Osprey Cafe is Parkdale's hidden gem cafe and hair salon. 

While not the only cafe-salon-hybrid to exist in Toronto (Juice in Little Italy did it first), Osprey Cafe is certainly the homiest. 

Walking up to the pale teal and yellow storefront on Queen St. West near Roncesvalles Ave, I saw two men chatting outside on an orange-painted park bench. 

I would learn that one was the cafe's operator and one of three co-owners—and the other was a frequent customer.

George Button, one-third of Osprey's management, explains, "It was always a dream of ours and an idea that came to be based on a moment of opportunity that lined up between the three of us." 

The other co-founders in question are Button's cousin, Gus Richardson, and Richardson's wife, Tina Karchava (Button and Karchava are pictured below). 

The hair salon has been part of the business's value proposition since its inception. Button believes cafes and hair salons are a "natural combination."

"They’re both social businesses. People want a beverage while they get their hair done, or want to hang out before or afterwards," he says.

The name of the cafe came from personal ties shared by each of the co-owners. 

“It’s a sort of subtle reference to the east coast. Tina and Gus are from the East Coast," says Button. Button also attended university in Nova Scotia, where the osprey is the provincial bird. 

The interior felt like a cross between a cafe and the studio of a 19th-century Impressionist artist.

Artwork hung sporadically across the walls, and coffee table books lay tucked away in corners. The handpainted, Art Nouveau-esque lettering on the storefront matches the artsy curation inside. 

"It’s a family project, a relaxed and welcoming situation," says Button. "I don’t want to use the word vibe, but it's the vibe and the community that’s the most unique [here]."  

Next to the espresso bar was a small wooden rack with aged paper cards sticking out of it.

I was informed that each regular is given a timesheet card with their name on it, where purchases get tallied up as part of a rewards program. "The card board is part of building relationships with everybody that comes in here," explains Button. 

Customers can choose from an array of sweet and savoury baked goods, sandwiches, and drinks—all at fairly decent prices for Toronto. 

The most expensive beverage on the menu was a $5 iced latte. The sandwiches were the priciest food options, available for $8.50 each. 

The brie and fig jam sandwich ($8.50), made with prosciutto and focaccia bread from Simpl Things just down the road, was different and surprisingly delicious.

The savoury rosemary muffin ($3.75) with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top was also not your run-of-the-mill baked good. 

The thin slice of tomato and pesto mayo delicately spread on an English muffin is a refreshing twist to their classic breakfast sandwich ($6.50).

Last but not least, the brown butter chocolate chunk cookie with ice cream ($7.25) was the perfect sweet treat to end lunch with. Seriously yum. 

Good coffee, a great atmosphere and a stellar community are all facets of Osprey Cafe.

You won't have to run around the corner to grab something to eat during a hair appointment with foil on your head ever again. Cappuccino and a cut, lattes and lowlights—all can be done in the same place. 

Osprey Cafe is located at 1714 Queen St. West.