The top cafes for students in Toronto are key resources during the school year. These cafes serve alternately as study halls, sources for free WiFi, caffeine, sustenance or sometimes just a reprieve from your roommates.

Here are my picks for the top cafes for students in Toronto.

Balzacs
Location. Location. Location. Balzac's has the golden rule of real estate covered in spades thanks to its prime locations on Ryerson Campus and at the Toronto Reference Library. Lots of seating, fresh brewed coffee and a variety of snacks also make it a winner in my books.

Black Canary
This cafe has two locations close to university campus. The second floor spot in the Silver Snail on Yonge St. lets Ryerson students ogle over the latest Marvel release while they sip a well-made Americano. Meanwhile, the cozy outpost on Sherbourne sports a communal table large enough for George Brown students to congregate around for an impromptu study session.

Rooster Coffee House
The King East coffee shop is a beacon for George Brown students who saunter over between classes to kill time with a cup of budget-friendly drip coffee ($1.50 to $2.25). Sandwiches and baked good also make it an affordable lunch option.

Bicerin Espresso Bar
This Baldwin Village spot is a good spot for both UofT and OCAD students to hunker down and get some work done while soaking up the free WiFi and coffee made from single origin beans. Lunch and breakfast options help round out the offerings.

Bulldog Coffee
A short walk from Ryerson campus, this cafe is a lifesaver for anyone with an early morning class. Seating is limited so it's not the best place to camp out but if it's espresso and fancy latte art you're after, these guys do it right.

Manic Coffee
This College St. cafe near UofT campus offers ample seating, but no WiFi, which can be a blessing when you're trying to get through required readings but have a tendency to procrastinate the hours away online. Better still, the espresso drinks, gelato and baked goods here are top notch.

Moonbean
The Kensington Market stalwart pre-dates every cafe on the list and is a long time favourite for students. Baked goods and tea options abound and coffee is roasted on-site. There's also plenty of patio seating in warmer months.

CSI Coffee Pub
Housed in the Centre for Social Innovation at Bathurst and Bloor, this Annex cafe acts as an extension of the communal workspace. Espresso based drinks, sandwiches, soups, salads, and baked goods help fuel study sessions.

Rise Espresso
This grab-and-go espresso bar is close to Ryerson making it a perfect pit stop for students who need a jolt of caffeine between classes. Well-made espresso drinks are offered alongside decadent snacks brought it from Von Doughnuts.

Dark Horse Chinatown
Students love the communal tables at this Spadina cafe but when a bit more privacy is required you can always snag a seat behind the coffee bar where two tops offer a slightly quieter atmosphere for sipping espresso and poring over course materials.

Thanks to RBC for sponsoring this post.

What did I miss? Add your suggestions for student-friendly cafes in the comments.

Photo of Moonbean by Jesse Milns.