Nexus Coffee Co. — Restaurant in Scugog

I’ve been in coffee professionally for over a decade — judging, competing, consulting — and was genuinely excited to try Nexus Coffee after moving to town. (I say this not to brag, but to show my passion.) I hoped this might become a local go-to where I could enjoy a weekly cup, get some work done, and connect with the community.

Unfortunately, my first visit was really disappointing. I ordered a short Americano (less dilution, a standard and respectful way to taste a shop’s espresso more directly). The person working the bar (who I believe is the owner?) handed me the drink without eye contact, and without a “you’re welcome” or any warm acknowledgment. Instead, he told me, “it’s going to be bitter,” and turned away.

I was confused and tried to clarify my order politely, only to be met with more dismissive comments about how it's meant to be served in a 12oz cup (or 16oz, I can't remember now, but not the point) and that my version would taste bitter. I wasn’t trying to “hack” the drink. I genuinely wanted to taste their coffee in a more concentrated form. It felt awkward and unnecessarily cold.

My fiancé received his drink with warmth and friendliness, which made the contrast even more baffling.

I gave it another try weeks later by sending my fiancé in to grab a drip coffee for me. Unfortunately, that cup was barely drinkable — harsh, mineral-heavy, and muted in flavor, likely due to the town’s hard water. We use filtered or bottled water at home for this reason, so I know it wasn’t just me.

I hesitated to write this, mostly because I’ve seen how the owner responds to criticism in other reviews. It's often with sarcasm, deflection, or a surprising amount of surveillance-level detail. I’m leaving this not to start a debate, but to offer honest feedback from someone who genuinely wanted to love this place! I hope Nexus considers the difference between defending a brand and truly listening to guest experiences.

On the other hand, the female store attendant on my initial visit was lovely.

Best of luck to you and your business.

**EDIT: As suggested, I followed up by email a few days ago after receiving a prompt reply to my review. I’m still open to conversation and will gladly update this review if it's...

I don’t usually leave reviews, but Nexus Coffee Co. totally deserves it. From the moment I walked in, I was seriously impressed. The vibe is super chill and welcoming—like the kind of place you just want to hang out in for hours. The staff were so friendly and genuinely seemed to love being there, which just made the whole experience even better.

And the coffee? Next level. I had one of the best lattes I’ve had in a long time—smooth, rich, and made just right. Their pastry selection was on point too (shoutout to the croissant that basically melted in my mouth). Everything felt so thoughtfully done, like they actually care about quality and community.

Honestly, I left with a big smile on my face. If you’re even thinking about going to Nexus, just do it. Whether you’re a coffee nerd or just need a cozy place to unwind, this spot is 100% worth checking out. Already looking forward to...

Nexus Coffee is an amazing local coffee shop that carries an impressive assortment of teas and coffees as well as baked treats and ice cream. Their front display had a very tempting assortment of fresh and tasty looking sandwiches, brownies, cookies , cannolis and tarts. We purchased a apple caramel tartlet with a shortbread crust, as well as these neat packaged cookies that came with an edible watercolour “paint”. Hubby, who tends to avoid butter tarts because of their tendency to be on the sweet side, thoroughly enjoyed the tartlet, which we “dipped” into with slices of a honeycrisp apple purchased from the Port Perry farmer’s market. While we didn’t get a chance to try the beverages but would definitely stop in here again when in the area to check out their coffees...