The city is overrun with coffee shops and cafes, but the locations that aren’t part of the gentrification corporations are dwindling in numbers. But the ongoing cafe war shows how much we demand our brew. Coffee really does go well with a lot of things. It goes great with dessert after a good meal, and is mandatory at breakfast. Smokers will tell you that it's heaven in the hand alternating a cigarette, and bike riders across the city pair it with their daily cycle through the streets of Toronto.

Coffee goes well with so many things, in fact, that a shop that focuses on their coffee will be almost a certain pleasure. Alternating between the blast-attire of coffee shop and cafe, that pleasurable 360-degree outlook on contemporary coffee culture takes the guise of Cherry Bomb Coffee.

The uninitiated may be hard-pressed to locate the Cherry Bomb, tucked away as it is in the heart of Roncesvalles Village. At this little gem, the brewed beverage goes well with each and every item in the place, including the track bike tacked to the wall. The menu offering is not large, but it doesn't need to be, as this place is somewhere you go to "for coffee".

There’s a healthy selection of teas and juices on hand, so it's not that there are no beverage options besides their fresh roast. Clearly, there's much less talent involved in steeping tea or selling a juice, than crafting a good shot of espresso, and frothing milk just so. Admitted, a good smoothie recipe is always a good find. For those who love their planet, as much as they love their coffee, Cherry Bomb serves all take out in eco-friendly, corn-made cups.

Another find here is the fresh quiche, baked daily and always delicious. Montreal style bagels make for a refreshing change, and their house made cookies are all tasty. This place has other goodies aplenty, and is even rumoured at giving out freebie treats to the dogs accompanying their patrons for their morning brew. Human customers are urged to try the aptly tart Ontario sour cherry pie. Each forkful is like a burst of sweet and sour cherry bite on the tongue.