As someone who has traveled extensively across Canada in the US, I’ve enjoyed countless cafés, but Second Cup has always held a special place for me as a proudly Canadian company. I know their menu well. I know the flavor profiles of their beans, and I visited several of their locations coast to coast I’ve even spent time on coffee plantations during my travels so I say this with experience: What’s happening at this particular Second Cup location is completely unacceptable. Over the course of three days, I gave the location multiple chances and each experience was worse than the last. On my first visit, my sister brought us two large oatmilk Latte's. What we received tasted as if it had multiple espresso shots had been added, and it was incredibly bitter, harsh and undrinkable. My sister threw her latte out immediately, but I struggled to get through a little bit of mine, despite having it for a headache. It was one of the worst coffee lattes I’ve ever had. Later in the afternoon she decided to go, and I told her I need another coffee because my head hurts and she ordered her darkest brew roast which was called The Batch. What we got was essentially hot water with a trace of coffee. Absolutely no depth, no aroma, and no body, it was almost laughable. The next day, another friend brought me the same oatmeal latte from this location, and I wanted to give them a second chance and again it was unpleasant and poorly made. Alongside it was an oatmeal cookie so sweet. It tasted like nothing but processed sugar, another letdown. On the third day, I decided to go in person. As a patient in the hospital, I walked with my IV pole to meet a friend hoping to enjoy something simple, such as a medium brewed cup of dark roast. Once again, the cup was watery and flavorless. I brought it back, politely explained the issue and I was met with confusion. Eventually, the owner stepped in. He remade our drinks by pulling a double espresso and topped it with the same brew. When I asked him directly, whether there was a mistake and how the brew was prepared, he dismissed me entirely with have a good day, ma’am. As a coffee connoisseur and a loyal Second Cup customer, of many years, I can confidently say this location does not reflect the brand standards in quality, consistency, or customer care. The brew does not taste like Second Cup beans. And my personal opinion, the owner may not be using the correct coffee or proper recipes. Something is off, and it’s quite clear. What’s most disappointing is that this café is inside the hospital, a place where people come for healing, comfort, socializing, and a small amount of normalcy. The experience here has been the opposite, disorganized, dismissive, and constantly below par. Just a word to the owner your customers certainly deserve better coffee!!!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Anna Smith
Very busy location in the morning but dead at night. Really want to show appreciation to the young lady with glasses for showing me kindness during these hard times. My card declined multiple times but she paid for my order without hesitation. She's an angel
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Mini Anthan
I have a friend who is in the hospital for about a month so far, I have gone to visit him about 25 times. I would say I have visited this second cup to get either something for myself, my friend or any visitors that are visiting him about 20 times in the past four weeks . Each and every time, regardless of who is behind the counter the service is kind, competent and fast. They answer my questions easily
Kudos to the team and whoever is hiring such amazing employees
Thanks for making the visits to the hospital a little easier .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tashelle Joseph
The flavoured coffee is SOOOO GOOD from caramel to butter pecan, Belgian chocolate, Irish cream and more! The chicken Caesar wrap is a little pricey but worth it! The chocolate danish is the perfect treat especially when fresh out of the oven! Staff are great as I always have a big order! Just be patient because it’s in a busy hospital and we all want coffeee!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Danielle Blanks
Another latte without foam. I will not buy here anymore
Shane Armstrong
I watched this barista behind the counter tie her hair up for approximately 30 seconds prior to ordering a strawberry banana smoothie, and she made my drink without washing her hands after.. staff member had very long finger nails.. used her nail to open the banana, hand to grab strawberries.. kind of gross.. actually really gross.. the drink was $8 or $9 and it's sitting in front of me untouched I am going to throw it out.. I was in uniform so I didn't want to cause a fuss. Lots gets under my nails naturally and everywhere I don't want what's under someone else's in my food.. also they don't take points at this location.. reminder this is in a hospital and there is lots of bacteria, standards should be higher not lower.. sorry Second cup, really missed the mark! I'm out almost $10 right to the garbage
Cole Lyons
This was a very bad second cup, I had received not only low quality drinks which were heavily diluted with water and milk but I was also given a smoothie which I asked for no banana due to an allergy they said they could give me one without the banana but they still put it in which gave me a allergic reaction.
