Coffee Ronin Markham review: a café and craft studio worth wandering into

Coffee Ronin is a new café in the Scarborough–Markham area, and it already feels like part of the east end’s quiet café glow-up. I found it the way most of us do now—somewhere between TikTok curiosity and “okay fine, I’ll go see for myself.”

First impressions and the space

The café sits inside a newly built industrial-style complex with a handful of occupied retail units and plenty still waiting to be filled. It feels a little tucked away, but the tall glass windows and clean signage make it easy to spot once you’re there.

Inside, you’re greeted with a small retail display featuring matcha from Kyoto Uji and a few curated trinkets.

Then you notice the craft wall, and it becomes very clear this is not just a café situation.

A café and craft studio in one

Coffee Ronin is split into two experiences: café downstairs, crafting studio upstairs. It’s one of those concepts that could feel gimmicky, but here it actually feels thoughtful and well-integrated.

The owners are a husband-and-wife duo, which immediately adds a layer of warmth to the whole space. He focuses on the coffee side while she leads the crafting workshops, and you can feel that division in a way that just works.

The meaning behind the name

When I asked about the name, they explained that “ronin” in Japanese refers to a wandering individual or samurai. The idea is that the café brings together coffees from different places, almost like they’ve travelled and gathered them along the way.

It’s a simple concept, but it gives the menu a bit more personality than your standard lineup. You can tell there’s intention behind what they’re building here.

What I ordered (and my matcha thoughts)

I went with the matcha after hearing good things, even though I’ve become the kind of person who is probably too picky about matcha for my own peace. The base leaned more milky than I prefer, so I ended up asking for an extra scoop to bring out more depth.

To their credit, they were very kind about it and adjusted the drink for me, which I appreciated. The osmanthus pairing was lovely, and the cheese foam was creative, but I still think matcha lovers who prefer a stronger, more earthy profile might want to ask for it bold from the start.

Next time: ordering coffee

While I was sitting there, I overheard conversations about their coffee offerings, and that honestly felt like the real highlight. There was a level of care in how the drinks were being explained that made me think this is where they truly shine.

Next time, I’m skipping my usual matcha reflex and going straight for coffee. Sometimes you just have to accept what a place does best and lean into it.

Workshops and experiences

Upstairs, they offer a range of craft workshops, from bracelet-making to more involved DIY sessions. Prices range roughly from $20 to over $100, depending on the experience, so it’s something you can tailor to your mood or budget.

They also host latte art workshops, which feel very aligned with the whole “experience café” concept. It’s a bit of a splurge, but if you’re into hands-on activities, it’s a fun option to have in the city.

Seating, laptops, and what to know

This is not a long-haul work café, even if you arrive with good intentions like I did. There’s a one-hour laptop limit during the day and a 90-minute seating cap overall, with screen-free weekends.

The signage could be clearer (I would suggest bolding that laptop rule), but once you know, it makes sense for the kind of space they’re trying to create. People were coming in and out steadily, even on a weekday, so the turnover feels intentional.

Overall thoughts

Coffee Ronin is a genuinely cute and thoughtfully designed spot that feels a little different from your typical café rotation. It’s part café, part creative space, and part “I might accidentally spend money on a workshop today.”

I’ll absolutely be back, if only to try the coffee properly and finally commit to one of the craft sessions. Also, the free parking alone makes it dangerously easy to justify a return visit.