Fine Grind Cafe

Best hot chocolate in the city. Also they don’t get mad when the November NaNoWriMoers show up. I love this place.

.5 Star
The first thing I do when looking for a place is go to Unilocal!Almost all of the time the ratings are accurate, but with The Fine Grind, the ratings are just not right.
Looking from the outside it didn’t look so bad, but as soon as I walked in I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. Calling yourself ‘The Fine Grind’ with no espresso machine to be found is not a good start. No burr grinder to grind fresh coffee, diner style coffee machines, and the look of the place is rundown.
I looked at the menu and because I didn’t see an espresso machine I walked up to the counter and ordered a Cappuccino… I wanted to see how the heck they were going to make this drink. When I was walking away from the counter to take a seat I saw something eerily familiar, the same espresso machine I have at home. Yes, you read that right. I paid $ 2.75 for a cappuccino that was worse than one I can make myself.
I am a guy who gives things a chance, but this place I just walked out of after a bit because if you call yourself The Fine Grind I expect a good coffee… not here.
For those looking at Unilocal!for help please don’t look at the stars and assume the best. Look at the worst review and see what they have to say.
Anyways, I was very disappointed and will not be back.
That’s it.

Fine Grind for the Mind
This place has been a life saver for me during exam times: they feature bottomless coffee. Not only do they feature bottomless coffee but their coffee happens to be really good. This is a coffee shop with some culture. It is really nice inside and has a great atmosphere. Believe me when I say it is very easy to lose track how long you’ve been here.
There are some small tables near the front, and the back of the place features a nice lounge type area with couches. There are of course plenty of outlets to plug in your laptops and they bring your coffee/​sugar/​cream etc. right to your table. So it’s nice not to have to move lol (I know I’m lazy.. . I’ve accepted it)
Another thing I really like about this place is that it is usually more quiet and relaxing than many of the other cafés in DT St Catharines. I definitely recommend this place. Friendly staff, good coffee, good prices, and an awesome setting.
Tip: Try their hot chocolate, it’s amazing.

Really charming friendly little coffee shop, clean and cozy, with comfortable couches, interesting books, and excellent Guatemalan coffee. I really enjoyed it and will be back. And it feels good to support a small independent business.

Good coffee and a great place (with lots of tables) to hang out or study.
My favorite drink and food here are the chocolate-​mocha, made with real melted chocolate and coffee, and the singles-​pizzas which taste fresh (the dough tastes hand made too).
There’s a community book-​swap in the back, which is fun if you’re procrastinating or bored.
They only take cash, so come prepared.

The first time I wandered in here was because I wanted a nice little café to hang out in. This fit the bill perfectly! It’s a small little café that hosts local artists, local advocacy events and several poetry slams a month. The owner, Rob, is a great guy — a little friendly, and very willing to accommodate specific palates and dietary needs. The food is all made to order by the owner — try the nachos and the brunchetta! Portions of food are on the bigger side, even with ordering the small versions of things on the menu.
The tea selection is pretty amazing. Everything is kept fresh, and the tea is still fragrant by the time you get it. I’m more of a tea drinker, so the fact that you have a pretty nifty selection is pretty cool. Also, you can order double pots and single pots of tea. Most of the tea is loose leaf, and you are given a strainer device to deal with the leaves.
I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but I will head there for my fix of Vietnamese coffee. This is really strong coffee, sweetened and lightened with condensed milk. It’s amazing, even for this coffee-​hater! (It’s a slow drink, made to be enjoyed, not guzzled or gulped.
For you non-​tea drinkers, there are drinks like iced tea, soda (commercial stuff), hot chocolate, and ice water.
It’s a cozy little place to be, and relax with a book or a bunch of friends. It’s also a great venue for a third date — great for quiet talking, and quiet flirting! Come for the food and the drinks, and stay for the atmosphere. There is also a mini library at the back, and a couple of comfy couches!
* Food and drink is reasonably priced, and very nice for it’s price. I usually end up spending a few dollars here, and reading a good book when in a bad mood.
** Protip: If you dislike proto-​hipsters, avoid this place during their monthly poetry slam — I went with a poet friend, and I swear you could cut the condescension and pretentiousness in the air with a butter knife (provided).

The first time i went to Fine Grind Café, I was meeting up with an editor for a local literary zine. I ended up running into someone who was with a very active local organization who was about to attend Critical Mass (bike riding advocacy event). After getting a copy of the magazine, I stayed and watched a poetry show.
This pretty much sums up the Fine Grind Café for me. You’ll run into interesting people and interesting events. The coffee/​tea/​etc is good too. I got a homemade ice tea and it was delicious. For me the good tea and coffee were second to the great atmosphere (but also very good).
I think only one person works there, so its definitely not like Starbucks or TIm Hortons. Everything seems to made ‘specially for order, and the atmosphere is a lot more relaxed. There is a library in the back next to many comfortable couches.
A good place for reading, studying, conversing, and relaxing.