The Cornerstone in Guelph

1 Wyndham St N, Guelph, ON N1H 4E2, Canada

★★★★☆
(580 reviews)
Categories: Vegetarian restaurant Bar Brunch restaurant Cafe Coffee shop Live music venue Takeout restaurant Vegan restaurant

About

Chill cafe with a chalkboard menu of clever vegetarian fare, plus espresso, cocktails & live music.

Website
thecornerstoneguelph.ca
Address
1 Wyndham St N, Guelph, ON N1H 4E2, Canada
Plus Code
GQV2+RX Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Time Zone
America/Toronto

Business Hours

Monday
9:30 AM–9 PM
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
Closed
Friday
9:30 AM–9 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM–9 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM–8 PM

Services

Service options
Outdoor seating Kerbside pickup Delivery Takeaway Dine-in
Highlights
Great tea selection Live music
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Healthy options Late-night food Small plates Spirits Vegan options Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Breakfast Brunch Lunch Dinner Dessert Seating
Amenities
Bar on site Gender-neutral toilets Toilets Wi-Fi Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy
Crowd
Family friendly Groups LGBTQ+ friendly Transgender safe space
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Good for kids High chairs
Parking
Free of charge street parking Parking

Photos

Reviews

4.3
★★★★☆
580 reviews

Most Mentioned

beer (15) brunch (15) reuben sandwich (14) gluten free (11) cookies (10) tempeh (9) pad thai (7) bean (7) board games (6) hot chocolate (5)
5 stars
368
4 stars
124
3 stars
39
2 stars
17
1 stars
32
★★★★★
October 21, 2024

Love the new look of the place under new management, menu is still veggie and delicious. If you dine in, there is table service but you pay at the front. A little busy on a Sunday around lunchtime but I didn't mind. A lovely experience!

★★★★★
September 29, 2024

This is the sweetest shop. We stop in here every time we're I'm Guelph. The coffee is smooth, never bitter. The food is good. You must try their cowboy cookies. Staff are always lovely and knowledgeable. Just a wonderful, welcoming place to stop in for a quick bite or cool iced coffee on a hot afternoon.

★★★★★
September 24, 2024

This place is a whole vibe! Love the array of options - vegetarian, vegan, gluten free! They've got it all!!! The curried potatoes are a nice twist. And the cookies are as big as your hand! Also, the service is top notch - very attentive!

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

I was still eating my Legendary Blackbean burger and amazing curried potatoes - and had to stop to write this review. My favourite cafe/restaurant in Guelph! By far! The menu is interesting, great flavours and choice - and all healthy veggie and prepared/finished on site from real ingredients. I think the only things they buy in are teabags and condiments! Awesome spot - well done everyone involved. Only ever done lunch here - but looks like it’s fun at night too!

★★
July 14, 2024

Not impressed - sat outside at one of the two tables, order the Migas breakfast with a coffee. The eggs were quite cold when delivered, as if they had been sitting while the rest of my breakfast was prepared. And if you sit outside, don’t expect to get any service - I had long finished my coffee, and would have hoped for a refill - no such luck as the server never came back!!! Also can’t say the meal was quite worth what I paid. Sadly I’d neither recommend or return to the Cornerstone.

★★★★
May 2, 2024

We visited this place on a whim wanting to try something new and glad we made that choice. The Pinto Bean Mushroom and Avocado Enchilada was a complete delight, perfect to share for two. The two beverages we ordered - mocha and matcha latte were wonderful, rich and creamy compliments to what was a lovely experience. The staff dancing and singing along to the music was a fun thing to witness on top of it all.

★★★★★
October 3, 2023

My go to place whenever I want to enjoy my own company or just an evening coffee out with friends. The atmosphere is really cozy and the staff is super nice and helpful. I love their seasonal drinks, I tried my first lavender cappuccino here and it was amazing! I also like the fact that this is one of the very few cafés to offer a variety of vegan and vegetarian options in food and baked items. Highly recommend it if you are looking for dine in options or just a casual evening out with friends or family for a good cup of coffee!

★★★★★
August 7, 2023

The staff were all super nice, very friendly and helpful. We even got to meet one of the co-owners which was nice. Food was all really good, I got the tempeh wrap which was nice, my sister got the brie grilled cheese and my dad got a wrap. My dad is a meat eater, sister is vegetarian and I am vegan. It was a nice place that was able to satisfy all of us. My dad said he was full 😄. Thanks for the great service!

