# Serene Underground Cafes Toronto's Early Bird Cafe Offers an Alternative to Grab-and-Go Culture By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2018-08-13 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/early-bird-cafe References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2018/08/11/early-bird-cafe-msds-studio-toronto-canada/) & [msds-studio](http://msds-studio.ca/) Although the Early Bird cafe in Toronto designed by MSDS Studio is set up in the city's underground system of tunnels and walkways, appealing to the busy, on-the-run consumer, the space offers a relaxing space to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee. While the to-go service area does cater to those who are in a rush and embraces "[cool tones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blue-bottle-coffee-shinsaibashi) denoting efficiency and competence" as described by MSDS, the [sit-down area](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joe-blakes-holborn) sets itself apart with a completely different scheme that is warm and welcoming. The seating area also sets itself apart with rounded elements and aims to invite people to stay and partake in a different side of [cafe culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-coffee-house) that doesn't involve grabbing a drink to be enjoyed on the run. Image Credit: [Shanghoon](https://shanghoon.com/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.6/10 - Popularity: 7% | Activity: 4% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Drinking](https://www.trendhunter.com/drinking) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Serene Cafes:** Underground cafes provide an alternative to fast-paced coffee culture, presenting the opportunity to offer places of relaxation in a fast-paced city. - **Coffee Shop Design:** Designing coffee shops with both takeaway and sit-down areas allows for greater customer experience diversification. - **Escape Tourism:** Increasing demand for remote destinations with serene environments that allow for personal retreats ### Who This Affects Most - **Hospitality:** New opportunities for hospitality industry to entice travelers who seek a relaxing atmosphere alongside the bustle of a major city. - **Retail:** Opportunities for retailers to create coffee shops that can serve as a quiet and relaxing experience within malls or shopping outlets. - **Urban Development:** Providing walkways and subways with beautiful and interesting cafes supports urban planners' efforts to develop underutilized spaces into livable and attractive environments. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Spaciously Modern City Cafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brandor-coffee.md) - [Dynamic Layered Interior Cafés](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/caf-tondo.md) - [Nature-Inspired Coffee Boutiques](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coffee-boutique.md) - [Mississauga Coffee Chain Debuts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/arabica.md) - [Boldly Designed Minimal Cafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vinklu.md) - [Sustainable Toronto Coffee Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dispatch-coffee-toronto.md) - [Home-Inspired Coffee Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noun-cafe.md) - [Minimal Coffee Interiors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blue-bottle-coffee-shinsaibashi.md) - [Experimental Sporty Coffee shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/common-grounds-terra-cafe.md)