Ottawa's Best Coffee Shops: 8 Local Favourites That Never Miss

I’ll admit it, my travel plans often revolve around good coffee. But even at home in Ottawa, the coffee stops are often a highlight. Whether I’m fueling up before work or grabbing a cup before heading out on a walk, there’s something about a good cup of coffee (and a cozy café vibe) that just hits right.

If you're in the capital and looking for the best coffee in Ottawa. Here's a roundup of my go-to cafés across the city, from Westboro to the Glebe — tried and tested (frequently) by yours truly.

☕ 1. Little Victories Coffee Roasters📍Downtown (Queen & Bank + Elgin Street) | The Glebe (Bank Street)

In my opinion, they’re single-handedly elevating Ottawa’s coffee culture. If you like your coffee with a side of minimalist perfection, Little Victories is the place. Their espresso is consistently top-tier, and the baristas know what they’re doing. It’s the kind of spot where you can taste the care in every cup as cliché as it sounds.

Pro tip: Order one of their brownies, just do it. It has no business being that good (truly I don't even like brownies that much but this one has me hooked).

🌿 2. The Bower Coffee Co.📍Westboro (Richmond Road)

Bright, plant-filled, and effortlessly stylish, Bower is my go-to for a coffee date or a weekend pick-me up. They serve up smooth drinks with that do not disappoint and they source other products from other local hidden gems like The Piggy Market (breads and meats for sandwiches), Adam Bakes (baked goods) and Strawberry Blonde (GF and Vegan items).

A local business that support other local businesses? We love to see it — more please.

☁️ 3. Cloudforest Coffee📍Westboro (Richmond Road)

Cloudforest feels like a true hidden gem in Westboro. It shares its calming and cozy space with Pokoloko, offering locally roasted coffee alongside artisan home goods and fashion. It's warm, full of light and instantly relaxing.

This place is the definition of sustainability meets great taste with their attention to detail and care for ecofriendly practices. Be sure to check out their seasonal cookies, they are always delicious!

🍵 5. The Ministry of Coffee📍Downtown (Laurier Avenue) & VIA Rail Station (Tremblay Road)

If you’re downtown or catching a train, Ministry of Coffee is a reliable choice. While their Hintonburg location has closed, the Laurier café is there to serve us our much needed dose of caffeine. Relaxed vibe and usually stocked with great local pastries — ideal for a mid-day pick-me-up or casual catch-up.

📚 6. Black Squirrel Books & Espresso Bar📍Old Ottawa South (Bank Street)

Books + espresso = the dream combo. Black Squirrel feels like the coffee shop you dreamed of working at as a teen (or was that just me?). It’s cozy, slightly eclectic, and full of character. Come for a coffee, stay for the books and the delusion that you are in New York City for a second.

🦜 7. Ideal Café 📍ByWard Market (Dalhousie street)

Tucked right into the ByWard Market, Ideal Café lives up to its name. Feels like a neighbourhood hang out in the best way. They serve fresh eats out of their from scratch kitchen and their Brazilian espresso is a favourite of mine — Seriously, we bring bags of it home on the regular.

🥣 8. Oat Couture Oatmeal Café📍Old Ottawa South (Bank Street) | Centretown West (Gladstone Avenue)

Okay yes, weird recommendation given it's an oatmeal café BUT I mean it when I say don't sleep on their coffee. Oat Couture's picturesque interior is aesthetic as anything and their oat lattes are a dream.

This is the brunch-meets-caffeine kind of place you end up spending hours in yapping with a friend. And yes, the oatmeal is actually great too.

Bonus: A Few More to Try

If you are true coffee lover and want to support more Local Ottawa Business, here are a few more to try that deserve a call-out;

• Arlington Five📍Centretown — a charming coffee shop is serving spectacular coffee & a sense of community in one. A true hidden gem.

  • Honestly this one deserves one of the top spots but full disclosure, I haven't been there recently and got crippled with indecision (guess I need to go back and try it again ASAP)

• Equator Coffee📍Westboro, Downtown, Barrhaven — a sustainable shop that excels in offering a variety of ethically sourced, organic, and fair trade specialty coffees.

☕ Final Sip

Whether you're a fanatic or just in it for the ambiance, Ottawa’s got some strong coffee contenders that are exceeding expectations to say the least. These are the kinds of places where you can settle in, take a breather, and sip on something that hits the spot.

Got a favourite I missed? I’m always on the lookout for my next go-to. Feel free to drop it in the comments or DM me on Instagram!