Get your caffeine fix at one of the best coffee shops in Markham! Located just north of Toronto, Markham is one of the largest areas in the GTA. It’s filled with a diverse array of cafes. There are cafes that serve up an epic brunch with your coffee. Plus, many of the shops that have a fun theme that are worthy of the Gram!
10 Best Coffee Shops in Markham
With so many incredible things to do in Markham, you’ll need plenty of caffeine to fuel your adventures! I’ve rounded up all of the best cafes in Markham! This list includes something for everyone, whether you’re craving a cup of espresso and pastry. Or you’re looking for fun latte art in a creative space, there’s a Markham café for you!
Starving Artist Waffles & Espresso
Best known for their brunch, Starving Artist Waffles & Espresso is the perfect place fuel up in Markham!
Starving Artist has three shops in Toronto and one location in Markham. This cafe serves up everything on waffles! I was blown away by how awesome their waffles are. The waffles have a perfect crispy outside with a fresh and fluffy inside.
With a menu filled with waffle-based meals, there’s everything from sweet to savory. Plus, there are gluten free as well as vegan friendly options. And one of their top sellers is their potato waffles.
This brunch spot is also an espresso bar with a variety of hot and cold drinks. For premium fuel, get their double Americano. Or, if you’re like me and love a chai latte, then you’ll love theirs! Plus, they also have a list of milkshakes, smoothies and alcoholic drinks.
The name, Starving Artist, has real meaning here. Throughout their creative space they showcase work by local artists. And the best part is that the art is not just for show, each is for sale! In addition, to help the artists the shop doesn’t charge to display nor a commission.
Starving Artist Waffles & Espresso Information
Address: 5762 Hwy 7 Unit 3, Markham, ON
Hours of Operation: Monday to Sunday 9am – 6pm
Phone: 905-554-6388
Pod Coffee
Tucked off the main street of the historic Unionville is Pod Coffee. This Unionville coffee shop is set in a cute little white home that’s been converted into a hot spot!
Pod Coffee is simple in design and logo. They let their fair trade coffee do the talking! We both really love this little coffee shop! They serve a small selection of espresso-based coffees as well as pastries.
Plus, you’ll find an assortment of coffee accessories for home. Pod Coffee sell pour over coffee brewers, filters, as well as numerous specialty coffees and teas.
Pod Coffee Information
Address: 142 Main St Unionville Unit 2, Unionville
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am – 6pm
Phone: 905-604-7771
Platform Espresso Bar
One of the coolest themed coffee shops in Markham is Platform Espresso Bar! As you can imagine, the cafe has a train theme.
When you enter, you’ll immediately encounter some of the railway décor. Upon entering there is a sign directing you the ticket counter. On one wall is a large mural of an old steam train. The opposite wall has an assortment of prints of different train car. Plus, there are old train spikes to hang your coats on!
As a big train nerd, I absolutely loved this coffee shop! The latte was great and so was the service! Our server helped us with the menu as it’s even train themed! You can choose your roast. It starts with a Twilight Express, which is a light roast. The next is the Commuter, a medium roast. And goes to Midnight express, which is a dark roast.
Platform Espresso Bar’s drink menu is varied. Options include typical coffee drink, both hot and cold, as well as specialty Conductor Creations. I tried the Rose, which is an espresso latte with rose syrup. Then it’s topped with edible petals! The Rose latte from Platform Espresso Bar is one of the most Instagrammable coffees in Markham!
Coffee and tea at Platform are sourced from roasters across Canada. They even have Hatch Coffee Roasters, a local Markham roaster. Along with their fun coffee and tea options, the cafe serves an assortment of creative dishes. You can enjoy breakfast and lunch classics with a twist, like their Sunrise Waffle Club Sandwich.
Platform Espresso Bar Information
Address: 4450 Hwy 7, Unionville,
Hours of Operation: Monday to Sunday 9am – 4pm & Closed Tuesday
Phone: 905-604-9110
Monkey Hut Cafe
What do art, coffee and plants have in common? You’ll find them all at Monkey Hut Café!
The Monkey Hut Cafe is one of cutest coffee shops in Markham! The cafe is incredibly welcoming and inclusive. This is evident with their rainbow bench that sits out front during the summer. Inside there’s a hanging plant wall and more sitting on the window ledge.
