Cafe 23

What is Cafe 23? Opened by Parisian-born Vanessa Sansonetti and Steve Lipari at 728 Queen Street West, Cafe 23 pairs European coffee sensibilities with an unexpected outdoor escape in West Queen West. Behind the modest espresso counter and vintage-decorated seating room, the cafe opens into an expansive multi-tiered courtyard framed with cascading ivy, paper lanterns, and a mature Japanese maple tree. Seating ranges from an intimate indoor book nook to open garden tables and a sunny upper wooden deck.

Cafe 23 Menu & What to Order The drink program balances traditional, well-pulled flat whites and cortados with creative seasonal hits like the iced strawberry matcha latte, refreshing espresso tonic, and maple-infused log cabin latte. The pastry case features daily deliveries of flaky pistachio croissants, cinnamon rolls, Montreal-style bagels, and rich butter tarts. Oat, almond, and coconut milks are readily available alongside plant-based baked goods for vegan cafe-goers.

Know Before You Go Tables operate on a strictly walk-in basis with no reservations, meaning the backyard patio fills rapidly on sunny weekends; aim for weekday mornings or mid-afternoons for a quiet seat. Arrive via the 501 Queen streetcar, getting off near Tecumseth Street, as street parking along Queen West is notoriously tight. Operating hours extend through the evening, making it one of the rare specialty coffee bars in the neighbourhood where you can linger over drinks under string lights after sundown.