1.) Balzac's Coffee
A new addition to the coffee shop list in Downtown Kitchener, and the new best in my opinion. The new shop is located in the Tannery on Charles St. with the Google complex and a few other commercial tenants. Their salvaged floor complements the open ceiling and rough cut timber with steel framing. The terrace outside looks out over the University of Waterloo pharmacy building and the steel framing artwork that was once part of the original Tannery building.
With the selection of about five different roasts, they offer a good basic coffee as well was a delicate-tasting espresso. Their treats boast the unusual squares and tarts was well as the elaborate take on coffee shop standards like the molasses cookie topped with candied ginger. Their roasted beans are my favourite in KW at the moment for home brew. Having tried the espresso blend and the organic Sumatran, I have not been left unimpressed. It works great for drip coffee and the moka pot.
2.) Matter of Taste - Downtown Kitchener
A long established Downtown Kitchener favourite, Matter of Taste delivers a wonderfully powerful espresso that can be skillfully augmented by steamed milk. I personally have not had their flavoured syrups to their coffee, but according to friends they are also quite good (they offer non-standard flavours). This shop sits right next to the Wax and Bobby O'Brians, so the pedestrian traffic is high, which makes for an interesting people-watching experience on their patio on the sidewalk.
3.) Seven Shores
This is a fair trade and organic safehaven off on Regina St. in Uptown Waterloo. With an adorable shaded patio and organic grocery shelf, this shop along with its patrons makes you feel more down to earth. The baristas are always busy but cheery when you stop to say hello. Their espresso is good, not extremely memorable, but considering the quality of many espressos in town, to be remembered is probably not for good reasons. This was the first place I tried rice milk in my drink (mochaccino), and it was way better than soy milk! So overall, good coffee, cute locale for those who want some breathing space to sit, work, chat, or just get away (all of this while still being in Uptown Waterloo).
4.) Coffee Culture - Uptown Waterloo
Coffee Culture made a splash in Uptown Waterloo when it opened because of the already present Starbucks and Matter of Taste in the Waterloo Town Square. It quickly became the go-to place for meeting friends because of the abundant table and couch space and easy King St. location by the police station. This shop probably offers the widest array of food in this list since it spans ice cream, baked treats, blended frozen fruit drinks, flavoured lattés, and sandwiches.Their espresso is not in the same tier as the three shops above, but it has a decent drip coffee and lattés.
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