As Guelph Realtors, we’re proud to support our community beyond real estate. That’s why we’ve created the Support Local Guelph series, guides that spotlight some of the city’s best businesses, products and services.
In this edition, we’re focusing on the best coffee shops in Guelph. Our city is filled with independent cafés and cozy spots and it’s no surprise they thrive, Guelphites truly love their coffee. From trendy cafés to hidden gems, each shop offers its own unique atmosphere and flavor.
☕Important note: This list is in no particular order and we do not accept compensation for inclusion on this list. These are genuine recommendations to help residents and visitors explore Guelph’s vibrant coffee scene. If you think we missed a must-try spot, let us know, we’re always looking to add to our top coffee shop picks in Guelph.
1. Planet Bean (259 Grange Road East, Guelph)
Planet Bean has been a staple of the Guelph coffee scene since 1997, when it became the city’s first coffee roastery in over 50 years. Originally located downtown, Planet Bean is now based at its Grange Road café and roastery, which continues to serve as the hub for roasting, wholesale, and community connections.
From the very beginning, Planet Bean has specialized in certified Fairtrade and organic arabica coffee, earning a reputation as Guelph’s premier roastery. For many locals, the rich scent of roasting beans became part of the downtown experience, making Planet Bean a true landmark in the city’s coffee culture.
Today, Planet Bean offers more than just coffee by the cup. They also wholesale beans and provide services to cafés, restaurants, gourmet grocers, offices, universities, schools, and even churches across the region.
The Grange Road location provides a relaxed, casual atmosphere where you can enjoy freshly brewed coffee alongside desserts and light bites. While their original downtown location is now closed, Planet Bean remains one of the top coffee shops in Guelph for anyone who values ethical sourcing, quality beans, and a welcoming community vibe.
Map for Grange Rd (original) location and roastery here:
2. The Common (28 Wilson St, Guelph)
Many years ago when Beth and I lived in Toronto, The Common opened up on College St and it became our go to on Saturday mornings. Ironically, the best part about it was that you almost didn’t even know what it was. Perhaps a small window sign with a store name but that’s it.
Much to our delight, one opened in downtown Guelph and had the same vibe. In fact, they don’t even have a website and their Google Business Profile “website” links to some pixeled photo of a cowboy figurine.
The Common has an old school vibe to it. Not fancy or pretentious, all coffees are made to order (so if it’s busy, you may be waiting for a while….). Some swear it’s the best coffee in town. There is no menu either but a few baked goods that come from Eric the Baker down the street.
3. Balzacs (5 Gordon St S, Downtown Guelph)
Although a smaller chain, we’d be amiss to not mention Balzacs. Originally started in Stratford, they moved into the Toronto Distillery District and now Guelph. Beth and Ryan were semi-regulars at that Distillery location before moving back to Guelph!
Balzacs is located in the corner unit of a condo building across from the Guelph Farmers Market. Insiders tip: if you plan to get a coffee at Balzacs on Saturday morning while the market is going, it can get busy.
Lot of seating here, with ample windows for people watching. There is also an outdoor patio space in warmer weather. This location gets very busy on weekends and on Saturdays (Guelph Farmers market mornings)
Visit them online here
4. With the Grain (295 Woolwich St, Guelph)
This is a coffee shop location that we’ve been to many, many times. Technically it’s a bakery but we feel it’s pretty close to a cafe in Guelph.
Originally, With the Grain was on both sides of Woolwich at London Rd as a restaurant and bakery. Then, they closed the restaurant side (now Park Eatery) and focused (and sold) the bakery portion.
Although not really a coffee shop, they do sell coffee from Lost Aviator (see below). Over the last few years, their baked goods have really ramped up in offering and tastiness! So, if you haven’t been there for a while, you should go back!
There is no seating at this location, it’s take out only.
Visit them online here
5. Lost Aviator (404 York Rd, Guelph)
New to the scene, Lost Aviator was founded in 2020 by, you guessed it, pilots. These two friends were likely limited in flying time during covid and started a coffee business.
In 2022, they opened their first location at 404 York Rd, in an area that could certainly use a bit of a destination store. This part of the Ward is starting to see some gentrification.
