Category: Hamilton Coffee

I decided to check out the Detour Coffee & Bakery in Dundas to see how their coffee was. Beware, when you step up to the door (literally, it’s not very accessible–but few businesses in Dundas are), there is a sign telling you to “secure” a table before placing your order. They’re not kidding, the seating is cramped but decent given how small the coffee shop is, but in the middle of the day, it was full with little sign of anyone leaving.

Be that as it may, I was waiting for a few other patrons to place their order as the barista suggested that some others might be leaving, and to try waiting for a bit. No seating panned out for me, so I chose a London Fog instead of a coffee. I did this mostly because when I asked for a recommendation from the barista, they essentially just told me what was on the menu.

I like to go to an independent shop and ask for a recommendation because it tells me a bit about how they want to connect to their customers. Offering a specific drink tells me they are either sharing something of themselves or they think it is one of their better drinks and want you, the customer, to enjoy the experience of the establishment.

Parking is decent, as there is street parking and a small city parking lot close by, but still a bit of a challenge at times, as Dundas can be tough to get parking really close to where you want to dine or eat. I simply walked up from my shop down the street, so the parking situation was not a concern.

I might go back, but I would definitely be walking in with the intent to get the coffee or tea to go. Fortunately, Dundas is nice to walk along King Street, and there are several benches nearby where one can sit and watch the people and cars go by.

This is the beginning of a possible series on coffee shops and casual meeting spots in the Hamilton, Ontario area. Finding something that meets the needs of the casual meeting can be a bit tough to do with search and random AI machinations, so I thought, what better way than to go visit some of these spots and give my opinion of them.

The plan was to meet an old acquaintance here; it fit best into finding a space in between, and one that served coffee. There is definitely a theme to these posts. It’s all about having a coffee with a friend or scoping out a place to have a coffee, tea, etc., with a new acquaintance.

Durand Coffee is a great little coffee shop. Independent, casual, and easy to find. I parked on the street nearby. Parking is fairly available on the local residential streets. I only walked a block, but passed a few parking spots as I did.

Durand offers a good selection of coffees. At a glance, it appears they focus on Peruvian. I’m not much of a coffee snob. I know what I like, but I am also open to recommendations from the barista or service person taking my order. This being the case, I asked the young woman what she recommended. I didn’t catch the name, but it was some sort of espresso shaker. I accepted, and the drink was prepared quickly.

The seating area is a bit small inside (there is outside seating on picnic tables). However, I found a small high table with a single chair where I enjoyed what tasted like Bailey’s Irish Cream on the rocks. It was quite good.

There is also a small boutique shop attached to Durand Coffee. I didn’t investigate, but I recall there being syrups and other drink-related products on the shelves.

If there is no place you want to sit, the neighborhood is quiet and conducive to a nice walk. Keep that in mind as the Durand prepares drinks for sit-in or to go.