Every Sunday morning during the summer months, a group of road cyclists ride from Nelson to Castlegar. One would assume they’re doing the 100-kilometre round trip because they’re interested in the exercise and the beautiful views of the Kootenay River, but that is only partly true. Really they’re in it for the double-doubles. Because there isn’t a Tim Horton’s coffee shop in Nelson, the group of riders, which can number as high as a dozen, bike to Castlegar, get their Timmy’s coffee fix along with a donut, and then make the return journey north.
Other than water, coffee is the most popular drink in Canada. According to the Canadian Coffee Association, 72% of the population drinks the brew and of those, the average consumption is 2.8 cups a day. (By comparison, 48% drink alcohol and only 27% of the population between the ages of 18 and 79 drink pop regularly.) And while many Canadians turn to Tim Hortons for their daily cuppa joe, there are other aficionados who prefer a more boutique experience. Thankfully, our city now caters to both crowds and to prove it, we’ve listed below the best coffee shops in Castlegar.
Located in the heart of downtown on 4th Street, Maggie’s Mug specializes in more than just coffee. Owners Laurie and Maggie also create delicious food and treats, from borscht that would make your babushka proud, to cakes, pies, cheese sticks and more. But if you’re just stopping by for a coffee, they serve beans from the Kootenay Coffee Co. roaster located just up highway 3A in Taghum.
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Outside the downtown core there are three boutique Castlegar coffee shops. The first is Common Grounds, located at 692 18th St. near the highway turn-off, and it has been a local staple for over five years. They serve Cherry Hill Coffee, roasted in Kelowna, and also offer everything from meals and snacks to locally made pottery and other crafts. In the same vicinity is Bagels and Brew located in the mall at 1983 Columbia Ave. The café bills themselves as “the healthier alternative” and serve wraps, bagels and salads as well as coffee and tea. Our favourite there is the matcha lemonade.
Crumbs Bakery Café, is also located on Columbia Ave., but closer to downtown at 635D. Although their main products include delicious baked goods from sourdough loves and brioche braids to bacon and cheese pretzels, they also specialize in coffee drinks made with artisan beans from the micro-roaster No6 Coffee Co. in Nelson. If you haven’t tried an espresso brewed with No6 beans yet, we highly recommend it because many of their offerings are single-sourced, meaning they’re from individual farms. It’s like enjoying a VQA wine made with grapes from one vineyard.
If you don’t have time to walk in to a café, consider the drive-through option at Lifestyles Coffee House, located at 502 Columbia Ave. They serve organic coffee and fresh baked goods, as well as panini, chilli dogs and more and you don’t even have to leave your car to enjoy them. If you would prefer to eat in, though, they do have a very small space in which to relax.
Other establishments where we recommend grabbing a cuppa is the quick-serve restaurant Roots Modern Health Food at #9 1502 Columbia Avenue, which has a mandate to “serve our community with healthy, whole food working with local businesses whenever possible.” And Thrums Market at 1680 Moran Rd is a convenient corner store that also has coffee, not to mention some of the best bottled borscht in the city. Below are the specific locations of the 10 best coffee shops in Castlegar.
The Best Coffee Shops In Castlegar
Crumbs Bakery Café
Their main products include delicious breads and baked goods but they also specialize in coffee made with artisan beans from the micro-roaster No6 Coffee Co. in Nelson.
635 Columbia Ave, Castlegar
Crumbs Bakery Café Facebook Page
Common Grounds Café
Located near the highway turn-off, Common Grounds serves Cherry Hill Coffee, roasted in Kelowna, and also offers everything from meals and snacks to locally made crafts.
692 18 St, Castlegar
Common Grounds Facebook Page
Maggie’s Mug
1249 3rd St, Castlegar
Maggie’s Mug Facebook
Bagels and Brew
Bagels and Brew bills themselves as “the healthier alternative” and serve wraps, bagels and salads as well as coffee and tea.
1983 Columbia Ave, Castlegar
Located in the mall near The Source
Lifestyles Coffee House
Not enough time to walk into a café? Consider the drive-through option at Lifestyles Coffee House where they serve organic coffee and fresh baked goods and food. If you would prefer to eat in, they do have a very small space in which to relax.
502 Columbia Ave, Castlegar
Lifestyles Coffee House Facebook Page
Roots Modern Health Food
This restaurant has a mandate to “serve our community with healthy, whole food working with local businesses whenever possible” and that includes organic, locally roasted coffee.
1502 Columbia Ave #9, Castlegar
Roots Modern Health Food website
Thrums Market
Thrums Market is located on Highway 3A between Castlegar and Slocan Junction in the tiny community of Thrums. It is a convenient corner store that also has coffee.
1680 Moran Rd, Castlegar
Thrums Market
Tim Hortons
1721 Columbia Ave, Castlegar
Tim Hortons website
Starbucks
1721 Columbia Ave, Castlegar
Starbucks Coffee Company