It’s a take out centred café, although they do have a small seating area and some baked goods. Lots of parking in the area.
Note summer 2024: there is construction going on in the area and it can be difficult to access this location at times. We’d ask that you still try and make the effort and keep this excellent business supported!
Visit them online here
6. Red Brick Café (8 Douglas St, Downtown Guelph)
This coffee shop would likely win “the most café like” atmosphere in Guelph. Located on Douglas St, its been around for a while. At one point, they also had a second location on Westmount Rd.
They serve all kinds of drinks – coffee, wine, beer and some hot food offerings. They also have other events like live music. It’s pretty large with both a front and back room- and a great back patio! They’ll often feature local art here.
Pro tip: If you are looking to plug in your devices, you’ll only find outlets at a few perimeter seats. No actual parking here, so you’re limited to street parking (which is also quite limited). You’ll likely have to park on surrounding streets.
Visit them online here
7. Cavan Coffee (1467 Gordon St S, Guelph)
This was formerly a Planet Bean location, now Cavan Coffee. They have one main brick and mortar location in South Guelph, but most of their business is in products. Their website outlines all of this.
The brick and mortar location on Gordon is busy, it has a homey feel to it with lots of seating. A great selection of coffee and baked goods here.
Special Note: If driving here, although the address is Gordon St, you cannot access the plaza via Gordon. You’ll need to turn onto Heritage Dr and enter the plaza that way. There is also ample parking at the back. This plaza is also home to Win Chinese Food, one of the excellent choices in our best chinese food in Guelph blog.
8. Found Coffee (17 Gordon St S, Downtown Guelph)
New on the scene in Summer 2022, this coffee shop expanded from downtown Toronto locations to downtown Guelph.. From their website, found.coffee, they say:
Found Coffee’s dream is to be more than a coffee shops – to be a community serving the community. To connect and reconnect people who were seemingly disconnected, disregarded or disenfranchised and where possible our proceeds and profit to be planted and reinvested into social justice initiatives focused on helping fight mental illness, poverty and rebuild communities
The is one of the only small cafés in Guelph that we’ve seen that has an online ordering system for both food and drink. Their menu is also more than baked goods- steel cut oats, avocado toast and much more. Welcome to Guelph!
9. Capistrano Bistro (42 Wyndham St N, Downtown Guelph)
Known simply as Capistranos, this location is likely Guelph’s original coffee bar. Opening in 1994, it’s evolved its offering and menu to adjust to trending tastes over time. The coffee here is amazing, and so is the food.
Although most cafes in Guelph serve baked goods, but they also have a full on lunch menu of salads, paninis, flatbreads and more. In the summer on Fridays, Downtown Guelph hosts live music over the lunch period. A great chance to catch some local talent!
There is no designated parking here as it’s in a downtown area, so like the Red Brick Café you’ll need to built in an extra few minutes to get a spot and then walk. Visit their website at https://capistranobistro.ca/
10. Centurion Coffee (1027 Gordon St Suite 10, Guelph)
Tucked in the back of a plaza just south of Gordon and Kortright is Centurion Coffee. To be honest, we hadn’t heard of it until our teen daughter started regularly going there. Apparently, it’s a big spot for studious students because Centurian is open late (7am-midnight every day!). A simple read through of their Google reviews mentions this as a key feature!
It’s not a huge place, but enough room to comfortably have a coffee and chat (or do some work). They offer a wide range of barista made options, drip coffee, cold drinks and desserts. It can get busy at times and sometimes people stay a while so you have to be flexible on your timing after 5pm.
Lots of parking in the plaza and ample plug ins for laptops. They also have a roastery in town, but remember that the only retail (coffee shop) location is on Gordon. Website here
Beth and Ryan’s Support Local Initiative
As part of our commitment to our community as Guelph Realtors, we’ve compiled a series of directories as guides to people looking for local products and services, including Guelph coffee shops!
This list is a part of our larger, support local initiative in a wide variety of categories.
Some other lists we’ve created include:
For more information on the Guelph real estate market, give us a call! We’re Guelph realtors who know the local market.