Local Business

Coffee Roasters Team Up for “Toronto Brew Week”

Independent coffee shops across Toronto are collaborating on a weeklong festival celebrating local beans, barista skills, and the city’s growing coffee culture.

By Feather Sand Chronicles Editorial Team | April 28, 2025 at 10:44

Toronto’s independent coffee scene is joining forces this month for the inaugural 'Toronto Brew Week,' a city-wide celebration of specialty beans, barista craft, and café culture. Over 40 local roasters and cafés are participating, offering limited-edition drinks, coffee tastings, workshops, and live music from April 15 to 21.

The idea was brewed by a collective of small roasters and café owners who wanted to elevate the profile of Toronto’s growing third-wave coffee movement. 'We realized we were all doing great things individually—but there’s strength in community,' said Maya Kent, co-founder of Brick & Bean Roasters in the Annex.

Each day of the week will spotlight a different Toronto neighbourhood, from Kensington Market to Roncesvalles. Participating cafés will feature guest roasts from their peers, encouraging customers to try something new while supporting local businesses across the city.

The event isn’t just about caffeine. Workshops on brewing methods, bean sourcing ethics, and latte art will be held in various venues, and several shops will host evening programming, including acoustic sets and poetry readings. Many are offering discounts to customers who bring reusable mugs.

A downloadable 'Brew Passport' allows attendees to collect stamps at each venue, with prizes awarded for visiting five or more. The city has partnered with the initiative, distributing TTC day passes and signage to help promote the week’s events and ease travel between venues.

For cafés still recovering from pandemic-era disruptions, the week provides both a morale boost and an economic lift. 'Business has been steady but slow. This brings new faces through the door and helps us reconnect with our regulars,' said Luis Romero of Rojo Café in St. Lawrence.

Roasters are also using the event to share their sustainability efforts. From direct-trade sourcing to compostable packaging, many hope to raise awareness about ethical practices in the industry and encourage consumers to make informed choices about their daily brew.

The festival’s open structure allows flexibility for businesses to participate in a way that suits their size and staffing. Some are offering specialty drinks, others are hosting pop-ups or joint events. 'It’s grassroots, but the energy is huge,' said Kent.

Customers have taken to social media to share their discoveries and tag favourite drinks using the hashtag #TorontoBrewWeek. Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many already calling for the event to become an annual fixture on the city’s cultural calendar.

With its focus on collaboration over competition, Toronto Brew Week represents a broader movement in the city’s hospitality scene—one that prioritizes local connections, shared growth, and the craft behind the counter. It’s a buzz Toronto seems ready to embrace.