I attempted to drink coffee every hour for an entire day at Sarnia’s coolest coffee shops.
Unfortunately, I failed before I even began.
When I told my wife about my brilliant idea, her immediate response (“Oh dear”) wasn’t the motivational pep talk I was looking for.
So I reached out to my pharmacist, who disagreed with my wife’s assessment and said, “I honestly think it’s a really cool idea.” But in the end, and against my own better judgment, I pivoted this article’s focus to “finding the best cup of coffee in Sarnia.”
With the most difficult part complete, it was time to start having fun! I spoke with friends and family members about my upcoming caffeinated journey, and they helped me create a list of a few places that they wanted me to hit up.
Instead of a single day, I would pace myself over four days. At every destination, I would ask for a small coffee and trust the staff with their recommended blend.
Here we go, in order of appearance…
Backhome Coffee Roastery
112 Christina Street South, Sarnia
The owners have been roasting since 1993 and opened this location in the spring of 2023. Backhome is located next to the library in downtown Sarnia and has a very nice outdoor patio where you can enjoy coffee and the roastery’s baked goods at nice little wooden tables.
I was served a dark roast coffee with beans from the Indonesian island of Sumatra, and after a single sip, I knew, “This is a nice cup of coffee!” I understood why so many local coffee enthusiasts have made this destination their go-to.
Blackwater Coffee Co.
177 Christina Street North, Sarnia
I love Blackwater. The great tunes, modern art, colourful flowers, positive urban vibes and friendly staff make this a whole different world that I certainly need to embrace more often. With ample seating inside and on its street-side patio, Blackwater is a staple to downtown Sarnia and a destination for visitors to the area.
My ‘Murky Waters’ dark coffee was a thing of beauty. Roasted to perfection without bitterness, the coffee was a steaming, rich cup that immediately put a smile on my face.
The Bridge Patisserie & Cafe
132 Michigan Avenue, Point Edward
I biked down to this new culinary addition to Point Edward and was welcomed into a warm and cozy atmosphere that immediately elicited “wows” from my family, who happily tagged along. The Bridge is owned by two Brazilian sisters who have a passion for not just the coffee they brew but also the amazing selection of handmade delicacies prominently displayed.
I chose the dark roast Caffe Venezia, an espresso blend with flavours including blackberry jam, vanilla and rhubarb. My coffee beans were ground after I ordered, which I am told improves the freshness and, thus, the flavour. Although I couldn’t taste the rhubarb and blackberry jam (I’m a big fan of both), it was still a fantastic, flavourful discovery. And one that was much needed in Point Edward.
Coffee Lodge
400 Exmouth Street, Sarnia
Sarnia-born Coffee Lodge is a short jaunt from my house and essential to add to my growing list. Although the Canadiana decor could use some love, the coffee made up the difference.
I was given their “fair trade certified” dark coffee from Burundi that (according to the coffee bean packaging) was grown between 1750 and 1778 metres above sea level. That’s pretty specific. And I guess that’s a good sea level to grow coffee since my coffee was perfect.
Coffee Culture Café and Eatery
130 Lochiel Street, Sarnia
My go-to destination for business meetings is a converted bank that has all of the historic charm you would expect. Grand, high ceilings. Brick walls. Pleasing background music. It’s like stepping back in time.
Whether you’re here to close a business deal or simply enjoy a quiet moment, the brews here deliver a consistent and pleasing taste every time. My recent visit for this coffee review was no exception.
Global Donuts & Deli
1603 London Line, Sarnia
This bustling destination has been a Sarnia staple since 1986, with friendly, happy staff and a busy eating area immediately reassuring me I made the right choice to add this to my list.
The coffee selection is limited to a single blend, but it had a lot of what I wanted and pretty much what I expected – familiarity and comfort.
The owners love Sarnia, and it shows in how they run their business and how they give back. In big words above the counter, a sign reads: “We are a proud Canadian family-owned business. Our success is attributed to our hard work, great staff and most importantly YOU.” Thank YOU, Global!
Anita Coffee Cart
3110 Egremont Road, Camlachie
This is a very cool female-owned coffee cart, fuelling those in Bright’s Grove and people who are seeking to escape to the Lake Huron shoreline at Lamrecton Family Park.
It was recommended that I have Rosso’s Two Wheel espresso blend, roasted in Calgary. It wasn’t too sweet and was full of flavour yet very smooth. I learned a lot about coffee here, and my conversation spurred me to do more research on how the coffee industry isn’t all sunshine and rainbows – that will certainly involve another deep dive.
You can easily walk down to the beach, but I had to hit the road, so I’m glad that my coffee was served in a compostable paper cup.
So, where’s the best cup of coffee?
Like everything in life, opinions differ, especially when it comes to highly addictive consumables like coffee. All of my coffees were very good, and I would go back to any of them in a heartbeat.
Coffee Lodge’s blend, although not on their daily menu, stood out as the flavours really ramped up a basic cup of coffee to something memorable. Backhome Coffee Roastery, too, had a taste that kicked up a simple “coffee” experience to a whole different level. Global Donuts & Deli only had one blend of coffee, but it was very comforting.
When it came to rating the overall coffee-drinking experience, the other locations really shone as well. Coffee Culture Café and Eatery was a relaxing experience with a good cup of coffee. Blackwater Coffee Co. gave off super-cool vibes with its ambiance and brew. I really enjoyed The Bridge – Patisserie & Café, just steps from the iconic Blue Water Bridge, and Anita Coffee Cart, steps from the beach.
I thought further on this dilemma and thought that perhaps coffee is about more than just drinking a delicious cup of flavoured hot water. Maybe it’s about escaping from the hustle of life, finding a reason to relax and supporting the talents of local business owners. Maybe it’s about putting down our cell phones. Maybe it’s about connecting with people close to us.
Perhaps then we’re all winners – these locally owned businesses and we Sarnians – and we should be happy that we can enjoy coffee’s warm embrace and allow coffee – in its many forms – to transport us to unique atmospheres that give us opportunities to reflect on the little things in life.
Or I could be wrong.