Seven Shores - Waterloo, Ontario

Kinjal R. (.

This community café in downtown Waterloo is such a lovely find! It has a very cozy and welcoming ambiance that makes you want to sit down and stay a while. They’ve thoughtfully created different spaces to suit everyone: a children’s play area filled with toys (perfect for keeping little ones engaged while parents enjoy their cappuccino), a book stand if you’re in the mood to read, and both indoor and outdoor seating. The indoor seating is warm and inviting, while the patio is a real treat as it’s surrounded by trees, it feels breezy and peaceful, making dining outside a genuinely pleasant experience. You’ll notice a mix of mismatched furniture and cutlery, but that only adds to the warm, inviting charm of this community café ☕️

The food here is delightful, and their weekend specials are definitely the highlight. Each weekend they offer something unique beyond their usual menu, and it’s always worth trying. I once tried their artichoke wrap from the weekend special, and it was simply delicious, very flavourful and satisfying!
On the other hand I tried their veggie black bean burger from their menu and it was just okay (a bit dry and felt like it was missing some toppings like onion, pickles!), but overall the food is nice and fresh. Staff were friendly and helpful even when it was busy. A lovely spot to relax with family or friends.

Soban A.

I visited this café about two years ago but didn’t get a chance to sit down. This time, I had more time and ordered a few pastries along with our coffees. Overall, it was a good experience. The coffee tasted good, my latte was a bit on the cold side, but still enjoyable. The staff were very friendly and welcoming. There’s plenty of seating, mostly set up for small groups of 2–3 people, but there are also two larger shared tables on opposite sides of the café if you’re with a bigger group or don’t mind sitting with others. The pastries were fresh and decent, not anything special, but still good. The washrooms were clean and well maintained.
Street parking is limited, so you might have to circle around a bit. The noise level inside is moderate and never gets too loud, which makes it a nice spot to relax or get some work done. They also have a full tea menu if you’re not in the mood for coffee. The outdoor seating area is a nice touch for warmer days, with a few tables available.
Overall, a solid spot for coffee and a light bite.

Rayan E.

Perfect spot to start your day!
Stopped in for breakfast and was impressed.
The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming. I had the tomato pesto cheese toast and butter pancakes, and they were perfectly prepared
The coffee was strong and smooth, and service was friendly.
There were vegan options.
Highly recommend for a relaxing and satisfying morning!

Adam F.

Nice cozy cafe. Lots of food options and coffee choices. Even their gluten free scones were good. Coffee cake was good and the blueberry scone was the best. Will definitely be back.

Melissa A.

This was my first time visiting Seven Shores and my first impression was honestly just how lovely and cozy it is. From the outside it looks small, but inside it’s surprisingly big with several different seating areas. One room even has a large dining-room sized table surrounded by smaller tables, and there’s art covering the walls, big bright windows, and soft, warm colours that give it an almost Scandinavian vibe. There’s even a kids’ area and baskets of blankets you can borrow. It’s such a pretty space. I can totally see myself coming back on a snowy winter day.

The menu is simple but has a nice variety (it kind of reminded me of Smile Tiger’s menu: earthy and no-fuss). My friend and I both got iced coffees which were super affordable (around $2) and you add your own cream/syrup. We also ordered the cheddar egg English muffin. It was exactly what you’d expect — nothing fancy — but still satisfying and worth the price. I do wish they had more vegetarian options.

Service was really friendly. The staff call out your name when your order is ready. They were really understanding when my friend’s tap payment didn’t work and still let her take her drink while she figured it out. The noise level was medium but still pleasant, and there’s a big outdoor patio with lots of seating too. They also have cute little chalkboard signs when they sell out of items-lots of charm in this place!

It’s also really well located right by Waterloo Square.

Overall it’s a really warm, inviting cafe. I’d definitely come back for a quick bite or to try their soups and salads next time 🙂

Michael

Coffee has always been fresh and their breakfast plates are excellent. Nice atmosphere and service, recommended. 👍🏻☕

Marta M.

The salad was very tasty. No acknowledgment from the staff behind the counter: no hello, nothing, just chatting amongst themselves. Finally I managed to get their attention and place an order. Loud super personal conversations in the dinning rooms while a few students study with their headphones on. I guess you either love it here or you are like me.

Aishwarya

Has to be my top favorite cafe spot in the city for me. Love the coffee and the vibe! Their cute corner with toys for toddlers to play with is always appreciated as a mom of 2! Keeps them busy while we can enjoy sipping their delicious coffee!