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The Why Coffee Shop

4.3 (154 reviews)
Closed 8:00 am - 1:30 pm

The Why Coffee Shop Photos

Business Info

THE WHY COFFEE SHOP ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Divey
Moderate noise
Good for kids
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - The Why Coffee Shop

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Steven C.

This place is exactly what it appears to be, a diner where people can relax, get ready for court, catch up, read the paper. Everyone knows each other, friendly waitresses. If you sit at the counter, you can watch them prepare the food. The food is always good, fresh ingredients. The coffee cup never goes empty. I've enjoyed this place for over 30 years when I find myself in Niagara Falls. It's right down the street from the municipal courthouse, and enjoys a mix of lawyers with their clients, retired people with their friends, regular working folks, all friendly.

The midcentury curving charm of the vintage Formica counter had me at "hello" ....

Love this groovy original in the heart of Niagara Falls/Buffalo NY. Rona is the proprietor- her dad started the joint in 1979 and she has worked there since she was a kid helping her dad out behind the counter. This is the real deal. It was such a pleasure eating my yummy veggie omelet, toast and coffee at the counter as Rona and the team buzzed around making everyone happy. This local midcentury coffee shop has been featured in films and enjoyed by locals for years!

Menu
Crystal O.

Looking for a back to basics breakfast where all the locals eat? This is your place! Retro look had us wondering how much was original- with the red, orange and yellow pendant lights, wood paneling covered walls and the old school candy bar dispenser. The prices are fab- again old school, cash only and you can grab breakfast, coffee and tip for two under $20- just say yes! The counter was filled with blue collar workers that Monday morning, another good sign for me. Street parking is available- we found an easy spot just before it poured rain. Service was spot on, fast and friendly. Just a great mom and pop vibe, local diner establishment. So happy The Why popped up as an option close to us!

the entrance to the store
Sara D.

Take-out only due to COVID-19 times. One needs to phone order and then go in to pay cash only. I ordered Breakfast #3 and a hot chocolate. The eggs done to order, home fries, bacon, and buttered toast. So, I hopped back into the car and ate my breakfast. Yummy! The hot chocolate was better than most places. They provided salt & pepper, catchup packets, jam, utensils, napkin., Then, I was off to walk the Niagara Stare Park.

Stopped here for breakfast while visiting Niagara Falls area. Great prices, great food, breakfast for 2 with coffee for less than $20! Fast friendly service and hot fresh food!

Location- CASH ONLY
Michelle C.

The Overall- CASH ONLY, less than $10.00 per person (price of average drink included), good and fast service, tasty food and a clean establishment. The breakdown- While driving back from Niagara Falls, we were craving a good breakfast. Seven of us traveling with two kids. Our family was looking for an inexpensive place to start off our day. Found this place via Yelp and we were reluctant to visit it since the prices are insanely cheap and it just looked too good to be true. Nevertheless, we decided to trust our Yelp community and the reviews. Don't let the shady look fool you, this place is great! It might not look like a lot, but prices of sides and full entrées vary from $2.00 to $5.75 (most expensive entrée on the menu). Service was fast and friendly, food was surprisingly tasty (server mentioned their home fries are seasoned with "adobo") with fair proportions and coffee was decent. Establishment has been operating since the late 70s, so yeah, it looks old school and like it could use some TLC, but ambience is homey, with friendly and polite locals and everything is sneaky clean. Would visit again if possible.

Menu
Kimberly T.

I m headed back to Brooklyn, and we decided to grab breakfast first. We chose this shop after searching Yelp and seeing the menu. It is a small diner with a friendly atmosphere. The food was good. I eggs tasted fresh and not from a carton. The bacon was just right for me. My pancakes were lighter in color than I like but good. Coffee was also good. It is small in size, so you will more than likely have to wait to be seated. I highly recommend trying this place if you are in the area whether local or tourist.

Bob M.

