The Imperial Bean Cafe

The Royal York hotel has added a nice little coffee bar in the lobby of its hotel. The coffee is decent and even slightly cheaper per cup than Starbucks. There’s something really nice about kicking around downtown all day and then getting a coffee and being able to enjoy it in one of the comfy, plush chairs of the Royal York’s grand old lobby. There appear to be some complimentary newspapers near the espresso machine to boot.
You won’t find much of a hipster crowd hanging out in the lobby of the Royal York, mind you. This will never be Dark Horse Espresso. Most of the people in the lobby generally look like itinerant nuns or members of the Women’s Catholic League (ie my mother). But it’s kind of fun sometimes to plunk down in one of their comfy chairs and check out wedding parties having their reception at the Royal York.