On Sunday, February 5th, the UofT Run Club took on another ten kilometres up through Mount Pleasant and back down Avenue Road to our final destination – 5 Elements Espresso Bar. Upon entry, the seemingly petite cafe opens up into a cozy coffee oasis for the entire run club to fit in comfortably! The cafe splits into upper and lower levels, so many guests are more than welcome to stay. 

We all trickled in, ordered our coffees and scones and headed downstairs to sit and chat. Many run club members loved the ambience and ample available seating. The setting was perfect: no one felt rushed to leave, and everyone engaged in some well-deserved catching-up after our run! 

The cafe’s ambience was one thing, the coffee a whole other! Many shared their thoughts on the taste of their hot beverage. Bridgette exclaimed that it was the best coffee she’d had in Toronto, and Aiden even recounted that it was “good americano. Robust, fruity, even.” I think we all agreed that the coffee was definitely better than Starbucks! 

Melissa and Yingke both chose to order a blueberry scone with their coffees. Although Melissa still loved it, she was certain it was the same blueberry scones served at Second Cup! Unfortunately, the scones might not have been made in-house, but they offered several grilled paninis, avocado toast, and steel-cut oats that were. 

Overall, the pleasant ambience, comfortable seating, and strong, earthy coffee made 5 Elements Espresso Bar the perfect end to our Sunday Kay Gardiner Beltline Trot. 

Conclusion:

Drinks – 10/10

Food – 8/10

Atmosphere – 10/10