This is a great cafe to grab a coffee, any other hot drinks &/or something tasty to eat. Word to the wise, kitchen shuts an hour prior to actual closing time. So no tasty sandwiches that last hour. However, you can still order the remaining baked treats that last hour there open (& really, that's not a bad thing if you have a sweet tooth!). The layout feels like it's two shops & allows for lots mixed seating & one great long table with giant benches. This also means one needs to be able to navigate through tighter spots easily if you're sitting down before your order is ready (or for my friends that look for accessible work arounds, going through the doors opposite to the sign suggestions to avoid any unfortunate drink/food disasters would be a good strategy). There's separate entrance/exit doors but the way the long line up to order occurs inside, the exit door is smarter to enter into the cafe (if you're able). There's also some tables outside along the street & a bench along the wall. If the weather is decent, I usually opt for that outside option. Otherwise, I prepare myself for a louder cafe experience being that this location is busy right to the end of the day. The staff is always friendly here. I greatly appreciate that the cashier took time to ask about any soy in certain baked treat options I was considering (after finding out I couldn't do a tasty turkey sandwich I was hoping for). In the past I've enjoyed breakfast sandwiches & lunch sandwiches. Both worthy of me to return to enjoy again. Being that it's awhile since I stopped here, I opted to try their seasonal latte. Usually I go with their tasty mocha. So I have to say for all the spices listed in the drink, I really didn't taste the difference between that special seasonal latte & a regular latte. However, still a very decent latte & gave me the needed caffeine boost after wandering through my first QB Christmas market before stopping at the cafe. As Qualicum Beach is known for their senior population, this place (like many others) has the basics checked off for accessibility. However, if I had anyone joining me with a walker or wheelchair, I would definitely suggest we find a table first & then I would go up to order for everyone. This being even with a cane, I find it is really hard to navigate back to the tables once you've got the order. They have a small bathroom tucked at the back but you need to be able to navigate around many tables to reach it. The lightning never bothers my eyes in here but at full capacity, anyone with hearing issues or noise sensitivity would have issues. Overall, a decent local place with a lot of regular tasty menu items. read more

Food outstanding service is quick and professional the coffee is extremely good! The people are friendly read more

My girlfriend and I visited the FP on February 22, 2023. It has a nice indie, local business vibe. It was quite busy that day despite the snow warnings. The food still came out pretty quickly. Out of the food places we went to in our time at Qualicum Beach, this definitely takes the trophy. I had never tried shakshouka before and it was so delicious. The FP has put me onto the dish. The chicken brie sandwich that my girlfriend ordered was very tasty. However, the salad dressing was a little odd and neither of us could finish it. Would definitely recommend this place for those visiting Qualicum Beach! read more

French Press - Chicken brie sandwich and shakshouka - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Qualicum Beach, British Columbia

Not that they need another 5 star review! Had a nice long walk at Rathtrevor park and came in here afterwards for coffee and lunch. We had the cheese and spinach scone, the Reuben and a bowl of the creamy tomato soup. Place was absolutely packed, people sitting everywhere, staff on full tilt making food and coffee. We found seats at the communal table and within 5 mins our food was up. This place has a prep station and a kitchen stove from someone's house but they were killing it. Anyone who can make a good Cortado gets a 5 in my book! Thank you and we hope to come back next time! (Also I forgot to mention they sell coffee beans and cups etc all the gear you need for home brewing and even offer a free class on how to get perfect taste at home ) read more

French Press - Cortado with cheese and spinach scone - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Qualicum Beach, British Columbia

FP in Qualicum has the absolute best London Fog latte in town! Always made with care and attention by their lovely, friendly staff. YUM! read more

camping at rathtrevor we discovered this gem across the parking lot from arrow smith brewery opens at 8am the smell of coffee is fantastic with seating in the roastery on comfy couches on day two she remembered our order so can't get better service than that I've never had carrot cake for breakfast before but it looked so good we had to try some and I didn't disappoint right down to the icing it was inhaled quickly and repeated on day 2 calm and clean with good coffee and delicious food these people love their work and it shows read more

French Press - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Qualicum Beach, British Columbia

Great food and amazing coffee. This is a really good place to have breakfast. We will definitely be back the next time we are in Qualicum. It always seems to attract a crowd so that's testimony to its quality. read more

We used Qualicum Beach as a midway point heading out from Victoria to Tofino on the way out and on the way back. French Press was one of the best discoveries we made during our two nights in town. During our first morning in Qualicum, we headed over from our hotel a little late in the morning. At that point, the line was already about 6 deep outside the front door. Just by looking at the pastries in the front window, I knew we picked the right spot for a fresh-made breakfast and fantastic coffee. French Press has plenty of seating indoors, and they have about half a dozen little tables on a patio out by the sidewalk. On our first trip, I got the Sunriser and my wife got the Shakshouka. My breakfast sandwich was incredible, and I did add some avocado to it. The winner by far was my wife and the Shakshouka. The tomato stew had two nicely poached eggs simmering, and the dish was dusted with cilantro and lime zest. Goat cheese is added in the tomato stew. The tomato stew was absolutely incredible, filled with all sorts of interesting flavors. So savory, and not spicy at all in terms of heat. That dish was so good, my wife ordered it a second time on our return trip back to stay another night in Qualicum Beach. I will also add here that the regular coffee was great. Brewed just a little bit on the richer, darker side. The lattes' were really good that others in our group ordered. One other thing you do not want to miss out on are the fresh made pastries. I got a couple of the cookies. One of them was like a PB&J sandwich, and I believe the other was a killer chocolate chip. If you don't walk away with some of those, you are really missing a special treat! read more

