24 Best Cafes in Waterloo

“Wonderful food, fantastic interior, and great location--on Northfield, between Bridge and University. Also a community-minded business. A must-visit establishment. Dog-friendly for well-behaved dogs on leashes. (I'm not a dog person, and I didn't feel nervous for a second.)“

“A friend took me here for lunch on December 9. I had the most wonderful tomato soup and sandwich. I was asked if I wanted a Christmas tree in my soup and I said I wanted Santa and his sleigh, and it happened! I Highly recommend this restaurant.“

“Stopped in for some coffee and a snack. Welcoming staff, nutritious and quality food, and the coffee was great too!😀“

“Came across this lovely local cafe while visiting Waterloo. The drink selection was fantastic, offering traditional and fun seasonal flavours. I really enjoyed the salted maple blueberry latte. The atmosphere was calm and the staff kind. Check them out!“

“community atmosphere, healthy food“

“My spouse, 9 year old daughter and I just visited Games on Tap for the first time. I highly recommend it! Excellent customer service complete with suggested games for first-timers and a great vibe.“

“So happy that we gave Sheer Yakh in the menu here in KW. I went with a friend to try it out once I saw it ok Social media. Its veryyy nice and refreshing and loved it. But they could use a little positive feedback. “I could taste more cardamoms and less sweetness. Also it was melting so fast and I could see there was not much heavy cream or condensed milk to make it thicker and not watery. If they could change these things it would turn out perfect. I loved it but it could be better. Just a friendly review nothing against them. Infact I want them to doo so good. Hope to be back there for more.“

“Whether it is sitting and writing in my journal, or if I need to focus and work on my laptop, or simply having a chat over coffee with a friend, i find Cafe22 to be one of the most special cafes in the Kitchener-Waterloo area! I am so grateful I found this special spot, which I consider a hidden gem! An absolutely charming, cozy, and relaxing atmosphere and decoration; delicious food and beverages; and most importantly an extremely kind and welcoming staff! I have to say that Daniela’s friendliness and genuine care and warmth add a lot to the whole experience as well! Highly recommended!“

“Best place for all the treats!!!“

“Good vibe. One of the best places to drink coffee and study in Waterloo, although plug outlets are hard to find. Many of the chairs are cheap and uncomfortable; probably by design to keep flipping customers.“

“Amazing food! If you are looking for delicious healthy food, highly recommend.“

“Best selection of local craft beer and cider around.“

“Best quiche in town. No regret that I ever came and visit one of the finest bakery in Waterloo, ON.“

“I absolutely love Full of Beans, whenever I'm in the neighborhood I make sure to drop in. Excellent freshly roasted beans, delicious sweets and a relaxing, yet vibrant atmosphere. Don't miss going in for a great cup of coffee when you are nearby“

“Overall probably the best option to eat in campus. Very cheap. Lot of options from all around, from korean bibimbap to Indian samosas and indian rice dishes. Present also quinoa salads, soups, coffee, etc.

Vegetarian options: Several veg options! Especially indian options. Some examples: samosas, falafel wraps, bibimbap with tofu, veg patty.“

“My partner and I went for a late night dessert and found this remarkable place. I had the Pistachio Tres Leches and my partner had the Sticky Toffee Butter that we shared with one another. Both were delicious and so sweet I’m seeing double. We will return. Nice place.“

“One of the greatest, hidden gems in Waterloo. The owner is super nice and the food is value - you can get fouralls ice cream here (for cheaper than fouralls)!!! Also the samosas are massive and quite good. They got boardgames to play, printing services and a section into the back to buy stationeries - honestly you can literally get anything here. Come through!“

“Best on campus: cookies, prices, atmosphere.“

“Delicious vegan baked goods and coffees. Highly recommend!“

“Good coffee , good location“

“My favourite place for coffee right now! The staff are extremely friendly and always make the effort to ask how your day is and get to know you if you regularly go. They have the best caramel latte I have ever had, and their food selection is awesome too. The food menu generally changes daily with some staples. I come here every weekday for a latte and to study. There is plenty of light in the seating area, the only thing I wish they had was more outlets.“

“I’ve been going to Funcken throughout my university years, and it’s honestly one of the most underrated spots on Waterloo campus. It’s tucked inside St. Jerome’s, and a lot of people don’t even know it’s there. It’s a small, student-run café with a really cozy vibe. They always have cute seasonal decorations, board games, and lots of seating (though it can get pretty busy, especially in the fall).

Their drinks are way better than you’d expect from a campus cafe. The chai latte and matcha latte are both so good. But my favorite thing is the Build Your Own Bagel. You can customize it however you want with a little paper form, and it’s super affordable; usually around $5 for a full sandwich that’s actually filling. The pretzel bagel is my top pick, but it does sell out sometimes. My usual order is the pretzel bagel with sun-dried tomato cream cheese, honey mustard, spicy pickled peppers (I think they’re banana peppers?), lettuce, onion, provolone, and sometimes tomato. It’s seriously so good.

They also have a build-your-own sandwich combo, and I think some gluten-free options too. Just something to keep in mind—if you’re vegetarian or have dietary restrictions, they cook things like eggs and their grilled cheese on the same surface as bacon.

Service is usually fast and the staff are always kind and friendly. The wait is usually just a couple minutes. I also love the little whiteboard they put out with random names of the day. If your name’s on it, you get a deal, which is such a fun touch.

All in all, Funcken is such a great place to grab a warm drink or a cheap and tasty lunch. It definitely deserves more love.“

“The vanilla hazel nut coffee is fantastic and they have gluten free, dairy free treats too. They also have a loyalty card, so you get a free coffee after purchasing a few. Don't forget to get it stamped!The gluten free, dairy free lemon cookie is a bit messy but delicious and the gluten free, dairy free peppermint party is also fantastic, though messy as well. Definitely need napkins lol.“