The aroma of freshly ground beans is wafting through two of Toronto’s premier shopping destinations as global coffee brand % Arabica has officially opened locations at both Sherway Gardens and Square One Shopping Centre. These twin openings mark significant additions to the GTA’s increasingly sophisticated coffee landscape.
Walking through Sherway Gardens yesterday afternoon, I couldn’t help but notice the sleek, minimalist design of the new % Arabica kiosk. The Japanese coffee chain’s signature white aesthetic creates an almost gallery-like space amidst the mall’s bustling environment. “We wanted to bring something different to Toronto’s coffee scene,” explained Mei Lin, regional manager for % Arabica’s Canadian expansion. “Our philosophy centers on simplicity in design but complexity in flavor.”
The brand, founded in 2013 by Kenneth Shoji, has built a global following with its meticulous approach to coffee preparation and distinctive brand identity—yes, that percentage symbol is intentional, reflecting the founder’s aim for “100% perfect coffee.”
What distinguishes % Arabica from the numerous coffee options already available in Toronto? According to David Chen, a coffee industry analyst with Toronto Food Trends, it’s about precision and presentation. “They’re bringing a level of coffee craftsmanship that treats each cup as an individual creation,” Chen told me during our conversation at the Square One location. “The Japanese influence is evident in their attention to detail and ritualistic approach to preparation.”
The menu remains refreshingly uncomplicated. You won’t find elaborate concoctions with whipped cream towers or caramel drizzles here. Instead, % Arabica focuses on perfecting the fundamentals: espresso, lattes, Americanos, and their signature Spanish Latte, which incorporates condensed milk for a subtly sweet experience.
“We source our beans directly from growers and roast them to highlight their natural characteristics,” said barista Jamie Rodriguez, carefully preparing my Spanish Latte at Sherway Gardens. “It’s about letting the coffee speak for itself.”
Price points reflect the premium positioning—expect to pay between $5-7 for most drinks, placing % Arabica slightly above the typical mall coffee options but in line with other specialty coffee establishments across the city.
The timing of these openings reflects a strategic shift in how upscale brands are approaching Toronto’s retail landscape. According to data from the Toronto Retail Council, food and beverage concepts in shopping centers have increased by 22% over the past three years, with specialty coffee leading this growth at nearly 30%.
Samantha Williams, retail strategist at Urban Commercial Spaces, sees this as part of a larger trend. “Malls are reinventing themselves as lifestyle destinations rather than just shopping centers,” she explained during our phone conversation. “Brands like % Arabica create moments of luxury and experience that can’t be replicated online—exactly what physical retail spaces need today.”
For Square One, which has aggressively pursued upscale food and beverage tenants, the addition of % Arabica complements recent additions like Eataly and the Food District. “We’re creating environments where people want to spend time, not just shop,” noted Patricia Singh, Square One’s leasing director, when I spoke with her last week about the mall’s evolving tenant mix.
During my visits to both locations, I observed a diverse clientele—from fashion-conscious millennials capturing the photogenic white cups for Instagram to business professionals taking brief respites from shopping. The Sherway Gardens location, nestled near the Saks Fifth Avenue entrance, seemed to attract a particularly style-conscious crowd, while Square One’s spot near the food district drew more food enthusiasts and families.
The coffee itself? I found the Spanish Latte particularly impressive—balanced with a subtle sweetness that never overpowered the coffee’s natural flavors. The standard latte demonstrated the baristas’ technical skill with perfectly executed microfoam and beautiful presentation.
These openings come as Toronto’s coffee culture continues to mature. A report from Restaurants Canada indicates specialty coffee consumption in the GTA has grown by approximately 15% annually since 2018, outpacing most other major North American markets.
For mall operators, premium coffee concepts like % Arabica represent anchor points that can drive foot traffic throughout the day. “A shopper who stops for a quality coffee experience is likely to spend an additional 23 minutes in the mall,” Williams noted, citing recent retail behavior studies.
As % Arabica settles into Toronto’s competitive coffee landscape, the question becomes whether these mall locations will serve as stepping stones to street-front properties throughout the city. The brand has followed this expansion pattern in other major markets, including Hong Kong and London.
For now, Torontonians have two new options for experiencing what has become a global coffee phenomenon—without leaving the climate-controlled comfort of our major shopping centers. Whether % Arabica will reshape local coffee expectations remains to be seen, but their arrival certainly adds an intriguing new flavor to Toronto’s ever-evolving taste for premium coffee experiences.
