One of my favourite hangouts near UW campus. They have plenty of seats and is great for sipping some coffee or tea while listening to the din of pleasant conversation. Their specialty coffees and teas are very good. They also serve an array of refreshing cool drinks. I love their desserts, especially the Belgian Waffles with Ice Cream. If you want, you can also order meals, but I'd stick to the soups and sandwiches. Their other entrees are overpriced and a little undewhelming. Can't say enough about their atmosphere and the drinks. If you've got an hour or two to kill with friends and want a good hang out, this is the place. read more

I used to always order the Mac n Cheese combo which comes with a side for approx $11.50. I usually get sweet potato fries as the side and it's delicious. But now the menu changed and the it no longer comes with a side, which I think isn't a good deal anymore. And it's always hard to find a seat there. read more

I like Williams in general as much I like Starbucks, with much more affordable items. The settings at different locations are very consistent. It would be wonderful if the staffs can be a little faster at servicing as well as cleaning up the tables. Also, it would be great if there are more power outlets for laptop/iPhone charging. It's a pity sometimes the customers become extremely noisy and they talk too loud that I had to use an earbud. But overall I like Williams as a casual place to hang out for coffee (I like Williams coffee better than Tim Hortons by far) and snacks. read more

The hot chocolate is not hot. The whipped cream is far too cold. Through the process of thermodynamics I was left with a "lukecool" beverage. Additionally, I did not receive a teaspoon and plate with my mug. read more

bruh lets be real here ur paying for the ambiance and atmosphere of this 'upscale' starbucks type place where everythings super expensive and the portions are tiny and you see people with macbooks workin and shit. the 'rice boxes' are kinda expensive for the amount you get ($10) but tasty. honestly im still cheesed cause one time i tried to go in with some friends and they wouldn't let me eat my mr paninos eggplant w/rice take out box in there smh read more

WARNING: NOT VEGETARIAN/KOSHER/HALAL FRIENDLY This is a warning to all people who refrain from eating pork. I ate at williams a number of times and usually ordered the salads (many of which come with garlic toast). Sometimes I ordered the cobb salad "vegetarian" which to me means no bacon in the salad (as listed on the menu). At a recent visit to Williams, I was informed the garlic toast has crushed bacon on it...and this wasn't a new recipe, it has always been like that. What restaurant puts bacon on garlic toast without informing the customer?!? Furthermore, Williams customer service did not respond after 3 attempts to contact them. To say the least, I am not going back. read more

William's is not just a place to get food! I've seen people come here to study (free wi-fi!) while sipping on coffee, meet with friends and talk for hours while sharing one slice of cake, bring dates and share a crepe or waffle, or just sit on the patio reading with a chiller in one hand. But of course, they have tasty food. I recently tried their new "Picks" menu, where you get half of any sandwich and/or panini, a side salad or soup and a dessert (cookie, apple or kettle chips). My favourite combination for picks is: pesto chicken panini, strawberry fields salad w/ feta (or something like that -- this is DELICIOUS!) and kettle chips. It's a bit pricy -- around $8-$9 for the combo, but really you're paying for the atmosphere (casual sit-down restaurant). On the flip side, I find their breakfast is mediocre and overpriced. William's also has a great selection of cakes .. chocolate, mousse, cheesecake, etc. Perfect for sharing with a friend or a date! Overall, it's a great place to meet with friends or study (if you don't mind the loud noise). You walk in, order your food and choose your own table so there is no real wait staff, just bussers who come around clearing and cleaning tables. You pay for your food when you order at the counter so no one will ever subtly ask you to leave by giving you your cheque Lastly, not sure why this establishment is labelled "nightlife". The only thing related to "nightlife" about it is that it's open late ... until 1am. Other than that, it's a normal coffee shop (doesn't even have live music nights, though it does have a few bottles of beer, liquor and wine!) read more

Way. Too. Fricking. Expensive. I mean come on, it's at university plaza, people aren't made of money here. The one time I came here with someone who was paying, I ordered a sandwich and it was quite delicious, but not worth the $10. It was the same quality as one of those finger sandwiches they always have for free at office meetings or UW's co-op info sessions. read more

Apparently when you order a large latte "for here" they actually give you nothing more than a medium. I got the ceramic mug, but when I asked if I could get it "to go" then they gave me a medium cup to go. Don't make that mistake. Get what you paid for. read more

Williams Fresh Cafe - "Large latte for here" is the same as "medium to go", for the price of $4.85. Ridiculous. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Waterloo, Ontario

They take way too long for anything except for coffee. Even if you want a simple hot chocolate or specialty drink for takeout, you have to take your number and sit aside for over 10 minutes. Just walk over to second cup and get your drink instantly instead. read more

I really don't like how much they abhor outside food. like they will kick u out even if you've bought something from them. good, but way too expensive for what you're getting. the day I'm satisfied with paying 10$ for a cold sandwich is the day pigs fly read more

Ordered a rice box to go. The food was okay at best. I didn't think it wqs anything special. The portion is also relatively small for the price. For $10+, I expect more than a half full box that mostly consists of rice and beans. I was also not happy with the way the food was given to me: the box was not properly sealed and handed to me on its side in a paper bag. The sauce from the box leaked and dripped all over me -- I was not impressed. read more

