Best Stratford Coffee Shops You Need to Visit

You won't want to miss these amazing Stratford coffee shops! Every time I travel to a new place, I'm always looking for the best coffee in town. Stratford is one of the cutest towns in Ontario, and one of the best road trip destinations in the province. Needless to say, I've visited Stratford on numerous occasions, so I've had the opportunity to try just about every coffee shop in town.

My Stratford travel guide shows you all of the best things to do in Stratford, and it's a great place to visit in the winter, too. I've also outlined all of the best restaurants for vegan eats in Stratford, and an article about an intriguing summer festival called World in a Weekend. Along this this Stratford Ontario coffee guide, I have an abundance of useful information to help make your trip super fun and enjoyable.

Best Stratford Coffee Shops: The Livery Yard

The Livery Yard is an espresso bar and cafe located in the heart of downtown Stratford. It's one of my favourite coffee shops in Stratford, hands down. The cafe is spacious with lots of seating, and there is a wide array of coffee and tea beverages for every taste. The Livery Yard is situated inside a historic building that was once a livery stable.

I enjoyed a mocha with plant-based milk when I visited the Livery Yard as it's an item you can redeem on the Stratford Chocolate Trail. There are many hand crafted espresso beverages on the menu. Directly across from the Avon Theatre, it's a great place to stop after you see a show or live performance. And speaking of live performances, there are often musicians playing at the Livery Yard, too. The Livery Yard is open every day of the week except for Sunday.

Stratford Coffee Shops: Revel

Revel is another amazing independent coffee shop and espresso bar in Stratford. They take pride in serving direct fair trade coffee. There's plenty of seating indoors, as well as on their front and back patios. Works by local artists hang from the walls. There's complimentary Wi-Fi, lots of tables and even some couches to cozy up on.

I enjoyed an iced Americano when I visited Revel. The coffee is rich and smooth, and they have several plant-based milk options. Revel is open from Wednesday to Sunday, but closes on Monday and Tuesday. They offer local coffee bean delivery within Stratford, and Revel also ships their beans across Canada and the USA.

Edison's Cafe Bar

Edison's Cafe Bar is a whole foods cafe owned and operated by a local husband and wife team. They have lots of vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options on the menu. It's called Edison's Cafe Bar because Thomas Edison was once a resident of the upstairs inn in 1863. You'll see a beautiful drawing of Edison across one of the cafe's brick walls.

I enjoyed a healthy and delicious chia pudding with fresh fruit, as well as a mug of freshly brewed coffee. Justin got an order of avocado toast on a bed of greens. Both of our meals were a great way to start the day. Edison's Cafe Bar is open from Tuesday to Saturday, serving the breakfast and lunch crowd from 9am to 3pm.

Stratford Ontario Coffee: Brch & Wyn

Brch & Wyn is a Stratford coffee shop and wine bar, just outside of the main downtown core. Although it's a short walk up Downie Street to reach Brch & Wyn, it's worth making the extra little walk up the street to reach it. This Stratford cafe is beautifully decorated with Instagrammable backdrops and an abundance of greenery.

Although I stopped by for a cappuccino, Brch & Wyn has a menu of light eats and a bar menu, too. Furthermore, if you can't decide between coffee and wine, you can enjoy both at Brch & Wyn. Their coffee beans are sourced from nearby Cambridge roaster Monigram, as well as a unique herb-infused coffee by Cafezia. Brch & Wyn is open from Wednesday to Sunday, staying open late from Thursday to Saturday.

Balzac's Stratford

Balzac's is a popular chain of coffee houses throughout Ontario, though the very first Balzac's opened in Stratford back in 1996. I've visited several Balzac's locations and they all serve delicious coffee and espresso beverages. I love how you can get a variety of plant-based milks here that go beyond the usual ones, like macadamia nut milk. They also introduce many seasonal offerings throughout the year.

Stratford Coffee Shops: Lady Glaze Doughnuts

First and foremost, Lady Glaze Doughnuts is a doughnut shop in Stratford. But, they've got delicious coffee, too! Pair your coffee with a donut...or a few donuts as it's really hard to decide on just one flavour. Lady Glaze Doughnuts is a stop on the Stratford Chocolate Trail, allowing you to redeem your voucher for a donut and a coffee.

There are several vegan donuts at Lady Glaze Doughnuts. I opted for a vanilla sprinkle donut with an iced Americano with oat milk. The doughnuts are fluffy, sweet and satisfying, while the coffee is equally as delicious. Lady Glaze Doughnuts is right up there with the best coffee shops in Stratford, Ontario.

Alley Cat: Cat Cafe

Not only does Alley Cat Cafe have yummy coffee, but they also have several cats to visit and play with, too! These adorable cats come from four different rescue centres in southern Ontario, and Alley Cat Cafe is trying to find their forever homes.

You can make reservations for a half hour or an hour, and I highly suggest making reservations as this place does book up. We had to wait an hour or so after booking our appointment. Justin and I got an iced coffee and a lemonade, and enjoyed them at the Stratford Market Square. There are lots of tables with umbrellas, so it's a great place to relax and unwind in the middle of the bustling city.

When you visit the cats, it's important to take off your shoes, leave all of your belongings (especially food!) in the little room before you enter the room with the cats. Then, you can play with the kitties! They were all pretty sleepy when we visited in the middle of the day, but some of them were looking for rubs and attention. So cute!

Coffee Culture Cafe & Eatery

Coffee Culture Cafe & Eatery is a popular chain of coffee shops throughout Ontario and Manitoba. While I haven't been to the one in Stratford (the only spot on this list I haven't visited!), I've been to several Coffee Cultures in other Ontario cities. They offer a lot of seating, you can work on your laptop, and they have free Wi-Fi. The Coffee Culture in Stratford may stay open later than other coffee shops in town, so it could be the best choice for late night caffeinated bevvies (open daily from 7am - 10pm).

Where to Buy Coffee Beans in Stratford

While there are so many delightful Stratford coffee shops, there are also coffee roasters and places to purchase coffee beans, too. You can continue to enjoy the tastes of fragrant and rich Stratford coffee from the comfort of your own home.

To Bean or Not to Bean: Stratford's Coffee Roasting Company

Stratford's coffee roasting company and coffee shop is To Bean or Not to Bean. It's a short drive outside of downtown Stratford and it's worth the trip. You can buy whole coffee beans, coffee making accessories, and cups of coffee at To Bean or Not to Bean.

As another member on the Chocolate Trail, your voucher provides you with two options: ¼lb of Ethiopian coffee beans or a freshly brewed 12oz cup of coffee paired with a homemade all-natural energy bar. I opted for the best of both worlds - I redeemed my voucher for the coffee beans, and I also bought a cup of coffee.

Buzz Stop Fine Coffees and Tea

Buzz Stop has over 50 varieties of coffee from around the world. They've also got some packaged international cookies and treats to pair with your coffee, too. Buzz Stop is also a featured stop on the Chocolate Trail. You'll receive a ¼ pound bag of Bavarian chocolate coffee beans. You'll keep the magic of the Chocolate Trail alive and well when you brew this chocolate coffee back at home.

More Coffee Guides in Ontario (And Beyond)

And if you'd rather make your own coffee, here are some great ways to brew coffee on the road, whether you're at the airport, staying at a hotel, or camping outdoors. More of a tea fan? Here's how you can host your own English afternoon tea party at home!

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