Pilot Coffee Roasters

Editor's Review

Pilot Coffee Roasters has had a confusing history of operating cafes under different brand names, like their first cafe, still called Te Aro, in Leslieville. For eight years, they operated a café known as Crafted just down the street on Ossington Avenue—but when a newer, better location became available nearby, they moved what was Crafted into the space, and renamed it Pilot, like their roasting company. 

The new space is very different than what they had at Crafted, with a big open space for seating and an enormous coffee bar that extends almost the entire length of the room. Next to the till and food display the brew station houses a Marco Jet 6 and then around the corner lies their set of Mahlkönig grinders and Modbar. The last portion of the bar has a curved corner with seating that allows patrons to watch, learn and interact with the barista as pour-overs are prepared.

The tall ceilings are minimized with the use of a striking design feature depicting geometric shapes that resemble the company’s logo of a paper airplane. The shapes cover the entire space overhead and play with the natural and artificial lighting to give a very cool visual effect. Even though they have been a part of the neighbourhood for a while, moving into this space and dropping the old café name allows them a refreshing new chapter in their continued success.

Reviewed by Peter de Vooght

Cafe Features

Loose Leaf Tea

Buy Beans

Wifi

Toilets

Table Seating

Baby Change

Brunch/Lunch

Coffee + Drinks

Non Dairy

Filter Coffee

Decaf

Cold Brew

Iced Coffee