’s how it’s supposed to taste. What?? Even if that were true (which it’s not), there was absolutely no need for the condescending tone. I felt like I was being treated like an inconvenience just for asking a question.

Eventually, she did make me a new drink (a regular matcha), but the whole interaction was so unnecessarily hostile and uncomfortable - especially as a first-time customer. I hope I'm not coming off as overreacting, but the lack of basic courtesy and the way the situation was handled made me...

Starting with the positives: The atmosphere is well designed and makes you want to sit and enjoy your drink. The pastries share the same attention to detail. Very clean private washroom. This spot is great if you want a place to sit for a while and be productive of chat with a friend. Seating may be challenging inside but outside there is more.

Taste: The drinks are not overly sweetened, which was a good thing for us. The matcha was bitter. The food was just okay. Overall pretty but lacking. My husbands drink was made incorrectly and the barista was very bothered to make the drink again. He is lactose intolerant and they made a latte not just the plain green tea he ordered. The baristas were all are very stoic and umwelcoming. I quickly adjusted my expectation as we are probably not their demographic.

I went with my family and they service the younger tech crowd which means, lots of people hurrying in and out. I had 5 drinks with no carrier because no one would answer my if they had any behind the counter. I also had our lunch and a stroller to push. It was incredibly hard to maneuver the space and I felt like I was in the way when trying to sort out order to be able to walk. Eventually I was able to give back dishes and stack our pastries on top of each other with the help of my children, to race outside and hopefully get a table.

In short, this is a great spot if you are 1-3 people tops. If you plan to not stay long and are okay with waiting a little bit for a table. Would I go back again? Maybe but to try the coffee this time and enjoy the decor. I’d have to go without my family though because it’s definitly not the...

This coffee shop has become one of my go-to spots in Downtown Toronto, and for good reason. The ambiance is consistently inviting, bright, clean, and thoughtfully designed with a minimalist aesthetic that blends Japanese simplicity with Toronto café culture. The layout is smart, offering a mix of cozy two-person tables and a large communal one, so even when it’s busy (which it often is), you can usually find a seat.

Their coffee and pastries are reliably high quality. While there can be slight variation depending on the barista, the team clearly values consistency and craft. I especially recommend the almond croissant, it’s flaky, rich, and perfectly balanced. If you're not in the mood for coffee, their matcha drinks are excellent, and they also offer seasonal specials like the Matcha Berry Latte and Neo Cold Vanilla Foam.

One unique feature is their selection of alcoholic beverages, think beer and cocktails served in a relaxed café setting. On weekend evenings, they occasionally host live music, which adds a vibrant, social energy to the space. Another plus: they stay open later than most coffee shops in the area, making it a great option for a post-dinner espresso or casual hangout around 7pm or later.

Service is generally warm and efficient, and the space is well-maintained. They also sell branded merchandise and coffee beans, so you can bring a bit of Neo home with you. Whether you're looking to work, catch up with friends, or just enjoy a quiet moment with a great drink, Neo Coffee Bar delivers. Highly recommend checking it out if you're...