50 Best Cafes in Ottawa

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

“Dropped my 16 year old son and some of his buddies off for the afternoon while I ran some errands downtown. They had a blast ! The started with board games then moved to a table with a TV and various gaming consoles. They ordered lunch and said the food was amazing . When I picked them up I went in and sat with them for a half hour or so, and the boys made me order the cheesecake lol. Its a star destroyer !!! Very cool for this gen x mom lol.

I thought it would made an awesome first date place . Sit , play some games, have a few drinks ans maybe a bite to eat . Fun and relaxing and lots oftime to talk and get to know each other !“

“Amazing sandwiches, amazing atmosphere, and an amazing owner—couldn’t be happier with this spot. Everything is fresh, welcoming, and done right. Definitely a place I’ll keep coming back to.“

“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! ❤️“

“A cozy diner-like atmosphere in the heart of Chinatown. Corner Peach is a lovely restaurant that features homemade meals that have a nice zip, tang and variety. In particular, the chicken liver mousse on bread with sour cherry jam is a delight. The desserts are nice, but perhaps a touch over-sweet. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this casual eatery with upscale cooking.“

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

“Full bodied coffee and grrreat bakery goods - especially sweet and savory scones and huge, yummy cookies. ♥️“

“I had the bacon grilled cheese sandwich and I had it when it cooled down, I found it really good and I'd buy one again. I had some small talk with the staff while I waited for the sandwich and they were polite and friendly.

The place is small and tucked away so I feel it's better as a grab and go type of place. It's also close to Parliament Station, Bank street and Elgin Street, so it isn't hard to get here or grab something on the go. There is some space to sit and eatr too.“

“Le meilleur petit café du centre-ville d’Ottawa. Il y a beaucoup d’ambiance.“

“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“

“Both a bike (repair) shop and a café.
I've been a client of both services with great satisfaction. Great cozy place to have a coffee, inside or on the patio.
The seasonal drinks menu is always amazing.
Also offers goods from patners small local businesses.“

“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!“

“Next Level scones, order a dozen for take out after you eat here and you won't regret it. Who knew scones could be elevated to replace sandwich bread? This witch did, that's who! Friendship is magic? More like missing this place is tragic.“

“I no longer live in the area but I used to come here a lot with my girlfriend for a coffee and sandwich. This place always felt like a hidden gem, great coffee and really fantastic sandwiches. A really nice chill vibe in here as well. It's one of the few things I really miss about this neighborhood!“

“I had the chance to visit Cosenza Bar and Cafe last night, and from the moment you walk in, it’s an absolutely pleasant experience. The place welcomes you with carefully selected music that perfectly sets the mood for your stay. The server, in my opinion, was one of the most attentive I’ve ever met — constantly checking in on you without ever needing to be called over like in other places.

I decided to try the Pressed Panini “Prosciutto Brie” along with a “Nutella Latte.” Brooo! It was honestly one of the best culinary experiences I’ve had. Every bite was an explosion of flavor on my taste buds, and the coffee… made with authentic Italian roasted beans, had such a bold and rich taste that it made the whole experience even more enjoyable.

Without a doubt, I 100% recommend this place if you want to have an amazing time, whether you’re alone, with friends, or with family. I can confidently say that Cosenza Bar and Cafe is one of the best Italian spots in Ottawa. Treat yourself to this incredible experience and put your taste buds in the hands of this wonderful team — they will not disappoint you.“

“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.“

“Great place for a top quality coffee or latte and awesome pastries.“

“The latest experience was that I ordered an Easter meal for loved ones. They enjoyed it so much two people are actually going to have him cater dinners at their homes. The food is excellent. The story behind Chef Ric and his mission is inspirational and extraordinary. He has made a difference. So is this team? Thank you“

“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.“

“Best. Coffee. Ever! Little Victories Coffee Roasters offer light roasts full of fruity, complex flavours. The team is super friendly and the subscription and delivery service, timely and personalized. LOVE LVC!“

“Best café I’ve been to in a long time! The pastries are fresh and delicious, and the matcha is really good. The service was excellent, and the natural light makes the space feel bright and welcoming. Even though it’s a small café, it’s full of charm and has such a cozy atmosphere.“

“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 ❤️“

“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.“

“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.“

“Been here so many times but never have I ever left this store empty handed. They are always stacked with rare finds for all kinds of genres, especially for non-fictions like biographies and humanities. Tea is always a nice drink choice and their in house baked goods are nice. It does get crowded pretty easily so come early if you like browsing. Not the best spot for studying/working but great for casual hangouts, and reading (it does get loud tho).“

