+84 Café brings the vibrant flavours of Vietnam to Toronto with traditional drinks, savoury creations, and sweet treats. 

Located near College and Dovercourt, the cozy shop is best known for its strong imported coffee, freshly baked Bánh mì and creamy Coconut Ice Cream with Sticky Rice. 

Owner Amy Lam first arrived in Toronto as an international student from Vietnam. Missing home and the sense of community found in Vietnamese coffee culture, she dreamed of opening a café.

"I always envisioned having a coffee shop that makes people feel really cozy and at home," Lam shared. "In Vietnam, the coffee culture is really strong. Everyone goes to coffee shops - before school, after school, before work, after work, because we love conversation and connection. I wanted to bring that same energy here."

After earning her business degree, Lam worked full-time as an accountant until the pandemic inspired her to pursue her passion for pastry. 

With a Diplôme de Pâtisserie from Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa and the help of her siblings, Lam brought her Vietnamese ice-cold sweet treats to summer festivals across the city, building a loyal customer base and eventually, saving up enough to open a shop. 

The space, designed with Vietnam in mind, is adorned with paper fans, floral arrangements, and vinyl records. At the front sits Lam's piano, which guests are welcome to play.

One of my favourite aspects is the collection of community artwork. Since opening in late March of 2024, Lam made it a priority to showcase talented Vietnamese artists throughout the space, with all pieces available for purchase and 100 per cent of the proceeds going directly to the artists.

For those new to Vietnamese coffee, Lam characterizes it as having, "a really strong, unique flavour." 

"Once you have it, I don't think you'll ever forget how it tastes," she laughed. 

The Egg Coffee ($5.50) is best described as a caffeinated dessert that almost tastes similar to a tiramisu. It features a sweet and silky whipped egg topping over freshly brewed coffee, finished with a light dusting of cocoa. Airy and light, it originates from a Vietnamese bartender working in a French hotel. 

"Vietnam was colonized by the French, so much of our food and drink was influenced by French flavours and techniques. At the time, Vietnam didn't have dairy, so instead of milk, the bartender used egg and sugar, which created a really creamy texture since it has a high-fat content," Lam explained. 

If coffee is not your cup of tea, the menu also features ceremonial Japanese matcha and fruit-infused teas. 

The iced Matcha and Cream ($6.50) is bright and velvety, made with high-quality, first-grade matcha. Smooth and delicately grassy (without any of the usual bitterness) it's refreshing with a vibrant green colour.

The Lychee Pink Dragon Fruit Tea ($6.50) and Pink Guava Tea ($6.50) are aromatic and fruity, perfect for the upcoming spring and summer months. The Lychee Pink Dragon Fruit Tea has a crisp, slightly sweet taste, while the Pink Guava Tea is more tropical and tart.

No visit to +84 Café is complete without trying one of their many homemade Bánh Mì. Served on a freshly baked baguette that's soft and airy with a flaky, golden crust, you can choose from a variety of fillings, including stir-fried beef, BBQ pork, roasted pork, lemongrass chicken, fish cakes, and even marinated tofu.

The Bánh Mì Phở ($12) is a classic rendition with bite-sized pieces of tender, marinated beef, onions, Phở sauce, Viet mayonnaise, pickled carrots, fresh cilantro, and crunchy cucumbers. Reasonably priced, this sandwich offers the perfect combination of flavours and textures. 

For dessert, the Coconut Ice Cream with Sticky Rice ($15) is a childhood favourite of Lam's and also the dish she first began selling. Perfectly sweet, the ice cream features finely shredded fresh coconut throughout and more toasted coconut on top. It pairs beautifully with the chewy, slightly fragrant sticky rice, all served in a half coconut. 

The name +84 comes from Vietnam's dialing code. A heartfelt tribute to her family and culture, +84 Café has become a home away from home for many. 

+84 Café is located at 954 College Street.