25 Best Coffee Shops in Waterloo

“greatest service i’ve ever had at any restaurant all because of dave the greatest dave the brave very great energy welcoming and warming had very great conversations with him it felt like he was more of a family friend rather then a waitress, it’s my first time here but it was the best time i’ve had will definitely be coming back!“

“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.)“

“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 Bingsu is one of my favorite dessert spots! I tried the Mango Bingsu and the Tiramisu Bingsu, and both were absolutely delicious. The shaved ice was incredibly soft and fluffy, with generous toppings that weren't overly sweet. The mango was fresh and juicy, while the tiramisu had a rich, creamy coffee flavor that was so satisfying.
My absolute favorite, though, is the taiyaki! It's always warm, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and the filling is just perfect. It pairs so well with the bingsu.
If you're looking for a refreshing Korean dessert or just craving something sweet, I highly recommend The Bingsu Uptown. Great desserts, quality ingredients, and a place I'll definitely keep coming back to!“

“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!“

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

“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“

“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!“

“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.“

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

“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“

“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.“

“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“

“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.“

“The staff is really kind and soft spoken ,i like timmies like this:)“

“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“

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

“You guys make me fall in love with Starbucks all over again! Thank you for remaking my mobile order when I was late to pick up! My car broke down on my way to pick up my order and I was 40 mins late but the baristas remade my drink at no charge! So nice and made my day! Thank you!“

“This location is an absolute gem with a vibrant atmosphere that makes every morning feel like a fresh start. My latte was handcrafted to perfection, and the team’s infectious energy truly sets this spot apart from the rest. It’s the ultimate cozy nook in Waterloo for a caffeine boost and a guaranteed smile!“

“I just want to take a moment to praise the incredible staff at this Starbucks. ❤

I came in today already having a really difficult day and ordered a protein matcha with extra foam. Unfortunately, the drink was extremely foamy—so much so that there was barely any actual drink to enjoy. The team kindly remade it for me, but the same thing happened again. I went back a second time and explained that I was already having a really difficult day and honestly didn’t have much emotional energy left. I apologized for having to ask again and simply asked if they could please make the drink right.

They remade it a third time, checked with me to make sure it was finally right, and it was perfect. But what happened afterward is what truly touched me.

One of the staff members came over and gave me a cake pop, telling me that they were sorry and that they understood I was having a bad day and didn’t want me to feel bad about my drink. That small gesture meant so much more to me than they probably realized.

Before leaving, I went back to thank everyone because I genuinely appreciated their kindness. I mentioned again that I was just having a really difficult day, and one of the girls asked me, “Do you need a hug?” She then came over and gave me the warmest, sweetest hug.

I honestly got emotional. Sometimes when you're already having a hard day, a little kindness from a stranger can mean everything. They didn’t just fix my drink—they made me feel cared for and understood.

I didn’t get their names, but I really hope this review reaches them. Thank you to the entire team for being so kind, patient, compassionate, and genuinely caring. The world needs more people like you. ❤

I’m actually grateful that I came to Starbucks today, because these two small acts of kindness were the sweetest things that happened to me all day. Thank you for making a difficult day a little bit lighter. ❤“