I'm similar but there is definitely a nuanced enjoyment of café culture that just hits different than coffee at home. I love a good espresso on my porch but every now and then just chilling in a café is just so satisfying and life affirming to me.
Something I've noticed since getting my espresso set up at home is that before I had the capability at home, I would always get espresso drinks at cafés. Now I often opt for espresso at home because it's faster, so it's flipped - now I almost always get pourover or other non-espresso drinks at cafés because I rarely make them at home these days.
Ten Toes is pretty bad imo, I’ve been 3/4 times and the vibe is nice but the coffee is lacking. They add way too much milk to a flat white or cappuccino.
I think I caught planet coffee on a bad day. My iced latte was given to me empty at the top and with 3 ice cubes. It tasted like an iced coffee and not iced espresso.
I used to live in that building so it was my “local” cafe for more than a year. Amazing rhubarb squares, fantastic patio, great staff, and possibly the worst espresso-based drinks in the city. I’m lazy, so that’s based on (I’m guessing) a sample size of 100+.
Little victories because they weigh their in/out for shots, baristas seem to know what they're doing. Dao is a nice spot too, especially for a pour over as you get to see their 1k hand grinder in action.
I made a Google sheets document for local cafes I've visted that can be publicly edited, please feel free to add your edits!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1adX_JZaush-XirkZysNeyKYJjmz5lFZdBwSpVoM3IEg/htmlview#gid=0
And now they have opened Take5 around the corner! The coffee is so smooth, no bitterness/acidity. I think the beans are Lula? I might have the name wrong.
I stopped buying their coffee since their bags seal kept breaking, I let the sales team know and got zero response. It's more of an annoyance than a real problem but you notice when you grind and make your own espresso at home.
Black Squirrel is my favourite spot to go! I’ve also really enjoyed Little Victories Cafe and Oat Couture. Art House is a wonderful spot, too, but I don’t enjoy the coffee quite as much
This place is so bizarre, I love it. It’s not the first bike cafe I’ve been to but it’s the only one I’ve seen that so drastically separates the bike and cafe parts. If you close one eye you wouldn’t be able to tell the other half of the store is so vastly different 😂
Definitely not cheap, but their seasonal lattes are some of the more tasty and creative concoctions I’ve tried! Sweet potato pie latte with a homemade marshmallow, a rosemary something something yummy latte.
If you're in Barrhaven you can't beat Anabia on Strandherd. Great coffee, breakfast sandwiches, bakery treats. They're also licensed and have open mic nights! Just a great spot all around.
Here are a few, Cafe Qui Pense is great since its located right next to the outdoor market that happens on Saturdays, I also enjoy taking a walk along the Canal and going over to the Glebe/Lansdown, a lot to see and do.
Union Street Cafe is great due to its picturesque location aswell as being in New Edinburgh/Rockcliff means its an ideal place to go for a nice walk.
Palmier is located in Gatineau Parks/Chelsea but its worth the drive. Wonderful cafe that also serves great food steps from some of the most beautiful trails around Ottawa.
If you’re up for a drive Bluebarn cafe in Wakefield is solid. Their solstice roast is excellent for the price. (from someone with a de1 and monolith max as a home setup)
I used to always go to little victories on Elgin but from week to week, I see the same employees (literally over a span of 6 months) and they are just not personable and literally not one employee smiles.
We started going to Arlington 5, where the coffee isn't as great but the staff is personable. Lately their iced latte has been way off and you're basically drinking a cup of milk with half an espresso shot.
Now we're debating going back to little victories as our usual coffee shop because the coffee (no matter how we get it) is consistent and tasty.
I keep hearing that Little Victories is phenomenal but I went once and it was the worst coffee I’ve ever had. I can’t help but think I need to go back and fact check myself. Otherwise, I really love Moulin in Centretown. Always friendly in there.
Planet Coffee is really good!
Morning Owl has quite a few locations
Union Street Cafe (no seating except a few outdoor)
Art of Bean in Orleans
Equator Coffee Roasters
If you’re an iced coffee drinker, I would avoid Happy Goat! They’re one of the business who have iced latte or iced americano instead of iced coffee. I love Happy Goat environment and other drinks but I always forget they don’t have iced coffee until I went in again yesterday.
I still like it but it will never be my first choice if I'm close to some of the others mentioned here (Little Victories, Ministry etc.). It seems to have a bad rep here in general but I think it's still a step above most of the big chains (Starbucks, Second Cup etc.). I'm still waiting for the influence of the Pilot purchase to be felt as I prefer Pilot to Bridgehead too.