★★★★
December 15, 2024

My girlfriend has wanted me to go to this café to get work done for some time. While the drinks and the food were good, the Cornerstone is not actually a chill café (at least not until 2 pm). When we entered we asked to sit at a table, and we were told they would be splitting the table into 2 to save space. We were happy to take half the table, but then we were sat at the connected table anyways. To be helpful, we separated the table ourselves. We ordered and ate some food and then pulled out some work we needed to get done. After a short time, we were informed that there is actually a no laptops policy until 2 pm as of a couple of days ago, even though there is nothing posted about this no laptops policy. Also when she came over there were at least 4 empty tables, and at least 3 larger tables with people working at them on tablets, and all of them had been sitting longer than we had. I have no idea why she decided to embarrass us instead of/before them. To be clear, she said we could stay because we werent taking up too much space, but the vibe was obviously over so we high tailed it out of there. In total we were there less than one hour.

★★★★★
December 15, 2024

If I was on death row, the tempeh reuben with curry potatoes and a side of mayo might be my choice for final meal. Vegetarian options: Great veggie options

★★★★
Local Guide
December 8, 2024

Relaxed place. Good coffee. Kid-friendly.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 1, 2024

The Cornerstone has been much praised by those looking for those vegetarian/vegan spots for a bite to eat (to which there s quite a few sprinkled around Guelph) and even my Partner and Daughter always had lovely things to say from their visits but I personally had never ventured in myself though I d certainly walked and flown by many times often admiring the exterior and the intriguing name THE CORNERSTONE certainly wouldn t be out of place for the title of some mysterious series provided by a popular VOD streaming service. I like it , I like it a lot. On quite an uneventful day on the suggestion of my other half we popped in for some lunch and shelter from the chilly autumn winds and I m glad I agreed because it certainly switched things up a notch at least for my taste buds. Thanks to her recommendation my first munching encounter of the hungry kind was with their Tempeh Reuben Sandwich with a side of curried potatoes and oh my goodness I may of just found my ideal combo for the next visit because I was channelling my inner Guy Fieri being in flavour town while chowing down, loved it. It s a very cosy and busy establishment, the staff are friendly, attentive and the atmosphere is just ideal for those looking to lounge and have a meetup with others with all that exposed stonewall interior adding to the charm with events and reading material around to browse and take note of if you wish. Altogether it just gives off a positive vibe throughout. The wait for food was not relatively long at all for what seemed a busy typical lunch hour downtown with expected water refills and later coffee and hot chocolate(you know how I do) and good conversation to pass the time certainly helps if you have it. If I was alone this would be prime time to do some writing or reading and whip out the notepad or notebook. The menu is just packed with so many vegetarian and actual vegan meal options I was impressed as there s plenty to try. The pinto bean mushroom and curried chickpea walnut burger would be something I seek to try next. While I m not exclusively vegan or vegetarian these are the type of places that keep me back on the path of enjoying tasty fun foods. Being that the restaurant is just opposite the tail end of the Guelph Central Go Station if you ve just arrived in the city via bus/train or even about to depart it s certainly worth giving the place a visit and dine-in if it s not too busy and you have the time to do so. Admittedly I m not likely to drop-in that much any time soon but thanks to the positive experience I certainly feel comfortable enough to do so on a whim and will very likely have some food delivered. Hope to eat there again soon.

★★★★
Local Guide
November 22, 2024

Very friendly and helpful. Vegetarian options: Lots of options Food : 4/5 |

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

I love this place whether for coffee or a quick lunch. It has such a comfortable vibe and welcoming inclusive space. Thanks to you for making it wonderful!

★★★★★
October 22, 2024

We found The Cornerstone by accident when waiting for a GO Bus in Guelph. Their breakfast cookies are my absolute favourite. The staff are always so welcoming and knowledgeable. We always make sure to pop in whenever in town. They also have intentional vegan options on their menu which is a huge win.

★★★★★
October 22, 2024

i love a restaurant that supports local <3

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

The latte with soy milk and vanilla I was served today was just perfect. Thank you! Friendly staff, too! It was my first but certainly not last time here.

★★★★★
September 22, 2024

Such friendly staff!! They were super helpful with doing a play on the seasonal drink that ended up so delicious

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

I will be daydreaming about the food here for the rest of my life. Absolutely incredible. Staff and atmosphere were also 10/10

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

Food was amazing and the hospitality was so kind. Best vegan restaurant in Guelph hands down

★★★★★
August 22, 2024

Best multigrain bagel and avocado in the city! Super tasty!

