Ottawa’s Best Coffee Shops; A Coffee Crawl Through the Capital
If your favourite way to explore a city is through its café culture, then you’ll love exploring Ottawa’s best coffee shops. With a host of local roasters offering up some of the most delicious blends in the region, Ottawa’s coffee houses are the perfect way to get your caffeine fix. So trade in your double-double, and drink your way through our favourite Ottawa’s coffee shops.
Happy Goat Coffee
Popular with locals and visitors alike, Happy Goat Coffee is a niche artisan roaster that produces over 20 amazing blends of fair-trade coffee. They pride themselves on being both ethically and ecologically friendly, and source their beans from small-crop farmers across the globe. Pick up a bag of their Brazil Peaberry Dark, Ethiopian Guji espresso or Guatemala Huehuetenango, or enjoy an Americano, cortado, or London Fog in one of their café locations around the city.
Little Victories Coffee
Operated by two passionate coffee professionals, Little Victories Coffee is a small, independent specialty coffee roaster, which has evolved into one of the most recognized coffee brands in Ottawa. With attention to detail and emphasis on consistent brews, their ethically-sourced coffees are a household name in Ottawa. They even carry special varietal blends, and limited, rare coffee blends from around the world
Their flagship location, just steps away from Parliament Hill, is nestled in a stunning historic building with tall ceilings, historic stone walls, and a vibrant modern feel. They have two additional cafés, one in the heart of the downtown financial district, as well as their original location in the neighbourhood of the Glebe; a cozy contemporary space popular with locals.
Ministry of Coffee
Serving up some of the best international coffees from top-tier roasters, Ministry of Coffee is a household name on Ottawa’s coffee scene. This independently-owned Ottawa café was established in 2013, and has now expanded to three bustling locations. With a rotation of different roasters each week, and a featured roasters of the week, coffee aficionados are sure to find their new favourite blend. If you’re serious about all things coffee, they also offer introductory coffee courses on roasting, latté art, and barista skills, which often sell out.
Arlington Five
With its life-size COFFEE sign and colourful street art, you can’t miss the small but mighty Arlington Five coffee house. Located in Ottawa’s downtown Banks St. neighbourhood, this spot can get busy during the morning rush, and tables inside are prime real estate. Step inside the warm and cozy café and enjoy a skillfully-prepared coffee, tea or fresh-pressed juice, while nibbling on homemade baked treats or a tasty breakfast sandwich.
Morning Owl Coffee House
Brewing organic, direct-trade coffee since 2009, Morning Owl Coffee is one of Ottawa’s most well-known coffee shops. Whether you’re looking for a latté on the go, or a place to sip a java with friends, the five Morning Owl café locations are a staple in the city.
Along with classic coffee creations, you can also find unique non-coffee drinks (which vary by location) like matcha and turmeric lattés, green juice, and a wide selection of loose-leaf teas and hot chocolates. Each location has different food offerings, but you can expect tasty baked goods, delicious breakfast sandwiches, classic brunch fare, healthy sandwiches and freshly made salads.
Art House Café
The perfect combination of art gallery and hip coffee house, Art House Café is on-of-a-kind coffee shop in Ottawa. With over a hundred local artists being showcased on the café walls and gift shop at any given time, Art House Café is a welcoming space to enjoy both visual art, and the art of great coffee.
Brewing up local roaster Happy Goat Coffee’s exceptional brews, they also have an amazing tea list with flavours like Hibiscus, Peach Rooibos, Ginger Lime, and Lychee Congu. If you’re looking for a light meal, grab a bite from their delightful menu which includes soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps and sweet treats.
Black Squirrel Books and Espresso Bar
Coffee and a good book; could there be a better combination? Located in the downtown Bank St. neighbourhood, Black Squirrel Books and Espresso bar is one of the last remaining independent book stores in Ottawa. Pairing the finest reads, with the finest local roasts, this eclectic and enchanting independent book store is worth a visit. Browse their curated collection of new and used books, then settle into a cozy spot to enjoy a flat white, hot chocolate or locally roasted brew.
Planet Coffee
Tucked away in the quiet and historic Clarendon Lanes courtyard, Planet Coffee is the place to stop in Ottawa’s ByWard Market for your caffeine fix. Opened in 1994 by two coffee-loving friends turned entrepreneurs, Planet Coffee brews up delicious coffees from around the world, as well as from popular local roasteries. They also offer a menu of hard-to-resist baked goods, and light meals like soup, salad, paninis, and avocado toast. Planet Coffee’s café has a warm, unpretentious, industrial feel, and during the warmer months their outdoor patio provides the perfect spot to people watch with iced cappuccino in hand.
Equator Coffee
With their it’s home base in the village of Almonte, Equator Coffee is one of the most successful roasting operations in the Ottawa region. Equator Coffee only brews fair trade, organic coffee, nurturing direct relationships with small-scale farming communities since 1998. They are also a member of North America’s Cooperatives Coffees, with a goal “equate”, or equalize, the coffee trade for developing countries with those in the North.
Pop into one of their seven locations across the city, including their centrally located café inside the National Arts Centre. Warm up with elegantly decorated latté, healthy organic tea, or on a hot day, opt for a mocha on the rocks, chilly chai latté, or luscious affogato.
Beandigen Café
Experience Indigenous culture and locally-roasted coffee at one of Ottawa’s most unique coffee shops, Beandigen Café. Conveniently located at Ottawa’s Lansdowne Place (directly beside TD Place Arena and the Aberdeen Pavilion), Beandigen Café is 100% Anishinaabe-owned and operated. Enjoy a cup of their Ondarez coffee and a slice of homemade Bannock, and browse Indigenous-made goods in their shop including clothing, art and food.
Art-Is-In-Bakery
Part boulangerie, part funky café, Art-Is-In Bakery is not only one of the top bakeries in the city, but a great place to meet up for a coffee with friends. Known for their decadent pastries and fresh baked loaves, this family-owned scratch bakery has a full coffee bar, complete with unique specialty coffees you’ll be itching to try. For those looking for a hot drink without the buzz, you’re in luck. Art-Is-In is known for their Parisian style hot chocolate; one of the best in the city.
Drip House
With three hip locations throughout Ottawa, Drip House is one of the newest and coolest coffee houses in Ottawa, combining art, coffee and good food. Frequently featuring rotating exhibits showcasing local artists, this trendy café gives you the perfect place to enjoy your java, surrounded by creativity and inspiration.
Along with a great selection of coffee and tea, they also have an amazing menu for those looking for a bite. Chow down on a variety of sandwiches, avocado toasts, breakfast bowls, salads and pastries.
Figaro Coffee House
Modern, sleek and airy are the vibes at Ottawa’s Figaro Coffee House. They have two popular locations in the city; at the Ottawa Train Yards (a popular retail shopping district), and one snug beside the University of Ottawa. Figaro is a family-owned business that purchases the best international Arabica coffee beans, and roasts them daily at their Ottawa roasting facility. Something they’ve been doing for over 30 years! Along with their rich brews, they also serve smoothies, frappes and Canadian teas, and their menu is top notch featuring sandwiches, wraps, salads, pasta, and baked goods.
