3015 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6P 1Z4, Canada
Established in 2017, UB Social (Unemployable Baker) was founded by Anthony Buso for his love of Italian coffee and baking and Mary Fabiano, Cordon Bleu trained chef and founder of Summer Kitchen & Queen Mary Mustards, to enlighten our palatable senses. Mary and Anthony make a formidable team – they share a deep love for food that is real, fresh, sustainable, and local. At UB Social, your palette will be immersed into Anthony and Mary’s combined love of the sweet and savory among their other interests in ethically sourced and socially responsible artisan gifts. UB Social Cafe & Gourmet Shop is the best place for authentic Italian coffee, lunch, worldly specialty foods and unique gifts in Toronto’s Junction village.
Drawn in by the savory scents and stayed because of the people. Mary was charismatic and knowledgeable, providing guidance and suggestions and on our way out Gabriel served us a wonderful latte to warm us for the rest of our walk around the junction. What a terrific place. We'll definitely go back!
My favorite place in the neighbourhood for a snack. The people who work here are really nice. I highly recommend the croissants, cookies and vanilla steamed milk.
Dear shop owner, this review is for the espresso on the other day. I specifically asked for a short espresso however the cup was full and very watery, no coffee cream on top. The second issue that I had was about the paper cup. I was served the espresso in a paper cup, however i think it would nice and customary that the barista asks if I want my espresso to go or to stay, and that makes very sense for the espresso: any espresso drinkers know why?!! When I brought that up to the barista while staying at the counter the lady, who might be the owner or the manager, interfered and told me that I should have asked for a ceramic cup which I disagree because I believe its part of the service process to ask "To go or to stay"
Honestly seeing the overwhelmingly positive reviews to this place makes me feel crazy. I’ve been here a few times and I’ve never not been disappointed. Really, really bad coffee lol. Croissant was mid, probably on par with something you’d find at a grocery store. And all of that at a premium price! I think Junction residents are just so starved for options that they think this place is good?
Great iced americano and light, flaky croissant! Will have to come back when I’m hungrier to try more :) Love the takeout window so I don’t have to leave my dog outside. Very friendly service!
Best coffee and delicacies in the area. They have large bags of pasta imported from italy at a very cost friendly price as well as amazing croissants imported from France! Mary is always such pleasure to visit. Highly recommended
Delicious food! Unfortunately I didn't have the chance/time to sit in, but as you can see the food is great looking! I tell you what, it's also great smelling and tasting too! Fantastic portions for a filling but not overwhelming lunch!
Delicious desserts, tea and apple cider! The staff is so friendly and accommodating to your needs! I was so impressed with the service and the quality of the items I purchased. The interior is decorated very lovely and there are many places to sit and do work.
Great croissants!
cool place, cool guy working. Coming back again
This is simply one of the best cafes around. The food is high quality made with only the best ingredients. Mary and Anthony are in a league of their own.
Lightest and crunchiest croissants in Toronto. All baked good have been excellent. Not cheap (although not outrageous) but good ingredients and European portions. Little sit in counter but we get most things to go. Squash empanadas and the breakfast sandwiches are musts. I pick up hosted gifts and things for Christmas stockings in their small durated store.
I drive kilometres for great food and wonderful conversation. Highly recommend!!!
We tried the Americano and latte, and they were nice. I ll go again.
Awesome friendly service
An Americano and a Bocia, you cant go wrong! You can literally taste the quality and love the food was made within every bite! The Empanadas are also to die for!The S cookies and butter tarts are out of this world! My wife and I miss UB so much since weve moved to Barrie, we will have to make a day of it and travel to Toronto to see Anthony and Mary! People giving 1-2 star reviews are obtuse and have sandpaper for taste buds...
When you are in a city where you just need that place to call home, this is the place! Hands down probably one of the most authentic, delicious, high quality cafes Toronto has. Once your step in you will be greeted by the most kindest people. The food is exquisite quality, that shows devotion and care. A homey atmosphere that gives you a sense of ahh where the hussle and bussle is real. This place is a pioneer for real business. Support this place at all cost!!!! 10/10
Not nice being screamed at from across the street. Used to come here regularly until the woman who works here yelled at me because she didnt like the way I parked across the street from her café. I hesitated to post this until I read another customer had been yelled at by her as well. Vegetarian options: There are some vegetarian empanadas.
Amazing service and delicious baked goods - all made in house!
Mary, Anthony and their team are a delight. I always look forward to weekly visits to their adorable and delicious shop. Always something new and interesting to try. Plus, theyre tried and true S cookies are a must, and their prepared foods I crave often.