★★★★★
August 22, 2024

Such a lovely space full of great staff, everyone is so kind and helpful, and the menu is packed with so many yummy options!

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

Great Ambience and food. Would highly recommend. I am the person who always avoid eating outside but this is wanna visit again and again. The day i visted there was a soothing light music. Would be great experience if wanna spend me time, do book reading. It takes back you to 80 s era

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

Im glad we stopped while traveling. The food we ordered was delicious. The staff was great.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

Great coffee, great food and mostly amazing people The staff are so sweet and helpful Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

An awesome cafe which is close to the Guelph Central station and located right in downtown Guelph. As for the food, it is really nice with a small and nice menu. The coffee is delicious, especially the Turmeric Latte. Great place for hanging out with friends or even first dates.

★★★★★
June 22, 2024

The staff is always soooo friendly, great espresso too!

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

Love this place. Huevos Rancheros and Migas are my go to breakfast choices

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

This place is a great meeting point. The staffs are really joyful and friendly. I can t recommend more.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

Loved it

★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

Very slow service:( I really love the burger and sandwich we got but the service was slow. Other than that id recommend this place Food : 5/5

June 22, 2024

Ordered 2 breakfast vegetarian entrees - and both were so absolutely salty that our taste palette was thrown off. Everything on the plate was salty. Whoever cooked it either didnt taste the food as they went, or just added salt. Theres salt and pepper at each table, so better to let the customer adjust accordingly - better to have less salt than more, so that that adjustment can be made. I was looking forward to trying this place, but left disappointed with such a basic cooking rule. Likely wont return as spending $48 for over salted food isnt worth the risk.

★★★★★
June 22, 2024

The service was great! Super friendly staff. We sat inside and ordered coffees. The iced latte and mocha were delicious! Both had a strong coffee flavour. Probably my favourite coffee in Guelph!

★★★★★
June 22, 2024

i love this place! friendly staff, wonderful decoration/vibes and very tasty food! Vegetarian options: come here if your vegetarian please!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

I have been here a few times now and have yet to be disappointed. All the food options are really delicious and the staff is super nice.

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Fabulous food and outstanding service

May 22, 2024

Please if you are gluten intolerant, DO NOT eat the Pad Thai! I called and was told the Pad Thai was gluten free, but they don t use gluten free soy sauce. Why not just switch to a gluten free soy sauce? Disappointed. Will miss my weekly takeaway.

★★★★★
May 22, 2024

Really enjoy my visits to The Cornerstone!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Been there a few times for coffee and its a nice establishment with a good atmosphere and friendly staff. Your coffee is good panda cafe doesnt smell like burning coffee grounds.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

Everything you could ever want: really good food, coffee, beer, cocktails, sweets. Great staff too. Definitely coming back here the next time I m in Guelph!

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

Celiac friendly, this trendy little restaurant was a great little breakfast spot.

April 22, 2024

Came in as a group of 2, was seated right away, but no server came to us after 10+ minutes of waiting. Customers came in behind us and were served instantly. We decided to leave because it was quite frustrating. Service is important!

★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

Love this place for breakfast. Huevos Rancheros are my fave. Food is vegetarian or vegan depending on your preference. Small but good beer selection on tap as well and friendly service! Food

★★★★★
February 22, 2024

Such a wonderful place. People are always sweet, food is one of the best in GTA. Sense of community and great fresh home made food makes me want to come here again.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

I had one of the tastiest oat lattes in Guelph and my brunch was delicious. All of the staff were friendly despite it clearly being very busy at midday on a Sunday. This is a gem and Ill be back for sure. Vegetarian options: Lots of vegan options. Dietary restrictions: They offer a good selection of gluten free options.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

A classic Guelph spot. One of my favourite places. Cozy, welcoming, friendly staff, excellent coffee and very tasty eats. I am a regular here and do not foresee that changing any time soon. Vegetarian options: Vegetarian restaurant. All veg friendly options! Kid-friendliness: There are books/journals that you can colour in and pencils, pencil crayons and markers are provided. There are also games to play.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Lovely cafe. Great variety of coffee and tea, lively atmosphere, great food. My friend and I got one of their pastries from the front window and it did not disappoint. I ordered an iced mocha as well and the flavour was pleasant and just the right sweetness. 10/10 would come again.

February 22, 2024

Servers are extremely rude, especially to people of colour. Disappointed to say this is a reoccurring experience for myself and others.

