It’s 10 a.m. on a Saturday or Sunday, and you’re thinking about all that you have to do over the weekend to prepare for the next week (or to catch up on the last three or four weeks). The to-do list is long. Scary long.
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So if you’re like me, you’re always looking for a nice off-campus café where you can bring a couple friends (or just go alone), sit at a table for four or five hours, and just get some work done.
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While Stauff and Douglas are great, libraries aren’t exactly where I want to be spending my weekend mornings and afternoons. They make you feel almost intimidated by all the hard-core studying that’s happening around you, and if you talk, you have to whisper to not make enemies. That’s why the cafes downtown are perfect – you’re still surrounded by a flurry of activity, you have amazing food and drinks right there, and you feel like you’re still “going out” even though you’re doing your readings.
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I love going with a friend or two. You can keep each other motivated, and when you’re not feeling the work anymore? Put it aside for a bit and just talk.
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So, after doing a bit of exploring and Google mapping over the past couple months, I’ve made a list of seven off-campus destinations that are great work environments, but would also look good if you’re all about the aesthetics. Some of these are my personal favourites, and some are ones that I still have to pay a visit to. If you’re ever in need of ideas, I hope these help!
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1. CRAVE Coffee House and Bakery (166 Princess Street)
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This is the most popular one that you probably already know about (they pretty much sponsor all the events on campus). They have amazing pastries, food and snacks, and the best drinks. CRAVE is your textbook definition of a café study space. They have a common table area with plugs so you can charge your laptop, they have tables around that, and then some armchairs positioned right by the fireplace. All you have to do is take your pick of what you’re looking for. The only thing about CRAVE is that if you want a spot (especially if you’re going with more than just one friend) you need to get there bright and early because it really starts filling up after noon. So if you’re ever up at 8 or 9 on a Saturday or Sunday morning, this is definitely where you should head.
If you go, the glazed cinnamon buns are a must.
2. Balzac’s Coffee Roasters (251 Princess Street)
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This is a hidden gem on Princess Street, and probably one of the coziest cafes to end up in on a chilly winter day. What I love about Balzac’s is the décor and vibe of the place. It’s your typical old town coffee shop, perfect for just grabbing a coffee with friends and probably one of the better places to go if you want to sit in solitude to do work.
3. Coffee and Company (55 Princess Street)
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Coffee and Co. is one of the lesser known coffee shops because it’s a little farther down Princess Street and involves a bit more of a walk from campus. In my opinion, if you’re looking for to-die-for coffee and pastries, you’re better off going to Crave or Balzac’s. Coffee and Company is better to go to if you’re looking for a bit of a quieter café that might not be as busy. There isn’t as much noise and usually when I go, I’ll just see people sitting alone at a table reading the newspaper. I’ve had their ice cream (even on a winter’s day) and I absolutely love it.
4. Café le Matin (137 Princess Street)
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My friend and I found this one day when we were wandering Princess Street with our backpacks on, in desperate need of a café to go to (we made the trip downtown at noon, so Balzac’s and CRAVE were already packed). It’s not exactly the ideal cozy café environment (it’s more like a diner with the wide open space and the metal tables and chairs), but it usually has a lot of space and they offer a lot of great lunch options for such good prices. This place is also the best for having a casual weekend breakfast – they have so, so many options and you’re bound to find one that you like.
5. NORTHSIDE Espresso and Kitchen (281 Princess Street)
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When I look for a downtown study spot, this place never crosses my mind, mostly because I associate it more with being a breakfast/lunch spot; but I walked past it the other day and saw that at the front of the store and at the back, they have a big communal table where you can just sit, get some coffee and a snack (or a meal if you’re up for it) and work. The place does get really busy over the weekends with families, couples, and hungry Kingstonians; so if you’re not good working with noise and activity around you, I wouldn’t recommend it.
6. Juniper Café (370 King Street West)
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You’ve definitely seen this place on your Instagram feed. Located in the Tett Center, it’s probably one of the most aesthetic looking coffee shops in the area, and it comes with an amazing Lake Ontario waterfront view. So if you’re looking to get away from Princess Street for a bit and shake things up, this is definitely where you should go. I haven’t been here yet, so it’s definitely where I’m planning on heading next weekend.
7. The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts (390 King Street West)
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Didn’t know the Isabel was a study spot? Well, it is, and it has the best view (winter, spring, summer, or fall). The main floor has tables you can sit at and while you’re drowning in your psych or econ notes, you have the lake view to keep you company. All you have to do is catch the bus from campus and it takes you straight there.