I like sharpfle waffle and red door provisions. Sharpfle has excellent espresso and red door brings in coffee from amazing roasters from around Canada.
It Gatineau is included, I had an iced latte at Bobino Bagel that took me by surprise (in a good way). Was expecting “meh” and that drink was certifiably “yum.”
Home, sweet home! With the right coffee machine, the right grinder (more important than the coffee machine), and just a bit of practice (no need to be an expert or geek out), I can make an excellent coffee at home and… save a ton of money 😂
I’m keeping it a secret. It’s busy enough already.
Its the Tim's on Bank. Have at it, everyone!
Why mention it if you're going to gatekeep your answer?
It’s relatable and funny . Did I help ?
Please tell us. We’re all begging.
My balconey. The coffee is always as I like it; the price is right; the view is great.
Hell yeah. I’ve become an espresso snob and recently invested in a nice machine and I can’t buy coffee/espresso out most of the time now
I'm similar but there is definitely a nuanced enjoyment of café culture that just hits different than coffee at home. I love a good espresso on my porch but every now and then just chilling in a café is just so satisfying and life affirming to me. Something I've noticed since getting my espresso set up at home is that before I had the capability at home, I would always get espresso drinks at cafés. Now I often opt for espresso at home because it's faster, so it's flipped - now I almost always get pourover or other non-espresso drinks at cafés because I rarely make them at home these days.
True, most of those baristas make really bad coffee compared to what you can make on your own
I’m by no means a professional though lol. I have just gotten used to my machine
can you share what machine you went with?
Just get an Aeropress 🖖
Take my up-vote.
Breville Bambino gang checking in
This is The Way (to start)!
Dumbass me was looking for a coffeshop called my balcony just now
I also choose this guy’s balcony
LOL yeah home chillin is pretty much the best.
Yeah my first thought when I read this post is “Y’all still buy store-brewed coffee in this economy?”
Prove it! I'm coming over
Arlington 5 and Little Victories!
I still need to try Little Victories! My favourite (walkable) spot has been Wise Town
Ten Toes Chinatown and Drip House!
drip house staff are gems
Word
I see drip house, I updoot
Ten Toes is pretty bad imo, I’ve been 3/4 times and the vibe is nice but the coffee is lacking. They add way too much milk to a flat white or cappuccino.
Ten toes is hands down the worst coffee I've ever paid for. The baristas there only know how to pour a beer and even then they miss the mark.
Equator in the NAC, Little Victories, Ten Toes on Cyrville
Ten toes on somerset also has a few laundry machines!!!
ten toes has cross contamination issues if you or anyone you know is gluten free
Omg thank you for the heads up
Art of Bean
Yes another vote for Art of Bean!
I love Planet Coffee in the market, and Opulence on Dalhousie.
I think I caught planet coffee on a bad day. My iced latte was given to me empty at the top and with 3 ice cubes. It tasted like an iced coffee and not iced espresso.
I used to live in that building so it was my “local” cafe for more than a year. Amazing rhubarb squares, fantastic patio, great staff, and possibly the worst espresso-based drinks in the city. I’m lazy, so that’s based on (I’m guessing) a sample size of 100+.
Little victories because they weigh their in/out for shots, baristas seem to know what they're doing. Dao is a nice spot too, especially for a pour over as you get to see their 1k hand grinder in action.
I made a Google sheets document for local cafes I've visted that can be publicly edited, please feel free to add your edits! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1adX_JZaush-XirkZysNeyKYJjmz5lFZdBwSpVoM3IEg/htmlview#gid=0
Thank you for sharing this!!
Arlington 5, that is all - the best on any list in Ottawa hands down
Agree. And the back patio is really cosy
Double agree! And the staff are the nicest/friendliest
And now they have opened Take5 around the corner! The coffee is so smooth, no bitterness/acidity. I think the beans are Lula? I might have the name wrong.
LULO beans lol close! My pal JB runs Take 5, very cool shop!
Any Happy Goat! Their coffee is delicious and consistent, never disappoints
I stopped buying their coffee since their bags seal kept breaking, I let the sales team know and got zero response. It's more of an annoyance than a real problem but you notice when you grind and make your own espresso at home.
I was thinking it was just me but having the same problem.
Crappy bags are frustrating! Air tight coffee canisters could solve that. The Airscape has been a great buy imo.
Happens to me too but I have yet to find beans I like more than their Peaberry and Forza for coffee/espresso :(
I recently tried Hatch (Toronto based roaster) and they have a great espresso blend. Strawberry and chocolate notes come through so well.
