5 Must-Try Niagara-on-the-Lake Cafes (From a Local)

Like everything else in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the town’s cafes are ridiculously charming. Plus, they all offer something a bit different and unique. 

There are Parisian-inspired patios perfect for people-watching, laid-back Korean cafes that serve deceptively delicious pastries, and popular gelaterias with espresso that tastes almost as good as it does in Italy.

Whatever you’re looking for in a Niagara-on-the-Lake cafe, let me help you find it.

In this post, I’m sharing some of the must-visit spots you can’t miss—even if you’re only in town for a day.

1. Il Gelato di Carlotta

This artisanal gelato and coffee shop has some of the best coffee in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Like most Italians, the owners of Il Gelato di Carlotta take their coffee seriously. They source their beans directly from Italy, from the oldest roaster in the country. 

If you drink espresso, this is the place to get it. Prefer something without caffeine? They also have decaf coffee, tea, and hot chocolate (made from a special recipe created by their gelato maker).

A word of warning: if you plan to pop in for a coffee, good luck making it out of there without buying something else—whether it’s a scoop of their authentic gelato or a pistachio-filled croissant (which is made with pistachios from Sicily, as an FYI).

2. Soko Bakery Cafe

As soon as you visit Soko—a Korean bakery and cafe on Mary Street—you’ll understand why I think it’s one of the best cafes in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The owners are super sweet, and they’ll greet you with a big smile and a friendly “hello!” the moment you walk through the door. 

You can tell they love what they do—and it shows through the exceptional service and hospitality they provide.

Soko’s interior is simple, clean, and quiet. It’s the kind of place where you can sit back and savour your coffee in peace. Since it’s a 15-minute walk from Queen Street, Soko is usually far less busy than the cafes in NOTL’s main tourist area.

The coffee is fantastic here, but I’m a big fan of their matcha lattes. The matcha they use is a deep, vibrant green and super flavourful, and I think it might be some of the best matcha I’ve had in Niagara.

Beyond coffee and matcha, Soko’s baked goods are also amazing. Everything is prepared fresh daily in-house, from Korean-inspired favourites like matcha roll cakes and almond cream soboro buns to croissants, scones, and muffins.

If you’re looking for something savoury, don’t leave without trying their sausage leaf (a hot dog baked in fluffy dough and covered with cheese). 

3. Balzac’s

Inspired by Paris’ cafes, Balzac’s brings a bit of French coffee culture to Niagara-on-the-Lake. 

It has a distinctly Parisian feel, from the small round tables to the woven rattan patio chairs and the Art Deco floor tiles. The ambiance is lovely and it’s the kind of place that makes you want to hang around for a while.

Another thing to love? This cafe has quite a bit of outdoor seating, which you won’t find at many cafes in NOTL. Since Balzac’s is located on Queen Street in the heart of the Heritage District, it does get very busy here—especially on weekends.

Balzac’s has all the coffee and tea staples you love—from brewed coffee to espresso-based drinks and chai lattes—along with fun seasonal options.

Depending on the time of year you’re visiting, keep an eye out for their Pumpkin Harvest Latte (made with actual pumpkin puree), White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Latte, or Cafe Canadien (espresso with honey, vanilla extract, cardamom, and steamed milk).

4. Nina Gelateria

This is another gelateria with excellent coffee. They make everything from lattes to cappuccinos with an authentic manual espresso machine imported from Naples.

As you can imagine, this type of machine works best with high-quality espresso beans, which is why they only use Ionia Gran Crema (an Italian brand known for its exceptional crema). 

When you walk inside, you’ll notice a display case filled with beautiful-looking tarts, croissants, macarons, and so much more. Everything is made in-house by their Swiss pastry chef—and it’s all delicious.

Years ago, I worked in town at a building almost directly across the street from Nina Gelateria. I can’t tell you how many chocolate croissants I’ve eaten from here (it’s an embarrassing amount). 

They also have a selection of sugar-free, gluten-free, and keto-friendly options.

Junction Coffee Bar

Located slightly off Niagara-on-the-Lake’s main tourist trail, Junction is a popular spot with locals.

It was founded by a mother-daughter duo with a mission to bring back a sense of community and togetherness in Niagara—which they’ve definitely achieved. 

Their menu includes a selection of hot and cold beverages and baked goods, but they’re best known for a unique experience: coffee tasting flights. 

Junction’s coffee flights are essentially like a beer flight: you get to try four specialty coffees with different flavours and toppings.

The coffee flavours change seasonally and include options like cinnamon toast crunch, s’mores, pumpkin pie, and gingerbread (depending on the time of year you book).

If you’re a serious coffee enthusiast, you can stick to their classic Learners Permit flight, which includes a flat white, americano, and macchiato, and espresso.

FYI: coffee flights must be booked in advance and time slots fill up quickly on weekends.

You can find the link to book on their website or Instagram profile.

Read more about Niagara-on-the-Lake:

• One Day in Niagara-on-the-Lake: What To See, Do & Eat
• 8 Best Wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake for Lunch
• Unique Places to Stay in Niagara-on-the-Lake 
• How to Get Around Niagara-on-the-Lake
• Niagara-on-the-Lake in Winter: 7 Fun Things to Do