★★★★★
February 22, 2024

Ill never not give The Cornerstone 5 stars. Im in there *frequently* and theyve never missed once. The food ? Consistently good. The music ? Great if you like a range of indie folk rock and altenerative (I do). The washrooms? Individual rooms and always clean. The tables are the perfect size for showing up with some tasks to complete and YES there are outlets. And the service? Always super friendly and welcoming- feels like home. If you havent tried The Taste of Downtown sandwich yet youre missing out. Local Gem.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Friendly staff, good food and good atmosphere. Since the kitchen is small it can take a bit to get your order if it is a busy time, which isnt a problem just good to keep in mind.

★★★★★
February 22, 2024

Best brunch spot in Guelph, hands down Vegetarian options: Tons of vegan options Dietary restrictions: Nut free, lots of gluten-free and vegan options

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

This restaurant has a very homey feeling with the exposed stone walls and open kitchen . I haven t been in since the new owner and renovation . It s nice to walk in and the doorway is open . I would suggest something to block the draft though for the front tables . Maybe plexiglass or wooden slat fencing material with a hearty finish . The americano and cowboy cookie are delicious . My only improvement comment on the service would be to bring my cookie with the coffee . The barista was very busy so not an issue . She s very friendly with a gentle tone of voice . It s a terrific place for what feels like a mid day vacay on a dreary January afternoon. Thank you Cornerstone . I ll be back Vegetarian options: An excellent variety of options for every taste . Dietary restrictions: Gluten free , vegan and dairy free options . Wheelchair accessibility: Easily accessible directly into dining area .

January 22, 2024

Took 30 min to make a sandwich. I could not even eat it because my train was arriving. I still paid for it!

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

Incredible spot in Guelph! The food is delicious and service is incredible. Everyone is so helpful and happy. A cool culture and vibe. Cant wait to go back!

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

A LGBT+ friendly space with live music in a warm kitschy modern setting. Great menu selection of appetizers and meals with extensive drink selections, both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks to choose from. Pricing is reasonable for what they sell, $25 for two cafe drinks and one appetizer.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Inviting customers and staff, good vibes all around :)

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

It was after Christmas and at brunch so it was extremely busy for the limited staff on that day but food was good.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Amazing little restaurant in the heart of Downtown Guelph. The way they put the flavours together in their meals and snacks is absolutely fabulous. Plus, theres really decent coffee/espresso/teas to be enjoyed along with a curated selection of interesting local craft beers on tap. If youre in Guelph for any reason, and not even vegetarian, its definitely worth a try! Vegetarian options: This restaurant is entirely vegetarian. Vegan and GF options are also available throughout the menu. Parking: Lots of parking available in the downtown area, some free.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Its a vegetarian and vegan cafe/resto with options for gluten free. Been going since early 2000s and still one of my favourite places to go for a tasty brunch or lunch. Always a pleasant environment. Vegetarian options: No meat on the menu Dietary restrictions: Gluten free options

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Wow. What a gem. It was actually by fluke that I ended up here, but my wife suggested it even though she had never been because it was vegan/vegetarian. So happy she did, this place was great. I loved everything about it. If you are vegetarian or vegan its a must visit in Guelph.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Great simple cafe and restaurant. Vegetarian and vegan food is what I would call. Classic vegetarian. No crazy beyond this and impossible that. Just black bean or chick pea smash. Potatoes and grilled cheese and simple no nonsense veggie food. Good cookies, coffee and tea. Was tempted to get beer looked like a good selection too.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Great staff great food and drink and great atmosphere. Overall I love it and love the vibe here. Inclusive, safe and your tastebuds will be happy. Vegetarian options: Amazing, different, and very delicious vegetarian options. Dietary restrictions: Able to accommodate most dietary restrictions including lactose or gluten allergies. Parking: Not much parking but right in downtown and from the corner from Guelph Central so its super convenient to get to. Wheelchair accessibility: Accessible for any mobility devices.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

The only place Ive been to in Guelph where their regular coffee (black) didnt taste metallic-y. Also, the brownies have no business being that good. This is one of my new fav spots! Vegetarian options: All veg and vegan options. Kid-friendliness: Board games, decks of cards, and sketch books as well as writing utensils at your disposal. Laid back atmosphere.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

I took a wrap with chickpeas it was good but I think they could improve on the presentation but overall it was good

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Friendly folks and very knowledgeable to accommodate dietary needs.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

We had a chance to come and eat here on Wednesday night while we were at a dance competition at River Run Centre. We are vegan and gluten free so. A lot of places don t have many options for us. There were so many delicious options here that we had to come back the next day for lunch to experience more of the menu.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