Jenny Richardson
I go every day, and it's always fantastic. The staff is supernice & efficient.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yuliya Yatsenko
Love this coffee shop ❤️ friendly staff and cozy atmosphere
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Mory Hakimi
The Second Cup Café, located on the ground floor of The Ottawa Hospital at 501 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, provides a delightful and diverse menu for individuals visiting the hospital for medical reasons. I greatly appreciate the service Second Cup Café offers, providing a refreshing break for patients, their families, and the dedicated healthcare workers who serve the community.
Given the high volume of foot traffic in a busy place like The Ottawa Hospital, it's clear that running a branch here has financial benefits. However, I would recommend that Second Cup Café consider reducing the prices of their coffee and meals at this location. Doing so would make their offerings more affordable, especially for the hardworking doctors, nurses, and staff who tirelessly care for others, as well as for patients and visitors.
By making their products more accessible, Second Cup Café could not only attract more customers but also leave a lasting positive impression on healthcare workers and visitors alike. This move would improve customer satisfaction while further enhancing the company's reputation within the community. I've attached their menu so you can get a better idea of their offerings and prices.
Just witnessed a doctor trying to buy a coffee. Her phone payment wasn't working, and the coffee nazi who works here wouldn't let her pay tomorrow. Nice work guys. Thanks for keeping our life saving doctors caffeintated. Drink got thrown in the garbage instead 🤦
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Samuel Schwisberg
The coffee is fine but I had a tuna jalapeño wrap which I couldn’t finish. It was mostly dough with a sliver of dark low grade tuna barely above cat food quality. I paid $14.75 for this and a small latte. The baked goods are ok but avoid the wraps - especially this one. Staff are effficient.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 4
Jessica Furlotte
I just love this location. Always clean, great service and pretty quick!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
S Foo
This little cafe in the hospital is located near outpatient care so it is a good option for family or caregivers waiting. Beats the cafeteria. The coffee was decent and the staff were friendly. There are tables and chairs, one with an outlet. There are pastry desserts that were okay, a bit overly sweet but still better than expected. There tends to be a constant line that moves fairly quickly.
Vegetarian options: Pastries Snacks Coffee
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Paul Saucier
Excellent service and always ready to give you a little more to satisfy you... A little touch of warmth for the place...
As someone who has traveled extensively across Canada in the US, I’ve enjoyed countless cafés, but Second Cup has always held a special place for me as a proudly Canadian company. I know their menu well. I know the flavor profiles of their beans, and I visited several of their locations coast to coast I’ve even spent time on coffee plantations during my travels so I say this with experience:
What’s happening at this particular Second Cup location is completely unacceptable.
Over the course of three days, I gave the location multiple chances and each experience was worse than the last.
On my first visit, my sister brought us two large oatmilk Latte's. What we received tasted as if it had multiple espresso shots had been added, and it was incredibly bitter, harsh and undrinkable.
My sister threw her latte out immediately, but I struggled to get through a little bit of mine, despite having it for a headache.
It was one of the worst coffee lattes I’ve ever had.
Later in the afternoon she decided to go, and I told her I need another coffee because my head hurts and she ordered her darkest brew roast which was called The Batch.
What we got was essentially hot water with a trace of coffee. Absolutely no depth, no aroma, and no body, it was almost laughable.
The next day, another friend brought me the same oatmeal latte from this location, and I wanted to give them a second chance and again it was unpleasant and poorly made. Alongside it was an oatmeal cookie so sweet. It tasted like nothing but processed sugar, another letdown.
On the third day, I decided to go in person. As a patient in the hospital, I walked with my IV pole to meet a friend hoping to enjoy something simple, such as a medium brewed cup of dark roast.
Once again, the cup was watery and flavorless. I brought it back, politely explained the issue and I was met with confusion.
Eventually, the owner stepped in.
He remade our drinks by pulling a double espresso and topped it with the same brew. When I asked him directly, whether there was a mistake and how the brew was prepared, he dismissed me entirely with have a good day, ma’am.
As a coffee connoisseur and a loyal Second Cup customer, of many years, I can confidently say this location does not reflect the brand standards in quality, consistency, or customer care.
The brew does not taste like Second Cup beans. And my personal opinion, the owner may not be using the correct coffee or proper recipes. Something is off, and it’s quite clear.
