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Bean Counter Bistro and Coffee Bar

B-180 3 Ave N Williams Lake BC V2G 2A4 · Restaurant - Food Service

Official record from Interior Health →View on Google Maps →

Details

Google rating
4.6 / 5 (18)

Opening hours

  • Friday7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
  • Monday7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
  • SaturdayClosed
  • SundayClosed
  • Thursday7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Contact details, hours and reviews from Google Maps

Inspection summary

Bean Counter Bistro and Coffee Bar has been inspected 2 times by Interior Health Authority since June 10, 2024. The most recent inspection, on January 26, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

None of the 2 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 1 infraction recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination and Cleaning and sanitizing.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 26, 2026. For example: 7 Are foods protected from contamination?

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded once on June 10, 2024. For example: 3 Are food contact surfaces, utensils and equipment washed and sanitized in a manner that removes/prevents contamination?

  • Permits, records and postingLower risk

    Operating permits, required signage, written procedures and logs. These findings are administrative: the documentation was missing or out of date at the time of inspection.

    Recorded 2 times on June 10, 2024. For example: 3 Are written food handling procedures (Food Safety Plan) current and available on site?

  • Other findingsLower risk

    Findings that do not fit the categories above, such as follow-ups that confirm an earlier violation was corrected, or requirements specific to this type of facility.

    Recorded once on June 10, 2024. For example: 1 Does the facility have proper monitoring supplies?

About this data

These results come from Interior Health Authority, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

2 inspections

  1. Monitoring

    1 infraction

    • F1.7 Are foods protected from contamination?
      • Observation(s): During inspection, some baking ingredients stored in plastic bins that are not food grade. These plastics can leach harmful chemicals into the food. • Obtain food-grade bins to store these food items, or store the food inside their original packing, inside the current bins, so they are not touching the non food-grade plastic to protect them from contamination. Colander stored inside bulk flour bin. To protect bulk food from contamination, scoops and other utensils must be stored outside the product. • Store the colander and any other scoops or utensils outside the bulk food bins.
  2. Monitoring

    5 infractions

    • F2.1 Does the facility have proper monitoring supplies?
      • Observation(s): F2.1A - No sanitizer test strips available for Ostrosan chemical sanitizer (Quaternary Ammonium product). F2.1B - Thermometer not available in main fridge to monitor temperature (<4°C).
      • F2.1A Sanitizer test strips must be available for each chemical sanitizer used at the premises.
      • F2.1B A thermometer accurate within 1 °C must be available to monitor processes.
    • F2.3 Are food contact surfaces, utensils and equipment washed and sanitized in a manner that removes/prevents contamination?
      • Observation(s): High heat mechanical dishwasher was not able to reach sanitizing temperature. Employees stated machine had been running constantly since beginning of shift. Tested three times - temperatures recoded were 66.4, 67.3, and 65.8°C (Needs to be 74 at dish level).
      • F2.3A Mechanical dishwasher/glasswasher must provide sufficient washing and sanitizing action to remove contamination.
    • F2.5 Are the premises and equipment properly maintained and operated in a sanitary manner (i.e. ongoing maintenance)?
      • Observation(s): Observed cutting boards with deep cuts / grooves trapped dirt and food debris. Please rewash and sanitize these items. Purchase new cutting boards when old ones stop being able to be cleaned effectively. Secondary note - counter top and shelving have some spots where it has been water damaged and wood is chipping / peeling. Please reseal or resurface this area within a reasonable timeframe.
      • F2.5A All equipment, utensils and food contact surfaces used on the premises must be kept in good working order to ensure the sanitary handling of food.
    • F3.3 Are written food handling procedures (Food Safety Plan) current and available on site?
      • Observation(s): Please email copy of food safety plan when able to find / create this document.
      • F3.3A Operator must have written food handling procedures that includes all potentially hazardous foods on site.
    • F3.4 Are written sanitation procedures (Sanitation Plan) current and available on site?
      • Observation(s): Please email copy of sanitation plan when able to find / create this document.
      • F3.4A Written sanitation procedures must include cleaning and sanitizing requirements for the establishment and all equipment and utensils.

Nearby inspected facilities

Reviews

Reviews provided by Google Maps
  • Dave

    By far the best coffee shop / cafe in Williams Lake! They have a lot of good pastry and food options on their menu. They can get fairly busy, so sometimes it can take a while to get an order. They have a few tables outside too which is nice.

  • Caroline buy me a coffee

    When is the best coffee shop not very far from the town hall… And the fast charger for the electric car so excited at this place exist

  • Tim Conrad (timsbits)

    This place is busy all the time. I don't drink coffee. I am quite fussy about my hot chocolate. They make a fantastic one here, and you can get it flavoured! Then there is the Thursday haystack which is so good, great and amazing for lunch. Treats, ya, those are super too. Love this place, thanks for fueling me through some extremely long days and weeks many times over.

