If there’s one thing Toronto consistently nails, it’s café culture. New coffee spots like 18feet are constantly popping up across the city, especially in the downtown core, North York, and Markham. You’ll find cafes scattered beyond those neighbourhoods too, but the strongest cluster—maybe even a caffeine-fuelled constellation—lives in those areas.
Since 2015, I’ve been hopping from café to café, documenting my sips and sits along the way. My matcha obsession started even earlier, back in 2014, when I began making it at home (before oat milk was a staple and matcha menus were rare). So anytime I spotted a cute café that offered matcha, I was in. Bonus points if the place had an aesthetic vibe that made me want to linger.
Whenever I travel, I scope out the local coffee scene too—always curious to see how it stacks up against Toronto cafes. Lately, TikTok has become my digital café trail guide. Thanks to #MatchaTok, I’ve discovered a few new places I hadn’t yet checked off my list. This year, I’ve made it a mission: anytime I see a café I want to try, it goes straight into my (massive) Google Maps list.
One spot that made the cut? 18feet—a Korean-inspired café with two Toronto locations, one on Gerrard Street near Toronto Metropolitan University and another on College Street. Interestingly, it all started as an 18-foot coffee truck before blossoming into these charming storefronts.
Stepping into the vibe
The Gerrard location feels like a nod to its roots. The space has a minimalist, industrial vibe with 18feet’s logo and branding proudly displayed throughout. It’s not the most accessible spot—you do need to climb three steps to order—but there is seating available on the first level.
As soon as you step in, you’re greeted with soft Korean indie music that sets a calm, welcoming tone. This place clearly wants to be more than just a coffee shop. With curated merch and intentional branding, 18feet is aiming to become a lifestyle café—a space you’re loyal to, not just a one-time stop.
The drinks: generous and creative
Their menu is surprisingly extensive. I ordered the matcha dalgona (per the barista’s recommendation), and my friend got an iced latte with cream top—both served in generous 16 oz and 20 oz cups. That’s a refreshing change from cafes that barely stretch past 12 oz unless you ask for iced.
While I didn’t try the food this time, they offer croffles, bagels with unique jams, and chewy, flavourful cookies—perfect for a light breakfast or snack with your drink.
After snapping a few photos (okay, maybe a dozen), I finally took a sip. At first, it was a little too milky. But once I gave it a swirl and watched the rich green matcha swirl through the cup, the flavour balanced out. It wasn’t the best matcha I’ve ever had, but it was satisfying, smooth, and sweet in the right ways. And importantly? It didn’t skimp on matcha quality.
I’d give it a solid 9.5 out of 10. Honestly, one of the best matchas I’ve had in the city.
Final thoughts
If I were a student nearby, this would be my spot—no question. Great drinks, breakfast options, a calming space that’s perfect for studying or catching up with friends. I didn’t hear much from my friend about her latte, which I assume means it passed the vibe check with flying colours.
And with Matcha Matcha just down the street, you might expect the competition to be fierce. But here’s the thing—I think 18feet holds its own, and then some. They offer more than just matcha. They’ve created a whole experience. I’d say it’s just as good as Matcha Matcha—maybe even better. It’s definitely earned a place on my top 10 Toronto matcha cafes list.
So yes, I’m already planning my next visit. Maybe I’ll try one of those croffles. Maybe I’ll order the matcha dalgona again. Either way, I’ll be back—and if you’re a matcha lover in Toronto, 18feet should absolutely be on your radar.
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