Canadian coffee chain with locations nationwide. Specialty coffee drinks, teas, and light food in comfortable café setting.
Second Cup is one of Canada's oldest and most widely recognised café chains, founded in Toronto in 1975 and operating at its peak as the largest specialty coffee chain in the country with hundreds of locations nationwide. The brand was an early champion of specialty coffee concepts in Canada long before the term was common parlance, introducing many Canadians to espresso-based drinks, flavoured coffees, and a café sitting culture during the 1980s and 1990s when the alternatives were primarily fast food. While Second Cup's market position has been significantly challenged by international chains and independent roasters in subsequent decades, it maintains a presence in university campuses, shopping centres, hospitals, and transit hubs across Canada. The menu covers standard café offerings — espresso drinks, drip coffee, flavoured lattes, teas, and light food — and the chain is reliably accessible in locations where independent specialty cafés are not present. For travellers in airports, hospitals, or smaller communities, Second Cup often provides the most practical café option.
Signature dishes
- Latte — $4.50
- Muffin — $3.50
Good to know
- Hours
- 6:30 AM - 8:00 PM daily (varies by location)
- Reservations
- Walk-in
Location
Multiple locations nationwide
43.6532, -79.3832 View on map
Highlights
- One of Canada's oldest café chains, founded in Toronto in 1975
- Early champion of espresso-based drinks in Canada before the specialty coffee movement
- Present in university campuses, hospitals, shopping centres, and transit hubs across Canada
- Standard café menu of espresso drinks, teas, and light food
- Reliable option in locations where independent cafés are not available
Tips for visiting
- Second Cup is most useful as a reliable backup when independent cafés are unavailable — airports, hospitals, and smaller communities
- The flavoured latte programme is a legacy of the chain's early specialty positioning — still popular with regular customers
- Campus locations often have student discounts or loyalty programmes worth asking about
- For the highest quality coffee experience in any given Canadian city, seek out independent roasters; Second Cup is the fallback
- Gift cards are widely available and useful for travellers who anticipate multiple visits
Accessibility
Second Cup locations are generally accessible, particularly in institutional settings (hospitals, universities) where accessibility standards are high. Most locations have step-free entrances, accessible counter service, and accessible washrooms. Standards vary between standalone street locations and those within larger buildings.
Frequently asked questions
Is Second Cup a Canadian company?
Yes. Second Cup was founded in Toronto in 1975 and remains a Canadian-owned chain, making it one of the country's longest-standing café brands.
How does Second Cup compare to Tim Hortons and Starbucks?
Second Cup occupies a middle ground: more café-focused than Tim Hortons and more consistently Canadian than Starbucks. Coffee quality is generally better than Tim Hortons, though independent specialty cafés offer a higher standard.
Where are Second Cup locations found?
Second Cup operates in university campuses, shopping centres, hospitals, office buildings, transit stations, and various urban locations across Canada. Its presence in institutional settings makes it one of the most reliably available café options.
Does Second Cup still have many locations?
Second Cup's location count has reduced significantly from its peak in the early 2000s due to competition from international chains and independent specialty cafés. It maintains a presence but is not as ubiquitous as it once was.
Is Second Cup good for a quick coffee during travel?
Yes, particularly in airports, transit stations, and hospitals where it is often the best or only café option. For leisure travel in cities, independent cafés typically offer a more interesting experience.