  • Heidi Booth

    This is a wonderful little coffee shop. Came here at 9:45 on a Thursday and it was bustling. Lots of space to sit inside and a few dog friendly spots outside. There are plenty of options for food, treats, and beverages. It is incredibly clean too - the staff making food were wearing hair nets and gloves etc. I had the pesto pasta salad, a cup of perfectly fresh watermelon, and a great iced vanilla latte. The staff is SO friendly and happy to accommodate substitutions (decaf and soy for me). Will be back for sure!

  • Michelle Hillock

    This is a cafe and bakery next to the old library that opens early. I'm glad that it opens early because there are not a lot of other places to eat at before work. I tried their breakfast sandwich which was pretty good the egg is plentiful. It does end up costing more with the added cheese tomato spinach bacon. There scones were good and buttery. I ordered two of each flavor of cookie. I expected them to be more chewy but they just tasted like standard cookies. I prefer the cookies to taste fresh and chewy. They have a website that looks like it should work but I've tried ordering three times and each time the order gets sent and then not completed.

  • Natalie Marie

    One of the best coffee shops I’ve been to in Canada so far! They have GF and vegan options (HOW AMAZING!!) 😍 The atmosphere is beyond amazing, and such a friendly staff. Beyond helpful, and kind! DEFINITELY will be coming back!

  • Chelsey M

    This may be the most conflicted I've felt about leaving a review. The service is amazing and SUPER fast for even a very busy morning. Ordered take out and when I arrived, there was a line to the door. I waited maybe 5 minutes before getting to pay at cash, having several people ask if they could further help me. Almost all tables were taken. It was a really amazing experience in that regard and was happy to see how organized staff was considering the volume, flow was great. My take out order was ready and waiting for me as I asked for it to be made right away which I really appreciated as I was in a rush and traveling. The food - I have to give it 4 stars simply because of the size portions. We felt that they were quite small for the price. We got 2 breakfast wraps, no meat in them, but they were DELICIOUS. Portion size and no meat, felt like the price could be lower. Also got a couple of ham and cheese cold sandwiches which were fresh and delicious, but again quantity of meat and cheese was very small. I took pictures of both items to share my point- cold sandwich could use at least 2 or 3 slices of ham, not just one very thin slice. On that big of a bun, all you can really taste is bread and mayo. But it was still very tasty and fresh, which is why I'm giving it 4 stars. Had two muffins also - the strawberry rhubarb was quite dry, but flavor was good. The caramel coffee muffin was very moist and quite tasty! The peach and mango fruit smoothie was DELICIOUS. No complaints there. I will be back for more despite these things, and would recommend this place, there are plenty of options on the menu that I look forward to trying in the future. But would appreciate slightly larger portions of food 😉

  • Rick Magnell

    This place has an amazing selection and everything is handmade and tastes great! The staff are super efficient and hardworking! Always worth stopping in.

  • Dave

    By far the best coffee shop / cafe in Williams Lake! They have a lot of good pastry and food options on their menu. They can get fairly busy, so sometimes it can take a while to get an order. They have a few tables outside too which is nice.

  • Caroline buy me a coffee

    When is the best coffee shop not very far from the town hall… And the fast charger for the electric car so excited at this place exist

  • Tim Conrad (timsbits)

    This place is busy all the time. I don't drink coffee. I am quite fussy about my hot chocolate. They make a fantastic one here, and you can get it flavoured! …

  • Heidi Booth

    This is a wonderful little coffee shop. Came here at 9:45 on a Thursday and it was bustling. Lots of space to sit inside and a few dog friendly spots outside. There are plenty of options for food, treats, and beverages. It is incredibly …

  • Michelle Hillock

    This is a cafe and bakery next to the old library that opens early. I'm glad that it opens early because there are not a lot of other places to eat at before work. …

  • Natalie Marie

    One of the best coffee shops I’ve been to in Canada so far! They have GF and vegan options (HOW AMAZING!!) 😍 The atmosphere is beyond amazing, and such a friendly staff. Beyond helpful, and kind! …

  • Chelsey M

    This may be the most conflicted I've felt about leaving a review. The service is amazing and SUPER fast for even a very busy morning. Ordered take out and when I arrived, there was a line to the door. I waited maybe 5 minutes before getting …

  • Rick Magnell

    This place has an amazing selection and everything is handmade and tastes great! The staff are super efficient and hardworking! Always worth stopping in.

  • Billie Sheridan

    The Bean Counter is by far the best coffee shop in town! Friendly staff, excellent oat lattes, and their panini is so delicious!

  • Paige Mitchell

    Cute little café with lots of options for lunch. The Yam wrap and salad bowls were fantastic. I went here for lunch almost everyday I was in town!

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