I have been threatening to go to the newly updated and owned Cornerstone for a while and finally got the chance. I am so glad I did. The atmosphere is very relaxed, staff are very friendly and the food is absolutely amazing. What a great way to spend an evening out. For the meatatarians worried about the menu, dont. The tastes of the dishes are amazing and youll really enjoy the menu. Definately recommended.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

We didnt eat this time but will be certain to go back. The atmosphere and service were great.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

It felt like i would sit there for hours and keep on talking to my better half. The place felt magical. Atmosphere was so nice and pleasant. Service was great. Ourserver was talkative and suggested whats good to order. Food was outstanding. Delicious and mouthful Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Staff and cliental are trendy and awesome! Positive vibes and great atmosphere :)

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Great bfast bagel sandwhich

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Tasty food, friendly and efficient service.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Great menu, lots of vegan options food is delicious, located in the fun part of Guelph too! Vegetarian options: Big vegan menu with different protein options, delicious! Dietary restrictions: Lots of vegan and veggie options Parking: Street parking and a few mins walk away from a parkade Kid-friendliness: We took our two year old son and had a nice lunch on the patio outside

★★★★
December 22, 2023

Good food. Wish they had more vegan options though.

★★★
December 22, 2023

When I come to Guelph, I usually find myself at the Cornorstone. Sometimes its just for a cowboy cookie or, sometimes, a full out meal. 20 May 2023 was my first time back to the Cafe since Covid. The inside remained the same, the atmosphere remained the same, but the food items did not. Gone were some great choices and the ones that did remain werenr as delicious. I got a chickpea burger and the addition of basil mayo on a curry patty with a big spread of garlic ailoi made the patty slide right out and overwhelmed the pallet with competing flavors. The Caesar dressing was basically mayo and garlic...not much flavour at all. I did leave recommending g that the chickpea burger/basil mayo combo be removed and that they bring back the spicy sweet potato and brie pizza...that was amazing!

December 22, 2023

My brother & me went here expecting a good coffee experience. We saw the images been posted morever some mix reviews. However, I really had a bad bad bad experience. The girl who was taking the orders by seeing us as a brown people she served me coffee for dine in, in a paper cup. Just beside us a person (who was not an immigrant) ordered a same coffee he was served in a ceramic mug .!! May I ask why was that!! Really such a ridiculous experience. I would never recommend anyone to go this place!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

I had a good experience eating there tempeh Reuben.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

I like it. Relaxed vibe.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Lovely coffee shop with delicious cookies. I had a hot chocolate with oat milk and it hit the spot.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Vegetarian options: Lots of vegetarian and vegan options. Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

I have had most of the vegan dishes on the menu and Ive never been disappointed! I bring my omnivore friends too and everyone enjoys it! Very cozy vibe with boardgames available too.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Incredible vegan food. Really good people too

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

One of my favourite places to come when I just want to lounge with some good coffee and good food! The staff are always wonderful and super welcoming. The atmosphere is great and it has a unique and rustic charm. It seems very community focused and always has lots of posters for local events, so it s a great place to go to find things to do. The coffee and food are incredible and they have a lot of vegetarian and vegan options. The cookies are to die for!! And they do a lot of live music and an open mic, so it s fantastic if you re looking for entertainment.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Most delicious vegetarian vegan in Guelph

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Outstanding experience! Thanks for a fabulous breakfast. Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Stopped in to grab something to eat and drink after a tattoo appointment up the street while I waited for my go train. Originally I just wanted to be somewhere close while I wait, and didn t care much for where I waited but I m so happy this is where I ended up. The atmosphere is fantastic, warm, cozy, and very relaxed. I got a chai tea and taste of downtown sandwich with curried potatoes. Not kidding when I say this sandwich changed my life. So. Dang. Good. Both were amazing, the gal who was helping me advised me that they don t sweeten their chai so there was sugar in the table if I wanted to do so but I didn t have to. Their chai is PERFECTION. I even grabbed a second for the road when I left. The two gals behind the counter were so awesome, I ll definitely be back to try their seasonal cocktails and the beers they have on tap (huge bonus this place is licensed). Overall such a cool spot, glad that after all this time walking passed it I finally wandered in.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Delicious vegan and vegetarian fare. Strong menu with diverse choices, including some terrific baked goods and inspired daily specials. Great atmosphere in a good location, especially for local transit. Service was super friendly, well informed, and perfectly attentive (care without being obtrusive). Excellent choice for a vegetarian business lunch or meet up with a friend. Highly recommended.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Quick, friendly service, and delicious soup of the day!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Must try place!! Loved the ambience, staff & food! Will deffinately visit again. Recommended dishes

