Words fall short here. As a visitor who loves all things maple and Shakespeare and coffee, three of my passions align here. I brought the family in for an afternoon pick-me-up before a matinee at the Avon Theatre and all of them thanked me for choosing this spot. Between the amazing food and phenomenal drinks, there is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating to enjoy or take to a nearby park. The service is great and the environment is upbeat but chill. Just what we needed. "Alas, poor Yorick... they brew him well." read more

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Impressed they are open on Thanksgiving! Excellent service at this busy location in Stratford. The space is large and beautiful. There is a patio out front for those who prefer outdoor dining or have pooches. They keep a water dish for the canines too. Dogs are not allowed inside. Their Apple Chai Latte and Flat White were on point. read more

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GET THE MAPLE COFFEE!!!!!! It was delicious, as was the salad. I'm looking forward to trying more items on the menu. read more

Balzac's Coffee Roasters - Maple latte and salad - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Stratford, Ontario

The peppermint mocha was perfect. I needed something to eat that was gluten free so got a prepackaged Rice Krispie treat. It was delicious, but unfortunately I realized halfway through that it's made in the USA :( read more

Got the Matcha Latte ($5.95). I got it reduced sugar and it was not very sweet (which was what I wanted) so if you want some sweetness you would probably need to get the default sweetness option. Pros: - Good selection of espressos, cold drinks, and hot drinks. - Good vibe and ambience. Cons: - Busy although line moves fast. - Not enough staff at peak hours, so takes don't get cleaned promptly. read more

Balzac's Coffee Roasters - Coffee cup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Stratford, Ontario

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Always a good choice for a coffee or tea! The cashew cookie is the best!! Good selection of things to eat and right downtown. I've been here a few times and always good service. read more

We spotted the coffee shop in the early hours of the morning, as we took a stroll around town to get some exercise and more importantly, to catch up with each other. Even though it was early, people were already sipping a fresh brew on the patio or peering at the treats under glass domes on the counter. The striking coffee shop is long with a counter on one side and numerous seats on the other. I loved the pattern of the floor tiles, the tin ceiling, and wall moldings. In one corner, there were coffee and teas available for sale, alongside mugs and travel cups. Under those glass domes, I saw biscotti, numerous brownies (one vegan), stacks of cookies, carrot cake squares, and lemon and butter tarts. The glass case held piles of croissants, trays overflowing with scones, and a variety of muffins in fluted wrappers. There is also a refrigerated case built into the counter filled with drinks and pre-made sandwiches. We showed up at the wrong time to order though, a tour bus must have pulled up or was planning to pull out. There was a press of customers standing in line and over-ordering. The frenziness in the air seemed to suggest a schedule that needed to be respected. However, the line moved quickly and I was able to try a cheddar chive scone and a butter tart. Butter tart, I miss you so much! The scone was dense and flavorful, crumbling nicely to the touch. I loved the butter tart with the syrupy center, intense flavors, and morsels of raisins. The crust was nice as well. I had half of each. Even though I was on vacation, I was still being careful about carbs. The staff, perhaps, feeling the pressure of the lines, worked efficiently but soberly to get people out the door. I love people watching so we sat a while by the small marble bistro tables to see Stratford natives interact with the large tourist population. read more

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Great spot- coffee and tea. Espresso and matcha even! Have oat milk for those people that can't do dairy. Love my matcha latte and companion had flat white. read more

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Balzac's is one of my favourite coffee franchises. This location is great. Super friendly.

Having visited Balzac's every year I attend the Stratford Festival for as long as Balzac's has been open, it never disappoints! Great coffee beverages and many delicious goodies! And a very good feel, a place that locals and visitors alike enjoy. This year I had the good fortune of staying just upstairs from Balzac's and spent every single breakfast there. Oh, it's also nice that they have early opening hours - great for early risers like me! Of course, the staff is kind and helpful, too. read more

Balzac's Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Stratford, Ontario

best maple latte i've ever had. amazing coffee and service. this is a must-try if you're visiting stratford!!

Always enjoy supporting the shops when travelling through Stratford. Disappointed today when I requested coffees in mugs and told they don't serve in mugs in the last hour of the day. I'm told I have to drink out of a paper cup. If I wanted to pick up a take out, I'd go to Tim's. read more

Bakzac's not only great coffee and pleasant service BUT wonderful pastries/scones and yummy brioche! Treat yourself! You deserve it!

Best coffee and pastry I had in Stratford (and I tried the main places). Good service and made sure my Americano was the way I liked it.