Came here with my friends; I just got a everything bagel with cream cheese, which they only had lite cream cheese. They gave me so little cream cheese that it didn't cover half of a bagel; I asked for more and they told me it was a charge, so I said that's fine I'll pay; never got the cream cheese, they also didn't know how to put it in the system. Also everyone at my table complained about their coffee (they said it was watered down) and lattes (which tasted burnt). read more

This Williams is pretty good. As a broke student I only really buy coffee here, but I've heard their food is at least alright. The coffee is good, definitely better than timmies and less bitter than Starbucks. They also recently renovated and it looks way better now than it did before. It's a good place to chill out, talk with a friend and have a decent cup coffee. The staff is pretty nice too. read more

I had the chicken pesto sandwich when I went. It was pretty bland. My friend had waffles, which smelled and looked much more appetizing. I may go back to try the waffles, but won't go back for lunch or dinner. read more

Lots of choices here. I had a creme cheese cake and iced cappuccino. Love the plating of the cheese cake, and it turned out surprisingly good: very strong sense of cheese and not overwhelmingly sweet. Iced cappuccino was good overall as well. Lots of seats but it's noisy like a club. Don't study here. read more

I had such a lovely experience here! I love the cozy atmosphere, the staff were so friendly, and the coffee was delicious!

The atmosphere is quite nice. It's definitely a hub for university students. In general, the food and drinks here can break your budget if you aren't careful. However, their coffee is reasonably priced. In general, it seems that people really enjoy the waffles. I myself enjoy the paninis. read more

Great atmosphere, good food, good specialty drinks. Usually a great place to go to hang out with friends while having something to drink, however: Downsides are the price (very expensive for what you get), and some of the dishes are a miss (for example, the classic breakfast). Also, depending on the location, the food will be reheated when you order (not made fresh). I would suggest only going to larger Williams locations that clearly have a full kitchen. read more

I have never been so compelled to write a review for a restaurant in my life, until I sat down today at 12pm in Williams Fresh Cafe. I was informed that there would be a bit of a wait for three breakfast wraps, but unbeknownst to my innocence, I sat for over an hour waiting for a mere, small and unsatisfactory wrap. I wish I had not given this place any business for it deserves none whatsoever. Please do not eat at this place if hungry and looking for a good meal in an orderly and timely fashion. read more

Went here for coffee and some mixed berry pie, but the actual food looked like it was really good. Had I not stuffed myself only a little while before I went, I would have definitely tried out the chicken pot pie! The thing that stands out most about Williams is the relaxing atmosphere. I know many people come here just for that. I guess the secret is somewhere in between the nice lighting and fact that the employees don't bother you at your table. I know that they also have free Wifi and that when the weather is warmer, people like to unwind outside in the patio seating. Tim Horton's doesn't even compare to this place. read more

Usually grab a cup of coffee and sit there a whole day reviewing for finals...the food is okay, don't recommend cakes there but the waffle's okay (ice cream~!) read more

A nice cafe next to University of Waterloo. It is a study spot for many. I like their white hot chocolate. Price are okay and I hope they have an app that I can order directly from, like the one Starbucks has. read more

Pretty good - sandwiches and Caesar are quite good. Coffee is fine too.

Having worked in the area for over 10 years and been to Williams many times, I can say that within the past couple years that this Williams location has really improved. Big menu overhaul and renovations have served as really positive changes. The food used to be "just okay" but I am impressed with how much better - both in taste and freshness! - it has become. This morning, I had the egg, chipotle and bacon breakfast sandwich and it was one of the best breakfast sandwiches I've ever had! Who can say that about a breakfast sandwich? Clearly, the current owner and staff truly care about their product and patrons. read more

I don't know about meals, but definitely the best place for coffee. I used to drink a LOT of Tims/McDonalds coffee but now I drink much less but it enjoy it more at Williams. read more

A good spot for an espresso! If, like me, you are an Australian looking for a "strong flat white", then order a "medium cafe latte made with two short shots with no foam and no cinnamon and no cocoa". It's a reasonable approximation though the quality will depend upon who makes it for you. read more

fantastic spot. Great food, a bit pricy for my liking but the cakes are fresh and the smoothies are fantastic.

I frequently visit the location at 33 University Ave in Waterloo and have never had an issue. I am in residence at University of Waterloo and recently, the 170 University Ave location became the closest location to me. I went into the location at 170 university Ave and wanted to order the breakfast bagel at 1pm on a Tuesday. I understand that it isn't on the all day breakfast menu, what I don't understand is why. How hard is it to throw eggs, bacon and cheese on a bagel? There are items on the all day breakfast menu which require eggs! If I were to order a BLT on a bagel I'd get bacon and I highly doubt that the cheese is the issue. I have ALWAYS been able to order the breakfast bagel at the 33 University Ave location. No matter what day or what time it is. Always. It's my favourite menu item. That is specifically what I go in there for. The customer service person that served me at the 170 university location was really anal retentive about the menu and the time and when I couldn't get what I wanted to order, he was unhelpful, too. I might have stayed and ordered something if he could have suggested something else I might like, but instead he just stood there and stared at me. It was off putting and frustrating. Get some better customer service training! Since I couldn't get what I wanted at the 170 University location, I left and went to Second Cup instead. After the customer service I received today, I see no reason why I should eat at this location ever again. read more