Need to fuel up for your adventures on the Sunshine Coast? These coffee shops can help. Read on to learn where you can grab an espresso (and a baked good or two) before hitting the trails.
 

Coffee Shops on the Sunshine Coast 

Below we’ve focused on coffee shops that place a strong emphasis on the bean, whether they’re roasting their own brews, or bringing in Canadian favourites like Phil & Sebastian and Stereo.
 

32 LAKES CAFE AND BAKERY, POWELL RIVER 

This bright and airy coffee shop takes its name from the 32 lakes surrounding Powell River. That’s not the only thing it draws inspiration from either: local art often adorns these lofty whitewashed walls, while locally-sourced ingredients make their way into a delicious array of tasty treats, including fresh baked sourdough bread and flaky croissants. 32 Lakes brews beans from their namesake roaster, 32 Lakes Coffee Roasters, using 100 per cent whole Arabica coffee beans, as well as rotating single-origin beans from locales including Papua New Guinea, among others. They offer espresso drinks and  drip coffee, both of which you can sip indoors or outside on the cafe’s bench and patio seating. Don’t forget to pick up a bag of beans for a taste of the Sunshine Coast at home! 4707 Marine Ave, Powell River.
 

BEACHCOMBER COFFEE, GIBSONS

It’s hard to miss Beachcomber Coffee, with its bold black-and-yellow decor and location along Gower Road in Gibsons Landing. This small shop visually packs a punch: industrial-style lights meet green velvet bench seating and murals painted by local Gibsons artist Ben Tour. It’s enough to jolt your senses awake sans caffeine, but if that doesn’t do the trick, you can opt for house-roasted beans—featuring medium to dark roasts and available by the (very cool) resuable container—and pulled espresso drinks. They offer light snacks, like pre-made wraps and sandwiches, grilled to order, and on Saturdays, vegan, baked donuts from the aptly-named Deadly Donuts. It’s sensory overload, especially when you adorn yourself with their unapologetically bright and bold Sunshine Coast-themed merch. Need a quick pick me up? Grab a coffee to-go from their second location at the Sunnycrest Mall in Upper Gibsons. 264 Gower Point Rd, Gibsons & 900 Gibsons Way #6, Gibsons.
 

STRAIT COFFEE, SECHELT

The Strait first started out as a humble roastery in 1996, quickly outgrowing its original space, and now occupying a (much larger) cozy corner shop in the heart of Wilson Creek. Long pioneers of sourcing fair trade and certified organic coffee, they offer a selection of house-roasted beans, conveniently roasted in a production facility located up the road from its namesake cafe. Their long-standing commitment to a fairly roasted bean is something you can feel good about whether you sip on just one coffee or grab a bag of beans for mornings at home. Even better? Their cafe counterpart is a great place for lunch, with a menu that offers sandwiches, soups, and wraps, including a butter chicken version that’s sure to satiate any appetite. 4330 Sunshine Coast Hwy #1, Sechelt.
 

BLK HEART, SECHELT AND GIBSONS

With two locations (Sechelt, operating inside ElphiCycles, and Gibsons) and serving a rotating selection of Canadian roasters, including Phil & Sebastian and Stereo, Blk Heart is a must-visit. This family-run and -operated business does mean hours are limited at both locations, but their commitment to pulling excellent espresso drinks is top-notch and worth waiting until they’re open to sample. Equally top-notch are the mouthwatering treats, including everything from olive-studded focaccia and sumptuous croissants, and all baked in-house at the hands of Blk Heart’s owner and experienced baker. The Sechelt location operates inside ElphiCycles (perfect for a pre- or post-ride while you get a tune-up) on Wednesdays to Saturdays from 10am to 4pm, and on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm at their production facility location in Gibsons on Gibsons Way. 
 

HOLSEM, MADEIRA PARK

This former yoga space transitioned into an espresso bar only recently, and in keeping with the zen and uncluttered feeling of its previous studio, has an unfussy menu and limited seating. They focus on espresso in all its forms, along with a selection of cold drinks, like iced coffees and teas, smoothies, and more. There are only a handful of seats throughout the small space although you may be tempted by Holsem’s (pronounced like “wholesome”) natural decor, including its wood-panelled walls and polished concrete floors, to take your coffee to-go and experience the elements yourself. 12808 Madeira Park Rd #104, Madeira Park.
 

