Now Brewing: Cafes In Quinte
Story by Sky Anderson
*Originally published by BoQ Region Marketing Board on February 8th, 2021*
WE’VE GOT THE SPRING BREWS!
If you’re a caffeine-hooked coffee drinker, tea fanatic or looking for a sweet warm (or cold) beverage, each community in the Bay of Quinte has excellent cafés—here are nine to get you started.
GOURMET DIEM
It is the place to go for gourmet coffee and espresso beverages as well as breakfast, daily soups, salads, smoothies, gelato, artisan cheese and meats, sauces, and their famous charcuterie box to go. Gourmet Diem has a lot more to offer than just coffee—clearly! If you’d prefer to enjoy café comforts from home, many of their products are available on the Downtown District Online Marketplace.
THE BRAKE ROOM
Bikes, beans and brews. The friendly staff, adventurous atmosphere and sustainable products make this a great spot for a pit stop after a bike ride or a socially-distanced coffee with a colleague or friend. Their menu offers a selection of coffee and espresso (from Pilot Coffee Roasters), refreshing tea (Pluck tea), County Soda, and now, a selection of “Fridge Mixers”, which include alcoholic beverages from Prince Eddy’s Brewing Company, Spearhead Brewing Company and MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Co.
THE QUINTE CORNER
The Quinte Corner is nestled in the Century Place at the corner of Front and Bridge Street. Another top café in the Bay of Quinte region that has it all: coffee, espresso, tea, specialty drinks, cold drinks, breakfast and lunch treats, daily soups, baked goods and desserts! In the summer you can find soft-serve ice cream and in the winter, you can add a special liquor to your hot drink. Check out their keto, vegan and gluten-free items as well.
L’AUBERGE DE FRANCE
L’Auberge de France is actually a bistro, bakery and gourmet shop, but the delicious hot beverages and baked goods that they offer (dine-in or take-out) make it a definite top café in my books. Make your way there on Saturday mornings for fresh-baked croissants and a latté and you’ll feel as if you have been transported to a restaurant in Paris! Don’t forget to check out their new Downtown Wine Shop while you’re there.