Another fun and colourful feature of the coffee shop is its massive mural. Across one wall is a huge mural of a person drinking a coffee. If you’re looking for a great café in Markham to spend time working, Monkey Hut is a solid option. The seats are comfortable and there are plugs too!
A popular drink to order is their Ca Phe Da. This is a traditional Vietnamese coffee that has sweet condensed milk in it. It has a bold flavour and highly worth a try! I also highly recommend enjoying one of their pastries with your coffee! Their scones are great but I love their almond croissants. These croissants are the biggest you’ll see, so come hungry!
Monkey Hut Cafe Information
Address: 336 Copper Creek Dr, Markham
Hours of Operation: Monday to Sunday 7am – 6pm
Phone: 905-244-3623
It’s The Cat’s Meow Cafe
The name harkens back to the 1920s saying that refers to something splendid. And it’s certainly true! However, that’s not where the name ends. While the name originally referred to the saying, thanks to the help of it’s loyal and dedicated customers, it has taken on a whole new meaning.
Shortly after the café opened customers started asking to bring in their favourite cat teapots, knickknacks, and other cat-themed items. The owner obliged. Now, the café is filled with cat décor!
It’s The Cat’s Meow Café is one of the cute cafes in Markham! You can find the café just off the main street in the historic Markham Village. The building it occupies dates back over 150 years and was once a carriage house.
Now this cozy café serves up cups of coffee as well as a variety of food. And all at good prices!! The pancakes are a great addition to your morning coffee, they’re light and fluffy.
And there’s another fun feature of It’s The Cat’s Meow Cafe. The sizes of the coffees are Pussy Cat for a small, Tom Cat for a medium, and Fat Cat for a large!
It’s The Cat’s Meow Cafe Information
Address: 138 Robinson St, Markham
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 7:30am – 7pm, Saturday 8am – 7pm & Sunday 10am – 6pm
Phone: 416-876-8229
Espresso 21 Cafe
Another great coffee shop in Unionville is Espresso 21 Cafe! It’s also located on Main Street Unionville and offers an eclectic space.
Espresso 21 serves a wide selection of drinks, including coffee, teas, and smoothies. There’s even a Coffee Smoothie for those hot summer days! Plus, they have treats, ice cream, and cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory! It’s a lovely spot to go for brunch in Unionville too. However, be prepared for busy weekends at this hotspot!
The space is a fusion of Hollywood glamour and industrial chic with exposed brick walls. You’ll also find an array of lush green plants to add to the aesthetic.
Espresso 21 Cafe Information
Address: 159E Main St Unionville, Unionville
Hours of Operation: Sunday to Saturday 10am – 6pm
Phone: 365-608-3788
Alchemy Coffee
In an unassuming strip-mall is a trendy coffee shop that’s known for their Instagrammable brunch menu.
Alchemy Coffee is a passion project by brothers, Ken and Edward. After leaving their corporate jobs they jumped into the coffee shop business together. Now, over 5 years later they have just opened their second cafe.
Their drink menu includes highlights like the Hojicha Latte, Cortado, and classic brewed coffee. But you’ll want to come hungry and try one of their incredible brunch items! These aren’t your grandmother’s breakfasts. Alchemy serves up an elevated fare that’s almost too good looking to eat. Almost!
Along with a variety of eggs benny styles, the menu includes Duck & Waffles and pasta dishes. Plus, there’s sweet items too! A tasty option is their French Toast that’s made with homemade brioche. It’s topped with crispy bacon, sous-vide apple, apple lime syrup, and parmigiano.
Alchemy Coffee Information
Address: 4361 Hwy 7 Unit 1, Unionville
Hours of Operation: Monday to Sunday 8am – 4pm
Phone: 905-604-6622
Reset Coffee Bar
For those on the search for a relaxing coffee shop that is perfect for catching up with friends or relaxing with a good book, Reset Coffee Bar is what you’re after!
This coffee shop is all about helping customers hit the reset button. The atmosphere is calm, the colours soothing, and only with coffee will wind you up. It has a modern yet cozy vibe, with chairs that will make you want to sit for a while.
Reset Coffee Bar’s drink menu is a mix of classic coffee and tea beverages, with a hint of interesting options. I went with the Spanish latte that was the perfect blend of warm and spice on a cold day. Plus, their latte art is stunning!
