Sorelle and Co. Yorkville
Sorelle and Co. is Toronto’s most indulgent and prettiest vegan cafe completely free of nuts, gluten, soy, sesame, and preservatives.
Sorelle means “sister” in Italian, fitting as the entire concept was inspired by one mother’s struggles with raising five little girls with allergies. This marks the first full cafe location in Toronto, which has a flagship in Vaughan and a counter in Saks Food Hall.
All locations have the same streamlined, pretty look by Harvey Wise Design, but this location is possibly one of the most epic. Spherical chandeliers dazzle, plush banquettes and chairs provide seating, and flowers, jewels, white and marble seem to be everywhere.
Cupcakes ($5.50) in flavours like chocolate, lemon and carrot are as pretty as any allergenic version.
Donuts ($5.20) will make vegans and non-vegans alike swoon with varieties like a cakey double chocolate and blueberry orange.
They’ve also got nostalgic classics restricted-diet dreams are made of like coconut macaroons ($3), raspberry linzer and chocolate crinkle cookies ($4.75).
Smoothie bowls include a mango pineapple (the most expensive at $15.75) and are only served until noon.
This one is relatively tart, coconut yogurt and vanilla topped with mango diamonds, pineapple triangles, toasted tiger nut, chia seed, toasted coconut, and a little unexpected shredded Thai basil and lime zest to pull it all together.
The berry smoothie bowl ($12.50) is sweeter, coconut yogurt and organic raspberry jam topped with sliced strawberries, halved blueberries, pumpkin seeds, lemon zest, goji berry and tart raspberries filled with creamy, toasty coconut yogurt.
A vegetable and mushroom grilled cheese ($11.25) puts a healthy spin on something any kid or adult would want. For a non-vegan, the “cheddar” is a little far off the mark, but sauteed red pepper, mushroom, garlic, kale and onion jam bring balance and earthiness.
A house-made pizza ($13) is a personal size, and the crust is a little floppy and the vegan havarti a little heavy. Like the grilled cheese the best part is the roasted eggplant and zucchini, sauteed bell pepper and mushrooms, Kalamata olives, cherry tomato and basil oil.
Avocado toast ($9.75) is a good version of a crowd-pleaser, bread thick and sturdy and avocado mash flavourful, topped with a refined tomato salsa and shoots for added texture.
Hot chocolate ($4.25) is made from scratch here with vegan chocolate chips, organic cane sugar and vanilla.
Bags of their popular granola retail here starting at $14.75.
The bakery is also known for doing beautiful worry-free custom cakes.
An illustration of the five sisters by Lab Partners decorates one wall, tying the whole concept together with a heartwarming image.
Hector Vasquez