Updated January 2023
No matter what season it is, we can all find solace with a warm drink in a cozy corner of a local café. Uptown Saint John has a great collection of local cafes to choose from. Trying to decide which to visit next? Check out my list below of Uptown Saint John NB Cafes. Each one is a perfect place for a date, family afternoon, or to enjoy some solo time.
Catapult Coffee and Studio
This beautiful brick building is home to a community-focused coffee shop and attached studio. Here you will find delicious fresh specialty drinks made with beans from a variety of Maritimes roasters. They have a selection of house made of sweets (cookies, cinnamon buns, etc.) and savoury (cheddar biscuits, etc.) baked goods. If you love toast, then you have to order from their toast bar serving up delicious options like the “Marco Polo” (avocado & hemp hearts) or the “Harbour Passage” (smoked sturgeon pate). After fueling up on warm coffee and yummy eats, head over to the studio side and peruse the locally crafted items for sale. Everything here has been made by their sister company Catapult Creative.
Gluten-Free Food Details: They have gluten-free bread but do not have a dedicated GF toaster.
Note: They have a new room (as of Dec 2022). To find it just walk straight from the entrance and follow the highway into the back. This space is very large with a wood fire place featured in the center.
Haven Music Hall & Cafe
Cafe by day and evening and a bar at night, this spot on Union Street is a gathering place for types of creatives. This community hub and cool music venue serves up lattes and local beer.
Location: 201 Union Street
Java Moose Coffee Roasters
For over two decades this Saint John company has been roasting coffee beans with fun names like Cocoa Mochanut, Foghorn Blend, Dusty Backpacker, and Canadian Maple. They have two cafe locations in the Uptown Area. At their City Market location, you can grab a quick cup of joe to go. If you are looking to sit back and relax, visit them on Prince William Street with tons of seating to enjoy. Their menu features drool-worthy specialty drinks with different seasonal features. Whether you want a freshly brewed cup to enjoy now or a bag of beans to brew at home, they have got you covered.
Gluten-Free Food Details: Find some gluten-free baked goods at their Prince William Street location.
Note: Their City Market location is closed and undergoing a makeover. Prince William location is pet friendly.
Location: 116 Princess St
Stone Soup Catering & Café
Located in the Social Enterprise Hub building, this little café is worth the walk from the main Uptown area. Outside, their patio has long wooden tables with bench-style seating. Inside are little tables tucked into every corner. Displayed along the walls are items from the Impact Market for sale, with every purchase making an impact on the local community and other great initiatives. The walls themselves are painted in chalkboard paint, making it the perfect canvas for local artist Abi Reinhart. She has filled the spaces around the menu with yummy chalk-drawn fruits, veggies, and other foods. The café is open for breakfast and lunch throughout the workweek and they serve up a good variety of teas, specialty coffees, sandwiches, soups, and daily specials. After you enjoy your lunch, be sure to check out the Hub’s stairwell which has also been beautifully decorated with chalk art by Abi.
Gluten-Free Food Details: They have gluten-free keto bagels that their sandwiches can be made on. They do not have a dedicated GF toaster.
Location: 139 Prince Edward St
The Art Warehouse (Now closed)
Located on Prince William Street, this place is more than just a café; it is an art hot spot! This bright open space features tall ceilings, a historical brick wall, a stylish mural, local artist’s paintings for sale, and bathrooms with picture-perfect leafy wallpaper. I adore how many great little Instagrammable spaces there are in here. Visit and enjoy a specialty coffee made with Just Us beans, a Nova Scotia based roaster (Canada’s first fair trade coffee roaster), or indulge with a boozy drink. You can also get creative on some canvas; they supply the canvas, acrylic paint, and brushes for you to paint whatever your heart desires. Classes and workshops will be offered soon!
Note: Is pet friendly
Location: 120 Prince William St
Second Cup
This locally owned coffee shop offers great roasted beans and delicious drinks! They change their specialty drinks seasonally. Their baked goods are fresh. Be sure to exit at the back to discover a cute outdoor square. CenterBeam Square is surrounded by historical brick walls on all three sides, making it the perfect place to enjoy your beverage.
Location: 16 King St
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Where is your favourite café to relax? Let me know by commenting below!
