I’m excited to share my top picks when it comes to the best coffee shops in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Having lived in Northern Ontario for 5 years and frequently visiting Thunder Bay to grocery shop, run errands, work and grab a coffee, I know a thing or two about which coffee shops to visit in Thunder Bay.
I’ve added to my Things To Do In Thunder Bay guide so make sure you check that out if you’re looking for more local experiences.
THUNDER BAY COFFEE SHOPS
Upshot Coffeehouse
Thunder Bay coffee shop, Up Shot Coffeehouse, has become one of our favourite stops when we’re in Thunder Bay. You can tell it’s a favourite among locals because the owners know people by name and many stop to chat with them. They definitely have a friendly rapport with their customers and we always experience this ourselves. It’s a great spot to grab a coffee to go or you can stay awhile to read a book, visit with friends or do some work. They have lots of seating so finding a table is never an issue. Along with coffee and other drinks, they have a delicious selection of home baked goods that they bring in from another local shop, Donut Run. I enjoyed a jalapeno cheddar scone and chai latte while I did a little work.
The Habit Coffee & Bakeshop
Next up and one of my personal all-time favourite Thunder Bay coffee shops is The Habit Coffee & Bakeshop. If you’re looking for a unique experience and beautiful coffee shop, Habit is a must. This volunteer run coffee shop is located inside a church. It has the most beautiful stained glass windows and they’ve added in some great seating areas. If you’re lucky, the wood burning fire place will be on and you can enjoy your coffee on the cool couch next to it. Or, if you need to get some work done, head to their tables or desk section with the seats made from church pews. It’s definitely a super vibey coffee shop I love. They have great coffee, friendly volunteers, and delicious local baked goods.
Thunder Bay Coffee Shops: Bay Village Coffee
Bay Village Coffee is a unique option and the only local coffee I’ve seen to have a drive up coffee shop. If you’re in a hurry simply drive up and the staff will come to take your order. Every time we go we like to park and walk up to the window at the side of the building to order. They have healthy sandwiches, coffee, tea and other drinks.
The only thing I didn’t love is that my sandwich came in a plastic container.
Windy Shores Café
If you’re looking to enjoy the Thunder Bay waterfront, Windy Shores Café is the best option. In my opinion, the waterfront is the nicest part of Thunder Bay. At Windy Shores, you can grab a coffee and head to their patio and enjoy the view. You’ll likely see a few large ships, and kids playing in the splash pad if you’re there in the summer months. They have a few seats inside if it happens to be raining. Or grab your coffee to go and head for a walk around the waterfront trails.
Rose N’ Crantz
Another great spot to get a locally roasted coffee in Thunder Bay is at Rose N’ Crantz. If you appreciate a great cup of coffee, I highly recommend Rose N’ Crantz. They’re known for their fresh roasted coffee beans. The employees are always super friendly which makes our visits here that much better. They even had a little bowl of skittles on the counter for people to enjoy.
We often grab a bag of coffee beans to go when we visit so we can enjoy their coffee at home.
St. Paul’s Roastery
If you’re looking to pick up some fresh roasted coffee beans to use at home or a delicious fresh brewed coffee, head to St Paul’s Roastery. They have a few tables inside to sit at or if you visit in the summer, you can sit on their patio outside and enjoy your coffee. This is usually where we stop in to pick up coffee beans.
Those are our top picks for the best coffee shops in Thunder Bay Ontario. I’ll keep updating this list as we try and discover more of them!
