From the outside Baka appears to be just another cafe in the Bloor West Village. It has a sizable outdoor patio, and a very comfortable indoor lounge as well. Upon closer inspection one will notice that it is a Croatian cafe serving some unique Croatian items in addition to typical cafe fares. We dropped by on a hot long weekend Monday afternoon, well after brunch hours. The quinoa and kale salad was superbly well balanced, with just enough dressing to let the ingredients shine together. The lemon parmesan fries were crispy and tasty. The Baka lager was sweet and flavourful, perfect for a hot summer day. The espresso was excellent, expertly made from very aromatic beans. Let me give you a hint: their cappuccino comes in one size only, not like Starbucks. If you understand why that's important, you will appreciate the espresso, macchiato and cappuccino.

I visited this cafe on December 5th for brunch. It was my first time here and was expecting a great meal when I arrived - I ordered a coffee and chicken pesto sandwich. I waited 1 hour for my sandwich. This is ridiculous - I understand that cafes get busy but an hour is far too long a wait. When it reached 45 mins, I asked the cashier how much longer do I have to wait and they said just a few more minutes. I finally got my meal after 15 mins. In addition to that, the chicken was dry and flavourless. I wasted $20 and an hour of my time for a below mediocre meal. You’re much better off supporting another cafe in the area. I will not be returning.

Food - very good. Service - very okay. I like coming to this cafe as the food is very good, I love the location and the ambiance but I agree with other reviews that the service is pretty abysmal. I ordered soup and spinach pie. Soup was flavourful and hot. Pie had a great flavor but was cold. When served, I was handed plates and when I asked for a tray, as I was sitting upstairs it was suggested I move the pie to the soup plate. When I didn’t respond the server did take the plate upstairs but I had no fork to eat the pie with. This is the 3rd such incident in the last few weeks. My friends won’t come back with me because they can’t justify paying money to a company that doesn’t seem to value your presence. Even though I come back, my friends are not wrong.

Have been coming here for a while and while the ambiance and art is lovely, the service and cleanliness has definitely deteriorated since re-opening for in person dining due to the pandemic. The staff is polite and friendly but they seem run off their feet, especially last Saturday when I visited for a quick take out item. The bathroom had overflowing bins and a sticky floor. The take out service was quick though and the food was delicious, I especially love the hot mocha for a quick pick me up. Hopefully the situation improves in time for their patio to reopen.

What a joke. Poor service and rude staff. Took 50 minutes to make basic breakfast (typical baccon and eggs) that when arrived was only so-so. It was a Saturday afternoon and if you look at the picture they were hardly busy. Definitely not worth the time or money.

Patio was packed and puppies everywhere, this cafe is just in an awesome neighbourhood to begin with. I loved the service, barista and counter staff were super friendly despite the Sunday rush. Coffee was great, pumpkin walnut scone was great and soup was just ok. We took our snacks about 10 steps around the corner to the cute park with a play ground for kids and a subway entrance. It doesn’t get much better than that!

You know what I passed by this place for six years, and never set foot here. I’m really glad I came here to study. I really do wish the upstairs was open, I look forward to what’s happening up there. All I got was an iced coffee and eventually a smoked salmon bagel. The iced coffee was usual iced coffee, there was nothing specially good or especially bad about it. The bagel was really good. But also, I think smoked salmon, bagels taste better than your coffee anyways. I’ll definitely be back here to try other items on the menu, because it seems really really big. The people working there all seem young and nice, and got along with each other, which was a joy to see. I think the nature of the café all allows people to be comfortable with each other, and two strangers talked to me and asked some questions about the application I was using. And I think that openness can partially be credited to the café. Also, the bathroom key is attached to a huge spoon, which I think is really, really funny .

Love this place. Chick, has a good beverage and food options. I've been here twice and I definitely love the atmosphere. Perfect for having catching-up-coffee with friends/fam/coworkers, and I think even coffee dates too. Its just a bit of a wait in terms of service both times I was there, but servers were nice. Would definitely come back.

Classy neighbourhood place for coffee/drinks and light meals. Nice street-side patio. Food is consistently very good. Service on our most recent visit was pleasant and competent but very slow, which I mention only for expectation management. Given the shortage of trained staff as restaurants ramp up again, this is not a time to complain about slow service, especially if you can see they're doing their best and you're someone who can afford to relax on a patio midday.

Absolutely disorganized and rude service. Lots of attitude when you come in to get your coffee. Takes good 15-20 minutes for a simple latter on any given day (not rush hour). The students behind the counter do not acknowledge your presence whatsoever, unless you ask them to. 2 starts are only for the quality of coffee and food.

