There’s something special about going on a classic coffee shop date in the winter. It’s a cheap and cozy way to spend time with someone and get to know them better. Plus, it’s a great way to escape the cold for a bit!
Ottawa is full of cute and cozy cafés that serve Instagram-worthy hot drinks to warm you up. Whether you’re looking for a spot for a first date, a new place to study, or just a place to get your coffee fix, here are 10 local cafés in Ottawa that you should visit.
1. Oat Couture Oatmeal Café
If you think oatmeal is a boring breakfast, you need to visit Oat Couture. This café makes oatmeal fun and delicious. They use steel-cut oats from local sources and can cater to any dietary needs. They serve both sweet and savoury oatmeal dishes, as well as hot and cold options. The staff is friendly and wants to make your experience memorable.
What to try: Oatmeal bowls, overnight oats, baked goods, sandwiches, and fashionable lattes.
Locations
- Old Ottawa South: 1154 Bank St
- Centretown West: 750 Gladstone Ave
2. Little Victories Coffee Roasters
Little Victories Coffee is a small coffee shop run by two coffee experts: a roaster and a barista. They want to make Ottawa’s coffee scene even better. They have two unique locations. In the Glebe, they serve coffee from a shipping container on weekends. Their main location on Elgin Street is in one of the most unique buildings in Ottawa.
Locations
- The Glebe: 801 Bank St
- Downtown: 44 Elgin St
3. Black Squirrel Books & Espresso Bar
This cozy spot has a welcoming and comfortable vibe. It’s surrounded by shelves of new and used books, making it a great place for a date. They also serve craft beer and wine.
Location: 1073 Bank St
4. Art House Café
Art House Café is a café, art gallery, and event space all in one. They serve fresh dishes made with local ingredients, and they have delicious coffee from Happy Goat, a local roastery. If you want an alcoholic drink, they also have a craft cocktail menu with unique options.
Location: 555 Somerset St W
5. Equator Coffee
Equator Coffee aims to create coffee that makes a difference in the world by connecting farmers with consumers. They roast and serve 100% fair trade, organic coffee. With five locations in the city, it’s a great spot for a quick lunch date or a morning coffee run.
Locations
- Almonte: 451 Ottawa St
- Westboro: 412 Churchill Ave N
- NAC-CNA: 1 Elgin St
- Stittsville: 1523 Stittsville Main St
- Kanata: 5114 Kanata Ave
6. Cloudforest Coffee
Cloudforest Coffee is a relaxed and eco-friendly café. They serve fairtrade coffee and aim to reduce their environmental impact. You can also shop at Pokoloko, which shares the same space and offers artisan crafts from around the world.
Location: 339 Richmond Rd
7. Luxe Blooms Flower Café
Luxe Blooms is a pink-themed flower café that is perfect for Instagram photos. The café is decorated with pink flowers, pink neon signs, pink dinnerware, and even pink drinks! You can also buy fresh flowers, bouquets, and more. It’s an ideal spot to get a romantic gift for your date after coffee.
Location: 254 Dalhousie St
8. Mantovani 1946
Mantovani 1946 is an elegant café with gold and cream decor. It’s a great place to get cozy with your partner. They serve the best gelato in the city, along with pastries and cakes to go with your coffee. The café is laptop-free, creating a device-free space for you to connect with each other.
Location: 87 Murray St
9. Drip House
Drip House is a café and art gallery with three locations in Ottawa. Their locations have a modern and brightly lit interior, perfect for a coffee date or a study session. They offer a variety of espresso drinks and quick lunches. All of their locations are laptop-friendly.
Locations
- Hintonburg: 340 Parkdale Ave, Unit B
- Chinatown: 692 Somerset St W
- Mechanicsville: 121 Parkdale Ave
10. Happy Goat Coffee Co.
Happy Goat Coffee Co. is known for their coffee expertise and for creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for everyone. They have 13 locations in the Ottawa area, and each one is warm and inviting.
Locations
- Laurel: 35 Rue Laurel St
- Sandy Hill: 317 Wilbrod St
- Elgin: 326 Elgin St
- Westboro: 307A Richmond Rd
- Bank/Hopewell: 1124 Bank St
- Bank/Staples: 403 Bank St
- Cumberland: 229 Rideau St
- Main St: 145 Main St
- And more!
Now you have a list of great places to explore for your next coffee date in Ottawa. Enjoy the city’s best cafés and have a wonderful time!
