The Sidekick image

The Sidekick

Cafe Coffee store Comic cafe

Comfy cafe with a fireplace offering java drinks & pastries, plus a curated array of comic books. People often mention coffee, comic, comics, good, selection, great, nice, books, shop,


Address

1374 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4L 1C9, Canada

Website

www.thesidekickcomics.com

Price rating

$ $$$

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (308 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: 8 am to 5 pm
  • Monday: (Family Day Canada), 8 am to 5 pm, Hours might differ
  • Tuesday: 8 am to 5 pm
  • Wednesday: 8 am to 10 pm
  • Thursday: 8 am to 10 pm
  • Friday: 8 am to 10 pm
  • Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: coffee (23) comic (11) comics (10) good (10) selection (9) great (8) nice (6) books (6) shop (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 3 R. 2 years ago on Google • 159 reviews
    Love this cozy little cafe. They have a nice collection of comic books and an arcade game next to the bar. Buy a comic, grab a cup of coffee or get yourselves alcohol. This is a great place to hang out if you are a comic fan. They also sell great collectibles.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Shannon 1 year ago on Google • 744 reviews
    We have passed by this place a number of times without thought and our only regret is that we hadn’t gone in earlier. There is a great vibe in this place with exposed brick and so many comics and comic books! The staff was so nice and really helped us pick out some items for a child’s birthday! The coffee was super delicious too!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 LKS 2 months ago on Google • 10 reviews New
    My partner and I are tourists, visiting Toronto for the first time. We stopped by here to grab some hot drinks and warm up from the cold. There was a girl with face piercings who was the only cashier/barista when we came in on January 22nd — not sure what her name was — and we found her to be kind of rude. We were curious why most shops seemed closed in the neighbourhood, and we proceeded to make small talk with her, indicating it was our first time in Toronto and in leslieville, and were wondering why most shops were closed. In response, she laughed in our face and sarcastically replied that it was Monday, with an attitude of “duh, it’s Monday, of course everything is closed”. It felt passive aggressive considering we’re tourists to Canada, and we didn’t know that shops around were closed on Monday. She seemed to treat other patrons better and so much more friendlier, so not sure if she was racially profiling me as I’m not white. The chai tea we got was served in very dirty mugs with stains. We also didn’t enjoy our time there or the tea, because the girl was having a very loud conversation with some regular patrons who came in after us, and she was sharing some very personal information about her life, about being on medications, her boyfriend getting a vasectomy, and how her family slapped her/ physically abused her during Christmas or something. It was felt inappropriate and unprofessional to be talking about such personal things so loudly for everyone to hear in the coffee shop. It made me and my partner uncomfortable and we couldn’t wait to leave. Overall, it was the worst coffee shop I’ve ever been to since coming to Canada.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 David C. 11 months ago on Google • 167 reviews
    Best comic book shop slash cafe in Toronto hands down. Owner Chris is super courteous and really cares about the community. They host numerous events here including drink & draw, trivia, movie, and open mic nights. The liquor license is a super bonus on top of all the indie popup and meetup events they host. The trek here is about an hour from my place but it's always worth it.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Julia “Jev” E. 1 year ago on Google
    Wonderfully artsy and cozy coffee shop and comic book shop. On Thursday nights they do a drink and draw with crayons and brown paper for everyone to draw on. Good drink selection.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mathew D. 2 years ago on Google
    Cool vibes with coffee, cocktails, and comics! Some unique things and nice patio in the back. Will be going back.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Ryan L. 5 months ago on Google • 297 reviews
    This place is nice if you’re going to purchase or read the comic books. If you’re going for coffee don’t bother. The coffee is no better than McDonald’s coffee but at double the price. The chai latte is also very expensive for subpar quality. I was disappointed on the breakfast sandwich as well. In all I spent 24 dollars for two sandwiches and two hot drinks. You’re better off elsewhere if you’re hungry

  • 5/5 Anna P. 2 months ago on Google • 235 reviews New
    a lovely cafe with a unique atmosphere. the location doubles as a science fiction/fantasy/graphic novels bookstore - with themed decor. lots of daylight with big windows facing south. you can get there coffee, hot chocolate, cold beverages and beer.

  • 5/5 James D. 5 months ago on Google • 219 reviews
    Sidekick is the best. Really great selection of beers, coffee and snacks and during the week they have an open mic comedy night (Fridays) and a trivia night, and a "drink and draw" night, and more. Staff are really cool and the graphic novels and books are super interesting.