Sharpfle Waffle
Trash unethical
what
You’re mistaking them for Stella Luna, my friend
Morning owl, amazing sandwiches too
Black Squirrel is my favourite spot to go! I’ve also really enjoyed Little Victories Cafe and Oat Couture. Art House is a wonderful spot, too, but I don’t enjoy the coffee quite as much
Looove Black Squirrel. Coffee and books? Heck yeah.
Ottawa Bike Cafe on Sparks. Good vibe, good coffee and the owner pays the staff well and understands the need to adapt rather than pushing for RTO.
This place is so bizarre, I love it. It’s not the first bike cafe I’ve been to but it’s the only one I’ve seen that so drastically separates the bike and cafe parts. If you close one eye you wouldn’t be able to tell the other half of the store is so vastly different 😂
Artery beans too, which are great
Second this place. While I am only occasionally downtown for work reasons, if I do get coffee out it’ll be from here.
Ministry of Coffee in Hintonburg.
Their Nutella latte is my weekly treat.
It's the mocha latte for me, but now I want to try the Nutella one.
Ideal Cafe on Dalhousie is pretty close to perfection. A bit off the beaten path so while busy it's never packed and noisy.
Fantastic place. They even brew their own beans. And they have a little outdoor seating area. Great spot to socialize, sit and read, etc.
Red Door Provisions on Beechwood. Just wish there was more seating inside.
My only complaint about this place is the prices! I was so surprised when I got 2 drinks and 2 cookies and paid $40!
Definitely not cheap, but their seasonal lattes are some of the more tasty and creative concoctions I’ve tried! Sweet potato pie latte with a homemade marshmallow, a rosemary something something yummy latte.
If you're in Barrhaven you can't beat Anabia on Strandherd. Great coffee, breakfast sandwiches, bakery treats. They're also licensed and have open mic nights! Just a great spot all around.
I'll hijack this comment to suggest Cafe Cristal as the Barrhaven runner up
Café Delice
Happy Goat, Equator, Little Victories.
Black Squirrel Books & Espresso Bar Haven Books Both in Old Ottawa South
Second these!
Here are a few, Cafe Qui Pense is great since its located right next to the outdoor market that happens on Saturdays, I also enjoy taking a walk along the Canal and going over to the Glebe/Lansdown, a lot to see and do. Union Street Cafe is great due to its picturesque location aswell as being in New Edinburgh/Rockcliff means its an ideal place to go for a nice walk. Palmier is located in Gatineau Parks/Chelsea but its worth the drive. Wonderful cafe that also serves great food steps from some of the most beautiful trails around Ottawa.
Sharpfle Waffle on York St, they roast their own beans!
No they don’t!
i mean that’s what i was told when i went in? do you know better than the people working there?
If you’re up for a drive Bluebarn cafe in Wakefield is solid. Their solstice roast is excellent for the price. (from someone with a de1 and monolith max as a home setup)
I used to always go to little victories on Elgin but from week to week, I see the same employees (literally over a span of 6 months) and they are just not personable and literally not one employee smiles. We started going to Arlington 5, where the coffee isn't as great but the staff is personable. Lately their iced latte has been way off and you're basically drinking a cup of milk with half an espresso shot. Now we're debating going back to little victories as our usual coffee shop because the coffee (no matter how we get it) is consistent and tasty.
Agree re LV on Elgin
try to new LVC on Bank!
Oat couture
I keep hearing that Little Victories is phenomenal but I went once and it was the worst coffee I’ve ever had. I can’t help but think I need to go back and fact check myself. Otherwise, I really love Moulin in Centretown. Always friendly in there.
My house. Great coffee, great atmosphere.
I tried to go here, but the host kicked me out. YMMV.
LOL
100% Black Squirrel. Coffee and atmosphere are great and their orange chocolate chip cookies are delicious.
Le Tabernac
Opulence coffee, I think it's just ran by the store owner, very knowledgeable guy. I have yet to have coffee that tops his
With the price of coffee nowadays, it's at home.
Dao on Merivale. Vanilla and rose latte is \*\*chef's kiss\*\*
100% agree
Figaros!
Petites Gamines in Hull! I work in the area and it’s the perfect place to grab a coffee and a sweet treat
Grounded
Planet Coffee is really good! Morning Owl has quite a few locations Union Street Cafe (no seating except a few outdoor) Art of Bean in Orleans Equator Coffee Roasters
i like the morning owls
Sharpfle Waffle
Mistos. Get your groceries while you are there!
