Review: Air Canada Cafe Toronto

The Air Canada Cafe Toronto North America has redefined what we traditionally imagine as an airport lounge.

Instead of wide buffet spreads and alcoholic options, Air Canada Caf focuses on specialty coffee, fresh cold-pressed juices, and light bites that can be taken with you when you leave.

Before the recent flight from Toronto to Vancouver, I visited the Air Canada Cafe. Let’s take a look at what Air Canada Cafe has to offer.

Air Canada Cafe Toronto – Access

This one-of-a-kind lounge is located in Terminal 1 of Toronto Pearson International Airport near the D20 Gate, just below the stairs and to the right after the domestic security.

Air Canada Caf operates daily from 5:15 to 12 p.m. Access is available for in-flight passengers from Business Class or Premium Rouge Toronto Pearson.

Also, those with Aeroplan 50K, 75K, and Super Elite status, as well as Star Alliance Gold members will be able to enter the lounge.

Also, you will have access to one of the following premium AirPlan credit cards:

After entering through the Air Canada Caf entrance and down the hall, you will arrive at an automatic gate, where you will be allowed to enter after scanning a qualified boarding pass.

Air Canada Cafe Toronto – Seats

While guests are encouraged to use the Air Canada Caf’s grab-and-go concept, 109 seats are dotted around the lounge for any passenger to stay longer.

Located in the middle of the cafe, a few clusters of banquet halls are partially surrounded by a marble enclave low wall. In addition, there are paired seats with small tables on the outside of the wall.

Going further into the cafe, you will arrive at a visually appealing bar with a handful of bar seats. Next to the bar is a prominent full-height mural created by a Canadian artist, which adds to the lounge’s eye-catching look.

In keeping with Cafe Spirit, there are no less than three workspaces in the lounge, near the window at the far end. There are two six-person workspaces and a long eight-person workspace, each equipped with multiple USB and power charging ports.

In fact, USB and power ports are plentifully placed around each seat in the cafe. Since I had to do quite a bit of work during my two-hour stay in the lounge, I certainly appreciated having the outlet so easily at my disposal.

The extra banquet seat is placed on the back wall and there are more pairs of seats on the left with a small table in the middle.

Lastly, there are high-top counters with separate stools along the windows.

I decided to take a quiet place in the corner of the lounge and wrapped up quite a bit of work.

I certainly appreciate the unique concept of Air Canada Caf in the airport ground experience. The interior design is chic, and the space provides an enjoyable environment.

The lounge is certainly much less crowded than the Maple Leaf Lounge above, and will probably help ease some of the traffic at Air Canada’s primary domestic airport lounge.

Air Canada Cafe Toronto – Dining

The back wall just behind the customer service desk, filled with a selection of refrigerated grab-and-go meals and drinks.

To the left of this station, you can find coffee and tea stations. Includes a Lavaja coffee maker, a drip coffee machine and lots of two-go cups.

If you have a few minutes, I would definitely recommend avoiding these for bar-made espresso drinks.

In the caf গ্র’s grab-and-go section, you’ll find a wide selection of pre-packaged foods, from sandwiches, soups and salads to Oka Fine Cheese, Pastries and Lindt’s Chocolate Truffle. You are given a paper bag to take your food with you.

Some snacks are also dotted outside the refrigerated grab-and-go area, such as fresh fruit, granola bars and chips.

For cold-and-go cold beverages, you’ll find a wonderful selection of soft drinks and cold-press juices from the refrigerated greenhouse.

Air Canada Cafe Toronto – Bar

In addition to the grab-and-go options, the bar has a team of dedicated baristas – the highlight of the lounge – who can make all kinds of special Lavaza coffee and non-alcoholic blends.

Specialty drinks include cappuccino, lettuce, cold brew, fresh juices, mocktails and tapigus and tetley tea. The cafe does not serve alcoholic beverages – you will need to go upstairs to the Maple Leaf Lounge.

With my cafe having such a wide selection and space for just one caffeinated drink in my system in the afternoon, I was definitely spoiled for choice.

I finally decided to try Piemonte – a perishable shot of espresso sprinkled with cocoa and then topped with frozen milk – as well as trillium iced tea from the bar.

I must say, as much as I enjoy a glass of wine or champagne in the lounge, the experience of sipping a fancy handmade coffee at the airport is a must.

Air Canada Cafe Toronto – Other facilities

Air Canada Caf shares individual lounges by gender, which are spacious, well maintained and match the design-forward aesthetics of the rest of the cafes.

The mirrors extend from the sink to the ceiling, its brass frames complement the gorgeous geometric walls.

Immediately near the entrance, you’ll find a customer service station, if you need any assistance with your reservations, itineraries, seat choices, etc. while you’re at the cafe.

Conclusion

The Air Canada Caf at Toronto Pearson International Airport offers a cozy bistro-style space with plenty of seating. The cafeteria follows a simple grab-and-go concept with fresh food and drinks, as well as a bar with a dedicated barista for special coffee.

Air Canada Caf is a great choice for those who want to work out in a secluded spot before their flight, avoid the crowds at the Maple Leaf Lounge upstairs, or just have a bite or a drink and go their way.

On the front, if I’m not hungry or in a drunken mood, I think when flying inward from Toronto I almost always go to Air Canada Cafe instead of Maple Leaf Lounge or Plaza Premium Lounge.