Em's Cafe — Restaurant in Severn

A can't-lose stop just off Hwy 400 between Toronto and Muskoka:__When I made my first odyssey from Toronto to Muskoka and back this weekend, we stopped in Coldwater for lunch before hitting the roads for Toronto mid-afternoon on a holiday Monday. Em's Café exceeded expectations, and I'll be back next time around when we need a go-to spot for lunch.

Having grown up in a place far more rural than the Muskoka region, I was worried that some of the small-town diners would be very utilitarian greasy-spoon fare, and I bet lots of big-city residents have the same general concern. Don't get me wrong--I still love an old-school diner once in awhile, but I know a lot of Cottage Country commuters might not. We saw the reviews for Em's and decided to give it a shot. The restaurant currently focuses on gourmet panini sandwiches and a soup of the day. We had four different ones: chicken salad, meatloaf and cheese, the "Egger" (egg, bacon, and cheese), and the BLT. The bread was perfectly toasted and pressed. As for the inner contents, everything was right: the cooked egg, or the meatloaf, was hot, and the vegetables were still cool and crispy. Let me put it this way: if this restaurant were in the heart of Toronto, I'd recommend it just as whole-heartedly. If that sounds elitist, I don't mean it that way: I just mean that this restaurant could compete in any market.

Em's is clearly a family business, and the pride in their business shows: everyone is dedicated to friendly service, which is fast. The seating is various and comfortable, and the location in the centre of town is easy to find. Coldwater is just off Highway 400--to the east a short jog, so this is an excellent place to get off the highway when you need a break and some gas. It's a can't-miss option, and a real delight. All four of us would...

I had to go to coldwater for an event. The whole town is really charming, with lots of quaint shops on the main street. I was looking for a comfortable cafe to sit and kill some time. I found Em's, and bottom line I really wish we had Em's in our neighborhood! it's decorated like a lot of these coffee shops are - almost trying a little too hard to be quirky - but it didn't feel fake at Em's. There was a mix of tables and couches, and the over all feel is much more like you're at a friend's house than a store. The had a variety of fresh baked goods, I had the apple blossom and it was great, though I wish I'd thought to ask them to warm it up. They also had a menu of lunch food that looked really tasty, though it appears like they don't offer that menu during certain hours, and I can imagine that could prove real frustrating if I was a regular customer. The best thing about Em's was the atmosphere. You could hear the staff talking and laughing together the whole time they were working. They clearly loved working there, and really that tells you all you need to know about how a business is run. They also really knew their customers, talking with them about their day and showing familiarity. Yes, that's to be more expected in a small town, but it's not automatic. Even in a small town, that whole feels-like-family atmosphere only happens if you make it happen, and at Em's they clearly do. I did take off one star for service because, frankly, I'm getting really tired of these presumptuously pushy tip prompts on the debit machines. I'm sorry, but tips are simply not automatic for counter service especially when I also have to mix my own coffee. That's probably just me being grumpy though, I'd go back to Em's in...

Shout-out to Severn Township’s Deputy Mayor, Jane Dunlop, for recommending we try this place - it certainly lived up to all her praise!

The friendly staff and cafe itself boast a warm and welcome atmosphere. On our first visit we noticed how every guest that walked in was treated like family, and we were treated no differently. We actually felt so comfortable we could’ve stayed and chatted with them all day.

Very comfortable interior. Lots of great seating options. Plenty of interesting items for sale to browse through… I spotted a number of things that would make for great hostess gifts, stocking stuffers and so on. And I love that they support other local businesses by selling their items also.

Their food menu combines healthy options that are both incredibly flavourful and hearty, which is not always easily mastered. And, if you’re just in the mood for some straight-out indulgence, they have plenty of scrumptious baked goods to satisfy every level of craving!

We tried LOTS - both food and treats, even took some to go, and nothing disappointed. In fact, we loved it so much, we returned the very next day so we could enjoy a little more.

Although Coldwater is a bit out of our way, we will not be opposed to veering off our usual path when we head north in order go here. This establishment is a true gem and Coldwater is a charming little town with an assortment of unique shops lining the street - it’s absolutely worth visiting!

Recommendations: For lovers of coffee and also London Fogs, you must try the Dirty Fog - genius! The Thai chicken soup was the best I’ve had yet. Each sandwich we tried was delicious!! And the baked goods, well, don’t even get me...