Visiting the Best Coffee Shops in Canada
Canadians love their coffee. According to a 2015 study by Euromonitor, Canadians drank more litres of coffee per capita at cafes and coffee shops than 80 other countries, including noted coffee capitals Italy and France. Whether it’s warming up with a Tim Hortons double double on a cold winter afternoon or enjoying a cappuccino on a Montreal terrasse in springtime, there are many famous coffee shops in Canada to explore.
Perhaps the reason Canadians just can’t get enough coffee is the sheer number and variety of awesome cafes to explore from coast-to-coast! Get a taste of Canadian coffee culture at some of the most popular coffee shops in Canada.
Tommy Café – Montreal, QC
Montreal is a city of cafes, with many beautiful terrasses and coffee shops on the cobblestoned streets of Old Montreal. Tommy is one such café, with its flagship location situated just down the street from Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. Its historic exterior belies a hip, modern interior perfect for snapping some shots for Instagram. In addition to their colourful, creative brews, they’ve also been honoured with the best avocado toast in Montreal by Resto Montreal.
Dineen Coffee Co. – Toronto, ON
With a slick, art-deco exterior and upscale, marble-laden interior with a polished oak bar, Dineen Coffee Co.’s style nearly matches the height set by its coffee. A bastion of calm in the hustle of downtown Toronto, it’s a great spot to relax with a cup of boutique coffee and wait out the afternoon rush hour.
East Van Roasters – Vancouver, BC
Vancouver is filled with artisanal, socially responsible cafes, but East Van Roasters is not just one of the best coffee shops in Canada, it’s also one of the most charitable. Not only do they brew coffee with organic, fair-trade beans sourced directly from farmers in The Dominican Republic, Madagascar, Peru, and Guatemala, but they also offer training and mentorship to marginalized women re-entering the work force. In addition to some of the best coffee in Canada, they use their high-quality cocoa beans to create artisan chocolate and baked goods, including sumptuous brownies and banana bread.
Weird Harbour – Halifax, NS
Pull into port and put some pep in your step at Weird Harbour Espresso Bar. Located just a hop and step from the Halifax waterfront, Weird Harbour features an intimate, unassuming space, but that’s because they prefer to let their coffee do the talking. In addition to some of the best espresso in Halifax, they also offer a seasonal menu of pastries from local bakeries.
The Battery Café – St. John’s, NL
Named for the vibrant neighbourhood in which it is located, the Battery Café features a warm, inviting ambiance looking out the city’s signature colourful row houses. Offering fresh baked goods, sandwiches, salads and of course coffee, the Battery is the neighbourhood coffee shop you wish you lived around the corner from. They also host live music on the weekends, featuring both local artists and guests from abroad. Speaking of guests, one of the café’s most notable patrons was Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Analog Coffee – Calgary, AB
With a cozy, casual atmosphere, Analog Coffee on 17th Avenue is a local landmark specializing in artfully made, single origin coffees. Family-owned and operated by the Prefontaine brothers, who previously worked in the commercial espresso machine industry before opening the first Analog Coffee location in 2011, the business has expanded to nine locations across the city as well as a thriving ecommerce site.
Stone’s Throw Coffee Collective – Regina, SK
Located just west of the University of Regina, Stone’s Throw Coffee Collective is a hip little coffee spot that’s been in operation since 1995. A favourite haunt for local students, the laidback café embraces its mantra of “Peace. Love. Coffee.” with friendly vibes and great fair-trade coffee. Definitely a fun throwback for those whose university days are now behind them.
The Kettle Black – Charlottetown, PE
A short walk from Confederation Landing and the Charlottetown waterfront, The Kettle Black is one of the most popular coffee shops in the city and for good reason. With a signature yellow exterior and classic ambiance, the café embodies the history and humble pride of Charlottetown. In addition to excellent cappuccinos and lattes, they offer a great selection of sandwiches, salads, and soups.
Rogue Coffee – Saint John, NB
Billing itself as Atlantic Canada’s first Mod Bar, Rogue Coffee lives up to the hype with expert coffee roasters and rich, dark espressos the equal of anything you could find in Toronto. Located off the beaten path in a red bricked alleyway, Rogue have eschewed the traditional patio with art-piece benches and garden planters. The most popular of these mini-installations is a rounded tube they call “The Nest.
Little Sister Coffee Maker – Winnipeg, MB
Winnipeg may not be known for its coffee scene, but that’s quickly changing thanks to hip, new cafes like Little Sister Coffee Maker. Established in 2003, Little Sister is a great spot to drop by for a cup of coffee and enjoy the chic, pastel décor set in a spacious interior with high ceilings.
Tim Hortons – Everywhere
No list of the most popular coffee shops in Canada would be complete without an honourable mention for the juggernaut, the big kahuna, the neighbourhood coffee shop that has become not just a staple of the Canadian diet, but of Canadian national identity itself.
Originally founded by former Toronto Maple Leaf and Hockey Hall of Famer Miles Gilbert “Tim” Horton in Hamilton, Ontario in 1964, the nascent brew coffee and donut chain quickly gained steam. The franchise grew to 40 locations by the time of Horton’s tragic death in 1974, at which point his business partner Ron Joyce took full control of the empire.
By 1991, Tim Hortons became the largest coffee franchise in the country and opened its 500th store. Though its fortunes have shifted with a number of mergers with American companies in the 2000s, it remains one of Canada’s most recognizable brands with branches in the US, UK, and Middle East.
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