This was the best latte I've had since moving back home from LA!! Vanilla oat milk latte, 10/10 recommend. Their vegan banana muffin was also delicious and they even warmed it up for me. Will be back! read more

Balzac's Coffee Roasters - Vanilla oat milk latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Stratford, Ontario

Interior is warm. Also busy. Decent coffee. Staff was very friendly. Did i mention staff was friendly...... read more

Balzac's Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Stratford, Ontario

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Best turmeric latte we had, regular coffee was pretty good too, we also tried their cashew cookie, it was excellent! read more

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This is my first and favorite stop on my vacation to Stratford. The array of pastries and tartes on glass stands and the smooth coffee are my favorite indulgence when we stop here. We needed sweet snacks so I got a frosted brownie which was rich, dense, and fit my chocolate craving perfectly. The frosting was thin and smooth. I ordered an unsweetened iced tea which was strong and refreshing. Not the disgusting powdered kind at all. My Mom ordered a mocha which was not too sweet and delicious. Her carrot cake was light, had sweet spices, and a fluffy cream cheese frosting. read more

Balzac's Coffee Roasters - Balzac's Coffee, Stratford, Ontario...the dessert selection - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Stratford, Ontario

I've been coming here for 25 years, ever since high school. This summer has a great set of baristas: Lana, Alana, and Shannon in particular. I usually go to meet one set of friends in the morning, and then another set of friends mid-morning. The baked goods are consistently well stocked now. While I have my regular choice, I sometimes feel like spurging and enjoy the oatmilk latte which gives a feeling like a warm oatmeal cookie right out of my Grandmother's kitchen, or the lavender latte which makes me feel like a French princess. I'll sometimes get one of the pink and purple flower sugar cookies so I can embrace my younger imagining-I-was-a-princess self. Both front and back patios are wondeful for an intimate discussion with friends. read more

Balzac's Coffee Roasters - Blue Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Stratford, Ontario

I love the atmosphere of this coffee shop, especially in the summer. It has such a sweet European-looking storefront and patio with flower that makes it look very charming and inviting. Inside, it is a quaint little coffee shop that looks like an old fashioned general store with many varieties of coffee and hard to resist desserts on display. I ordered the Organic Chai Latte and it was delicious. There were many vegan offerings here, which made the friend I was with very happy. She said the Vegan Blondie brownie was very good. The service was friendly and professional and I will definitely be coming back here every time I am in Stratford. read more

Loved this cafe! Ordered an oat milk latte with a vegan brownie and it was delicious I love the plant based food options as well as the plant based milk alternatives :) read more

Balzac's Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Stratford, Ontario

Excelent coffee and a wonderful environment. When you walk in you are greeted by welcoming employees and the aroma of fresh coffee. I tried their "coffee in a cone" and was more than satisfied. It may sound a little odd but it's totally worth the try! read more

Balzac's Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Stratford, Ontario

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Great Customer service and delicious baking goods. Cleaned and well organized restaurant.

I love the vibe of this coffee shop. I tried the Winter Blend coffee and it was great. While the place was crowded and didn't get a chance to be here, I'll certainly like to spend some time around here next time. read more

To start, I have known Balzac's Stratford since it was a sign in the window of the former Fundamentals kids book and toy store: "Coming Soon - Coffee Shop". That was 1996, I was dating a local woman, now my wife. I became part of the "crowd", I spent so much time there. Jenn F.,, Sammy, Caroline, Mikal H. and his dreams of script writing. Friday night poetry readings, and the acrid smell of roasting beans all the way down Ontario St. Diana O. and her first husband, Frank S., running the place in tandem. My niece and nephew, now 24 and 22, grew up there. Uncle Sean, we're done, can we go now??? My daughters, born in Victoria to a naval officer and wife, would visit every time we were back in Ontario. We'd run into Brian Bedford, Juan Chioran, Cynthia Dale or Sheila McCarthy. Now.... Corporate posters of various locations in the chain. No roaster, that's in Stoney Creek. Festival City Blend? Nope, other chain locations do not have a theatre, so no local blend for you, Stratford! Paper cards to get nine stamps for a free cuppa? Changed to a swipe card. Nope, swipe card now an "app" that doesn't work on my brand of phone. Back-lit menu boards, contrary to Diana's statement on Dragon's Den. New yellow cups and lids that don't fit together. Formerly used to have local bakeries (Dufflet, anyone?) make their pastries - now corporate made, logo'd muffin liners and all. I pop in occasionally out of nostalgia, but more often than not I am found hanging out at Revel on Market Place. The staff are always awesome, I must say. read more

Haven't been here in a few years. Looks remodeled and sterile. Might as well bring a Starbucks into town now. Coffee is still the same good stuff although I've seen keurig cups around town so I don't suppose their as environmentally conscious as I thought they used to be. Scones aren't as fresh as I recall either. read more

This cafe is so beautiful . Grate place to enjoy a nice cup of coffee however it can be a little on the expensive side

