Our Guelph Favourites

Food and drinks

Coffee Shops

Double Rainbow Cafe (60 Ontario St, Guelph, ON, N1E 3B1)
Our local neighbourhood coffee shop. Very artsy, friendly, and community centred gathering place. Next door to Sugo Mercato (breakfast). To go only - no indoor seating.
Favourites: brown sugar latte (Jess), flat white (Dawson)
The Common (28 Wilson St, Guelph, ON N1H 2Z2)
A downtown coffee shop that acts as a great third space. Delicious coffee and attached to a favourite thrift store
Favourites: flat white (Jess), cappuccino (Dawson)

Breakfast

Eric the Baker (46 Carden St, Guelph, ON N1H 3A2)
Traditional French bakery with amazing croissant and breakfast sandwiches. Cash only!
Favourites: Pain au chocolat (Jess), croque monsieur (Dawson)
Stella’s (Angel’s) Diner (23 Wellington St E, Guelph, ON N1H 3R7)
The best, old-school diner and a Guelph staple. Impeccable vibes, great diner food, and friendly environment. No reservations on weekends but you will not have to wait more than 2 minutes.
Favourites: BLT & homefries (Jess), the original w/ smoked meat (Dawson)

Lunch & Dinner

Mijiida Cafe & Bistro (37 Quebec St, Guelph, ON, N1H 2T1)
Amazing food combining First Nations and Canadian cooking. Located in the heart of downtown Guelph, next door to our independent bookstore and movie theatre.
Favourites: Forager pizza, vertical greens salad, housemade soda (Jess & Dawson)
Makin Thai Food (79 Clair Rd E #102, Guelph, ON N1L 0A6)
This is the best, most authentic Thai food you will ever have. Super flavourful, highly recommend a bit of spice if you are brave.
Favourites: Green curry, pad see-ew, pad krapow (Jess & Dawson)
Baker Street Station (76 Baker St, Guelph, ON N1H 3V5)
Gastropub in a historic house. Exceptional rotating menu, cozy interior, and Dawson worked here when he was in University.
Favourites: Oysters, salmon wellington (Jess), paneer makhani curry (Dawson)

Libations

Spring Mill Distillery (43 Arthur St S, Guelph, ON N1E 0P9)
Cocktail & whiskey bar in a historic mill. Owned by the Sleeman family and located along the picturesque Speed River.
Favourites: Rosemary gin sour (Jess), spring & tonic (Dawson)

Bev’s (101 Beverley St Unit C, Guelph, ON N1E 5Y5)
A ward staple and favourite community space, located in a repurposed warehouse. Seasonally rotating drink menu with cocktails and local beers and ciders.
Favourites: espresso martini (Jess), spicy margherita (Dawson)

Outdoors

The Arboretum (200 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1)
The Arboretum encompasses 400 acres adjacent to UofG campus. A great spot for a leisurely hike, full of plants, gardens, walking trails, woodlands, wetlands, and meadows.
Rockwood Conservation Area (161 Fall St S, Guelph/Eramosa, ON N0B 2K0)
Gorgeous hiking area on the Eramosa river. Includes limestone cliffs, glacial potholes, and ruins of an old mill.

Shops & Staples

The Bookshelf (41 Quebec St, Guelph, ON N1H 2T1)
The best independent bookstore. Great staff recommendations and well curated selections.
Royal Cat Records (295 Woolwich St, Guelph, ON N1H 3W4)
Local record shop, with new and used record selection spanning across genres.
Old Pal Vintage (28 Wilson St, Guelph, ON N1H 4G5)
Impeccably sourced vintage shop in downtown. Funky, colourful, and attached to a coffee shop (bonus!)

Food, Food, and more food

Tomme Cheese Shop (6 Carden St, Guelph, ON N1H 3A2)
Our go to place for the most delicious cheeses of all types. Located across from market square in downtown.
Favourites: townsley road 8-year-old cheddar (Jess & Dawson)
With the Grain Bakery (295 Woolwich St, Guelph, ON N1H 3W4)
One stop shop for the best bread, bagels, and mouth watering baked goods. We’re convinced they have never made something bad before.
Favourites: cruffins (Jess), ham & cheese croissant (Dawson)
Reid’s Candy & Nut Shoppe (55 Wyndham St N, Guelph, ON N1H 4E7)
An insanely good handmade chocolate and confections shop. A Guelph and Cambridge staple for almost 70 years.
Favourites: tortoises (Jess & Dawson)
Guelph Farmer’s Market (2 Gordon St, Guelph, ON N1H 4G7)
Operating since 1827, the Saturday morning farmer’s market has loads of fresh local produce, prepared food, arts and crafts, live music and operates year round.