This little family owned dinner was a perfect stop to start our day. They only take cash so make sure you got some cash on you, but with that everything on the menu is very reasonably priced. The food came very quick and looked awesome. Everything tasted great. We got a lot of food and the bill was under $20. I'm a big fan of little dinners and small family owned places, they always feel more homey.

This is the lunch menu
CaptainRavioli 1.

This place is awesome! I'd really recommend it. The food is great, and it's not super expensive! If you're looking for something hearty and filling, come down here to this lovely coffee shop :)

Davey Dog (spicy sauce)
Miguel L.

Cash only breakfast and lunch place around Main St. Niagara Falls. Went there during weekends and usually not very busy. Food prices are very cheap and foods were tasty. Tried their cheeseburger and Davey dog and they were really good. Will definitely come back to grab a quick and cheap lunch.

Antwan M.

In the mood for some great food at a low price, I'm telling you The Why Coffee Shop is the place to be. I mean it was a full house this morning but the wife and I waited anyhow. Took about 20min to get a seat but once we did service was quick. The waitress took our drink orders immediately, waited for our food for like 10min but like I said it was busy and we knew that. Overall the food was great and the ambiance was nice and relaxing. Would highly recommend this place for a quick bite to eat for such a low price!

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1 year ago

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9 months ago

Excellent customer service, great locals vibe, and top notch breakfast sandwiches. Diner coffee at its best.

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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6 months ago

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

Quick delicious breakfast! Price, food, service was perfect!!! Just a no-nonsense coffee shop!

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6 years ago

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2 years ago

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7 years ago

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2 years ago

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5 years ago

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

Breakfast and service was great. Coffee always stayed full and eggs were cooked perfect.

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3 years ago

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7 years ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

Simple and satisfying breakfast food. Lots of locals were eating there. Service was good. Cash only no CC . Would go there again

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5 years ago

Less then 10 dollars, mom and pop community diner. Perfect portion. Fasts service a great place to start the day. Old school place.

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5 years ago

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2 years ago

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4 years ago

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8 years ago

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4 years ago

Great breakfast spot close to the park. We liked it so much we had breakfast here 2 days in a row.

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Review Highlights - The Why Coffee Shop

I was visiting Niagara Falls and there's not much to do here so I was so glad I found this Great diner!

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Stacked Pancake & Breakfast House

Stacked Pancake & Breakfast House

4.7
(198 reviews)
3.1 mi
$$
Family-owned & operated
Free parking

This place was just not good. We asked for scrambled eggs with cheeese and received scrambled…read moreeggs, which were dry & unseasoned, with cold shredded cheddar on top. I asked the waitress if the cheese could be melted & was told there was really no way to do it. It could be put under a heat lamp but that would take some time. We have asked for our eggs this way at other establishments and never received them like this. The bacon was floppy & needed to be cooked more. My daughter loves pancakes, but she wouldn't eat the ones here. I tasted them, and they were very dense, and tasted like they were from a not-so-great boxed mix. The sausage was good, as was the homemade strawberry jam, and the staff was great, but we won't be returning to any Stacks restaurants.

This place is a must visit if you happen to be in Niagara Falls on the Canadian side…read more The food here is everything you want from an awesome break house. The creative way you can order your pancakes is limitless. I had the Stacked - 2 eggs cooked any way you want them,I ordered over medium which is hard to do and they came out perfect, hash browns, 2 bacon strips, 2 sausage links, with 2 incredible pancakes. I pluses up my pancakes with Nutella and bananas for $1.99 and that was well worth it! The service was great and friendly . Fast efficient team service model that worked perfectly. Our food was delivered hot and our coffee cups were never empty.

Photos
2 eggs, 2 bacon, 2 sausages, home fries (part of a Pancake Stack $13.99)
2 eggs, 2 bacon, 2 sausages, home fries (part of a Pancake Stack $13.99)
French Toast Stack ($14.99) with Strawberry Banana Nutella Cream (+$1.99)
French Toast Stack ($14.99) with Strawberry Banana Nutella Cream (+$1.99)
Table condiments

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The Why Coffee Shop - coffee - Updated July 2026

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