50 Best Cafes in Ottawa

“Ate here 2 nights in a row and ate the exact same meal both nights. I had the butter fish crudo and the tartare. Flavours in both were super yummy. Atmosphere was really nice too. I didn’t have any of the cocktails but was watching them make them and they all looked so good!!“

“Amazing little place!! Very friendly and delicious waffles.“

“Great little place, super friendly staff, some electrical outlets, open late.

It was nice to work from a coffee shop at a time when most other coffee places are closed. Although, wifi is only available for guests of the hotel.

I do understand why, but I'd love to have access to the wifi as a client who purchases drinks.

It wasn't an issue for me because I used my phone for hotspot, but beware if you depend on wifi!

That's the only reason I didn't give 5 stars.“

“Geoff and his staff at Morning Owl Woodward prepared a delicious sandwich, veggie, fruit and pastry lunch for our staff at Halpenny Insurance. Morning Owl is a real gem in the Carlington community. Amazing service, exceptional coffee and food, and wonderful catering. Geoff and his staff always greet their customers with a smile and bend over backwards for anyone who visits. Many thanks!“

“I enjoyed a fantastic raspberry and Brie crepe with a delicious caramel macchiato. It was my first time trying Luna, and I’ll absolutely be back! ❤️“

“We just came to sit and play and only got water. Ended up being $12 per person even for only 1 hour. Could have stayed a lot longer for the same price. Keep that in mind. Fantastic board game selection in good condition. Can buy games if you want, right from your table. Had a great old pub atmosphere. Staff is very attentive and makes sure you have what you need. I would highly recommend, and I would love to go again. Only real downside is no dedicated parking. It required a long time and a long walk to actually get to the location. Prepare for a long search and arrive well early if you have a date!“

“Great and quiet place in the Heart of downtown Ottawa for you to enjoy a cup of coffee and that strawberry scone hmmmmmm Ok my favourite is their Moka“

“The best scone place in Ottawa I cannot tell how much I love it and I enjoy the food and always get some many scones for weeks. It is always a great day when I have my coffee with one of sconewitch scones. I love the tuna tomato scone and the cream and cranberry one and all of them to be honest.“

“Very welcoming, great place to grab some fresh baked goods that taste amazing!“

“service, quality, fresh to order, tasty, value“

“Wonderful place to have authentic experience and see all the First Nations, Métis and Inuit artwork and gifts. Fantastic selection of items to purchase. Miigwetch.“

“Wonderful, inclusive folks! Very nice staff, who were very helpful. This may seem like an odd thing to say, but it was really great that they made sure they rented an accessible portable washroom for their large market event. As I was sporting crutches (I recently broke my ankle), it was a total life saver that I didn’t need to take the stairs! Not sure if the port-a-potty is an “always” thing, but just the fact that they had it for their street market when so many folks wouldn’t even think of it made me grateful. Thank you for being the loveliest hosts! I’m not a coffee or tea drinker, but I’ll certainly tell all my friends about how kind the staff were!“

“Anabia has delicious cupcakes (even Vegan ones). Their sandwiches are fantastic and so is their coffee. The atmosphere is super friendly. Great place to hang out with friends or to make new friends.“

“Cool cafe + bike store

We went at lunchtime on a Wednesday and it was not very busy. A couple of people came in for the cafe or with bikes for the bike part. Lots of space.

I got a breakfast sandwich (very good, much better than I expected) and a maple rosemary latte (I didn't taste the maple or rosemary and it was too coffee-y for my preference but my friend really liked it). The soup of the day was Moroccan soup and smelled really good.“

“The atmosphere was lively, and there was no wait time. Classical piano music filled the air as we were greeted by the owner. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee was inviting. We decided to order toasted deli sandwiches and freshly made smoothies. It’s a great place to catch up on some work while enjoying delicious food. I would rate the Green Bean Cafe a 6.9 out of 10.“

“Reddit calls this the most dangerous bar in Ottawa, and they're right-- a dangerously good time. The only bar that somehow has bussin' haired zoomers at night and a good hang of old fellas in the day and evening, it is truly a community center where generations bond on their love of the best iced coffee in the city“

“Best salads ever - authentic, creative and satisfying. Recommended!“

“Pleasant experience. The energy bites were a nice surprise.“

“The coffee and especially the espresso-based drinks, are absolutely fantastic, and some of the best I've ever had! Aside from the drinks being top-shelf, the staff are wonderful. Very friendly, helpful, and genuine. Thanks for making my day, see you soon.“

“We have been to Chef Ric’s a few times. It is located in our daughter’s neighbourhood. The staff is lovely, the food is fresh and very good and the value is amazing. Love how welcoming and inclusive it is. Congratulations to the entire Chef Ric’s team! Keep making yourselves proud!“

“Beautiful people excellent food. Worth every penny!!“

“Pleasant experience. The energy bites were a nice surprise.“

“I really enjoyed the environment, very quiet on Sunday afternoon, the food was okay: my ice mocha was a little sweet and the croissant felt fresh and crunchy.
My concern is the cleaning, I understand is Sunday and is a busy day but looked a little neglected, even so the workers are very friendly.“

“good and healthy food.“

“best bubbletea and awesome drink“

“We were tired from walking so much in Parliament Hill area so we decided to come back to the hotel and ordered dinner from Cafe 1274. The soup of the day is cream of tomato. It's absolutely delicious and it tastes like home made. The large garden salad was of good portion and very fresh and crisp. The balsamic dressing is delicious and not overly sour. Baked penne has a good sourness to it which makes it refreshing and balances the cheese flavor. (The pasta is a bit too soft but kids like it) it was a very good meal! We ordered take out and ate in the room so I can't comment on the restaurant. The food was wrapped nicely and included all the cutlery and condiments we needed. The server was friendly and helpful.“

“Great atmosphere, lots to do for the whole family.“

“Great location and patio at the Bank street location! Tasty coffees, treats and snacks! Friendly staff and lots of variety of places to sit at and work or read. Overall atmosphere and calm could be much improved for working, reading -!3 conversation with less distracting music choices. There’s lots of cool stuff out there that is softer and makes for easier listening. Just a thought, I like the spot anyway and visit regularly.“

“💞Thank you guys ,for your hospitality, attentive attitude and kind atmosphere that you create with love for your work.
Here every guest feels welcome and special. Your service is at the highest level.

