135 Ossington is a minimalist cafe built on simplicity, intentional living, and handmade beverages that bring people together.

The cafe is inspired by the world travels of Brodie Vissers, who co-owns the shop with Nigel Wang, executed in a bohemian, Mediterranean style.

The interior formerly home to Crafted matches that influence, seating for roughly ten inside and out provided by cushy couches, easy chairs and benches, encouraging comfort, closeness and creativity. 

135 Ossington is focused on highlighting little-known hyper-local roasters like Pop Coffee Works, The Library, Java and Hatch.

The cafe employs the Sanremo Cafe Racer for their espresso machine, actually the sponsor of multiple barista competitions and the machine used for lots of them as well.

A Mango Sunrise ($5.20) is one of several seasonal signature beverages that make this cafe stand out. 

A shot of espresso or cold brew is shaken with mango puree and strained and finished off with a dash of grapefruit for a juicy wake-up call.

La Bombilla ($5.50) is named after the straw you drink yerba mate with, a bitter cold brew yerba mate drink balanced out by house honey simple syrup, a fresh ginger solution and house fizzy water made using a Sodastream.

Chrysanthemum + Goji ($3.80) is a simple combination of chrysanthemum and goji brewed together hot, then left to cool and finally stored in the fridge. 

Caffeine-free, it’s a little bit sweet with a strong herbal flavour, actually inspired by a medicinal Asian tea but served cold.

Pour over ($5.50) comes from the “slow bar” section of the butcher paper menu, made with the same stylish Origami dropper the World Brewers Cup Champion uses.

I sample a roast from Pop Coffee Works made using a bean sourced from Yemen, with notes of dried apricot and Shiraz.

Uniquely, pour over coffee can be sampled hot, cold, or both ways at the same time.

To me, the colder version of this coffee brings out a little more of its sweeter side, the hot version a little more nutty and bitter.

Laera is providing a minimal selection of baked goods like cookies and vegan gluten-free brownies.

A breezy, plant-filled back patio is a caps off this cafe with a hidden gem.

The space is equipped with WiFi, and in addition to being a cafe provides a venue for workshops, training, cuppings and other non-coffee related events like portrait sessions. 135 Ossington actually started out doing pop-ups before opening this full-fledged brick and mortar.