50 Best Cafes in Ottawa

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

“Drinks were more expensive than I expected, but good. Me and my friends were there for only about 3-4 hours but we felt like we were being rushed out towards the end, despite paying and still actively using board games. It wasn’t like we were hogging a table and just chatting.“

“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! ❤️“

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

“The service was peak. They were so nice bro. I bought the business sandwich and I would like to call it peak sandwich. It’s basically like a chicken sandwich with mushroom and a spicy mayo on the side (the best I have ever had). The atmosphere or like the place is so warm and cozy. When u order food inside u could feel the coziness. I also ordered flat white (homemade coffee) PEAK it was so good. But I’m a tourist but if I lived here this place would be my go to place.“

“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!“

“Chill place to grab a refreshment and a snack. Jay and the staff are friendly and lots of interesting things to look at. There's a bike shop in the back where you can get a tune-up and a collection of vintage bikes for sale. I didn't eat while there but everything looked good.“

“love the vibe here. great wine and fab small plates! go with a group of friends or on a date and be prepared to share. cool decor, great evenings to be had. staff are super friendly too. the crudo is a must and great dessert. get the olives and wine too. they’re a must.“

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

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

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

“Always delicious scones, scone sandwiches and coffee! The staff is very friendly!
The only issue that I have been experiencing repeatedly is that they run out of ingredients time to time, every time is a different ingredient, I have seen eggs, different jams, and clotted cream. Luckily they always have scones! I hope the supply issue gets resolved!
For eggs specifically I have experienced them run out close to the end of their breakfast sandwich service time, to avoid that, I recommend going at least an hour earlier. For scones, you should be good all day long.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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 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“

“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.“

“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!“

“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!“

“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.“

“What an incredible and hospitable couple that runs this restaurant. Food and coffee are fantastic!“

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

“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!“

“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!!“

“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 😅“

“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!“

“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!“

“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.“

“good and healthy food.“

“This was a lovely place to stop for a morning coffee and treat! We ordered the tahini maple late and a cappuccino. The tahini added a fascinating depth of flavour and balanced the sweet. Both drinks were pleasant. We also tried the chocolate chip banana muffin and an apple turnover. The area was spacious with art, stone and metal with some natural moss making a striking contrast. It was a quiet, interesting place to stop in the morning!“

“Ottawa staple for a reason. Great books at EXCELLENT prices. HUGE selection. The quality of service definitely varies here. Some staff (like Patrick) are super kind and helpful, while some other staff members are not so much so. The coffee and other cafe offerings are excellent. They have some of my favourite desserts and cold-brewed teas in the city!“

“Stopped in for breakfast this morning as we were staying at the Best Western Plus hotel (where the restaurant is located).
It was busy but they found us a table.

Service was quick and friendly.

I had their breakfast special with one egg and my son had pancakes. The food came out hot and it was tasty. We were both satisfied with the amount of food we received.

The bill came to $31, which wasn’t bad.

I’d recommend the spot for breakfast if you are staying nearby.“

“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!“

“Thyme & Again catered for our wedding at the Canadian Museum of Nature and they were outstanding! Out of all our vendors, our guests mentioned catering the most and it was always to complement how good the food was. The food tasting prior was incredibly helpful, I'm sure what we would have chosen would be delicious but we ended up making some changes to our menu choices thanks to it. Overall, we are really happy with our experiences, from the big things to the small ones like bringing doggy bags of hors d'oeuvres to us during our photo shoot so we didn't miss out!“

“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!“

“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.“

“Layali Baghdad is hands down one of the best shisha lounges in Ottawa. The atmosphere is welcoming and authentic — great music, comfortable seating, and a vibe that makes you want to stay all night. The shisha flavors are top quality and the smoke is smooth and well-packed. Service was attentive without being intrusive, and the staff clearly know what they’re doing.

If you’re looking for a solid spot to relax with friends over a hookah and good drinks/snacks, this is the place. Will definitely be back!“

“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.“

“Delicious coffee, sandwiches and treats! You need to check them out!“

“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.“

“Le personnel était formidable, accueillant, amical et parlait français. Le lieu est d une ambiance chaleureuse. J'ai adoré mon expérience et je le.recommande à tous.“

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

“Dropped in for lunch. Loved the food. Housemade chicken curry soup was excellent and I have a lot of experience with curry. Also had a blueberry lemon scone that was crisp on the outside and tender buttery on the inside. My wife had a breakfast sandwich, which at Good Eats is far above the ordinary with housemade English muffins, cheese layered in the egg and perfectly cooked bacon. There was some sort of chutney on the English Muffin which added a nice spicy touch. Very welcoming staff. Friendly neighborhood atmosphere. Also they had nice art on the walls from a local artist.“