Hanging out with giant lizards while sipping a latte might not be the most obvious pairing, but it’s an experience you’ll want to add to your summer bucket list! Just head to Mystik Café, which is tucked away in the heart of Kensington Market and holds the title of North America’s first reptile café. The space is all very immersive, very under-the-sea-inspired, where specialty coffee, glowing aquariums and exotic creatures coexist.
Start your visit with a delicious concoction like a Biscoff latte or perhaps an iced tiramisu or a milk tea. Or stick with a classic like a cappuccino, flat white or cold brew. Coffee and fresh pastries are served in a setting physically separated from the animals, so there’s no need to worry about amphibians crawling over your food!
Afterward, head into the ticketed Reptile Jungle and you’ll find custom-built habitats housing more than 60 reptiles and amphibians, from geckos and chameleons to snakes, lizards, frogs, axolotls and tortoises! This is where you get the chance to hold, touch, and connect with some of Mystik’s most legendary residents, like Mango the bearded dragon, Blueberry the panther chameleon, Brick the uromastyx and Beep Bop the sulcata tortoise!
Walk-in passes start at $15.99 for a 15-minute sneak peak, while a 30-minute Wander Pass costs $25.99. Those visits are self-guided and non-interactive, so if you want to get up close with the animals, the one-hour Ultimate Mystik Experience starts at $36.99 for general admission on weekdays and includes a guided tour, a signature drink and interactive encounters!
Just keep in mind that the café isn’t a petting zoo: it’s all very respectful and safe for the amphibians, and is meant to inspire curiosity and connection with exotic creatures.
Mystik Café is located at 56C Kensington Ave. Café hours are Mon-Thu: 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. and Fri-Sun: 11 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Reptile Jungle hours are Mon-Thur: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Fri – Sun: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Pre-booking is recommended for reptile experiences and workshops. Follow @mystikcafe for updates.
And if you need more animal cuteness, Ontario has a hidden donkey sanctuary where you can meet and pet the animals for free!