Mary and Anthony are amazingly welcoming, the food is top notch (we love sampling new & potentially upcoming fare too), and personally I love the frozen mojito. Did I mention warm and welcoming? Long short - you can t go wrong.
Junction Jewel, GREAT Service, Food and qmQuaint Atmosphere.
The coffee the food the people... All wonderful !
Really delightful coffee place with delicious baked goods. The staff are super friendly and even very kindly gave me a cookie on the house for my birthday I saw that they have a nice variety of savory baked goods and even some tasty looking home made meals. Everything looked high quality and delicious. I will be back to try some out!!
Delicious chocolate caramel pastry, wow!
Nice little store with perfect homemade products and good coffee
Very nice latte. And authentic butter croissant. Ovaltine Latte is a must try.
Great coffee and the staff is wonderful! Love that they have vegan options as well.
Love the empanadas
Delicious espresso drinks and fresh baked goods. The breakfast empanada is great!
I love visiting this place when I walk my dog because you can order from the window and thru have sidewalk seating and water for dogs. The coffee and pastries are excellent too.
I really enjoy the frozen croissants UB Social sells for baking at home. Ive been purchasing them for years, but had a really bizzare interaction with one of the employees/owners/managers at the store recently. I was buying the frozen croissants at the front and a woman at the back hollered at me from across the room, scolding me for how I planned to transport them home in a heat wave. She didnt even have the decency to stand up and talk to me at a normal volume like a normal human being; rather yelling from across the room. The experience soured me from returning to buy more frozen croissants despite years of going there and recommending them to friends and family.
My favourite on the go coffee spot. Love their lattes.
Great spot!
Anthony makes the best Matcha Latte!
Single experience, but it was a delicious experience! The croissant sandwiches were really good and the coffee was great too. Staff were attentive and pleasant. Recommend!
Always friendly and great Americano
Another gem in the junction. Mary and Anthony are indisputable talents in the food industry who have created an inviting and understated place for coffee and all foods comfort. During Covid they adapted almost overnight and refuse to compromise on quality to this day. Favourite coffee shop in TO, hand down:)
Butter tarts to die for. Flat out delicious. Sandwiches good. Chicken pot pie so full of chunks of chicken. No skimping. Continues to be favourite place in the Junction
Been coming here for years they re a Junction landmark and the staff are very friendly. Just stopped here today for a quick coffee after doing a few errands. They have a street-facing window you can order from and a 3-table, street patio. Great selection of food and hot/cold beverages.
This place has the best pastry ( apricot one is mind blowing) . Great food and coffee , friendly customer service! Family owned and operated! Love love love them ! A must to try
One of the best Cappucinos I have had in all of Toronto. Quality pastries and empanadas. I highly recommend this place to anyone who loves a good cafe. The service is great as well- honestly I felt I was in europe for a moment.
American misto was perfect, as was my dark chocolate cookie with about 2lb of chocolate and sugar in it! Worth the calories! Window front Rollys door is charming and reminds me of Europe. Highly recommended and apparently m not a secret judging by the lineup of locals.
The Japanese egg on croissant is unbelievable. Cardamom latte so subtle and yummy. Everything is great.
Wow, food was unexpectedly great for such a small nook. The Moroccan chicken salad croissant was off the chain. Highly recommend!
The drinks are good but the servers are inconsistent. Unless you want to get gaslit whenever they get the orders wrong, dont go. I ordered a black iced chai; he repeated the order back to me and then handed me an iced matcha and rudely insisted I said matcha. Theyve consistently messed up my orders the past three times Ive gone. Wont be going back.
Fresh flaky croissant sandwiches, excellent pastries, great coffee and cold drinks. Take out window on the sidewalk, easy to stroll up and order, friendly owners. CafeTO tables out front.
Their Japanese egg salad sandwich has changed my life. I love this place
I drink latte here every morning! Also, the first croissant sandwich I tried today is very delicious
London fog tea with steamed milk. They steep the tea over night, which adds so much flavor. My go-to Junction cafe to read. Lovely owners too!
Issues, major interpersonal issues with some of their staff. Extremely rude to customers.
Yummy pastries, friendly service and my favorite takeout window in the Junction (even during winter!).
