Sweat & Soda isn't your typical coffee shop. It's more like a fitness hub for athletes looking to replenish and connect with like-minded sporty types. Owned by long-distance marathon runner, Yoona Hong and partner Guy Ozery, it's the first coffee shop of its kind that's designed exclusively for fitness folks on the east side.

"We want to offer a comfortable place where runners can drink water, have a salad, and carry on. There's a lot of vegan places, but not a lot of places that cater to those with a Paleo diet," says Hong.

Fully stocked with made-in-house salads like Steak & Kimchi ($9), Quinoa & Chickpea ($9) and Lemon Chicken ($9.00), there's plenty of gluten-free and vegan food items to pick and choose from.

At the core of this operation, the team at Sweat & Soda is keen to promote healthy living; where long-distance runners can hydrate and replenish while training.

Behind the bar, customers can order Tonica Kombucha ($4.25) on tap, the probiotic hippie fuel now ubiquitous at local health food stores. There's also nitro cold brew on-tap, a cold brew coffee from Station Cold Brew that's infused with nitrogen gas to give it a Guinness-like mouthfeel.

Need a break from coffee? Order a vegan smoothie or indulge in an afternoon mocktail. Everything at Sweat & Soda is made with the sweet natural goodness you read about on Whole Food's labels, including prepared foods like sandwiches and breakfast bites.

If you're craving coffee, there's a pretty standard menu featuring espresso ($3), cappuccinos ($3.50), Americanos ($3), lattes ($4) and every other combo of coffee + milk. Coffee is provided by Propeller Coffee , serving a blend that has a rich body with chocolate tones. There's also assorted take-home beans from Ethiopia, Kenya, Columbia and decaf.

Looking at the running maps along the wall, Sweat & Soda is a unique and thoughtful concept that complements active lifestyles in Leslieville. During my visit, a few joggers stroll through the shop to drop their belongings in the communal lockers - another perk for those in need of storage while long-distance running.

Photos by Hector Vasquez.