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Great food and great vibes!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

This is such a great spot for coffee and/or food. The breakfast special is delicious! The location is very convenient within downtown Guelph. The ambiance is very relaxed, friendly and comfortable. The new menu has a great variety of vegetarian and vegan options. They also have vegan treats. The restaurant is licensed and is very popular. Vegetarian options: All the items on the menu are vegetarian or vegan.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

We went in for brunch on Saturday late morning. The service was fantastic and food delicious. Space is atmospheric, roomy and welcoming. Sadly we dont live in Guelph, but will definitely stop by next time were there. Their lunch offerings looked brilliant too.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

I had a Reuben sandwich last night and it was phenomenal. Moreover, the staff were so nice and the environment was very welcoming. I m so happy this place exists

★★
December 22, 2023

I m really torn about this place. I thought I would give it another chance but this time I just feel the urge to write a review (which is rare). Almost every time I come in, I m ignored. There is only one waitress who has ever even noticed me when I walked in and been friendly to me. I wish I knew her name so I could exclude her from this. Other than her, I am never served:( It gets to the point where I have to just walk up to the counter and give my order to whoever will turn around and acknowledge me. This itself usually takes time, as the staff notice me and then proceed to just go about their business and pretend I m not there?? Once they finally accept that I m not going away because I would actually like to order, I am always met with such disdain, as if I am being such a pain for wanting to order food. It s really kind of ridiculous. I feel like a nuisance at a place that I ve chosen to give my money to. As much as I love the location and the ambiance, I most likely won t return - just out of self respect at this point! Honestly just disappointed. Wouldn t recommend. Such an odd experience.

★★★★
December 22, 2023

Awesome spot for warm drink and hangout

December 22, 2023

I got food poisoning so badly that I m still suffering with stomach problems 6 months on.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

this place is cute as hell, and super affordable. love that they re so queer positive as well. cheers!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Love this place, cool vibe, friendly people, vegan menu options. Fab!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Such a great place, friendly staff, tons and tons of vegan options.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Oh my gosh, the Cornerstone has reopened, here on Saturday February 12th, 2022, and the breakfast menu is so good that I want to order everything on it! Wonderful, vegetarian options!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Came in to pick up lunch and a latte for the first time in years. Just as delicious as I remember! I cant wait to come back.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Awesome

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Over the decade since I first visited, consistently delicious food.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Just to cancel out one of those dum dums that think theyre being discriminated against Great food too though

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

I went there after a run for some breakfast. The vegan breakfast bean burrito was outstanding. I would definitely recommend it. Im always worried about portion size especially when I run. But I left full and satiated. Will be back again to try more of the menu. Great vegan spot.

December 22, 2022

Restaurant discriminates. Shame on them!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Amazing service, and such friendly people. They definitely take care in providing with a positive experience and great food. I appreciate that they continue to care about their staff and customer s safety while providing great customer service. Would recommend to anyone!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Enjoyed a nice lunch there today with my partner. Both of us raved about the Curried roast potatoes and our respective meals. Can highly recommend the Taste of Downtown sandwich, mighty tasty. Ended it off with a homemade brownie. 10/10 cozy place and newly renovated, looks great!

December 22, 2022

Dont go here! This place is still supporting vaccination passports and will never get any of my business again.

December 22, 2022

Horrible food and rude staff would not go or recommend!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

I adore the Cornerstone! I always feel so welcomed by the staff, the food is delicious, and the beer is top notch! I also appreciate the staff s commitment to safety at this time. Big love !!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Amazing vegan food, amazing people, and amazing atmosphere! I especially like the tempeh reuben and their new espresso machine makes the best americanos Their decision to continue to require proof of vaccination is one I stand behind. Keep up the great work Syd, Thuy, and all!

December 22, 2022

Just disgusting.

December 22, 2022

Thoroughly disgusted in this establishment that considers discrimination and segregation to be ok. There are laws to protect people from things like this, this violates basic human rights.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

We enjoyed the renovated space and delicious food (Reuben sandwich, cowboy cookie) and hot drinks (London fog latte, cappuccino)!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Always the best food, and a great atmosphere! Nothing but good things to say about this restaurant!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Delicious and fairly priced vegan meals, and super friendly service!

