There’s no denying the old-world charm that you’ll find in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Every visitor spends some time exploring the beauty of the heritage district with its gorgeous buildings and historic homes. Wondering are there any coffee shops near me when visiting town? Chances are the answer is yes! Whether you’re looking to enjoy a cup of joe while you do so or need a jolt of energy to start your day, we can’t recommend these amazing Niagara-on-the-Lake coffee shops enough!
Il Gelato di Carlotta
You may not think of it as a coffee shop with gelato in the name, but Il Gelato de Carlotta is one of our favourite Niagara-on-the-Lake coffee shops. Cappuccino, latte, espresso – you name it, they’ve got it!
Your coffee beans are ground fresh with every order and brewed right in front of your eyes. Though chances are you won’t be watching your drink being made as you’ll be distracted by all the incredible goodies this cafe has! If you’re going to grab a latte, we can’t recommend their coconut latte enough. However come summer, you won’t be able to resist their affogato with one (or two!) scoops of their creamy gelato.
If you’re not a coffee drinker, don’t worry. Their hot chocolate is supposed to be amazing and prepared in Florence by their gelato maker’s secret recipe! Il Gelato di Carlotta also offers decaffeinated coffee as well as a wide range of teas.
Il Gelato di Carlotta Information
Address: 59 Queen St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
Hours of Operation: Monday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, Friday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Nina Gelateria & Pastry Shop
We know, it’s another gelato shop but we can’t help that they have amazing coffee too! Gelato and coffee just go hand-in-hand, apparently. At least that’s the case in Niagara-on-the-Lake!
This adorable little shop will probably entice you with their treats more than their coffee, but it’s definitely not to be scoffed at. Nina Gelateria doesn’t mess around as their espresso maker is an authentic Italian “Leva” machine. Imported directly from Naples, it’s fully human-powered. That’s right – no fandangled buttons on this bad boy! Rumour has it that it’s the only machine on the entire continent!
Enjoy a latte, cappuccino, macchiato or go straight for the gusto with an espresso. Nina Gelateria only uses Ionia Gran Crema Beans from their favourite brand, Zavida Organica. This organic Arabica blend is 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified meaning it’s naturally grown on certified farms that practice socially and environmentally responsible practices.
Nina Gelateria & Pastry Shop Information
Address: 37 Queen St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
Hours of Operation: Daily from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Nolaa’s on the Lake
Sister store to Nolaa Granolaa in Grimsby, Nolaa’s on the Lake offers is the town’s only keto-friendly and gluten-free cafe and bakery. While these diets have become more popular, many are under the impression that keto-friendly and gluten-free eats aren’t nearly as tasty as their typical counterparts – that’s definitely not the case at Nolaa’s!
The ketogenic diet has been shown to help treat ailments from heart function to brain disorders. This is one of the reasons why Nolaa’s exists today! Owner Melissa Woodworth became familiar with the keto diet when her son was just 3 years old. Suffering from seizures, he underwent test after test to try and find the root cause but to no avail. It wasn’t until Melissa had him adapt to a keto diet that they stopped – and he’s been seizure-free for 13 years!
INSIDER TIP:
If you don’t make it earlier in the day, then definitely plan to visit after 3:00 pm as all of their baked goods are 50% off!
Opening in March of this year, Nolaa’s may be the “new kid on the block” but they’re certainly making a splash. Ever since their grand opening, they’ve been a welcomed addition to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Whether you’re on a keto diet or not, you can’t go wrong with their goodies so be sure to stop by!
Nolaa’s on the Lake Information
Address: 106 Queen St Unit 3, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
Hours of Operation: Monday to Wednesday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sundays & Thursdays from 10:00 am to 6:00pm, Fridays & Saturdays from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Victoria Teas & Coffees
Family-owned and operated since 1994, Victoria Teas & Coffees pride themselves on serving up the best coffee and tea you can find across the globe. They only purchase in small quantities to ensure their products are as fresh as can be!
You won’t find just top-quality coffees and teas but the largest selection with over 180 blends and flavours! Forget your typical blend or even pumpkin spice, how about Niagara icewine, blackberry brandy or chocolate stout? You’ll be blown away by what you’ll find in-store! Pop in whenever you find yourself strolling down Queen Street and see what their coffee of the day is. We bet there’s a unique flavour just waiting to be tasted!