  • 5/5 G. M. 1 year ago on Google • 132 reviews
    One of the calmest exciting coffee places I have been to they have a huge selection of graphic novels . The interior decor is like it came out of a comic novel . The vibes are amazing at the place . The sidekick on queen street offers cashless payments however the employee was able to take physical cash as I had the exact amount . Wish it offered cash but that’s their nature of their business which is understandable even though my preferred method of payment is cash . Purchased the large drip and it’s good . I like it as it’s not a chain keep up the good work .

  • 5/5 Céline D. 6 months ago on Google • 17 reviews
    Lovely space with great service & queer friendly! Loved the suggestions the person gave me for comics!

  • 5/5 Leslie H. 4 months ago on Google • 14 reviews
    Looks newly renovated, long narrow cozy space, down 1 flight of stairs, lots of couches, and a small central stage that folds up into the wall revealing a tv screen. Food & alcoholic beverages including mocktails. Friendly staff, place was packed for recent open mic Magic night.

  • 5/5 Nicholas 1 year ago on Google
    Great place! Love the community events or even to stop in for a coffee in the afternoon or a pint at night. The eclectic collection of comics is a lot of fun too! If you're looking to branch out into some smaller publishers or find a local title, it's the place!

  • 5/5 Rezvan 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful/cool good quality cafe-bar-bookstore!

  • 5/5 Dave P. 1 year ago on Google
    Best comic shop in the east end. Their focus on showing off the diversity that comics has to offer is exactly what I'm looking for. Add that, they have amazing coffee, a cozy and inviting atmosphere, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and I can get a beer there!?! What's not to love? ❤️

  • 5/5 Ben B. 9 months ago on Google
    Great coffee, unique mugs to match the comic book theme and a really good selection of baked goods. I think they have evening events too which sound like fun, although I haven't been to one myself yet. Very friendly baristas. Definitely pop in if you are in the area!

  • 5/5 Maria Caterina Bruciapaglia L. 9 months ago on Google
    One of my fav places in this area. Excellent service, great enviroment. Loving the concept and amazing selection of graphic novels. 100% would reccomend.

  • 5/5 Sean F. 1 year ago on Google
    Was there for an evening comedy show. Cute spot. Not a ton of alcohol selection but that's expected as they're a cafe/comic book store first. Still met our needs just fine. Grabbed some beans for home too which were great. Will definitely be back to check it out during the day.

  • 3/5 Blunt R. 11 months ago on Google
    Super expensive food n drink can’t even lie, won’t be back for the cappuccino even though it was really good I’m not paying $12 a day for coffee. Good place to find a diverse range of comics old and new, the owner is helpful in setting up open mics for all to come out and shoot their shot at the sidekick. Mildly racist customers, don’t think it’s the owners fault, just depends which day you go, overall 👍🏼 good experience had to get some books to go

  • 5/5 Leah D. 1 year ago on Google
    My go to place for fresh roasted in house coffee! It has a wide variety of comics, books, graphic novels, etc. My family could spend days here reading and enjoying delicious treats. Not to mention that it is owned and staff by some of the nicest human beings. It is a lovely place to spend some time!

  • 5/5 Sonic 1 year ago on Google
    Went here 2nd time and it proved to me that this one of the best coffee in Toronto. Very nice vibe. Keep it up guys!

  • 5/5 Angel V. 1 year ago on Google
    Great coffee, good vibe, I really wish to have met this place pre-pandemic, but I am looking forward when they are allowed to reopen indoor dining. Update: They are allowing customers in again (due lift of restrictions) and the place is simply great, I'd say is the best coffee place in the Greenwood-Coxwell area.

  • 2/5 Jared K. 1 year ago on Google
    I really tried to like this place but the coffee is almost always lukewarm (even in the morning) and the selection of comics is pretty mediocre. If they had good coffee or good comics I'd be into it but without either, I'm probably not going to visit anymore.

  • 5/5 Shel S. 1 year ago on Google
    Wednesday trivia was fun! Amazing comics selection, cool decor and vibes, lovely staff, good drinks selection. Not a lot in terms of food but you can order/bring whatever in.

  • 5/5 Channa J. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place, fun but also chill. Board games available. Good coffee, nice snacks. Staff are always super friendly. It has cocktails, mocktails and beer - will definitely come back to try some of those options out!


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Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway

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