Reunion Island is a welcoming, airy café located on the north end of Roncesvalles. With a rich history and a roasting program that was founded in 1995, Reunion Island builds on a long-standing tradition of partnering with farmers to provide a truly quality cup of coffee.
Adam Pesce is the owner of Reunion Island’s flagship location, which opened its doors in May of 2015. “We wanted to create a space where the staff is really welcoming and people are comfortable asking questions about our coffee,” explains Adam. “Specialty coffee has a lot to offer. We want to be really genuine with our customers.”
Reunion Island doubles as a chill workspace for students, remote types and freelancers during the week and a busy hot spot on the weekends. Coffee is the main focus here, with a few treats and baked goods to take the edge off a caffeine-fuelled afternoon at the keyboard. If you’re looking for a friendly, cool space to kill some time with a book and get your coffee fix, this is the place.
Be sure to take a #selfeet on your way in or out of this Roncesvalles café – the floor tiles spell out “coffee.” The menu may be small but that’s because the focus is mainly on the coffee. They brew their own blend, which is top-notch. And they make a mean cold brew. The Cold Brewed Iced Cascara Tea is a refreshing choice during the summertime.
The amount of initiatives Reunion Island heads up is inspiring to any budding coffee merchant. The owners have shown a dedication to the coffee farming industry, with initiatives that help the local communities around the farms, as well as building more sustainable options for harvesting the beans. The menu has a large selection to choose from, and the café is very cozy.
But first, let me take a “selfeet.” Floor titles that spell out “COFFEE” at its entrance, Reunion Island is an Instagram-worthy spot for those #FromWhereIStand shots – and a clever way to show off your outfit. This Roncesvalles café has a minimalistic vibe and a rigorous focus on coffee. Enjoy a cup of espresso, Americano, or tea to stay or go. Watch the Chemex masters behind the counter craft you the perfect pour-over or, on a chilly day, opt for one of the most thoughtfully rendered chai tea lattes in the city.