The place has changed. Stuff is still nice and friendly. But firstly place is very dirty, we came at 9 am on Sunday morning and looked like tables, chairs, floor and even washroom haven’t been cleaned since before weekend. Secondly the food quality has degraded a lot, small portions and cheap ingredients, especially bread, which must be so obvious for breakfast place. Sorry, but don’t plan to visit this place again. Though it used to be our favourite brunch place for many years.

Baka Cafe is a staple in the Bloor West Village neighbourhood of Toronto. The cafe itself is spacious, offering a variety of table and lounge seating options over its 2 storeys. The staff are incredibly kind, courteous, knowledgeable, and patient. And the menu -- great variety! There is everything from freshly baked goods (scones, croissants....) to delicious breakfast and lunch items. I highly recommend this cafe for those looking for a reflective solo cup, a place to meet with friends, or a place to get some work done. It has a great atmosphere and incredible customer service.

We have been coming for years and just consistently have a mid experience. There is literally a light fixture hanging out of the ceiling right now and nobody has tended to it for over an hour. This seems like a lawsuit in the making if it just fell on someone’s head… aside from that, walked in to all the staff standing by the coffee talking really loudly, sounds like they were complaining about someone they work with. Food cost is insanely high considering there is no service supplied and waits are long. 50$ on two sandwiches no sides and a juice. That being said sandwiches taste great, room is cute, music is nice and wifi is fast.

They informed me it was going to take 20 minutes for the food to be ready, I said okay. 40 minutes go by and no food at all, mind you I ordered 2 poach eggs and a salad, soo simple. Once the food came, 45 minutes after, it was so small and the bread was kinda weird, anyways. Might be a good coffee shop, but definitely not for eating brunch.

I share the views of a few who have said the place has deteriorated significantly in terms of cleanliness. I did send an email with pictures and a clean was done over late Dec. Our city shut down again immediately after so I did not have a chamce to take a look. I just left there and it was clear that cleaning was done. The base boards were cleaned for instance. The bathroom did not look maintained however. I do believe they want to improve. The owner emailed me back right away between Christmas and New Year's. It's a gem if it can be maintained.

The table was dirty, asked someone to clean it and no one came. I understand it is self-service and they expect us to pick up our drinks, but at least clean the table. The espresso was served cold in a giant cup. Definitely wouldn’t recommend it.

I live in the area and have been coming to this place for years. Not sure why I keep coming back because everytime I order something more than a pastry, it gets backed up and there's always some sort of confusion behind the counter. The other day, my and my partner's drinks (two simple coffee based drinks) took almost as long as our food took to be served (they also completely forgot about one of our drinks despite having the receipt in front of them). This time they forgot about our food and my partner was almost late for work. Don't come here if you're in a rush because you'll be waiting all day. The food and drinks are great when recieved, everyone who works here is lovely and super nice, but the service is just horribly inconsistent and disorganized. Going to start going elsewhere for brunch and drinks now, it's not worth the price for such frustrating service :(

Both the quality of service, ambiance and hygiene have deteriorated significantly over the last little while. The batistas can't seem to get the orders right with a bit of an attitude, tables are not being cleaned and the washroom is an absolute disaster. It feels like the kind of place that takes its customers for granted which is truly sad to see.

Americano was great. Food wasn't; greasy and stale breakfast sandwich. Atmosphere; no music playing so all you hear are chairs scratching on hardwood in the cafe, when you are trying to enjoy a quiet moment in the morning. First and last visit.

Baka is my favourite cafe in the area. They have a lovely atmosphere, and friendly staff. I was unsure of what to get and the worker Izzy was very helpful in giving me recommendations from the menu. Will definitely be returning!

Went for breakfast at Baka Gallery Cafe with a friend. Had Baka Panini - white bread with gavrilovic salami, prosciutto, roasted red pepper, havarti, basil pesto, olive tapenade with a small cup of drip coffee and my friend ordered the Breakfast Wrap - whole wheat bread with scrambled eggs, bell pepper, onion, tomato, havarti, bacon, aoili with capuccino. There are other choices of wraps and paninis and one can also have soup for the day and salads. Such a good breakfast to start the day right.

Stopped by for a quick iced mocha and pastry pick-me up! I loved the coconut scone- it paired perfectly with my coffee. Very spacious cafe and the staff was very friendly.

Lovely space, good coffee and scone. Doesn’t look like big the space is quite big and service is good. Even the small latte is big. Loved my experience, I’ll probably come back.