Great coffee. Great iced coffee. Delicious scones. Delectable tomato soup. Yum! Always delicious, not disappointing. read more

French Press - Cheese & chive scone. - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Qualicum Beach, British Columbia

Service was terrible. Line up and they forgot my latte. Had to go back in line to get it. My friend's breakfast order took almost 20 minutes. The food was great. read more

Had a lunch at this place. I'm just giving 3 stars because of the food. The cafe itself was pretty, cozy and well decorated. Also servers were nice. But... panini... it wasn't impressed at all. I ordered a chicken breast panini and it looked great outside but after I had a bite what a disappointment! I didn't taste any chicken but only sauce and bread. It was $12 for panini and small salad and i think it wasn't worth it. read more

French Press - Where is the rest of chicken? - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Qualicum Beach, British Columbia

We come to Qualicum once a year to visit my mom. Last year we tried every coffee shop in downtown Qualicum in an attempt to find the best espresso. This was the last place we tried and I was saddened I hadn't tried it earlier. Now we know. French Press Cafe makes the best cappuccinos in Qualicum. We're there everyday this year. Strong coffee game! Great service. read more

The food is understated yet perfectly composed and presented. The poached eggs in tomato stew was masterfully done with simple fresh ingredients with a great knowledge of spice and flavour combinations. You might think your getting a chicken and cheese sandwich but to choose a perfect salty Brie with a tangy sweet cranberry dressing is not something most chefs understand. The homemade dressing with touch of curry and honey and citrus is beyond approach. You wouldn't want to break down your meal into singular ingredients but when the food tastes as good as it does here you have to wonder how they do it and why other restaurants can't follow suit. The chef here understands and loves good food and good ingredients and loves what he has created. It's not a five star restaurant but I give five stars for taste and for keeping it real. Awesome read more

Great coffee, innovative & delicious baked goods and friendly service. I also love their outside ordering set-up for Covid.

Very friendly and excellent service. I had the Ruben sandwich which was melt in your mouth. The pickled cabbage was a perfect blend of tart and crunch. Carrot cake. One of the best I've EVER had. Icing isn't too sweet and over bearing like most places. I'll be back again soon! read more

A great local find. Limited outdoor seating but perfect on a summer morning. The name is no coincidence as local grounds are presented in a French press complete with a timer so you know when your personal coffee is brewed to perfection. Faintly heard Opera rehearsal blends with hushed whisperings of local church lady gossip. A local senior couple walks by and remarks jokingly "oh look, a young couple". Now that they mention it, I see it too read more

They make an awesome oat milk latte! And their breakfast meals are delicious. Nice spot to chat with friends too.

So far I haven't been impressed with the food in Qualicum (maybe off season isn't the time to evaluate), but this place is the happy exception. I had a latte with an extra shot, which makes that three shots, and it was strong and milky. Perfect. They happily made my breakfast bowl without sausage. Scrambled eggs were not runny and not rubbery with a lot of cheese. Peppers were kind of a weird add on but they were cooked yet crisp, tomatoes and arugula fresh. Plain food well done and a very mellow atmosphere. Going to try something else tomorrow. read more

Good dark coffee. 'Very nice caring European woman owner. 'Their cinnamon buns are to die for. 'Definitely a "get one yourself, 'I'm not sharing!" experience! It's a small cafe in Qualicum and they are not open past 4PM weekdays, 'not weekends that I know of. Delicious healthy soups, salads and sannies, fresh baked bread, 'they will not sell a loaf of bread to you which is a d...m shame, so delish.. however they just make enough for the cafe to use. The food is moderately priced, 'not cheap, ' however so made w. care it's worth every penny. read more

Friendly service, cozy atmosphere and a delicious Rueben sandwich. If the lemon tarts are available get one!

Too often little spaces mean little eye appeal and uncomfortable seating. A can of paint is not expensive and neither are a few modest prints for the walls . Some of the seating is just wickedly uncomfortable. Muffins should be mountainous and flavourful not flat and bland. read more

Everything was so fresh and delicious. The corn chowder was savory, the sandwiches were made on wonderful bread, the salads were crunchy and fresh. The baked goods are WONDERFUL and the coffee is strong. The staff is friendly and kind. read more

My husband says the best cranberry & pear scone he's ever had!! I also love the decor in the washroom of pages of old books as their wallpaper! Love it! read more

Best place around for a latte and a freshly baked muffin! Make sure to stop in for a coffee and check out the fresh muffins they change up each day! read more