Covenant Cafe — Restaurant in Waterloo

We’ve been to Covenant Cafe twice now and genuinely loved it, their coffees are probably the best we’ve ever tried, and up until today, every staff interaction had been wonderful. Unfortunately, this visit completely changed our impression.

The café’s tables are very small and suited for one person. Since we were two people, we used two small tables side by side, just like every other person in the café, where each guest had one table to themselves. Despite this, one staff member came over and rudely demanded that we move because “other people want to sit.” Her tone was extremely condescending and not at all what you would expect from someone in customer service.

What made this even more frustrating was that the community table had four empty seats available at the time, yet we were still asked to move. The staff member didn’t reserve the tables she told us to move to, and while we were packing up (which wasted about 20 minutes), those tables were taken by others, leaving us with nowhere to go. She later returned to say that the other group had agreed to sit at the community table and that we could have our seats “for now,” emphasizing for now in a very dismissive tone.

We had ordered two lattes, two meals, left a $10 tip in advance, and had only been there for about an hour. We were even planning to order another round of pastries. There are no signs anywhere in the café about time limits or “table rules,” so if this is a new policy, I’d strongly suggest posting it clearly at the entrance.

I’m writing this because words hold weight. Had this staff member approached us with kindness and respect, our experience could have been completely different. Unfortunately, her tone and attitude ruined what was otherwise one of our favourite cafés… and that’s truly...

Beyond the steaming cups of lattes and heavenly pastries lies a profound sense of purpose at Covenant Cafe (355 Erb St. W, Waterloo, ON N2L 1W4). This vibrant space isn't just a pitstop for delicious treats; it's a center for community support. With a commitment towards fostering hope among the youth, 'Hope in a Cup' isn't merely a catchy slogan here but a lived reality, making each visit a delightful act of kindness. The last time I went there, I was greeted by a wonderful staff who served me a delicious sample of their menu. I started the meal with an espresso shaker, one of their signature drinks - a delightful fusion of chilled perfection, the trifecta blend of milks created a creamy, yet invigorating base for the bold, energizing shots of espresso! The yoghurt parfait only added refreshing combination layering a velvety vanilla yoghurt with crunchy granola and fresh fruit, the parfait created a delightful, healthy indulgence with every mouthful! Paired with a dairy-free and gluten-free almond butter caramel bar that had just the right amount of sweetness, the meal was utterly wholesome and filling, greatly uplifting my mood. Covenant Cafe is more than a place to have a great coffee; it's a heartwarming, fulfilling experience that combines culinary excellence with a purpose-driven mission, making it a true gem in the community. Should you find yourself in Waterloo craving a good coffee or pastry, a visit here is highly recommend to fulfil both, your hunger and altruistic spirit!

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It took me a couple attempts to try out Covenant Cafe as on my previous trips they were packed full, sold out of most baked goods or both. This place is definitely popular! First the breakfast. I ordered the breakfast special. It was definitely on the pricy side. The breakfast shown without drink was $13.50 I believe. This is significantly more for less food than many other breakfast places. That said the quality of all the food was also better than most places too. The sausage was very fresh and delicious, and the sourdough bread was the best I have had in the area. I LOVED the home fries (I am aware many of you will disagree on this). I feel like the food here is definitely in the quality over quantity category. For some that will be a deal breaker, but I was very pleased with my breakfast. Baked Goods: I ordered two of their cinnamon rolls, one traditional and the other biscoff cookie flavoured. Both were beautifully soft and delicious. I preferred the Biscoff one though, it had that little extra flavour pop. I was not expecting much of the butter tart as the crust appeared too thick for my liking, but it was very flakey and not at all dense. I enjoyed it immensely. The raspberry chocolate cake was moist and delicious. The raspberry filling could be tasted, though I would personally prefer a bit more and the icing was excellently proportioned and tasted good. The bacon and cheddar scone wasn't dry (as I find savory scones tend to be) and the bacon really came through. All in all I was very pleased with everything I ordered here and I would gladly order any...