What’s most disappointing is that this café is inside the hospital, a place where people come for healing, comfort, socializing, and a small amount of normalcy.
The experience here has been the opposite, disorganized, dismissive, and constantly below par. Just a word to the owner your customers certainly deserve better coffee!!!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Very busy location in the morning but dead at night. Really want to show appreciation to the young lady with glasses for showing me kindness during these hard times. My card declined multiple times but she paid for my order without hesitation. She's an angel
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
I have a friend who is in the hospital for about a month so far, I have gone to visit him about 25 times.
I would say I have visited this second cup to get either something for myself, my friend or any visitors that are visiting him about 20 times in the past four weeks .
Each and every time, regardless of who is behind the counter the service is kind, competent and fast. They answer my questions easily
Kudos to the team and whoever is hiring such amazing employees
Thanks for making the visits to the hospital a little easier .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The flavoured coffee is SOOOO GOOD from caramel to butter pecan, Belgian chocolate, Irish cream and more! The chicken Caesar wrap is a little pricey but worth it! The chocolate danish is the perfect treat especially when fresh out of the oven! Staff are great as I always have a big order! Just be patient because it’s in a busy hospital and we all want coffeee!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Another latte without foam. I will not buy here anymore
I watched this barista behind the counter tie her hair up for approximately 30 seconds prior to ordering a strawberry banana smoothie, and she made my drink without washing her hands after.. staff member had very long finger nails.. used her nail to open the banana, hand to grab strawberries.. kind of gross.. actually really gross.. the drink was $8 or $9 and it's sitting in front of me untouched I am going to throw it out.. I was in uniform so I didn't want to cause a fuss. Lots gets under my nails naturally and everywhere I don't want what's under someone else's in my food.. also they don't take points at this location.. reminder this is in a hospital and there is lots of bacteria, standards should be higher not lower.. sorry Second cup, really missed the mark! I'm out almost $10 right to the garbage
This was a very bad second cup, I had received not only low quality drinks which were heavily diluted with water and milk but I was also given a smoothie which I asked for no banana due to an allergy they said they could give me one without the banana but they still put it in which gave me a allergic reaction.
I go every day, and it's always fantastic. The staff is supernice & efficient.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love this coffee shop ❤️ friendly staff and cozy atmosphere
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
The Second Cup Café, located on the ground floor of The Ottawa Hospital at 501 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, provides a delightful and diverse menu for individuals visiting the hospital for medical reasons. I greatly appreciate the service Second Cup Café offers, providing a refreshing break for patients, their families, and the dedicated healthcare workers who serve the community.
Given the high volume of foot traffic in a busy place like The Ottawa Hospital, it's clear that running a branch here has financial benefits. However, I would recommend that Second Cup Café consider reducing the prices of their coffee and meals at this location. Doing so would make their offerings more affordable, especially for the hardworking doctors, nurses, and staff who tirelessly care for others, as well as for patients and visitors.
By making their products more accessible, Second Cup Café could not only attract more customers but also leave a lasting positive impression on healthcare workers and visitors alike. This move would improve customer satisfaction while further enhancing the company's reputation within the community.
I've attached their menu so you can get a better idea of their offerings and prices.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Just witnessed a doctor trying to buy a coffee. Her phone payment wasn't working, and the coffee nazi who works here wouldn't let her pay tomorrow. Nice work guys. Thanks for keeping our life saving doctors caffeintated. Drink got thrown in the garbage instead 🤦
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
The coffee is fine but I had a tuna jalapeño wrap which I couldn’t finish. It was mostly dough with a sliver of dark low grade tuna barely above cat food quality. I paid $14.75 for this and a small latte. The baked goods are ok but avoid the wraps - especially this one. Staff are effficient.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 4
I just love this location. Always clean, great service and pretty quick!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This little cafe in the hospital is located near outpatient care so it is a good option for family or caregivers waiting. Beats the cafeteria. The coffee was decent and the staff were friendly. There are tables and chairs, one with an outlet. There are pastry desserts that were okay, a bit overly sweet but still better than expected. There tends to be a constant line that moves fairly quickly.
Vegetarian options: Pastries
Snacks
Coffee
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Excellent service and always ready to give you a little more to satisfy you... A little touch of warmth for the place...
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
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