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April 5, 2011 6:45 AM Subscribe
I'm about to spend a few weeks in Ottawa and I'm looking for a coffee shop to spend some time. Can anyone suggest a few for me?
I am a big fan of the neighbourhood coffee shop. I'm looking for one where I can read a book or a newspaper in the evening and where people are milling about and willing to speak to people at the table next to them. Any ideas where I can find one in town?
I am a big fan of the neighbourhood coffee shop. I'm looking for one where I can read a book or a newspaper in the evening and where people are milling about and willing to speak to people at the table next to them. Any ideas where I can find one in town?
Stepping in to say Bridgehead. Ami Cafe on Somerset is also very nice.
posted by LN at 6:57 AM on April 5, 2011
posted by LN at 6:57 AM on April 5, 2011
If you're downtown, OMW, nip into the Bridgehead on Bank and Slater and let me know you're there - I could take a break from work and come say hi!
posted by LN at 6:59 AM on April 5, 2011
posted by LN at 6:59 AM on April 5, 2011
nthing Bridgehead or Ami; the second one often has live music in the evenings. Both are fair-trade and the second is run by/as a cooperative.
Be warned, most coffee in Ottawa, other than Bridgehead and Ami and a few of the Italian espresso places on Preston Street (Little Italy), is terrible.
You'll probably find people willing to talk during the day most in the "neighbourhood" Bridgeheads, rather than the downtown ones, which tend to attract more government/business people who just want to escape from work. Avoid the one on Slater and Kent, as it has the worst ambiance of the bridgeheads. The one on Sparks at Metcalfe attracts both tourists (although less at this time of year) and workers. The ones further down Bank at Gilmour (Centretown), Second Avenue (in the Glebe) and at Grove (Old Ottawa South) tend to attract people who live in the neighbourhood (as do the ones on Elgin at MacLaren, in Westboro (Wellington at Caroline) and in New Edinburgh (Beechwood at Marier))
posted by urbanlenny at 7:48 AM on April 5, 2011
Be warned, most coffee in Ottawa, other than Bridgehead and Ami and a few of the Italian espresso places on Preston Street (Little Italy), is terrible.
You'll probably find people willing to talk during the day most in the "neighbourhood" Bridgeheads, rather than the downtown ones, which tend to attract more government/business people who just want to escape from work. Avoid the one on Slater and Kent, as it has the worst ambiance of the bridgeheads. The one on Sparks at Metcalfe attracts both tourists (although less at this time of year) and workers. The ones further down Bank at Gilmour (Centretown), Second Avenue (in the Glebe) and at Grove (Old Ottawa South) tend to attract people who live in the neighbourhood (as do the ones on Elgin at MacLaren, in Westboro (Wellington at Caroline) and in New Edinburgh (Beechwood at Marier))
posted by urbanlenny at 7:48 AM on April 5, 2011
Umi is indeed a funky little place, just on the edge of Chinatown on Somerset.
Bridgehead is a local Ottawa chain who are a bit better than the Starbucks experience.
In the Byward market area, le Moulin de Provence is touristy but makes a good cafe au lait (not a latte) and the Cafe Wim is an upscale version of what you're looking for.
posted by bonehead at 9:15 AM on April 5, 2011
Bridgehead is a local Ottawa chain who are a bit better than the Starbucks experience.
In the Byward market area, le Moulin de Provence is touristy but makes a good cafe au lait (not a latte) and the Cafe Wim is an upscale version of what you're looking for.
posted by bonehead at 9:15 AM on April 5, 2011
Fourthing Bridgehead. The one on Dalhousie st is quite nice as is the one on Wellington. The Wild Oat in the Glebe also has a nice vibe and lots of locals, especially if you like organic/vegetarian food.
posted by bayleaf at 9:16 AM on April 5, 2011
posted by bayleaf at 9:16 AM on April 5, 2011
I nth Bridgeheads, especially the non-business district ones, and also wanted to add Raw Sugar, on Somerset, though it closes fairly early.
Also, Cafe Wim was lovely, but closed quite a few years ago...it's now an upscale restaurant.
You should definitely update with where you will be, and we'll probably all have more suggestions.
posted by sabotagerabbit at 9:48 AM on April 5, 2011
Also, Cafe Wim was lovely, but closed quite a few years ago...it's now an upscale restaurant.
You should definitely update with where you will be, and we'll probably all have more suggestions.
posted by sabotagerabbit at 9:48 AM on April 5, 2011
Response by poster: This is great - looks like there's a lot to check out! Being so new, I'll have to check out a map, too, I guess, which is a good thing.
As for location, danwalker, I'm living down in Vanier but don't mind a hike out of that neighbourhood if necessary. I'm working at OConnor, just a few blocks south of Parliament Hill.
posted by Old Man Wilson at 10:07 AM on April 5, 2011
As for location, danwalker, I'm living down in Vanier but don't mind a hike out of that neighbourhood if necessary. I'm working at OConnor, just a few blocks south of Parliament Hill.
posted by Old Man Wilson at 10:07 AM on April 5, 2011
If you're on O'Connor, a Bridgehead will probably be where you end up, and they're fine to chill at, but they're definitely a kind of Starbucks for the indie-minded atmosphere. If you want something less corporate, head to Umi or Raw Sugar in Chinatown.
posted by Jairus at 10:13 AM on April 5, 2011
posted by Jairus at 10:13 AM on April 5, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
Francesco's in the Glebe comes to mind. Or most Bridgehead locations.
posted by danwalker at 6:55 AM on April 5, 2011