Rialto Espresso Bar

Reviews

• Angela W.

  star star star star star 31 May 2026

  A small boutique coffee shop that I drop by in the morning on my way to work (if I can wake up early enough)!
  The coffee here is really good.
  I've tried the peanut butter latte and the lucky 10. My favourite is the peanut butter latte because I really loved the peanut butter taste :) I would definitely try the other specialty favours.
  The coffee tastes really smooth here. Definitely recommended!
  
  One thing though - they only have one barista working at a time so I would recommend ordering ahead through food-ordering apps. The place can get busy during the morning rush hour. Once I dropped by without ordering ahead and unfortunately had to leave after more than 10 minutes of waiting without even placing my order since I was going to be late for work :(
  Also, seating area is limited to 3 little tables so this place is definitely a grab-and-go place.

• Leslie S.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 18 May 2026

  I am not certain for which business I am writing a review. The names at this place keep changing. Anyway, the café is a few steps up from Adelaide West and my recommendation is to walk five minutes down to King West and go to Second Cup instead.
  
  I ordered a medium hot chocolate (they do not have small)  and a water here and the tattooed girl punched my order in. Out from the back comes an East Asian girl who was pleasant to make it and did a wonderful and careful design on top. However, the hot chocolate that was made freshly in front of me was semi-cold. At best it was neither warm nor cold never mind 'hot.' As bad, it had no taste. None. It tasted, I supposed, like water and foam.
  
  The atmosphere is rather cold and has no unifying theme to it. The chair and table were rickety as well.
  The credit card reader asks for a tip. Why? No one is serving me anything. Is the hot chocolate really not priced at the price posted on the wall?
  
  I have seen and had better.

• Shines G.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 10 May 2026

  Visited On: February 21, 2019
  Meal: Morning Drink
  Dining Style: Take-out
  Would I Return: No
  
  Ordered:
  -The Devil's Hot Chocolate ($5.50)
  
  Thoughts
  I was expecting hot chocolate but this tasted more like coffee and I absolutely hate the taste of coffee. Not sure if they messed up on my order or if that's how it was supposed to taste. It was presently nicely but unfortunately, that didn't make up for the taste.

• Samantha T.

  star star star star star 6 May 2026

  I really enjoy this coffee shop! Something about the service I've recieved here and shop vibe is just so much more pleasant than other cafe shop experiences I've had.  
  
  This is the closest coffee shop to me, second to Dark Horse (DH has a totally different underground low key vibe on its own).
  
  I really find the quality at Rialto really good. Just a few cents off their lattes here in comparison to Dark Horse. Also great that they have three different sizes to choose from and just really enjoy the sense of flexibility you have in your order.
  
  I'll definitely have to stick around for a longer visit next time and bring a friend as the seating space is pretty nice here too! It just seems like this place goes a bit hidden because you have to go up a few stairs and their signage doesn't clearly indicate that it's a cafe and still has their older signage up which might be a bit confusing.
  
  I think having one of those ground signs that communicate special deals or wayfinding to go up the stairs might help this business gain more traction day to day as it's in a prime intersection location too :)
  
  My favourites here: Vegan Tofu scramble wrap and a medium sized latte. (Extra kudos to using pasta as stir sticks instead of those silly wooden waste sticks too!)

• Lo C.

  star star star star star 5 May 2026

  My friend and I decided to try somewhere new and stumbled upon Rialto.
  
  AMBIANCE: 5/5
  Rialto has some of the nicest decor that I've seen in a cafe. It's bright, homey, and spacious. There are multiple tables throughout the space & the barista informed us there's a nice patio in the back (opening soon for summer)!
  
  FOOD: 4/5
  We both decided to get Hojicha Lattes & ordered off of Ritual. Upon arrival the barista greeted us and told us our lattes would be done in a minute. We walked around the counter and there are LOTS of pastries! There was a rhubarb pie, butter tarts, cookies etc. These looked fresh and not store-bought. I will definitely try something to eat next time I go.
  The hojicha latte I got was soo good. There was a roasted leaf tea taste and blended with the milk = 5/5.
  I have noticed that some of the things on Ritual isn't on the menu board above the counter though.
  
  SERVICE: 5/5
  The vibe the barista set for us was terrific. He was friendly even though the restaurant was busy and he must've been super stressed. He told us to take a seat and made small talk until our drinks were done. So impressed with the tone he set.
  
  Overall: 5/5
  This little cafe sets the standard for the rest of the area. To charge a premium price for great drinks - you must have the ambiance and service that matches that price. I'll 100% be back to try out the rest of the menu.