Café Neon
Located in a red brick industrial unit on Wallace Avenue in Toronto’s Junction neighbourhood, Café Neon offers a full range of coffees, cappuccinos and espressos, as well as pastries, soups, salads, sandwiches and wraps. But what makes Café Neon really special is that everything is made in-house from scratch.
Made-from-Scratch Goodness for All
Often hand delivering take-out orders herself, owner Niki Tsourounakis explains that creating an intimate setting was of paramount importance to her when she opened Café Neon. The off-the-beaten-path café offers plenty of seating and is also a go-to take-out spot for those who are looking for a clean, healthy lunch or work nearby. Regulars often snag a seat at the retro coffee bar in the back while those stopping by for lunch can grab a table.
Modern Fare, Heritage Inspired
Nike grew up in the Eastern Ontario town of Hawkesbury and always considered restaurants and cooking to be a huge part of her life. So it wasn’t a surprise to anyone when, after taking a few years off to study forensic psychology, Niki opened Café Neon in the then-quiet Junction Triangle in 2011.
The menu is largely inspired by Niki’s Greek heritage. Touches of Niki’s roots are also visible throughout the interior of the café, with vintage framed Greek photos and posters adorning the walls. Two large wheat paste murals, created by local artist Jeff Garcia, bring a vibe of urban street culture to the café.
Niki's attitude toward made-from-scratch food and neighbourhood service appears to be a winning approach. In 2015, Café Neon opened a second location on Queen Street West and has seen nothing but eager crowds. Sibling resto-bar Bar Neon in Bloordale is a cocktail spot and eatery just a hop, skip and a jump down the street from the café's Wallace location.
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