Good espresso. He has a great espresso machine. They make all their food from scratch. Also, they make panettoni and extra sweet for the holiday. You must go inside the store as they sell different kitchen items too. Food
This place is a gem. I love the baked treats, and now they re also a breaderie ! It s a tiny yet versatile shop, and full to the brim inside. They have a shop window for easy service, but go inside at least once! Fresh goods out front, frozen meals and treats in the back, Mary s own sauces and pantry staples, and if you need a recommendation for gift giving they re really helpful as well. Since I m writing this mid-December, they re making panettone! I think lemon/limoncello might be my new favourite, but I haven t encountered a baked treat there I haven t liked :D
This is very compact local cafe and general store. Spreading homely love with their cheerful attitude and conversation while serving aromatic beverages and quick snacks. Exhibiting strong resilience in stiff adverse environmental conditions. Kudos to their indefatigable spirits.
Love this little cafe with a big heart. It is well run by friendly owners, talented in their craft. We have tried many of their delicious creations: almost all of their empanadas, pot pies, tourtiere, croissants and mouth-watering cookies, and they always carry interesting and thoughtful menu items that youll want to try next time. I like to stock up in frozen lunch/dinner items as a special meal treat, and get fresh items to enjoy for the rest of the day.
This friendly little cafe is a gem in the Junction. Love their lattes and cookies. Highly recommend it to any coffee lovers. Support local!
My girlfriend and I love this place. Had a lovely chat with the owner today about Ovaltine lattes and fresh baked squares. Its our favourite spot in the neighbourhood!
Fantastic latte and pastries
The walk up window has been a wonderful addition to the Junction streetscape during the pandemic. Excellent coffees and friendly service.
Great little café/bakery in the junction. My kids love the croissants, lemon scone, and frozen lasagne. Theyve got a curbside window to order from the sidewalk during covid times.
Best coffee breakfast and lunch!!! Marys cuisine never disappoint!!! Highly recommended!!!
Great coffee and the friendliest staff!
Staff here are very friendly and the food is great (be sure to try the croissants!)
Reviews made this place look quite good but came for an iced americano and didnt like it. Super weak... Awkward layout for takeout I assume because of the pandemic. Fridges were all empty around 3. I thought it sold more items since its a general store. Maybe it was just me idk?
Great coffee and pastries! Lots of frozen foods you can buy for you to reheat at home too
Such a friendly little shop! Their coffee is to die for and theyre always there to greet you with a chat and a (masked) smile! My favourite place to get a coffee before a morning stroll through the junction, they also have some sustainable kitchen wears and lots of goodies!
My daily go-to cafe! I love strolling past their pick-up window with my dog & grabbing a cup of coffee to enjoy on my walk. The staff are super friendly & their breakfast empanadas are great!
I discovered this charming little place on Easter weekend when they had homemade hot cross buns. They were by far, the most delicious hot cross buns I have ever had. I m now a convert. UB Social has the best lattes, baked goods (all homemade) and croissants in the Junction. I m going to try some of their prepared meals next. I just love this place.
Was walking along Dundas in the Junction feeling like a hot beverage since it was a cool morning. Saw the window for UB Social. Since I already had a coffee that morning I opted for the Mayan Hot Chocolate. The friendly person serving me made sure I knew Mayan meant it had cinnamon and chili pepper in it so it would be a bit spicy. Typically I like my food spicy, but not my drinks, but I figured lets try it. Glad I did, I wouldnt say it was that spicy, but everyone has different tolerance , but it was very tasty hot chocolate. So much better than the generic basic hot chocolate you get from most places. Looking forward to going back, esp post pandemic since it looks like they have a lot of good stuff inside
Tried the quiche and short rib empanada today. Very good!
Very meh. They make a very fluffy cappuccino, which is not my thing. Shortbread is decent.