★★
December 22, 2022

My sandwich was less then good, Currie potatoes were dry and over spiced ( I like spices and spicy food) - but that s just my opinion. Rude staff on the till may explain the empty dinning area?

★★★
December 22, 2022

The renovations was very attractive and give the space a fresh look. I am waiting to return for lunch to give an opinion on food rather than comment on breakfast.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Great service, great food, great atmosphere!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Absolutely love this place! Enjoyed a delicious vegan club sandwich. Curried potatoes are extraordinary. Staff were friendly and welcoming.

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Lib owners hanging on to political abuses...plus toppings are minuscule

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

The new owners and reno s are amazing. The place is so clean and lush with plants- beautiful atmosphere. The vegan brownie was so delicious! Looking forward to trying everything on the menu. So many veg options!

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

The staff was very friendly and helpful. The food itself was kind of tasteless though. I had the black bean burger and it was basically mush. I guess there was sauce on it but I didnt taste anything. The curry potatoes were spicy, which I like, but again had a bland in taste.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Great food and staff

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Great vegan/vegetarian food, great vibe.

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Its not for family breakfast place.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

lovely bright place, great work on the remodel/refurbishment compared to previous years. recommend all of the brunch options and their coffee (with refills yay)

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Folks here are FABULOUS

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Wonderful place!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Amazing food! The service at The Cornerstone couldn t be beat! Thank you thank you for the great morning. It really kick started my day in the best way!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

The new management is so friendly and rye food is delicious!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Had an amazing dinner!!! The service was also exceptional! Will definitely come again!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Fantastic restaurant! Love the atmosphere, highly recommended to anyone looking to dine out at a reasonable price. Service is quick, polite, and on point!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Delicious food! Stellar service! Awesome atmosphere

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

The food is made fresh to order, and the baked goods are made in house form scratch! There are gluten free options too. My go to combo is the enchilada with an iced latte.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Had the Omelette of the Day which had goat cheese, spinach and pesto and it was DIVINE. Great fast service too!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Excellent food and great service! Love the antijitos!

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

We went on Sunday around 1:45 PM and asked if we could see the lunch menu (which starts at 2 PM) because we had a bridal dress appointment for 2:30 and had to be out asap. The server said no because they won t make any lunch food until 2 PM even though by the time our order was being taken, it was 10 mins until lunch time. It also wasn t busy at all. We did end up having brunch - just your classic eggs, toast, potatoes, etc. They were good, nothing to write home about. I just found that to be the most laughable service experience ever and probably wouldn t go back solely based on that. EDIT: we were told lunch starts at 2 and they couldn t do anything about it, not 2:30. Also, they didn t make reparations as the response suggests. The server never spoke to us or tried to build rapport after the whole lunch thing until the very end when they were going to bring our bills, which seemed kind of convenient - that s when they offered us a free baked good and apologized. There was literally nothing said before this.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Great spot for coffee or lunch!! I had both as I worked from here for a couple of hours.. super friendly staff and chill atmosphere. Great vegan and GF options for lunch!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Great food and lovely staff!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Excellent decor and ambiance, incredible food, Wonderful service, and fantastic time all around. Highly recommend :)

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

What a delight! I originally found this place on the Happy Cow app which didnt tell me about ALL the vegan options. The food was very good. Very natural and fresh tasting. I sampled a beer, a local sour, ended up getting the wrong one but it was replaced quickly and had a fun chat about the beer selections with the staff. The team there were very chummy and happy. It seemed like they actually loved doing their work. Its great to see. They were attentive to the diners but not overbearing and didnt have forced behaviours. (Thats nice to see!) Keep doing what youre doing, I can see why people kept coming in, even people who you wouldnt think would be eating there...if that means anything. Vegetarian options: Lots of vegan and vegetarian options! More vegan choices than I originally found through the Happy Cow app.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Really chill vibe and super good food!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

The Cornerstone is literally the cornerstone of hippy culture in Guelph. They have reliably decent veggie food, pretty great brunch, great staff, they support local music in so many ways, and its a really nice space.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Delicious brewed coffee with warm milk (nice touch, thanks). The vegan brownies are creamy and sooo chocolaty. Love that they have books and games for adults and children. The washrooms are clean and quaintly decorated. Quite love this sweet spot! Vegetarian options: Lots of options including tempeh Kid-friendliness: They had a big variety of treats but also books and games for a variety of ages.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Since the new owners took over and they renovated the space is CLEAN now! And the food is even better. The best menu! Great service! My all time fav diner :)

