A caffeine high in Lowertown: Great Ottawa coffee stops
True enough, Ottawa ain’t the city that never sleeps, but that’s not because of a caffeine shortage, especially in Lowertown where coffee shops abound. If you can’t find something to give you a java jolt among these options, you really are sleepwalking.
Planet Coffee
24A York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 1K2Squirrelled away down quiet Clarendon Lane in historic ByWard Market, Planet Coffee has been attracting regulars for more than two decades. Perhaps it’s because the large windows brighten its subdued silver-gray decor. Perhaps it’s the sunny-day option of unhurried outdoor seating. Perhaps it’s because of the luscious lemon squares (the breakfast crowd opts for healthier nature bars). Perhaps it’s the homemade lemonade or soy maple latte served by friendly baristas. It’s the kind of place you can sit forever without a hint you should move on. The downside: they don’t take plastic.
I Deal Coffee
176 Dalhousie St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7C6A hippie vibe runs through this coffee house on the northern frontier of the ByWard Market: think mismatched coffee mugs, a corner bookshelf, an old Pac-Man console, homemade sweets served on coffee filters instead of plates. But I Deal’s servers take their coffee seriously. Burlap bags of beans, such as hand-picked Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, are strewn everywhere and roasted on site twice weekly. Lattes are served in glass tumblers; so, too, the organic lemonade. For a real jolt, try the depth charge — a double espresso in regular coffee.
The Tea Party
119 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5T4More than 100 kinds of tea are on offer here, but the Tea Party is great for coffee, too. Beans are supplied by local roasters Happy Goat and Joel’s Coffee. And with French press on offer, you can try any of the 10 types in stock — including those, such as Jamaican Blue Mountain, not always found in java-centric joints. The historic Victorian brick house is decorated in an Alice in Wonderland theme, but in pleasant weather the patio is equally inviting. House-made scones, both sweet and savoury, and sandwiches such as tandoori tofu and classic cucumber, are popular.
Bridgehead Coffee House
224 Dalhousie St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7E2This might be an outpost of a 15-store chain, but Bridgehead is a local success story. Originally the project of United Church ministers and social activists, Bridgehead was Canada’s first fair-trade coffee purveyor and everything it sells is still fair trade, organic and locally roasted. On a hot day, perhaps a hazelnut iced coffee or its own cold brew coffee will appeal. Lunchtime fare, such as sunflower seed pate sandwiches, is popular enough to be found at such events as the Ottawa International Writers Festival. This is a spot where folks linger over their laptop.
Cacao 70
51-53 William St, Ottawa, ON K1N 6Z9Cacao 70 is a Quebec-based chain specializing in chocolate, but its coffee-shop vibe is great for a caffeine fix of a different kind. Its cappuccino or mocha frappé or iced latte are refreshing in summer, and hot alternatives such as Americano and macchiato are also on the menu. So, too, such decadent cocoa-based treats as chocolate-marshmallow pizza and chocolate fondue. The wooden tables and chairs are reminiscent of an old-style tavern. Servers seem especially peppy; no chocolate coma here.
Cafe 55
55 By Ward Market Sq, Ottawa, ON K1N 9C3In the mood for people-watching? Try this spot, located in a corner of an historic market building: Café 55’s floor-to-ceiling, garage-style windows give ready access to the parade of locals and visitors scampering about Ottawa’s major tourist zone. The round, Parisian-style tables are tightly packed, but a large patio takes care of summertime overflow. Coffee, from Montreal’s Café Union roastery, is served in the usual array of Americanos, mochaccinos, lattes and the like. Lunch-time paninis, wraps and salads are popular, and the café features a bar. Pastries come from La Rocca, based in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
