A Saskatoon Coffee Guide

Ahh coffee… the stuff of dreams. And nightmares, if you can’t find a good cup. Fortunately for Saskatoon’s locals and visitors alike, the city is an up and coming destination for coffee lovers. Indeed, the Bridge City offers a wide variety of coffee shops to explore, from cafés using local roasters and fair-trade beans, to a spot where you can browse for antiques whilst sipping. See why these are our picks for top 5 Saskatoon coffee shops.

Collective Coffee
Saskatoon’s Riversdale neighbourhood received a jolt of energy from the development of The Two Twenty co-working space, and attached café known for its artisan coffee. Here, you will find a range of beans on offer, from Portland’s Heart, to Phil & Sebastian, and Intelligentsia. While you wait for the barista to work their magic, rest your hands on the rustic countertop, made from reclaimed wood sourced from an old vinegar mill. Then take your perfectly-poured piccolo and grab a spot in one of the cozy nooks. Come summer, Collective’s floor-to-ceiling garage doors open up to capitalize on all that Saskatchewan sunshine. Various locations, see here.

Venn Coffee Roasters
Saskatoon’s newest café is tucked away in an alley in the city’s artistic Broadway hub. Co-owner Casey Loseth had been roasting beans in his garage for three years when he decided to open a café. “It was a natural progression for me,” says Loseth. “I didn’t want to be a barista forever.” So, he bought a roaster with a 12-kilogram capacity, and renovated the space, taking it from a dirt floor to minimalist aesthetic, flanked by potted plants, wall stencils, and window-front countertop seating. Now, you’ll find a small, quality menu of specialty drinks and awe-inspiring latte art at Venn. In fact, baristas here have perfected the art enough to host beginner latte art classes. Venn’s competitive Latte Art Throwdowns have become a cult favourite activity; $10 gets you a spot in the contest. 830 Dufferin Avenue.

Museo Coffee
Museo pioneered third-wave coffee in Saskatoon, and had the city’s first pour-over bar. Back then, it was located within the former Mendel Art Gallery and had seating looking over Saskatoon’s river valley. It’s since moved to a funky little spot on Broadway Avenue, where you can sip on the city’s best espresso while you watch the world go by. Don’t just take our word for it though; Museo always has the highest average cupping scores amongst Saskatoon’s best cafés. Owner Jimmy Oneschuk also opened Saskatoon’s first micro roastery in 2011, roasting weekly small batches of beans from his artisan producers. Oneschuk or his distributor personally visit the farms to ensure customers that a well-crafted coffee in Saskatoon didn’t wreak havoc on its farmer. 730 Broadway Avenue.

Back to Coffee Beans
A real hidden gem in an area of the city experiencing a vintage revival, Back to Coffee Beans shares space with an eclectic antique shop. Leave any pretentiousness at the door; this isn’t that kind of café. Oldies play on the radio, and you’re welcome to peruse the antique shop’s well-curated offerings for your next find. Beware of lineups, especially during the warmer months when people are eager for an iced coffee slush or coffee milkshake. The rotating daily coffee feature is cultivated from the shop’s gourmet bean selection, and if you fancy a little souvenir to take home, the shop stocks over 80 varieties of organic, fair-trade gourmet beans and teas. 418 33rd Street West.

City Perks
Now 20 years old, City Perks is known both for its pretty interior and excellent coffee, however you like it: drip, French press, pour-over, Aeropress, and more. Owner Coralee Abbott keeps watch on new trends from her roasters and growers. “That’s what we’re all about: pursuing our own passion and wanting to share and educate and give that experience back to the customer so they can be a part of it with us,” she says. Along with Vancouver’s 49th Parallel Roasters, you’ll also find a range of other roasters on offer, such as Newfoundland’s Anchor, or Pilot from Toronto. “It’s to reach out and show Saskatoon something that’s a little different, that you can’t always get as an independent person.” 801 7th Avenue North.

For more great coffee shops across Canada, click here.

To discover more Canadian coffee roasters, click here.

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