Coffee was just warm and watery... maybe its ok but I dont like that
Amazing sandwiches
Intrigued by UB Social s catchy, double entendre name (The UB stands for Unemployed Baker - so clever), inviting small window frontage and enticing sandwich board advertising we ve been meaning to pop by for lunch for a long while. Not long ago the return of summer weather afforded us the opportunity to pop by and order lunch to share in a nearby parkette. Here s the good part of the experience. The person at the window was super friendly and clearly enjoyed chatting about the various sandwiches on offer. We were particularly intrigued by the 10K Sandwich (named for the fact that it was awarded a $10,000 prize at a sandwich contest in NYC), and the description of the pear and brie filling convinced us that it was something we had to have. For our second sandwich we chose a turkey salad with cranberries croissant, a pretty standard go-to for us so we were curious to try this version. We also impulsively ordered up a savoury tart that was on display in the window (thinking this was our typical over-indulgence but what the heck) as well as a small bottled water to share. The 10K Sandwich was really delicious, with a very nice proportion of pear to a high quality brie and a tasty bread to keep it all together as we stuffed our faces. We re glad we ordered it for sure. And this is where we slide into the not-so-good aspect of the experience. The turkey salad croissant was OK, but certainly nothing we d order again. There was far too much mayonnaise and what turkey was there was so finely chopped that it was hardly discernible as poultry. The cranberry sauce was unremarkable and because of the high proportion of mayo it didn t add that delicious tart-sweetness that makes the turkey/cranberry combination an über pairing. And both sandwiches were small - like, really small. Normally we re thoroughly satisfied with a sandwich each for lunch, but in this case we were looking forward to the savoury tart to fill the hunger gap. Unfortunately the tart was similarly small, and again just OK. And this brings us to our biggest challenge with our lunch. For what we ordered and the overall quality, we found the tab to be far too high. $40.00 (inclusive of HST and tip) for two small sandwiches, a single small savoury tart and a small bottle of water (all of which left us still hungry) was just too dear for our taste, especially with so many other enticing options nearby. That being said, they re always busy so they clearly have their fans and we re definitely going to drop back to try their baked goods and coffee.
Very nice croissants and coffee.
Lovely little spot with killer croissant sandwiches and great iced coffee!
uncooked/ partially frozen food... no reheat or refund :x
Excellent service, excellent food and coffee
Literally the best cafe in the Junction. Food = amazing, coffee = so good, service = the bomb, vibes = perfect. Do yourself a favour and swing by here if youre looking for coffee or food.
Delicious.
I love the breakfast empanadas! They are a nice change from breakfast sandwiches. Coffee is very good too. I really enjoying coming here for the staff, they are so friendly and lovely to talk to.
My husband and I have been going to UB every week since the pandemic started. The owners are lovely! They are clearly very proud of their cafe, and take the time to make sure you have delicious food and coffee. We are always greeted with a smile. I love the chocolate croissants and the coffee is the best in the Junction neighbourhood for sure.
Good coffee,fair prices,friendly staff,tasty treats,places to sit outside.Dress warm.
Great food, wonderful ownership!
Brilliant! Absolutely lovely coffee, pastries and staff. Try the Butter Bourbon Tarts and make sure you order coffee. The Elektra coffee machine is mind-blowing-ly good. Great little gift ideas too and super friendly locals. See you next time!
The owners and staff are very friendly and eco conscious. They serve great food and coffee in a nice space and even offer very good vegan items!
This is a five star rating for their coffee, baked goods and very friendly service. If you re thinking of brunch or all-day breakfast, it s alright, but the above is definitely the highlight and why you should visit.
I went in to purchase coffee beans, and had excellent service including explaining all the different beans available and expertise on which beans would work best for different coffee making methods. So helpful! And the coffee tastes great too!
Just had my first experience at this great little cafe. Bought one of each of their croissants. They were fabulous. Please support this cafe during these difficult times. It is a treasure.
Everything on their menu is amazing! I recommend the iced mocha and their signature breakfast sandwich or breakfast empanada. The people who run this cafe are always so welcoming. I definitely recommend checking this place out if you re in the neighbourhood!
I was here for my morning coffee, the roadside arrangement is tidy. Also this being The Junction the road side set up is a nice place to be. Just grab a lovely cup of coffee and enjoy a book.
Honestly one of the best espresso I have had in the city
Lovely espresso! The staff were wonderful with my boys: they loved the brownie and cookie!
Good vibe, great food!
Amazing coffee and baked goods. The owners are so friendly and clearly care so much about what they do!
What a great place to visit for home made, healthy foods. Also a selection of vegan options. Delectable pastries and great coffee too. Owner is really friendly.
Great staff, the food was tasty . Try the empanadas!
Great Cafe! Friendly owners and fantastic empanadas.
Cosy spot. empanadas were ok. Coffee was warm - didn t seem too fresh when I went in the afternoon on a weekday. Also there was an internet time limit which I found really strange. I was the only one there so it wasn t like I was taking up seating that others were waiting on. I had to leave and go to a different cafe to finish up some work which was a bit inconvenient. Wouldn t come back again considering the other spots in the neighbourhood.
My favourite spot. Creative and delicious cuisine. Clean ingredients. Friendly service. Interesting items for sale. I usually stock up on empanadas as they have become the families go to snack/meal. Thank you, U B Social!