Sincerely, Olga.“

“Amazing Italian food from pasta, salad, panni to desserts - all incredibly delicious! This cafe style restaurant with its friendly and wonderful service has become a favorite lunch spot for our office. They also offer a gluten free pasta option.“

“This is the greatest little coffee shop. I made a mistake this morning in thinking that they opened at 8:30 when it is written 9:30, so I walked over from the Saint Paul's Library (been here since 6am) to get a really tasty americano. When I got there the door was locked, however, a very nice gentleman opened the door and I mentioned that Facebook said it was open at 8:30 (which was the mistake). No problem, a little frustrated I walk away but he calls me back in and makes me a very nice coffee to take back. Service like this is hard to find nowadays, so I am very grateful for the coffee and the kindness. Thank you!!“

“This is a great, quiet cafe. Plenty of space inside, and a calm, pleasant atmosphere.
The coffee is solid, I believe they sell The Artery Community Roaster coffee which I really like. The cafe has savoury options but I always come here for the desserts. The muffins are my go to. There’s a nice variety of squares and bars that I also like to pick from, including these really great lemon blondies.“

“Having just landed in Ottawa during lunch time, I was craving a bite. I came across this beautiful café in Downtown Ottawa - Jackson Café (10 Daly Ave, Ottawa, ON, KIN 6E2) after visiting the Art Gallery next door.
At the café, I had ordered a roasted beef sandwich and my all-time favourite drink which was an iced matcha latte. I was in awe with the beautiful, sophisticated decoration of this café. The place was quite cozy and it was clearly the perfect place for studying as I spotted a few students from the University of Ottawa sipping their beverages while staring at their laptop screens.
The roasted beef sandwich was excellent it has the perfect ratio of meat and arugula salad piled on fresh bread. The combination of flavors was out of this world, and the beef was well cooked and tender. Every bite was a savory delight.
Then, I received my iced matcha latte, and I was in love!
As a matcha lover, this drink struck the perfect balance of matcha and milk-not too strong, not too weak.
Perfection!
This was the perfect place for a little pick me up before heading out and exploring more the city. I definitely recommend checking out this café, it also has some delicious pasteries and healthy vegetarian options as well. Recommended!

To hear more about this review, follow us @eatinontario on Instagram, TikTok, & Facebook. ✨??“

“Overpriced Sysco food, cocktail prices as high as a 5 star restaurant, cluttered interior, nasty kitchen with dirty dishes on food prep area.“

“My new favourite hangout! The live music scene is top notch! Great that they are supporting local music! Amazing Scotch menus as well as fab cocktails! Love the ambience! The lighting is perfect. Great service! The music in between sets is perfect. Come out and show some love ❤️“

“Great atmosphere! Great Argentinian cookie… so soft and sweet with a hint of orange. The barista at this local is exceptional. And they have classical music playing great local vibe and pleasantly of happy customers on a Wednesday mod morning.“

“The food was absolutely incredible—authentic, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Every bite was a true taste of Arab cuisine, from the perfectly spiced kebabs to the rich, aromatic hummus. It’s the kind of place where you can truly savor each dish.

Not only is the food top-notch, but it’s also the perfect spot to sit and enjoy a meal with friends. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, making it ideal for gathering and sharing delicious dishes. Whether you’re coming for a casual meal or celebrating something special, this place is a gem. Highly recommend it!“

“The staff were polite and cheery and the food was generally great. My one complaint is that they didn't seem to know how to steam milk too well but I didn't really mind. I was more interested in the tarts. Love that they had vegan and gf options. Vegetarian options for lunch as well.“

“The most beautiful view from the window. You can see the Parliament buildings, the National War memorial, and Chateau Laurier.“

“Had a great interaction with a kind woman who made me two beaver tails quickly and they were great! Thanks again for the good attitude! Would definitely recommend“

“On September 9at 2:40pm, I left my purse at Cafe Cristal, it had all my ID in it. To the person who toke it please send my ID by mail because I have a national board exam to write in 1 week. Please.“

“I'm going through some health issues and have a small baby, so I'd ordered a weeks worth of flash frozen meals. They are so, so good! They're healthy, tasty, and best of all no cooking involved. The portions are generous and I can feed myself, my Mom and my 16 month old loves them too. I'll be a returning weekly customer for sure.“

“We ordered philly steak and chicken fajita requested to make it spicy and they nailed it delicious corn and tea..keep it.up“

“This is my go-to-spot for any of my coffee needs. I love their centro house blend and the smiles of the baristas. They really make the place inviting! But recently, I have noticed the lack of chalkboards and makes the place really dull. The vibe without it is really impersonal and sad. Bring back the chalk board!“

“Hubby and I's fave lunch spot :) We bring our two young kids here too from time to time and they love it too. Large portions, tons of nutritious options, and we love the bright and airy space too. Highly recommend!“

“Had the special BBQ Mushroom burger.....what surprised was the weight of the burger....it was a lot of burger. Flavour / taste was great....really enjoyed it. My wife had their liver and onions....which they are well known for and they did not disappoint....fantastic food and service.“

“Service was friendly & quick,great food and delicious pies.“

“Fabulous tea and delicious snacks“

“Always good food. They never let me down“