This allergy-friendly restaurant review was written by AllergyBites founder, Kathleen O’Hagan. Kathleen is a writer, a foodie, and the mom of a toddler with multiple food allergies. She loves seeking out accommodating eating spots and sharing them with the food allergy community. All opinions are her own.
When I first stumbled upon The Coffee Bouquets, nestled on a side street just north of Bloor and west of Jane, I was delighted. And not just because I had finally found the perfect little spot to get some work done while sipping on a latte… but because, as I sped by, this sign happened to catch my eye:
Nut-free?! And in my neighbourhood? Yes, please!
So I popped inside to see what I would find. And lo and behold, it didn’t disappoint. Not only was it a cozy, welcoming little spot, but Viktor, the friendly owner, was happy to answer all of my questions about which allergens do and don’t make an appearance in the pastries he carries.
Most of his baked goods come from Sweets from the Earth, which means half are nut-free, while the other half are gluten-free. But make sure to check the ingredient lists, because you’ll find many treats that are free of dairy, egg, sesame and wheat too.
Similar to the allergy-safe facility (known for using different lines for their different products) where the yummy sweets from the Sweets of the Earth are made, Viktor and his staff use colour-coded utensils to ensure cross contamination is not an issue. Not only that, but he keeps all of his allergy foods safe in these clear cookie jars.
Want something a little fancier than cookies? You got it! Sneak a peek inside The Coffee Bouquets’ well-stocked fridge and you’ll find a few more allergen-free treats inside, like these mini cakes.
I don’t know about you, but our nut-free household misses carrot cake!!
Speaking of fancy, coffee connoisseurs will be excited to learn that The Coffee Bouquets will soon be offering “rare and exclusive” coffee and teas. Keep your eyes peeled for their newest line of coffee, Silver Fox, on your next visit.
And if you’re simply looking for a spot to hang out with health-minded friends who don’t necessarily have food allergies, most of the products at The Coffee Bouquets come with health benefits—or are at the very least organic.
Take these healthy versions of pop, for example. Play is a sugar-free ginger ale produced by an award-winning, local company called Deluge Water. And Crazy D’s fizzy stuff is a mix between kombucha and cold-pressed juice. Chock-full of prebiotics, this is one pop that is great for your gut. Soda without the guilt is right! (And it’s local too.)
At the end of the day, I’m just happy I found a nearby allergy-friendly spot to enjoy. This just might be my new favourite place in the ‘hood. (And I live near the Cheese Boutique, so that’s saying a lot!)
Cute, local and allergy-friendly… could I ask for more?
Paintings by local Anya Romanenko, who shares Viktor’s Ukrainian heritage
My dark roast + crumbly blueberry muffin combo was divinely delicious.
Have you been to The Coffee Bouquets? Let us know about your experience in the comments below.
Friendly. Supportive. Encouraging.
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Restaurants that appear on AllergyBites may have updated their menu or changed management since a review was posted. Please confirm that they are still allergy-friendly & that menu items don’t contain your allergen(s) before visiting or placing your order.
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