While Ottawa’s coffee scene is still growing in comparison to many larger Canadian cities, there are still plenty of places to get your coffee/espresso fix in the capital region, even for the most discerning. Below is a list of our ten favourites, with an emphasis on quality caffeinated kicks.
Our favourite coffeeshop in town, they do a lot right and they roast locally in nearby Almonte. Take a photo beneath their instagram-worthy COFFEE sign and sip some heaven. An Equator affogato (ice cream + espresso) on their patio in the summertime is one of our favourite things.
2) Cafe Delice
Espresso and chocolates. They use Vancouver’s 49th Parallel beans for their espresso beverages and pull as consistent a shot as you can find in the downtown area. Only open on weekdays.
3) Ministry of Coffee (Elgin) / Ministry of Coffee (Hintonburg)
With a rotating variety of Canada’s best roasters, Ministry is usually a consistent place for espresso/drip and in the warmer months, our favourite cold brew (on Nitro) in town. Those seeking a sweet indulgence may also enjoy their Nutella lattes.
Though we frequent Bread and Sons for their baked goods, their espresso/drip coffee should not be overlooked! They use Vancouver’s 49th Parallel beans, which pairs well with the best chocolate chip cookie in town.
Worthy of a drive (or bike ride, for the ambitious) to Stittsville, Quitters brews Toronto’s Pilot coffee and has a great atmosphere. You might even spot a local celebrity there…
Our go-to for coffee in the east end, they rotate through different roasters for their drip and typically brew Pilot espresso. Their preserves, baked goods and menu of grilled cheeses are also worth a look.
A charming small wifi-less cafe that brews Equator coffee and also sells Wakefield’s Blue Barn beans. We typically get their “European Cappuccino”. It’s also next door to The Green Door, one of our favourite vegetarian restaurants in town.
8) Little Victories Coffee Roasters
One of the newer local roasters in the Ottawa region, you can find their beans in all sorts of places. Their shop is located in the front of a bike shop in Hintonburg. They have a passion for roasting and we’re excited to see how the brand continues to develop.
9) CC’s Corner
Half antique shop/half coffee shop in Richmond, Ontario. We love the vibe in here. They typically brew Bridgehead beans, though they often have other beans from Canadian roasters on rotation. A nice place to enjoy a coffee while sifting through rarities and oddities.
Local roaster Happy Goat recently opened a storefront in Sandy Hill. A great place for students and for coffee lovers alike. You can also find their beans spread across town at places like Arlington Five and Bar Robo.
Honourable mentions: Black Squirrel Books & Espresso Bar, Alice’s Village Cafe, Bread By Us, Art Is In Bakery, Equator Coffee Roasters (Almonte), Morning Owl (Elgin Street), Little Jo Berry’s, Bridgehead.