A Guide to Every Cafe in Kingston.
When you just need somewhere to study (that isn’t Stauffer).
1. Elm Cafe:
Location: 303 Montreal Street Kingston, Ontario K7K 3G9
Hours: T-F 7am to 5pm; S & S 8am to 3pm
Wifi: Yes & it’s pretty good!
Outlets: Yes (under the tables)
Lighting: Bright natural lighting at the front, and dimmer in the back
Atmosphere: An artsy feel. It’s usually quiet until 10am, then it gets quite busy. Trendy creatives love this spot AND the cafe features local artists’ work on their walls.
Best Kept Secret: Just get there early.
Price: $$
Food: They serve sandwiches, baked goods (vegan friendly) and a range of drinks
2. The Alibi Cafe:
Location: 293 Princess St Kingston, ON K7L 1B4
Hours: T-S 10am to 5pm
Wifi: Yes
Outlets: on the “cafe side”.
Lighting: A little dark
Atmosphere: Quiet and airy during the day. There’s not many people studying here on a Sunday afternoon.
Best Kept Secret: Honestly, the food.
Price: $
Food: Small but delicious menu! The food is filling and they serve some unique items. They are also vegetarian & vegan friendly!!
3. Division Starbucks:
Always crowded, busy, & expensive. It’s Starbucks.
4. Musiikki Cafe:
Location: 73 Brock St, Kingston, ON K7L 1R8
Hours: M-S 12pm to 2am
Wifi: Yes!
Outlets: Runs along the wall
Lighting: Some direct light by the window, and more of a shade-y type light near the back. Not much artificial light!
Atmosphere: Small, cozy, quiet & eccentric!
Tip: There’s live music and events always going on, including nude drawing sessions on Saturdays for $15!
Price: $$
Food: Some baked goods & alcohol
5. Grocery Basket:
Location: 260 Princess St, Kingston, ON K7L 1B5
Hours: M-S 9am to 8pm
Wifi: Yes! (a recent addition)
Outlets: Under the tables
Lighting: Nice natural lighting on the main floor, dimmer in the basement
Atmosphere: Quiet, peaceful and friendly
Best Kept Secret:
Great Place to Study!! There are generous amounts of free samples, an entire downstairs section (for studying), a rooftop patio & 15% off for students on Wednesdays.
Price: $$
Food: Quite an extensive menu. Locally made and sourced. A little on the expensive end.
6. Balzacs:
Location: 251 Princess St, Kingston, ON K7L 1B5
Hours: M-S 7:30 to 7pm
Wifi: Yes! Decent but disconnects occasionally.
Outlets: Along the wall
Lighting: Great Natural Lighting
Atmosphere: Bright & spacious
Tip: Get there before 8:30am to avoid a crowd and snag a seat near the walls for outlets. Pack a lunch (lunchbag friendly) & don’t sit facing the windows after 12pm if you want to avoid having sun in your eyes.
Price: $$
Food: Your basic baked goods and coffee (some vegan options)
7. Juniper Cafe:
Location: 370 King St W, Kingston, ON K7L 2X4
Hours: M-S 8am to 6pm
Wifi: No, but you can connect to the one at the Isabel (it’s a little slow)
Lighting: 50% natural lighting
Atmosphere: Cozy & may make you a little sleepy.
Tip: No laptop policy from 11am-2pm (entire cafe)
Price: $$$
Food: Delicious and locally sourced! They currently have 2 vegan options (brownies and breakfast bars), and are vegetarian friendly.
8. Gaby’s Cafe
Location: 791 Princess St, Kingston, ON K7L 1E9
Hours: M-S 7am to 3:30pm
Wifi: No
Lighting: Natural
Atmosphere: Riding on that Northside feel…but not quite.
Best Kept Secret: Authentic & healthy Japanese lunches
Tip: It’s your next Insta-worthy spot….more on this cafe here.
Price: $
Food: Traditional Breakfast, Sandwiches, Japanese Curry, Baked Goods & Wraps.
9. Princess Starbucks:
Smaller than the one on division.
10. Freshii
Location: 271 Princess St · (613) 417-0503
Hours: M-F 7am to 9pm; S & S 8am to 9pm
Wifi: Yes
Outlets: 2–3
Lighting: 70% Natural
Atmosphere: Quiet and eco-friendly.
Tip: Sit near the wall if you’re looking for an outlet!
Price: $$$
Food: Fresh, healthy, and vegan friendly.
11. Kingston Coffee House
Location: 322 King St E, Kingston, ON K7L 3B4
Hours: M-F 7–7pm; S & S 8am to 6pm
Wifi: Yes, but unreliable & disconnects VERY often.
Outlets: No
Lighting: Bright
Atmosphere: Peaceful, great sceneary, and a trickle of customers throughout the day
Tip: Don’t sit close to the doors during winter (you’ll get cold). Also the bench for the community table is finicky — it will rock back and forth if that sort of thing annoys you. This cafe is great for chatting, meeting up with friends and studying (without the use of the Internet). The staff are the friendliest bunch!
Best Kept Secret: They have a happy hour! 50% off all drinks!
Price: $$
Food: Sandwiches and baked goods
12. Coffee & Company:
Location: 53 Princess St, Kingston, ON K7L 1A3
Hours: M-S 7am — 6pm
Wifi: Yes
Lighting: Shadow-y
Atmosphere: Like a better Second Cup
Price: $$
Food: They have ice-cream, sandwiches, and baked goods!
14. Crave Coffeehouse:
Location: 166 Princess St, Kingston, ON K7L 1B1
Hours: M-S 7:30am-9pm
Wifi: Yes
Outlet: Many!
Lighting: 90% Artificial
Atmosphere: Crowded after 11am
Tip: A large tea is more expensive then a small, so save yourself some $$ and get a refill instead of paying more for hot water. (EDIT: It’s now the same price. Probably because of this article TBH).
Price: $$
Food: Bagels, a whole table of baked goods, sandwiches, smoothies, wraps and salads.
15. CoGro:
A classic — no comment.
