Cherry Bomb is a local neighbourhood institution that also roasts their own beans. Their roastery is located in Prince Edward County, but the cozy and reliable cafe is nestled in Roncesvalles Village.

Streetcars ding past as sunglasses-clad, dog-toting customers sip their java on little chairs just outside the shop. Owners Sarah Ostwald and John Ruttan met over their love of bikes and coffee at Jet Fuel, and went on to open the cafe and eventually run the roastery together.

It’s essentially just a grab and go spot, not much seating available, and you likely won’t be too enthused to get any work done on your laptop with the gleeful hubbub of conversation and squeals of children filling the air.

Cherry Bomb is a true independent cafe, baking all their own pastries from scratch as well as roasting their own coffee twice a week. This activity is clearly visible from your place in the queue for a latte.

Their Shogun roast showcases well in a latte ($3.25 - $4.25), with a bright, tart taste you wouldn’t necessarily want to drink straight since it’s not the smoothest on its own, but apparently with the addition of milk it becomes caramely and silky.

Over a dozen different kinds of fresh roasted coffee beans take up more space on the menu board than the actual beverages themselves, ranging from about $15 - $20.

Freshly baked muffins, scones and croissants are the order of the day snack-wise here.

Ostwald calls the date and pecan scone “the classic.” Due to their freshness all their pastries are incredibly moist on the inside, and on this one the sweet dates combine with the chewy, crumbly scone for a satisfying breakfast. Baked goods range around $1.75 - $3.25.

Their croissants are legendary, so chewy and moist it’s almost hard to tear them with your teeth. On any given day flavours might include leek and gruyere, jalapeno cheddar, chocolate, or blueberry. My almond croissant is filled with sugar almond pastey goodness.

Iced lattes are $4.25, perfect for squashing that craving for coolness, and though coffee is the main event here they also serve lemonade, hot chocolate and hot apple cider here, likely for the kiddies as much as the caffeine-averse.

A bike built by Toronto company Mariposa leans out from one wall. A piece by local artist and regular Christopher Hutsul hangs on the wall opposite depicting this unique part of the city, where the Queensway, King West, Queen West, and Roncesvalles all suddenly, weirdly intersect.