Unfortunately we chose to try your coffee. It was served scolding hot and it was burnt due to the extreme temperatures you brew at. It ended up in the garbage, only after a few sips, on our way to the next place. This is NOT a premium coffee house more like an over-rated over-priced pile of . Please stop making coffee. read more

The atmosphere in Balzac's Coffee is like no where else I have been, and the MUSIC!!! amazing, Sinatra, or Little Walter, it just does not get better! I always have the same thing, Vanilla Soy Latte & Granola and it never disappoints. The service is friendly and fast and the faces there are familiar... Lots of Hipster-Scenester types just really chilling out in there. I love it, I go every Monday! For what I order it is $9. Here are my two feed backs... It is cold in there, I am not comfortable removing my coat when I sit to eat my granola. Turn on the heat. Second... Add a tip option on your debit machine, I am from Toronto I don't carry cash but I want to tip the lovely server there... just a thought. If it wasn't cold and tipless I would give it a 5. I recommend Balzac's read more

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Service is good and the coffee has always been great. The treats are made with high-quality ingredients which shows in the taste. Can be noisy but can also be quiet depends on time of day and season. Balzac's is always clean and tidy. The only negative is finding a place to park which is a problem for all the shops in downtown Stratford. read more

Coffee is great (best latte art I've seen so far). I also ordered their Parisian Mist (French Breakfast tea latte) which tasted amazing. Love the atmosphere & decor. Especially the back patio. Even on a chilly afternoon it felt wonderful sitting there. Service is fast & friendly. I'm very pleased. I noticed how someone complained about the pastry...but as you all know cafes have their pastries catered from bakeries, so they can't be that fresh. That is why if it is good pastry you're after you should go to a bakery / patisserie instead. I ordered their peanut butter crunch square and biscotti. Frankly their taste already surpasses the disgusting stuff that Starbucks has to offer, so really it is quite decent. Anyway I think this place definitely deserves a 5 star. read more

Best coffee in Stratford. Great atmosphere, and friendly staff. Street parking is hard to find, especially in tourist season There's parking around back for a couple of cars, and if you're lucky one of them will be open. Otherwise, park behind Bentley's and walk behind the shops to the back entrance. Only wish they were open later. read more

This is one of my all time favorite coffee shops. It's a bustling cafe in the heart of town. The staff is friendly and the cappuccinos are to die for! There is a nice quiet patio located in the back, and a patio located in the front of the shop. There is a lot of shopping around here as well. It is the perfect place to grab coffee with an old friend or to grab your laptop and finish that essay you've been procrastinating. read more

This is our second visit to the Stratford location. I had the maple latté. It was outstanding. Of course, the company makes it good too. So doe the ambience. Great location. I really love this place. I just found out that there is a location in the Distillery District at home in TO. Now I have yet another reason to move to Distillery District. If you're in Stratford, grab a coffee here. You will be quite happy with it. read more

Balzac's Coffee Roasters - The best reason to be here. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Stratford, Ontario

I loved this place bustling cafe. Beautifully decorated with ample, comfortable seating and a great place to people watch while you sip on a fabulous cup of coffee! Yes, the coffee was delicious and so were the desserts! We had the lemon tart and the butter tart with two lattes. Not only were the tarts wonderful in flavor, they were also very fresh. We loved it so much, we bought some java beans to take with us. Way to go Balzac's Coffee! If you love cafes you've gotta check it out! read more

Super cute coffee shop. Glad I was able to talk my boyfriend out of Tim Hortons for our coffee pit stop. There's something about drinking a cappuccino out of a real mug that changes everything. We sat on the front patio that reminded me a bit of France. The back patio appeared to be quieter. It looked like more locals were sitting back there. All in all great spot in a cute town. Happy we stopped. read more

One of my favourite coffee shops, ever. Amazing coffee no matter what you order. Amazing service too. My wife loves the Chai Tea Latte, says it's the best she's ever had. read more

Great variety nice decor with outside patio and shade in the afternoon awesome service :-) free wifi that worked well read more

Balzac's Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Stratford, Ontario

My husband were just visiting Stratford over the weekend and had a wonderful time. We stopped here for coffee everyday and absolutely loved the atmosphere and the people! Can't wait to be back again soon! read more

I pick up a coffee here everyday. It may be because it is conveniently near the post office and my daily mailing and coffee break are intertwined. Or it may be that the coffee is very good. I generally get the house blend, black and leave it at that. Also one of their muffins, which are far better than most of the overly sweet, cakey muffins at other coffee franchises. According to my partner, and amateur baker, the cheddar chive biscuits have great flavour and texture. I wouldn't know, since I need to watch my girlish figure. The only negative, sometimes the roasting smells more like burning from street side. And the difficulty of parking downtown during festival season (which is a problem for most businesses in the area). But we can't beat the cheap meter rates. read more