Café Russo

What is Café Russo? Set along 139 Roncesvalles Avenue in Roncesvalles Village, Café Russo is a Black-owned café and vinyl listening lounge founded by Nigerian-born siblings Rakiya and Suleiman Abdullahi. The converted storefront features warm burgundy tones, mid-century modern furniture, and relaxed lounge seating framed around a curated vinyl turntable station. Guests settle into low-slung armchairs and counter seating to converse, read, and listen to a selection of jazz, soul, and Afrobeats.

Café Russo Menu & What to Order The drinks program pairs espresso from Canadian roaster Zafiato with playful house-crafted specialties and ceremonial-grade Japanese teas. The signature order is the Vinyl Shot Latte—a creamy, balanced drink layered with condensed milk, cold foam, and a dusting of cinnamon—alongside creative builds like the banana bread iced latte, pistachio latte, and spiced dirty chai. Ceremonial matcha and hojicha lattes offer standout options for tea drinkers, which pair well with daily baked goods and pastries supplied by Toronto bakery Circles and Squares.

Know Before You Go Seating operates on a walk-in basis, and the lounge armchairs fill up quickly during peak weekend mornings and mid-afternoon hours. On weekends, the café invites guests to bring their own vinyl records to spin on the house turntable. The 504 King streetcar stops directly along Roncesvalles Avenue, and metered street parking is available along the commercial strip.