For those who love coffee, perhaps a little too much (hee hee), Mercury Espresso Bar is one of Toronto's main go-to cafes for the best of that liquid black magic. I think what makes Mercury such a hit with coffee drinkers is that not only are their baristas knowledgeable about the coffee they serve and quite skilled at pulling espresso shots or getting the Chemex brewed just right, but also that the owners are hardcore coffee geeks who are always on the hunt for the tastiest roasted coffee beans.
In fact, just recently Mercury switched from Intelligentsia coffee, considered one of the best suppliers of roasted coffees in the world, to Terroir Coffee located in Acton, Massachusetts simply because the owners felt the beans superior. Any which way, the customer stands to win with a yummy cup of coffee. Not only, they welcome customer feedback so that they can fine tune their offerings.
Prices are on par with other indie coffee houses. The establishment is small but cozy and unpretentious. Staff are friendly and enthusiastic. I will knock'm a half star though for not having any regular brewed coffee available for take out past 4PM (they're open till 8PM). With considerable competition in the area Mercury still stands out and I recommend you dropping by. 4 1/2 stars.