BLACK BEAN CAFE, GIBSONS

The Black Bean Cafe takes its name from the few beans that take on too much colour during the roasting process. This beloved local coffee in Gibsons Landing roasts their own beans in Gibsons, and while removing the “black beans” from each and every batch is a labour of love, it’s not the only thing they dedicate their time and attention to. Here you’ll find a selection of good eats made fresh to order, including breakfast sandwiches served on soft ciabatta bread, a diverse lunch menu that includes paninins and soups and stews, and an assortment of decadent baked goods. And of course, you’ll find fresh coffee, including those hand-picked-just-right bags of beans that you can take home to appreciate, too. Need a pick me up before boarding the ferry? Make sure to check out their second location, located in the Langdale BC Ferries’ terminal. 467 Marine Dr., Gibsons
 

RIVER CITY COFFEE ROASTERS, BAKERY AND URBAN EATERY, POWELL RIVER

Even with its spacious interior and lofty ceilings, River City Coffee Roasters feels intimate and cozy, thanks to a lively and buzzing atmosphere. Here you’ll find early risers tucking into a cup of coffee and breakfast; a hungry lunch crowd that comes and goes quickly; and on-the-go locals and visitors looking to fuel up for their next adventure. (Not an early riser? Don’t worry—they have all-day breakfast, too.) For those who need caffeine and caffeine only, they’ve also got you covered. In-house roasted beans (which pay homage to the spaces and places of their qathet backyard) make their way into drip coffee and a whole series of hot, espresso drinks and seasonal specials (yes, we’re talking to you pumpkin spice fans). 108-4871 Joyce Ave, Powell River.

Bakeries & Cafes

The Sunshine Coast is also home to plenty of cozy cafes and bakeries. The following spots are equal parts coffee shop, bakery and restaurant, offering a selection of brewed drinks and food. While you can grab coffee to-go, it’s hard to pass up spending an afternoon reading by a wood stove, or tucking into a hearty lunch post-whatever-adventure.
 

POWELL RIVER AND LUND

A cup of coffee in qathet and Lund will take you far: there’s plenty of trails to hike, mountains to scale, and beaches to comb. To help you stay energized in Powell River, head to Edie Rae’s Cafe or Serious Coffee, a franchise chain from Vancouver Island with an outpost this side of the Malaspina Strait. In Lund, Nancy’s Bakery is a must-visit—not only for their cinnamon buns, synonymous with this small bakery located at the end of Highway 101, but for the coffee, too.
 

GIBSONS

More Cafe and Bakeshop, located in Upper Gibsons, brings European baking to the Sunshine Coast, evident in their perfectly scalloped pie crust edges and light and oh-so-flaky croissants. They offer a full range of breakfast items and lunches, along with coffee, pies and quiches to-go. Sheer Bliss, also located on Gibsons Way in Upper Gibsons, is known for their fresh baked, in-house ciabatta bread, ideal for dunking into their homemade soups, stews and chilli. The only thing more welcoming than a hot meal on a cold day is the friendly owners.
 

ROBERTS CREEK

An icon of Roberts Creek, The Gumboot Cafe has been a favourite of locals (and visitors) for more than 25 years. Housed in a quaint and historic cottage building in the heart of Roberts Creek, The Gumboot prides themselves on being a “soup mecca”—offering housemade soups and stews, which you can enjoy by the bowl or cup in front of the woodstove—in addition to fresh salads and baked treats.
 

SECHELT 

There’s multiple options for caffeine in Sechelt, and none will steer you wrong. Gourmet Girl Cafe and Catering in Davis Bay and The Daily Roast, located on Wharf Avenue, both offer easy grab-and-go options when you’re short on time. The Bakery and Basted Baker have excellent breakfast options, ideal for when you need to fuel up on both coffee and food. The Bakery’s south facing cafe is sunny and bright and serves up simple but delicious breakfast, lunches and treats made from scratch daily. Basted Baker offers a cozy nook on Cowrie Street, with its industrial-style decor and menu that ranges from huevos rancheros to eggs benny served on flaky, just-baked southern-style biscuits, and topped with homemade hollandaise.
 

PENDER HARBOUR & EGMONT

Further up the coast, you’ll find Java Docks in Pender Harbour, an assuming homestyle eatery that serves strong coffee and delicious hearty food. Grab a cup to go and explore Pender Harbour. Planning to hike Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park? Don’t miss Skookumchuck Bakery & Cafe, an adorable bakery tucked away in the woods and located near the entrance of the park. They specialize in homemade pizzas, ginormous cinnamon buns, espresso drinks, and great views from the bakery’s patio. 
 

Find more places to eat, drink, and fuel up on the Sunshine Coast.