“Super fun ambiance - cozy hidden artsy space with comfy couches in behind. GF and veg options and community special evening activities. Great find and happy for this addition to the neighborhood!“

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

“One of the coffee shops in this area i love to frequent! Usually there's a nice spot to sit and sip on your coffee. I've done some work here on my computer and also used the space to read a book!:) The shop is very cozy feeling, especially in the wintertime!“

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

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

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

“purchased a sandwich and decaf iced coffee. it was pretty good. not super sweet, just the way I like it. The server Mikaela was also very kind, patient and helpful when I was struggling with the menu. Need more workers like her. Will come back again.“

“A quiet little hole in the wall place that makes you want to just bring a book and hang out in one of their recliners with a chai latte (theirs are amazing!). Their cookies are what Crumbl wish they could be. They are well cooked but still soft. Exactly what you want in a meal sized cookie.“

“This is a great café! Not only is the coffee always fresh, but the consistent, gourmet-level of their sandwiches, dinners and desserts is exceptional. Their soups are all delicious and they often have gluten-free items - including soups. The friendly staff make you feel like your an old friend. Highly recommend Café Deluxe.“

“We went tonight for our friend’s birthday. Food was amazing, drinks were good, service was excellent. 10/10 recommend. Note it is small inside, very quaint. As a person with a young baby, I won’t be bringing her (my daughter) there; we’ll keep it for a date night 😅“

“Fantastic First Visit – We’ll Be Back! We had a great first experience at this lovely Italian restaurant. The atmosphere was classy yet comfortable, and the food was excellent. We shared a tasty calamari appetizer, I had a huge gourmet personal pizza, and my husband enjoyed the shrimp linguine—everything was delicious. Despite a busy restaurant and patio, the two servers handled it all with speed and care. Service was attentive, and the prices were very reasonable for the generous portions. We’ll definitely be returning!“

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

“Very impressed with this shisha lounge. Top notch service unmatched by any I have been to. Great atmosphere. Customer service is beyond amazing! The shisha, the tea and coffee were all top notch! Fresh and delicious appetizers. Hands down best in town!“

“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!!“

“Queensview Café is such an underrated gem in Ottawa. I’ve been a few times now and it’s become one of those places I can always count on for a really solid, satisfying meal.

The menu has a great variety, and everything I’ve tried has been consistently fresh, well-made, and full of flavour. It’s not your typical “cafeteria” food at all—it feels much more like homemade comfort food done right. You can tell there’s care put into both the ingredients and the preparation.

The portions are generous, the prices are reasonable, and service is always quick and friendly. It’s perfect whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or ordering for a group.

Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area—this place deserves way more attention than it gets!“

“good and healthy food.“

“I went to get some scones after work, and even though I was so close to closing time they had lots of scones available (which they discount the next day)
I tried the peach, vanilla, orange, oatmeal, and two of the savory ones which I am not sure of the flavor, I asked for one of each for whatever was left. Food was wonderful they are so good, eventhe next day I heated them up for 30 seconds and they were perfect. The vanilla one was my favourite, but the savory ones became a great sandwhich.“

“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.“

“Happy Goat Coffee is one of my favorite coffee spots in Ottawa. The coffee is consistently fresh, flavorful, and expertly prepared, whether you're ordering a simple drip coffee or a specialty espresso drink. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and perfect for studying, working, or catching up with friends.

What really stands out is the friendly and knowledgeable staff, who always provide excellent service and make customers feel valued.

If you're looking for exceptional coffee, a comfortable environment, and outstanding customer service, Happy Goat Coffee is definitely worth a visit. Highly recommended!“

“Besides the best people working at Caddy Cafe, I was fortunate enough to go in on smoked meat week! The smoked meat was so tender, and the fries rival any chip stand around. Can't wait to get there again.“

“Best. Coffee. Ever! Little Victories Coffee Roasters offer light roasts full of fruity, complex flavours. The team is super friendly and the subscription and delivery service, timely and personalized. LOVE LVC!“

“The service is top notch, the bar tenders are so skilled, and the cocktails are amazing“

“Great choice we made this morning to eat at the Best Western’s attached restaurant.
Service was amazing, she was on her own and did an fantastic job. The food was hot and fast. I would come here even if I was not staying at the hotel. Thanks for the wonderful start to the day. Thanks again and see you again. Was special to be able to speak to the owner earlier that morning since I was in the lobby and he spoke to me since we are both very early risers !!!!!“

“The service is top notch, the bar tenders are so skilled, and the cocktails are amazing“