UB Social is my go-to place for a latte and a cookie, or a light lunch. Fresh and lovingly prepared food -- made in-house -- friendly service, and comfortable surroundings make UB Social the perfect place to meet a friend, or stop to treat yourself. Do yourself a favour and visit soon!
decent spot to grab a coffee.
Great coffee and great snacks!
Excellent
Absolute best lemon butter tart I ever had in my life. Great staff, service and food is amazing. Highly recommend this place if you re ever in the Junction.
Cute cafe, very European feel
Sadly, i couldnt enjoy a time tgere as they only take cash or debit (in contradiction to signs on the entrance door).
The food and drinks are so good, but a bit out of my price range so I go here to treat myself!!
Awesome food (everything is freshly made), great coffee and lovely owners and staff. Absolutely love the place.
Great service and quality food made in house.
Couldn t possibly be ruder or condescending, especially to women. I bought an empanada and asked if I get a stamp on my loyalty card. Dude in a pork pie hat behind the counter snaps, For?! Like I had just asked him for free food. For my order, I replied, and then he snapped that stamps are only for coffee. It doesn t say that anywhere on the card and that s all he had to explain, but a little bit of politeness goes a long way, bud. Avoid.
Best decaf cortados around!
Absolutely Fantastic food made fresh daily and The Best Croissants in Toronto ! I really love the music, too ! These guys pour their heart and soul into every thing they do and it shows . My partner is from Calabria, and LOVES the Espresso here !
Updating to 5 stars! Nice brunch or lunch options, coffee and tea. The empanadas, frittata, muffins, and treats are all great! Super friendly.
Great coffee, good service and cozy. Prices are average for the area.
Love their coffees, espresso drinks and all the pastries.
Love this place. Empanadas,coffee,soup it is all great. The owners are friendly and knowledgeable. European hospitality.
I love this cafe! They make all their food on the premises and their pastries are from France. Their cafe lattes come in tall glasses like the coffee in Spain. They have an excellent twist to their sandwiches and empanadas and the butter tarts are to die for!
Great little spot for breakfast and coffee. The service was exceptional, the food fresh and jam-packed with flavor. The Bo.Cia breakfast sandwich was our personal favorite, and the tomato chutney really elevated the flavor. We were in Toronto for three days and came here for breakfast twice!
Great food, great service and wonderful atmosphere.
Love this Cafe! A great place to get some work done, and really tasty food. The staff is always so friendly and accommodating. The 10k sandwich is amazing, and the breakfast sandwich is a great way to start the day. All the little details have been thought of, they even use paper straws!
Delicious espresso and empanadas!
Friendly and amazing customer service, with alot of unique food choices
Super cute little cafe and shop. Fantastic selection of Barocco coffee. Always friendly and warm service.
Amazing espresso and snacks
Love the food and vibe here! Really healthy options and surprisingly baby friendly. Even though it is a narrow space there are two IKEA high chairs for use and a change table in the basement. Its a nice place for locals to hang out. I had no idea they make all the food there from scratch!
Great coffee, friendly service!
Great cafe. Good teas and epanadas. Great owners.
The coffee shop is really nice and the food seemed fresh...but i stopped by for coffee only - total let down.
The staff was very friendly and kind .I go there often for their coffee and their empanadas very delicious
Amazing food and great staff. One of the jewels of the junction area.
Mary and Anthony pour their love into every thing they prepare. The food is beyond delicious. Real scrumptious food made by hand ... does not get better than this. Very grateful for this place.
Delish coffee & house made treats + jams/mustards
Delicious coffee and amazing sandwiches. And stroller accessible! And very polite service. Cant wait to go back to try something different!
Great food, courteous service and when I accidentally left my shopping behind they held on to it never knowing if Id come back! I called a week later and they still had it at cash for me. How cool!
Awesome empanadas. Try the brisket for sure
From the sandwiches to the other baked items and to the people who run it, absolutely spot on. The 10k sandwich and the empanadas top the list for me.
Great for breakfast and coffee
Love the ginger ice tea! Good homemade butter tarts too. The baby change table by the washrooms was appreciated.
Their sandwiches are delicious! We had the Award Winning 10k and Tuna Salad.
Tourists in Toronto...found this cafe for breakfast Sat. Quaint boutique cafe with friendly staff. Menu is small. Also have wonderful pastries & speciality jams etc. We both had the egg breakfast..which was tasty as was the coffee.
Fantastic scone with homemade lemon curd.
Had a good croissant breakfast and hot coffee, they were friendly and welcoming.