The Arch Café/Bar — Restaurant in Toronto

Do you LOVE saffron? You’re going to need to in order to eat almost anything here. Saffron is a spice with a very strong, unique taste. To me, it’s extremely acidic and tastes a lot like vinegar, almost chlorine-like. I was excited to try it because of how many reviews mentioned it. I’m generally not picky and excited to try new things. So I ordered the saffron iced latte. I couldn’t do it. It was like a vinegar latte. My fault — okay, I don’t like saffron. Now I know. To avoid saffron, we order the eggs plate and mushroom bowl — there is saffron in everything except the eggs and bacon itself. The salad/cooked vegetables, the lentil soup, the entire mushroom bowl was cooked and coated in it. This is not like a sprinkle; this is a burst of saffron deeply marinated into every bite. I tried to get into it but there was no relief: saffron explosion in each mushroom bite, saffron in the cooked veggies, so much of it in the lentil soup.

I can kind of understand the menu not mentioning it would be in the side veggies. This is a Persian restaurant and I imagine saffron is a staple in that cuisine. But to fail to mention it would be the main flavour of the lentil soup and deeply cooked as a main ingredient into the mushroom bowl felt misleading. I’m surprised I’m the only review who was saffron-overdosed. It’s a very potent and unique taste.

I spent $74 on two people (lowest option for tip on screen is 18%, and it goes up to 25%; you can choose a different option though it’s just intention / obvious what you’re doing). Anyways this place is not for me. Menu felt unclear and misleading. For saffron fanatics only. The spice stays in your mouth for a while after, so if it’s not for you then one bite will stay with you and remind you over and over what you did. Currently chugging Diet Coke to cleanse my pallet but it’s making me burp and then I taste the saffron. I am trapped. Gonna definitely be giving Persian cuisine another try but I’ll go in with a saffron shield and see what dishes...

Nestled in Kensington Market is the Arch Cafe. In fact it's kinda well hidden amidst the canopies at the front patio. They also have a back patio with large umbrellas to shelter from the sun and rain. Originally I was given a place at the back patio, but it was beside a small paddle of rain water, so I asked to switch to inside the cafe. The menu was interesting and decently priced. I decided on a Dutch Baby with a side of bacon and eggs. First time trying a Dutch baby and it's kind of a cross between a crepe and a pancake. The server warned that it would take 30 minutes to make, but I didn't mind waiting to try something new. It's light in texture and taste, and came with a little cup of syrup. I also ordered iced green tea with peach and mango. It does taste like an actual tea, not like those you find in bottles at grocery stores. Our server was attentive and helpful with recommendations. She did a great job getting my drink to me without any spills as it came to me filled to the brim of the glass. That takes skills lol. They forgot to give me a napkin, but that's small detail to me. I would definitely go back again to try their food and to enjoy the chill atmosphere...

The Arch Café in Kensington Market is a very cute and cozy spot with a lot of charm. The décor is incredibly unique and immediately transported us, it truly felt like being in a little corner of Iran. The walls are filled with family photos, Persian art, and little nostalgic touches that give the space so much warmth and personality. There are also plenty of board games around, making it a nice spot if you’re looking to relax and spend some quiet time.

That said, the service unfortunately left a lot to be desired during our visit. The person in charge wasn’t around when we arrived, and when they did return, it took quite a while before any of the guests were acknowledged. We weren’t given a food menu despite it being the afternoon, and the overall vibe felt a bit unstructured.

We ended up ordering the saffron ice cream with carrot juice blend. The flavour was okay, but we found it a bit overpriced for the amount of juice actually served.

Overall, while The Arch Café has a beautiful and nostalgic atmosphere, it feels more like a space to be in your own little bubble rather than a full café experience. It’s a nice one-time visit for the aesthetic and quiet, but not a place we’d...