By Maddie Cholette
Have you been looking for a new go-to drink to shake up your morning coffee run? Maybe you’ve been wanting to explore new cafés in your neighborhood?
As seasoned coffee lovers, we here at the Sheridan Sun are always on the hunt for the perfect coffee shop.
The Sun has taken it upon itself to get out and find the best local cafés, to find the perfect coffee shop experiences without having to make a far commute.
Over the years our team has explored endless cafés in the Greater Toronto Area, and while downtown Toronto is known for having some incredible places to grab a coffee, Oakville and Burlington actually have some of my favourite spots.
Here are five local, hidden gem coffee shops to get out and try this summer.
1. Williams Fresh Café
Starting off with what is probably the best hidden gem café in Halton. Williams Fresh Café is the perfect place for not only coffee, but the best all-around café experience.
Located in Burlington, this café offers an expansive coffee and breakfast menu. Here, you can completely customize your coffee, meaning there is a wide variety of milk, flavour, and drink options.
Breakfasts include sandwiches as well as full plates. There is also a selection of bakery items, like muffins, scones, and cookies.When looking at the café experience, the ambience is both lively and cozy. This place is rarely empty, but there is never an overcrowded feeling.
Staff here deliver your order to your table, which completes the experience. Williams combines the restaurant and café vibe to give customers a rare, elevated experience.
2. Lakeshore Ice Cream Café
This spot is the place to be during the summer in Burlington. This café is located by Spencer Smith Park, making it the ideal place to grab a coffee and sweet treat before taking a walk by the water or strolling downtown.
Their menu has an endless amount of drink options, featuring all the classic coffee beverages as well as a wide variety of ever-changing seasonal options.
As evident in the name, there is a wide selection of delicious ice cream flavors available as well.
Another notable feature is the bakery options. Lakeshore Ice Cream Café always offers a variety of unique croissants, muffins, cookies and more, including seasonal options.
You can also find some good breakfast sandwiches and bagels here.
The café experience here is unique. There is indoor seating, but the outdoor patio is the highlight. During the summer months that are rapidly approaching, the outdoor seating is the place to be and a unique feature not all local shops provide.
3. Tribeca Coffee Co.
You’ll find this hidden gem in downtown Oakville has some of the best espresso around.
Much like the other places mentioned on this list, Tribeca offers full drink customization and a variety of milk and syrup options.
This menu features all the classic coffee and espresso beverages as well as seasonal options. However, the espresso in the lattes here are a cut above, and you’ll have to try it for yourself to understand the hype.
This shop is known for their coffee but also offers bakery options, featuring donuts and muffins.
The bustling ambience here is that of a classic café and if you’re craving that niche, downtown Toronto coffee shop vibe then this is the place for you.
4. Aroma Espresso Bar
It’s impossible to make a list of the best local coffee shops without mentioning Aroma Espresso Bar. This is one of the best all-around coffee shops that does not get enough hype.
Despite being a chain, it still somehow feels like a local establishment.
Aroma offers a wide variety of coffee beverages as well as smoothie options.
But this place doesn’t just offer top tier drinks, the food options are incredible too. They provide a wide selection of breakfast and lunch foods.
Aroma features the best breakfast sandwiches and elevated salads, providing endless variations of each.
This Aroma location includes indoor seating and outdoor tables in the summer months. So whether you want to sit while you enjoy a coffee and sandwich or take it with you on a stroll through downtown Oakville, Aroma has you covered.
5. Whole Foods Market
Now, you might be thinking “Isn’t Whole Foods a grocery store?” And while you’re right, this upscale supermarket also sells a killer cup of java. The chain is known for their quality and that extends to their café options.
Whole Foods’ café bar features a variety of drinks that can up your morning coffee run game.
Whole Foods is known for their quality and this extends to their café options.
As with all the locations on our list, Whole Foods offers full drink customization in terms of milk options. They also cater to ever-changing seasonal latte tastes, as well as fresh smoothies.
Their must-try selection is the seasonal Brown Butter Cookie Latte.
Located by the café in the store is a wall of bakery items, featuring quality muffins and scones.
No seating is available unfortunately, but it’s the perfect place to stop by on your coffee or grocery run.
Now, it’s your turn. As summer approaches, take this inspiration to get out and explore local coffee shops. You might find a new favourite place to add to your morning run.
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