24 Best Coffee Shops 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.)“

“Julia was an outstanding server! We came on a very snowy day and they were short servers and handled the restaurant business with a smile and great composure. Surprised the establishment has one manager who was away on vacation. Great job Julia!“

“amazing customer service! drive in from 3 cities away to enjoy them.“

“I just finished drinking my first ever purchase from Pilot Coffee Roasters. I had a regular (not flavoured) latte, takeout, and wow that was the best latte I've ever had. The coffee flavour was absolute perfection, and the balance of milk/espresso divine. Friendly service too. I will be back!“

“The coffee and services out do the rest. Shipped right to your door. Always happy to help. Thanks gold roast!!“

“Have been a long time fan, from the delicious drinks and treats to the adorable decor and merchandise. Today was my first time back post Covid. Staff was friendly and cheerful but the wait time was actually really bad. Had I known it would take 25 minutes to receive one bubble tea, I would have gotten my drink before my lunch. Unfortunately couples coming in after me were receiving their drinks before I did. Love the new straws and can overlook that they do break easily, because they’re much better than paper!“

“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!“

“Tried the mango bingsu, peach tea, and fruit waffle everything tasted absolutely excellent! The ambiance is really relaxing, making it a great spot to unwind. Plus, it’s budget-friendly, which is always a bonus. I’d definitely recommend visiting this place for bingsu!“

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

“Visited Snowday Bingsu recently and had the chance to try their Tiramisu Bingsu and Oreo Bingsu. Overall, I had a really nice experience and enjoyed both desserts a lot. The flavors were well balanced, the toppings were generous, and you can tell care was taken with the presentation. Both options tasted fresh, rich, and were definitely satisfying for anyone who enjoys Korean-style desserts.

I especially liked how flavorful both the tiramisu and Oreo combinations were — not overly sweet, but still indulgent and enjoyable. The portion size was also good, making it perfect to share or even enjoy on your own if you love desserts.

The only small thing I personally noticed was with the shaved ice base. Usually with bingsu, I expect the ice flakes to have more of that creamy, milky texture and flavor, but this one felt a little lighter and more plain than expected. It didn’t take away too much from the overall dessert, but I think improving that part would make the experience even better.

Other than that, everything else was excellent. Great dessert spot, nice quality ingredients, and definitely a place I would visit again to try more items on the menu. Would recommend to anyone craving a good bingsu experience!“

“I am a frequent customer here. Recently I walked in, pretty busy, the gentleman behind the counter was working all alone which was kinda sad to see because like who wants to work alone..? but anyways,, such a kind young man! friendly and fast! Made us a delicious drink! Thank you AbdAllah you made our day -Ussama“

“Was just at the mall a bit ago and figured what better way to end off a shopping trip than go to the Starbucks for a drink. Lovely atmosphere and employees. Had a friendly server I believe named Maya, She made me feel extremely welcomed. On top of her great personality, she also was very accommodating to my large and complicated drink order! Bless her. Definitely recommend and will be coming back.“

“I usually don't leave a review but this place is wholesome. I was having a rough day. I was tired and exhausted because of my work. Both two guys (Forgot their name) were very friendly and cheerful. They kept me engaged while I was there. I ordered strawberry creme frap venti and the guy working at the bar made my drink perfectly and even decorated the frap which eventually lifted my mood. Service was better than the original Starbucks. I have to visit this location often to meet those two guys. Keep up the good work guys.“

“Had a lunch here, they have table service and we're friendly. Can't ask for much more from mcdonalds.

One of my fries came with too little fries! Half as much as it should. I complained, and they gave me a small order of fries to make up for it. Even brought it to my table. Good service.“

“Replying to Michael below:

I was there as well, and this is a pretty incomplete version of what actually happened.

The woman you’re referring to wasn’t just “confused” she was being openly aggressive and making racist comments toward the staff. That’s why she was asked to leave. She also has a history of this kind of behavior in the community (look up racist lady waterloo and see who pops up), so framing this as someone simply having a hard time really misses what people around you were actually dealing with.

Also, what you’re calling “laughing” didn’t come across that way in context. It looked a lot more like staff decompressing after a tense and uncomfortable interaction. When people are put in that position, they don’t just reset instantly. They also seperated that barista from the floor to have a moment afterwards.

It’s also worth recognizing how difficult those moments are for staff. When someone directs racist comments at them, it’s not just “a tough interaction”, it’s personal, it’s dehumanizing, and it’s something they still have to manage calmly in front of a room full of people.

It’s easy to judge a moment without full context, but this wasn’t staff making fun of someone, it was a team dealing with inappropriate, dehumanizing behavior and then trying to move forward, during what was clearly a busy day. The fact that they were able to keep things going and not have to pause service shows their incredible resilience and strength.

10/10 team, and service“

“This place is the BOMB! Very high quality good food for less than 2 dollars. Coffee, hmm don't get me started on that they are very affordable (60 cents). As always the staff is AMAZING. Keep up the great work! #BestCnD“

“Hi I went to tim hortons in kitchener Ontario an waterloo ontario yesterday an I went in side I can't get connected to the tim hortons wifi can u help me please“

“A GREAT FAMILY PLACE RIGHT INSIDE THE YMCA ON COURTLAND AVE“

“Best place on campus, or rather in the engineering buildings at least!“

“Excellent service! The staff member was friendly, professional, and very efficient. They greeted customers with a smile, handled orders accurately, and made the experience enjoyable. Their positive attitude and dedication to customer service really stood out. The coffee was also fresh, delicious, and prepared perfectly. Thank you for the great service“

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