We visited Baka on the weekend and enjoyed the coffee and tea drinks. . The Balkan dishes are a little bit on the pricey side but we didn't try any of them. Pancakes were simple and hit the spot. The fries were decent and the mayo they came with was a lovely complement to the fries. We finished off with a cookie that was excellent! Lots of chocolate and a nice soft texture. Coffee was excellent. The only thing we had a bit of an issue with was the seating areas. There were plenty of tables around but most of them were not cleared. We ended up taking a table and cleaning it ourselves. The service seems a bit disorganized even though there didn't appear to be a shortage of staff. Even when the tables were finally cleared, the staff didn't wipe them down so there were coffee stains on the tables. Overall I think the cafe would be a lot better if the service was a bit better. The Balkan dishes were tempting but they were a little bit on the pricey side.

such a cute coffee spot in bloor west village! A good selection of drinks, as well as a lot of space for hanging out and studying with friends. Quick and efficient service really yummy mocha definitely recommend if you’re in the area .

I went there today with a friend. For the first time. I decided to try their vegetarian, parsnip and pear soup. I'd never had anything like that and I had no idea what to expect. I was assuming it was going to be sweet which was not the case. it was honestly one of the most delicious soups I've ever had. it literally tasted like a 95 year old grandmother made this most delicious soup with love. It's hard to explain but you'd have to taste it to see what i'm talking about. I also had a really good muffin and a Green tea called dragon something I don't recall. It was delicious.

This coffee spot is a favorite with ample seating, perfect for both work and socializing. The spacious terrace adds to the charm, making it an ideal spot in summer. While the decaf latte isn't the absolute best (for my taste), it's still enjoyable. Plus, their diverse selection of desserts and snacks adds to the overall appeal.

The cafe is a nice spot. The food is average however the portion sizes are very small considering the prices. Service was great and the food came out fast. I only wish there was more for the amount you pay.

Great coffee and food. There are 2 floors - the top floor is a nice quieter space with tables big enough for a friends gathering or longer stay. The bottom floor is a typical cute cafe. The Neighbourhood is perfect for a walk before/after with a friend or a date. Staff is nice and the place is clean and looks new.

Excellent coffee and a large selection of sweets and drinks . Well organized has an upstairs area , where you can relax or do work/homework . Location is good and is very close to the subway . Staff is professional and friendly . Lemon cake is amazing !!

The manager is fantastic and ensures everyone feels welcome. The pancakes are absolutely nice and fluffyThe service is impeccable.

This is the best place for a cute nice coffee and to grab a bite. I loveeed the staff (Laura, Izzy, Kat and Sophia), they provided a PHENOMENAL experience and will definitely recommend to anyone who wants the best service. They were so good!!

Baka is such a great spot! I love their coffee, their food, and their patio! The staff is great and I've never felt rushed. I also like the they use real mugs/glasses for sit down service, which is nice not only in terms of taste, but also in that it reduces the environmental impact.

Baka is awesome! All the staff is pleasant and helpful, including the kitchen staff. The food and drinks have never disappointed me. I highly recommend their hot sandwiches and breakfast wraps. Dining in is wonderful as there's rotating art up for purchase and the establishment is always clean. Baka is also one of the few places that makes a decent chai latte that actually has some spice to it. This is what keeps me coming back!

Very nice sandwiches and atmosphere. Service is decent and friendly, but just a bit slow, as it took some time to deliver my order after I placed it. Admittedly, I was there at a busy time. Beer and a selection of beer in cans available. Recommended.

The best espresso in this area!! The vegan chocolate chip cookie is to die for. We have become regulars here now

Literally the best staff the best atmosphere Amazing good quality coffee & food. I left my LV wallet with 900 dollars cash and over 8 credit & debt cards. My I.D and more. I didn’t realized until I got home and the cafe was closed. I came in first thing next day, I informed staff & manager. They ask me description of wallet, name and what was inside. I couldn’t believe staff recover and held it for me. Everything exactly the way it is. Makes me still believe. There are still good people in this world. I highly recommend this place. This is my personal experience. I sat there and ate breakfast as-well 10 out 10 quality food.

This place is amazing. First, It's the only coffee shop in the area allowing indoor sitting, which is a huge relief for those who were used to hanging out in coffee places pre-pandemic. It's just so nice to be able to sit inside and enjoy your coffee. Second, staff are friendly and attentive (despite other people complaining for slow service - obviously if you come during a weekend brunch you're gonna have to wait in line). And third, they have a rewards program where you can get free coffee. I just love this place!