If you’re a coffee lover (and not just a caffeine seeker), you probably have two types of coffee in mind: the one you drink just to stay awake and the one you choose when you truly want to enjoy a great cup with friends or while reading your favorite book.

For students at the Casa Loma campus there’s a perfect spot for the latter, just a few steps from Dupont Station.

First and Last Coffee Shop, located at 346 Dupont St., is a cozy café with vintage furniture, good music, and fresh coffee aroma filling the air.

The name was inspired by a Neil Young song. Over time, however, customers have given it a new meaning—the perfect place to start and end your day. It’s a place with character, where the owner is often behind the balcony, and regulars are known by name.

Everything on the menu is homemade, except for the vegan options. But the true star of the show is the coffee—whether hot or iced, it stands out.

The beans come from Maderas Café, a small family farm in Colombia, where they are brought down the mountains on donkeys before being shipped to Canada.

Coffee prices range from $2.75 for brewed coffee to $6 for a matcha latte, while iced tea is priced between $3.75 and $4.75. The cranberry hibiscus iced tea with lemonade is a must-try, offering the perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors.

The croissants are a house specialty. They sell out quickly and are priced between $4.50 and $5.75, with both sweet and savory options. However, the most popular menu item is the Breakfast Sammy—a $7.50 sandwich featuring fried egg, cheddar, pesto, mayo, pickles, and optional bacon.

If you opt for the bacon, it adds a perfect crunch with a caramelized touch.

In addition to their regular menu, the team is always experimenting with seasonal flavors. The bet for this fall is a pumpkin spice drink made with real pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and cinnamon.

Beyond the food and drinks, the atmosphere at First and Last makes you feel at home. The owner, Sharon Nutzati, has spent the last seven years collecting vintage items, ensuring that every detail, from the plates to the chairs, is carefully curated.

One of the café’s charming traditions is that customers contribute to the decor. Everywhere you look, you’ll find postcards from regulars who’ve become friends, handmade art, and thrifted items from around the city—each piece chosen because it somehow reminds them about the café. And there’s always room for one more gift.

The café’s sense of community is a reflection of Nutzati’s personality. She started the shop dreaming of creating a place where she could work, have fun, and feel at home at the same time. Now, her customers can share that feeling too.

First and Last also hosts open-hour events, including comedy and music shows.

They are always open to new ideas—if you’ve got an event in mind but need a spot, you can reach Nutzati at firstandlastcoffee@gmail.com.