Beautiful Canadian Cafés by Province

We wanted to take the citizens on a visual tour of Canada's coffee shop scene by featuring our favourite cafés from each province. Whether you believe the quality of a latte depends on the flavour, the foam art, or the croissant that accompanies it, I think we can all agree that the shop environment can make the experience. 

On this cross-Canada expedition, we found that each café vibed with the culture of its city. Tommy's elegant interior with crown molding and antique furnishing reflects the best of Québecois style, while painted picnic tables overlooking Jellybean Row housing at The Battery Café capture the vibrance of Canada's east coast.

We were surprised to find that Winnipeg is a host to so many of the coolest coffee shops, though we are biased to our local Toronto favourites. If you have the chance to stop in at Te Aro in Leslieville, say hi to Nick, our talented barista and model

British Columbia

Timbertrain - Vancouver, BC

Province of Canada - TimbertrainPhotos: @timbertrain

Walking through Vancouver's historic Gastown on a chilly October afternoon with a Timbertrain latte in hand is a must.

Oldhand Coffee - Abbotsford, BC

Province of Canada - Old HandPhotos: @oldhandcoffee

It could be because we visited on the first mild day following winter that the shop was buzzing, or it could be their scones. Either way it's obvious that Oldhand is a local favourite in Abby.

Hide + Seek Coffee - Victoria, BC

Province of Canada - Hide + Seek CoffeePhotos: @megs.veganlife | @cylerparent

We're down with this roaster's Waffle Sunday concept. We're also down with their motto, "hide out, seek friends."

Alberta

The Woodrack Café - Edmonton, AB

Province of Canada - Woodrack CafePhotos: @mkayitskris | @interiorlodown

Come to the Woodrack Café to admire their coffee, live entertainment, and handcrafted decor, all of which is sourced in Alberta.

Saskatchewan

Little Bird Pâtisserie & Café - Saskatoon, SK

Province of Canada - Little BirdPhotos: @angelarkemp | @sophiesuchan

If you go to Little Bird and don't pose with your coffee cup on the upholstered floral sofa, did you really go to Little Bird? This café really is as dainty and feminine as the name suggests.

Manitoba

Thom Bargen - Winnipeg, MB

Province of Canada - Thom Bargen WinnipegPhotos: @thombargen

Thom Bergen is killing it in Winnipeg. Their two locations are defined by unique feature walls, one displaying a hanging garden and the other a mounted bicycle.

Fools + Horses - Winnipeg, MB

Province of Canada - Fools + Horses WinnipegPhotos: @fhcoffee_

We thought the Forks market at the Assiniboine and Red River intersection couldn't get more crafty, but that was before Fools + Horses opened shop.

Little Sister Coffee Maker - Winnipeg, MB

Province of Canada - Little Sister CafePhotos: @littlesistercoffee

Despite their tucked-away, below-grade location, the white subway tiles and hexagonal floor pattern in Little Sister provide a bright, welcoming space in the Peg's Osborne Village.

Ontario

Te Aro - Toronto, ON

Province of Canada - Te Aro TorontoPhotos: @dialaskitchen | @johnsontrinh

Te Aro is the spot for coffee in the east end, and all of Leslieville knows it. There's nothing quite like a latte and cheddar asiago scone from this hub, other than a latte and cheddar asiago scone in summer when the patio opens.

Jacked Up Coffee - Toronto, ON

Province of Canada - Jacked Up Toronto CoffeePhotos: @wildingdan | @wildingpaula

"Grab your Blundstones, we're going to Jacked Up." Look out for the blue 1975 Citroen H mobile espresso bar in Yorkville. The vintage aesthetic is balanced by their modern roast.

Café Augusta - Hamilton, ON

Province of Canada - Cafe AugustaPhotos: @floreanfotescues | @joshuamcdonald

Augusta is a relatively new shop in Hamilton's James Street North neighbourhood and has been a hot lounge spot for McMaster students. We can't get enough of the white archways.

Quebec

Tommy Café + Apéro - Montréal, QC

Province of Canada - Tommy Cafe MontrealPhotos: @tommymontreal

Be it facing the entryway from street level or sitting on a cushioned bay window stool, Tommy's interior and exterior design details capture French Canadian elegance.

Café Parvis - Montréal, QC

Province of Canada - Parvis Cafe MontrealPhotos: @montanaroa | @pluminaa

We could get behind the chipped paint trend if it means our space would look as historic and chic as Café Parvis.

Newfoundland & Labrador 

Fixed Coffee - St. John's, NL

Province of Canada - Fixed Coffee St. John'sPhotos: @fixedcoffeeandbaking

This team names their coffee by country, region, and farm name, rather than roast level and only brews one, "fixed" origin coffee a day. The shop owner also owns Bonavista Coffee based in Bonavista, NL. In sum, they know coffee.

The Battery Café - St. John's, NL

Province of Canada - The Battery Cafe St. John'sPhotos: @thebatterycafe

This St. John's staple offers side-door business at the order window for grab-and-go coffee. Two things we love most about this spot are the ocean view and the cup design that reads, "Recharge yourself with The Battery Cafe."

PEI

Receiver Coffee Co. - Charlottetown, PE

Province of Canada - Receiver CoffeePhotos: @noisepei | @receivercoffee

The Receiver Coffee team is known around Halifax for sourcing local, fresh food ingredients, and supplying their own roasted coffee. This prompted them to expand and open a second location.

Receiver Coffee - The Brass Shop - Charlottetown, PE

Province of Canada - Receiver Brass Shop CoffeePhotos: @lapetitemarika | @vianceknowles

As a division of Receiver Coffee Co., the Brass Shop operates a recently established secondary café with the addition of a roasting facility and bakery. What looks like a hollowed church is actually a warm hangout with hot drinks and baked goods.

New Brunswick

Cinnamon Café - Fredericton, NB

Province of Canada - Cinnamon Cafe FredrictonPhotos: @natasha.cliche | @elijahkarlo

Inspired by middle eastern cuisine, this traditionally Persian café offers vegan and vegetarian meals in addition to their hot drink selection.

Nova Scotia

Weird Harbour - Halifax, NS

Province of Canada - Weird Harbour HalifaxPhotos: @hhhhzixi | @commongood4all

Just like The Battery Café, Weird Harbour is also a Detour Coffee Roaster host. Unlike any shop we've ever been to, they once issued DIY wood burnt gift cards at a customer's request. We're inspired.

Deux croissants, s'il vous plaît.

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"It doesn't have to look Canadian to be Canadian."

Julie Brown
Founder