5th Stop on the Coffee Capital Tour!

Balzac’s Coffee Roasters - Guelph, ON.

A gathering place.

“Inspired by the Grand Cafés of Paris, Balzac's Coffee Roasters was brought to life by a burning ambition to bring that culture to Canada. The company was founded in Stratford, Ontario in 1996, and has since grown to 16 distinct locations and can be found on the shelves of grocery stores across the country.” - https://balzacs.com/pages/our-story

Located at the corner of Gordon Street & Waterloo Avenue and in the foreground of the iconic Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate hilltop church, it’s hard to miss the striking amber and brass features of Balzac’s downtown Guelph location.

The inviting café is especially vibrant in the fall when the colour palette seamlessly blends in with the surrounding foliage that blankets the intersection and adjacent Waterloo Avenue Park.

This stop on The Tour was my first introduction to the Guelph coffee community when I first moved to the city and was great way to cap off a visit to the Guelph Farmers’ Market. The Market has been a community cornerstone for nearly two centuries, so it’s only fitting that this is as inviting of a coffee shop as any with its ultra-friendly staff and homey ambience.

The Balzac’s difference.

“What distinguishes Balzac's, aside from unrivalled roasts and formidable female leadership, is that every café is specifically designed to embody the cultural nuances and historical significance of the location it's in. In doing so, each café has carved out a unique personality as a central gathering place for locals. People come to a Balzac’s café to converse and debate, to fall in love and create.”

This shop is a must visit and a surefire place to find great coffee. The added bonus? A warm welcome into an inviting space and a great way to kickstart your day.