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Such a nice atmosphere with open stage, friendly staffs and customers. Lovely latte and decent food.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Breakfast Bagels were amazing

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

The Cornerstone is my favourite cafe in all of Guelph, and one of my faves of all time! The people are super lovely, which to me is the most important thing that makes it a comfortable place to eat, hang out or do work! Its also really cozy and the chefs make delicious food! Ive been coming to the Cornerstone since I moved to Guelph in the early 2000s and I love that even though its changed ownership, it still has the same great atmosphere and I can reminisce on fond memories!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Cozy atmosphere with incredibly friendly service. This is the kind of olace you visit to make yourself feel better if you had a bad day. I ordered their daily soup (butternut squash) and it was perfect for the cold temperature. Matcha latte was tasty and well mixed - no clumps! Definitely coming back for their heartier meals one day!

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Coffee was mid. The chai tea was good. Not to sweet. The tiger cup was an excellent touch a much appreciated. The food was pretty good with lots of vegan / vegetarian options. Good atmosphere. The staff was extremely friendly. Highly recommend the antojitos. Delicious. The yam quesadillas were good too.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Had a delicious dinner there with friends! The pizza was really good, and the servers went above and beyond to make sure we had a good experience. They set up extra tables for the pizza for us and were really friendly! I highly recommend for a casual night out.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Amazing restaurant! I love it here

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Very Nice ambience. Great VEGAN options. You want to taste delicious home made pizza, it is a must visit. I will surely visit again

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Yummy

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

My favourite place to get vegetarian food!! The Cornerstone is also one of my favourite places to slow down and enjoy a cup of coffee - they offer a beautiful atmosphere with those large windows allowing sunshine to pour in. They have also done some amazing work through these tough times with the start up of Pizza Pi ( the most incredible pizza and local craft beer combos) as well as through their market place. Definitely check out their IG to see all the exciting things they have to offer!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Definitely the best place in town for vegans and vegetarians. Delicious food, fantastic coffee, warm hosts, and a chill atmosphere

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

When searching for Vegan options in Guelph, it may seem pretty limited but this place has a decent amount of options. Not a huge patio, but 4 tables outside if you dont wish to get take out. Its under construction right now, so was quite hard to find for us out of towners. The service was good. Wasnt over the top fantastic but was adequate. The options here are very plentiful. Even more so if you go before 2pm, as youll get the option for their breakfast menu. Then theres the regular menu and the pizza menu. We got the Tempeh Rueben (pictured) and the Tofu Clubhouse sandwiches with potatoes for the side. The tofu clubhouse was very good but the tempeh rueben was unreal. The potatoes were a nice side. Next time were in Guelph, well definitely come back to this spot and enjoy eating inside when were able to. Great restaurant. 4/5.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Grabbed a pizza from the newly opened pizzeria, and I was very happy with the timeliness, quality, and freshness of our za. Grabbed an order of the dough balls, which I absolutely loved. Creamy garlic dipping sauce on point. Love how they use a dough ball as the lid support in the middle of the pizza too!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Stopped by on some long bike tours from Waterloo; food and coffee were tasty, staff were very friendly and helpful with refilling water bottles, etc. The only complaint is that sometimes it took a while to get service, but admittedly those were during rush times at the cafe.

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Fantastic breakfast

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Great to hear a local artist at night with a good beer, or serves up amazing vegetarian breakfast

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Love Cornerstone, it s a hub of the city. Thanks to Mark there is always something to keep the city connected through the love of coffee and healthy eating.

★★★
December 22, 2020

The food is good. HOWEVER, the Tofu Scramble is NOT an actual tofu scramble. Its a vegetable stir fry with tofu strips in it. Was disappointed twice because I forgot that the first time it wasnt a scramble and had ordered it again.

December 22, 2020

Too bad this place doesnt deserve everybody! Take your taste buds elsewhere. Suggest ABCs What Would You Do show do a program here to show the owners true colors.

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Food was just ok and took over an hour for lunch when there was only one other table seated, super slow service.

★★★★
December 22, 2020

We ordered a veggie pizza and a gluten free vegan pizza. Both pizzas were really good. The regular pizza crust is excellent; crispy, chewy and perfectly thin enough to hold the toppings. Great beer and cider options from local sources too. We sat inside and felt very safely distanced. We will definitely go back for more or grab some for take out. Thank you Cornerstone!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Delicious veg and vegan fare. Enjoyed our meal and the service was great. Recommended.