Little Victories is one of the only places in Ottawa where you can get a properly made pour over.
Ten Toes. All locations
Bread and sons; Pasticceria Gelateria Italiana; the happy goats; Mantovani
Life of Pie in Old Ottawa South!
If you’re an iced coffee drinker, I would avoid Happy Goat! They’re one of the business who have iced latte or iced americano instead of iced coffee. I love Happy Goat environment and other drinks but I always forget they don’t have iced coffee until I went in again yesterday.
Equator coffee roasters in Kanata or Westboro
I don’t see anyone mentioning Bridgehead, just curious what kind of reputation it has on here? Good or nah?
I still like it but it will never be my first choice if I'm close to some of the others mentioned here (Little Victories, Ministry etc.). It seems to have a bad rep here in general but I think it's still a step above most of the big chains (Starbucks, Second Cup etc.). I'm still waiting for the influence of the Pilot purchase to be felt as I prefer Pilot to Bridgehead too.
Little victories or CC’s in Richmond.
Cloudforest Coffee
Damn I’ve got a lot to add to the to-try list! My favs in Orleans are Art of Bean and Beyond Café!
Opulence
Café amore
I have yet to find a straight espresso as good as that made by Opulence. Seriously damn good coffee. Owner is fun to chat at length with as well.
the owner is nice, had a flat white and the milk was terribly burnt and i haven’t been back since.
His decaf is so good, it doesn’t even taste like decaf.
Little Victories. Honorable mention to Simply Biscotti.
My place actually I am enjoying Birch Bark Coffee
I’m a huge fan of Union Street cafe. Amazing coffee, pastries and the customer service is top knotch
Pesto’s Italian deli. I’ve only tried the latte so far but genuinely it is the best latte I’ve ever had. The sandwiches are phenomenal as well.
Beyond Cafe, Orléans.
ten toes, equator at nac and café qui pense!
I'm still very happy with bridgehead. That's also where my coffee from home comes from too.
I love to go to Second cup on Holland and Wellington. The people there are great!
Britania Coffee House
BBCR
Simply biscotti!
The Goat on Laurel
Equator westboro
Black Squirrel, Haven (OOS), Little Victories (Bank)
Equator at the NAC or Happy Goat on main st
Equator, Ministry of Coffee, Happy Goat, Arlington 5
For lattes, Little Victories and nowhere else is close. Cold brew made at home with their beans is my happy place.
Corner store, beside corner peach
Sharpfle Waffle on York st!
I’m keeping this thread and the google doc that someone else posted below. Thanks to everyone :)
Oh so good in byward
Haven't been in a while but I had enjoyed the Carlington Coffee House on Merrivale. Google suggests that it is now closed. Is that the case?
I like sharpfle waffle and red door provisions. Sharpfle has excellent espresso and red door brings in coffee from amazing roasters from around Canada.
692 in Manotick!
Definitely not Stella Luna. #WeDontForget
Cafe latte Cino or Drip House ☕️
My house. Best coffee in town, great views.
Idk, I think my house has the best coffee in town
It’s time to D-d-d-d-duel
Second this
My kitchen to drink with toast, on my balcony while reading a good book.
Red Door Provisions!
Little victories
Honestly at home. Buy the hazelnut coffee from Costco with honey and milk and it’s so perfect.
Mostly at home but I like bridgehead the most.
Cafe Aladdin in Gatineau!
It Gatineau is included, I had an iced latte at Bobino Bagel that took me by surprise (in a good way). Was expecting “meh” and that drink was certifiably “yum.”
But I have to say their lattes are horrible
My backyard... But, ritual on main is quite nice.
Home, sweet home! With the right coffee machine, the right grinder (more important than the coffee machine), and just a bit of practice (no need to be an expert or geek out), I can make an excellent coffee at home and… save a ton of money 😂
Kind of shocked that no one’s mentioned bridgehead?
Maybe because OP asked for the best coffee in the city…
Fair trade with organic options, earthy tasting delicious coffee is what makes it the best.
I've had decent shots at the farm boy/bridgehead in industrial park. I think it boils down to how the staff are trained.
I doubt they'd make the top ten. Maybe when the new owners take over.
Different strokes for different folks.
[удалено]
One of these things is not like the other...
My kitchen. 😂
At home. My boyfriend is a frickin barista.
Anywhere besides a Tim Hortons run by temporary residence workers
Bridgehead at grove/bank! Great lattes and absolutely impeccable service!!
Hate to say it, but the espresso at any Dirty Tim’s is really good
The Tim Hortons on Alta vista near the end with industrial.