The food menu will entice you to linger too! Seasonally-inspired, their menu fits the forecast! The menu celebrates fresh, seasonal ingredients to create nutritious dishes. A couple of top choices are the Japanese Spicy Salmon Toast and the Lemon Ricotta & Berries on Sourdough. However, don’t fret if you’re craving a dessert! They also have a selection of tasty treats, like cookies and croissants!
Reset Coffee Bar Information
Address: 222 Copper Creek Dr, Markham
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Friday 8am – 4pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am – 4pm, Monday Closed
Phone: 647-773-4224
The Bernese Barista
Pup owners and those craving a wag-worthy good time, head over to the Bernese Barista!
This coffee shop in Markham is dog friendly and will warm your heart as soon as you enter. It’s located in Berczy Village and across from the historic Berczy Square.
The coffee shop is always buzzing with wagging tails and friendly dogs making friends. With a corner unit, the shop is full of windows letting the light pour in. Along with seating for humans there are water bowls scattered around for pups to drink too.
Even if you don’t have a dog, the Bernese Barista is a fun coffee shop. They serve a range of specialty drinks, including Hatch Coffee. If you’re hungry they’ve got you covered with a selection of tasty treats too!
The Bernese Barista Information
Address: 6 Nipigon Ave, Markham
Hours of Operation: Saturday & Sunday 8am – 5pm, Tuesday 9:30am – 6pm, Wednesday to Friday 8:30am – 5pm, Monday Closed
Phone: 905-927-9555
Hatch Coffee Roasters
Markham is home to a wealth of awesome coffee shops, but it’s also home to a coffee roaster!
Hatch Coffee is a coffee shop that roasts their own coffee on site. In their storefront you can grab a cup of coffee and a bag of one of their blends for home. Plus, through a wall of glass you can see directly inside where the magic happens!
With a strong Scandinavian influence, Hatch Coffee prides itself on showcasing the varying depths to their blends. And since coffee is a fruit, they aim to make sure those fruit flavours come through in every cup.
They offer direct trade coffee, meaning they purchase their coffee beans direct from the producer. This goes in hand with Hatch Coffee’s mission to be as sustainable as they can.
If you’re looking for a unique experience, Hatch Coffee offers hands-on workshops as well as events. Learn the true craft of making coffee and so much more! Plus, for the passionate coffee lovers they also have a subscription box. Every three months subscribers receive exclusive coffees straight to their door.
In addition to their coffee shop in Markham you can also find their coffee in various cafes across Toronto, the GTA, and in Markham!
Hatch Coffee Roasters Information
Address: 802 Cochrane Dr, Markham
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 9:30am – 4:30pm, Saturday 10am – 4pm & Sunday Closed
Phone: 905-474-3555
More Markham Coffee Shops to Try
The list of coffee shops in Markham is long! Whether you’re looking for a refreshing iced coffee or a special place that, there’s a cafe for you!
B.P.M. Cafe – Nestled in Cathedraltown, off of Woodbine Ave, is B.P.M. This nice little café offers a variety of drinks and light fare. I recommend their Blue Butterfly latte! The shop also features a number of items for sale from local small businesses. Plus, the view of the Cathedral of the Transfiguration at the end of the street!
Cho-Kwok Lat – Sitting on the Main Street of Markham Village is the best dessert cafe in Markham! As soon as you walk into Cho-Kwok Lat you’ll be met with the sweet aromas of fresh pastries and chocolate. They craft all of their pastries and chocolate bars in house. Plus, they’ve got a lovely calm space to sit and enjoy your sweets with a cup of coffee. I recommend ordering a Matcha Pillow and Orange Blossom latte!
Wayne’s Cup – A special coffee shop in Markham that is giving back is Wayne’s Cup. They are a not-for-profit organization that is both a cafe and life skills centre. The welcoming cafe offers a place for adults with special needs to grow and develop skills. Plus, you’ll find a variety of fresh baked goods, sandwiches, and coffee. In addition, the sell an assortment of products like candles, seasonal gifts, and more!
Start planning your trip to Markham today! Be sure to pop into one of the many fun coffee shops in Markham. And if we’ve inspired you to visit, tag us on Instagram and we’ll reshare!
This post was created in partnership with York Durham Headwaters, Ontario’s best road trip destination. And as always, all opinions are my own.
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