Victoria Teas & Coffees is a member of the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada as well as the Coffee Association of Canada, ensuring you will receive only the best quality coffee and tea. They also only source their tea from distributors who are a part of the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Victoria Teas & Coffees Information
Address: 108 Queen St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
Hours of Operation: Daily from 9:00 am to 4:00pm
Balzac’s
Located just across the street from the famous Prince of Wales Hotel, Balzac’s iconic Parisian charm fits perfectly into Niagara-on-the-Lake’s charming heritage district. You can’t miss this adorable location with its homey vibe and canary exterior. Enjoy a coffee or one of their seasonal concoctions on their patio as you’re surrounded by the beauty of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Pups are also welcome on the patio so dog owners can bring their furry friend along too!
There’s always the option of taking your nitro cold brew, iced matcha latte or whatever your beverage of choice is for takeout. As it’s just a few blocks away from Queen’s Royal Park, it’s the perfect destination for a stroll. Sip on your coffee as you enjoy the beauty of Lake Ontario along the waterfront trail towards the Butler’s Barracks National Historic Site.
Now we typically don’t include chains on our lists, but we’re making an exception for Balzac’s. Why? This is an Ontario chain that started in Stratford. Even though it has expanded to include 16 locations across the province, it’s still local at heart!
Balzac’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Information
Address: 223 King St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
Hours of Operation: Monday to Thursday from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm, Friday to Sunday from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
More Niagara on the Lake Coffee Shops
The coffee shops above are all in Niagara-on-the-Lake proper but if you’ve been to the region before, you know NOTL actually spans quite a bit of area! These Niagara-on-the-Lake coffee shops might not be in the heart of the heritage district but they’re definitely worth checking out.
Sweets & Swirls Cafe – This little Niagara-on-the-Lake cafe is located in the town’s community centre. You’ll find a range of coffee and tea as well as light meals and of course, sweet treats. They’re currently only doing pre-orders, however when the community centre is open, it’s not uncommon to see the place packed with folks of all ages enjoying their eats and treats.
The Pie Plate – Located in the heart of Virgil, The Pie Plate is run by Ruth Anne Schriefer who grew up creating traditional German-Mennonite recipes alongside her grandmother. You’ll find a wide range of eats on their menu, many of which inspired by what’s available from local farmers. Come summer though, their peach pizza is not to be missed! Though you can’t miss a slice of their carrot cake, no matter what time of the year it is.
Sonos Cafe – If you’re tired of the schwanky hubbabaloo that can come along with a visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake, a visit to Sonos Cafe is in order. This family-owned mom-and-pop shop was once a Donut Diner and is a throwback to simpler times with its old-school diner vibes. Their menu is extremely affordable as the majority of items are priced at $10 or less for a delicious, homecooked meal. Sonos Cafe is also said to have the best donairs in Niagara… but you’ll have to try it yourself to find out!
TEAliSe – With the goal of sharing parts of the world through tea, TEAliSe offers over 100 different kinds of whole-leaf teas from across the globe! White, green, black, oolong, rooibos, herbal, fruit – you name it, they’ve got it. They also have a variety of treats that pair perfectly with tea like Japanese mochi. If you’re a fan of bubble tea, you have to try one of their tea kits!
Additional Niagara Coffee Shops to Check Out
Planning on spending some time exploring the Niagara Region and are curious to know about some more coffee shops? You’ll have to stay tuned for our future guides (like our downtown St Catharines coffee shops post!) but until then, here are a few more suggestions for your coffee shop fix:
- 416 Coffee in Port Dalhousie
- Black Sheep Lounge in Welland
- Green Apple Coffee Shop in either St Catharines or Port Colborne
- Pikaso Cafe in St Catharines
- Station One in Grimsby
- Third Space Cafe in Niagara Falls
- Wandering Spirits Coffee in St Catharines
As you can imagine, this is just a small sample of the coffee shops you’ll find across the Niagara Region. Whether you’re looking for an energy boost or a sweet treat, you’ll find just that at the cafes on this list!
Looking For Something a Little More Substantial?
Grab a Bite to Eat at These Fantastic Niagara-on-the-Lake Winery Restaurants!
While we do our best to keep the information on Eat Local Ontario up to date, we sometimes miss things. If you notice something that needs to be updated, please comment or send us an email at eatlocalontario[at]gmail.com and we’ll look into it as soon as we can. Thank you!
