The views expressed in this Opinion article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.
Everyone has a go-to café they think makes the best coffee in Ottawa. But each one has a different vibe, and sometimes it can really depend on what you're in the mood for.
Some are great for first dates, others for working from home. But it's tough to find a place where everything hits the mark.
I'm a very opinionated and caffeinated man and have taken it upon myself to devise a list of the best coffee shops in Ottawa for every mood, vibe, and need.
Call me extra all you want but I wake up each day looking for something different. Monday I may need a quiet place to read, and Tuesday a lively date spot. Wednesday is for working from home, and Thursday is just for the vibes.
The point I'm making is that I did the legwork, and I'm not gatekeeping the goods.
This is the definitive list of the best coffee shops in Ottawa for every mood.
Don't roast me...(get it?).
Best date spot: Wise Town Café
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Coffee shop
Address: 329A Elgin St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Wise Town feels like it drew a lot of inspiration from Alice in Wonderland. Its whimsical garden aesthetic is the perfect conversation starter and mood setter for something like a first date. The friendly staff and wide variety of beverage selections mean there is something for everyone, and you won't need to worry about your date having a lack of options.
Here is the kicker...this spot is dog-friendly!
Imagine the look on my face when I popped my head up from my laptop to see the adorable little Frenchie sitting next to me while his owner worked away on her laptop. This place is like a first-date cheat code.
Best food: Drip House
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Coffee shop
Address: 340B Parkdale Ave., 692 Somerset St. W., 843 Bank St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: I love all the Drip House locations. None more than the Hintonburg location on Parkdale! I love it so much that I almost put this as my pick for the best atmosphere, but after some thought, I realized that it had to be my pick for the best food.
The Good Falafellas sandwich alone would be enough for me to make this justification, but Drip House has a number of sandwiches, bowls, toasts, and other bites that hit the mark for every taste.
While you're sitting back, sipping your specialty coffee and enjoying the expertly curated playlist, don't forget to grab a bite!
Drip House Website
Best coffee: The Bower Coffee Co.
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Coffee shop
Address: 429 Richmond Rd., Ottawa
Why You Need To Go: The Bower is the result of decades of dedication to a craft that happened almost by accident.
After a pretty gnarly injury, the owner Chris Petrie had a decision to make on how to pivot his entire life. While living in Australia during this point in his life, he became obsessed with coffee shop culture and ultimately dedicated the next two decades of his life to working his way up the coffee world ladder. Along the way, he held every position you could imagine, until the fateful day of opening his own shop came to fruition.
Now, Chris and The Bower have my vote for the best-tasting coffee in the city, and it's not quite close. Working with expert roasters, and long-time baristas, Chris has managed to dial in on quality and locality that shine through immensely.
I love this place.
Best for reading: Black Squirrel Books & Coffee
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Coffee shop
Address: 1073 Bank St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: This one feels pretty self-explanatory. It is a coffee shop with a bookstore inside. I love coming here to unwind on a weekday morning with a book. Grab a warmed croissant, and just take in a moment of relaxation.
Black Squirrel is two floors worth of really reasonably priced, often pre-owned books. The upstairs lounge area is great for chilling on your own or with a friend, and the downstairs book dungeon is a world full of unique literary finds.
Best for working from home: Art House
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Coffee shop
Address: 555 Somerset St. W., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: This one may be controversial, but I love working remotely at Art House. The calm vibes, low music, and variety of seating with outlets across multiple different rooms mean you can kind of pick your own WFH adventure.
Art House makes it feel easy to sit for hours at a time writing, taking meetings, or any other work-from-home tasks that may keep you in the same place for an extended time.
Just don't get distracted by all the local art on the wall.
Best for business: Little Victories
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Coffee shop
Address: 44 Elgin St., 801 Bank St. and 209 Queen St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Little Victories is not only strategically located in places that just make sense for a business meeting, but the aesthetic screams, "Let's make a deal."
Their great coffee and modern vibes make everyone feel comfortable, whether you're dressed in a suit or sweats.
Their Elgin Street location specifically has an allure to it that makes me want to discuss proceedings and use phrases like "next quarter" and "let's circle back on that."
All jokes aside, this is a wonderful coffee shop and a local favourite for a reason.
Best hangout: Arlington 5
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Coffee shop
Address: 5 Arlington
Why You Need To Go: Those who love Arlington 5 will go to the end of the world to convince you why it's the best! And while it didn't quite hit the top of my list, I can understand why it does for so many Ottawans.
This is due in part to it being an elite community hangout. Whether you're strolling in from a nearby market, meeting up with friends in the neighborhood, or just love the allure of their back patio, Arlington 5 is a safe space for everyone who wishes to have a good time, be around good people, and, of course, enjoy a great cup of coffee.
Best day trip: Ottawa Valley Coffee
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Coffee and beer
Address: 239 Raglan St., Renfrew, ON
61 Mill St., Almonte, ON
32 Elgin St. W., Arnprior, ON
Why You Need To Go: Ottawa Valley Coffee, or OVC has three locations. Each unique location offers something different to those traveling from up the road or deep in the city, but they do share a few commonalities.
OVC is a welcoming place where people come to socialize. It acts almost like a community desk for those driving in from out of town, because if you need to find something in the valley; these coffee connoisseurs are going to point you in the right direction.
For me? I like to take the trip out to Arnprior or Renfrew, grab a coffee, and hit a vintage shop to see if I can come across any amazing finds. It is well worth the day trip.
Best overall: Ten Toes on Somerset
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Coffee shop and bottle shop
Address: 837 Somerset St. W., Ottawa
Why You Need To Go: Ten Toes on Bank Street is lovely. But Ten Toes on Somerset? This is without a shadow of a doubt my favourite coffee shop in Ottawa...maybe my favourite coffee shop ever.
The thing is though, it's so much more than just a coffee shop. Yes, they do serve up amazing coffee, but they are home to a ton of cool stuff.
Waldorfs pizza serves out of here. They have a bottle shop with an awesome selection of wine (including various orange wines for my funk lovers). There is a vintage clothing section and a laundromat in the back. They have beers on tap and for takeout purchase. And of course, most notably they are the home of the infamous Sadie Bean's Ice Cream which you've all certainly heard me rave about.
They even open late on the weekends for things like live music and trivia.
Ten Toes. I love you. Please don't ever change.
Coffee is a tool for many, but coffee shops are a way of life. Your personality, needs, and even goals of the day all play into what you look for in a coffee shop. Thankfully, here in the capital city there is something for everyone.
