Coffee.
It’s the life force of the working class.
We take it for granted too often as we chug our morning brown at our desks or on our commute to work.
In a world of climate doom, divisive political landscapes and an impending financial crisis, it’s a little treat we give ourselves to help us get through the day.
And Thursday, September 29th is National Coffee Day.
So here are eight local coffee shops to spend a few bucks on the fancy roasted bean water you deserve:
Hey Happy
They’ve been a mainstay of Victoria’s coffee scene since they opened their doors.
This hipster’s paradise is always spinning a vinyl record by an artist you’ve never heard of, they’ve got some seating for book-readers and laptop-bringers and they source their beans from some of the best roasters on the island and across Canada.
Plus, they recently added cocktails to their menu as they now have a liquor license.
- Where: #122, 560 Johnson Street
- When: Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Weekends, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Habit Coffee
They’ve got two locations to help you get your fix whether you’re near their Chinatown or their Atrium location.
They ethically source all their beans that make their brew that much tastier and they work in collaboration with BowsxArrows (who deserve an honourable mention on this list) since day one.
Their sister restaurant, Sherwood, is also a mainstay and has one of the best happy hours in town.
- Where:
- Atrium – 808 Yates Street
- Chinatown – 552 Pandora Avenue
- When: Hours vary depending on location
Discovery Coffee
Not only do they have some of the best coffee in town, they also have some of the best doughnuts, courtesy of Yonni’s Doughnuts.
They will serve you with a smile from any one of their five locations across town.
You deserve a cup ‘o joe and a cruller, so go get one!
And while you’re there pick up an orange shirt! They are a partner of Victoria Orange Shirt Day after-all!
- Where:
- 664 Discovery Street
- 2550 Rock Bay Avenue
- 1001 Blanshard Street
- 281 Menzies Street
- 1964 Oak Bay Ave
- When: Hours vary depending on location
Fol Epi
Coffee? Yes.
Bread? Yes! Literally some of the beast loaves in Victoria.
Charcuterie, baked goods, breakfast sandwiches AND pizzas?? Abso-friggin-lutely.
They’ve got a couple locations to get a perfect loaf made from Red Fife wheat and a coffee in one fell swoop.
Check out their sister restaurant Agrius too for one of the best dining experiences Victoria has to offer.
- Where:
- 535 Yates Street
- #101, 398 Harbour Road
- When: Hours vary depending on location
Saint Cecilia
THE spot for third wave coffee and any home coffee brewing equipment.
They source their beans from the best roasters in the world.
If you want to have a super fancy, ‘treat-yo-self’ day, this is the place.
- Where: 535 Yates Street
- When: Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Shatterbox Coffee Co.
In Victoria’s Public Market, they have the coffee you deserve.
The Public Market is a one-stop-shop for all things fanciful and their carefully crafted coffee blends do not fall short of that standard.
- Where: 1701 Douglas Street
- When: Monday to Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Union Pacific Coffee Co.
Worth the wait in line, they are ‘Victoria’s heritage coffee shop.’
Get a scone, a nice oat milk latte and have a seat in their alleyway patio. One of Victoria’s best book reading spots.
Also, perfect for a little coffee date!
- Where: 537 Herald Street
- When: Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Rhino Coffee House
Langford coffee nerds represent!
They roast, they brew and they started in Tofino, so you know they are cool.
They’ve been connoisseurs of all things coffee since they opened their doors in 2013.
If you haven’t bean there (pun intended), you my friend, are blowing it.
- Where: #111, 2840 Peatt Road
- When: Weekdays, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekends, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Did we miss your favourite coffee shop? If so, tell us about it in the comments!
