The Red Brick Cafe - Accomodating & Cozy Vibes (Guelph, ON)

Nestled in the heart of Guelph, Ontario, The Red Brick Cafe stands as a charming haven for food enthusiasts seeking a unique culinary experience. Recently, my wife Katrina and I had the pleasure of exploring this quaint café, and we were pleasantly surprised by its vibrant atmosphere, delectable vegan options, and the overall warmth that envelops this charming establishment. A perfect setting for a cold and snowy day!

Ambience - Aesthetic Appeal and Cozy : As we approached The Red Brick Cafe, the first thing that caught our eyes was its inviting exterior. The café is housed in a beautiful red-bricked building that exudes charm and character. The moment we stepped inside, we were welcomed by the cozy ambiance, with warm hues, eclectic furnishings, and the hum of lively conversations filling the air. The blend of rustic and contemporary elements creates an inviting atmosphere that makes patrons feel right at home. That said, there was a clear break in style between the front of the house and the back of the house..if we were to guess, it seems like they just acquired the space and didnt have time to renovate.

Katrina being forced to be a model in the space :D

While the experience at The Red Brick Cafe was overwhelmingly positive, it's worth mentioning that parking can be a bit limited in the vicinity. However, we found that the culinary delights awaiting inside made the minor inconvenience of finding parking well worth it. We parked somewhat awkwardly around a curved curb near Buon Gusto (a pizza place 30 or so meters away). All I care about is that the parking arrow showed me safetly inside a 2hr parking spot! The welcoming staff and the scrumptious vegan offerings more than made up for any parking challenges. 7/10

Coffee: No culinary experience is complete without the perfect beverage, and The Red Brick Cafe certainly delivered on that front. As per usual… we opted for an Oat Milk Matcha Latte and an Oat Milk Cortado.

The Oat Milk Matcha Latte was a sensory delight. Earthy, creamy, and impeccably presented, the matcha latte struck the perfect balance of flavors. Although Katrina forgot to request it unsweetened, the sweetness was subtle, allowing the earthiness of the matcha to shine through without overwhelming our taste buds. It was a delightful, comforting beverage that paired wonderfully with our vegan selections.

The Oat Milk Cortado, on the other hand, was a bold and robust choice. The quality roast of the coffee was evident in each sip, providing a strong, yet smooth experience. The addition of oat milk brought a creamy texture that complemented the intensity of the cortado, creating a harmonious blend that coffee aficionados would undoubtedly appreciate. 9/10

Latte Art: Katrina and I struggled with this one. On the one hand, they did have decent art on the cortado BUT they did not do anything on the matcha latte. Katrina argued that they did sprinkle matcha on the top but to me….that was a cop out. For that they earned one point. +1 points

Cup Choices: The Red Brick Cafe catered to both Katrina and my preferences. One the one hand, I love a classing and wide cermaic mug where Katrina prefers a glass mug. Red Brick had both! Katrina argued we should deduct a point for the mug being ugly and brown. As a brown person myself, I struggle with how to interpret this but we will deduct the point anyways. 4/5

Accoutrements…Vegan/Vegitarian Delights: Recently having started our journey of plant-based cuisine, Katrina and I were thrilled to discover an array of vegan options on The Red Brick Cafe's menu - something we have discovered can be a challenge in a world trained to eat meat! From hearty salads to savory sandwiches and soups, the vegan choices were diverse and creatively crafted. We decided to try the Chickpea & Tahini Salad as well as the Pesto & Cheddar Grilled Cheese with Potato Leek soup, both of which surpassed our expectations. I will admit that I am the lone holdout on the cheese cliff but the homemade ketchup was a nice touch. Left out of our pictures (by mistake) a vegan brownie. Had this been more moist, the RB would surely have scored a 10/10…alas, the dusty vegan brownie strikes again :(. 9/10

Eco-Friendly - Could be better: While the use of glassware and recycling bins showcased positive efforts, there is room for improvement in minimizing plastic waste. Additionally, the space seemed to be larger than needed for the amount of traffic in the area. I’m sure there are times where the cafe is packed, but, our guess is that it often has a lot of wasted space. All that said, kudos for the exhuastive vegan menu and offerings - that goes a long way to reducing the enviormental impact. 6/10

Value - All in All, Solid Value: All in all, I would say value at The Red Brick Cafe was great. We ordered a fairly large order, which to recap contained: A Matcha Latte with Oat Milk, An Oat Milk Cortado, A Soup, Grilled Cheese, Salad, and Vegan Brownie and it all came out to 45$ after tax and tip. Backing out the tip and tax and a sub-35$ outting with a fairly decent sized order - in this economy id say thats GREAT. Date approved Gentlemen. +3 points

Conclusion: Our visit to The Red Brick Cafe in Guelph, Ontario, was a delightful journey through flavors and ambiance. The café's commitment to offering diverse vegan options, combined with its charming atmosphere, made it a memorable experience. If you find yourself in Guelph and have a penchant for delicious plant-based fare in a cozy setting, The Red Brick Cafe is a must-visit destination that promises to satisfy both your taste buds and your craving for a welcoming culinary escape (if you can find parking). Total Score: 39/50