I've just returned from Canada's Capital City, Ottawa. Consulting a tourist guide will lead you to a lot of great sites of historical significance and grandeur. I love Ottawa. But I've often wondered where it's inhabitants live and for the purpose of this blog, get great coffee. After a few flips through the real estate section of the paper (the only real way to find out what's going on in a city) I came across reference after reference to "The Glebe" with only the weekend at my disposal I guestimated that I could check out most of the local coffee shops in that small quaint neighborhood. Boy was I wrong.
If you start with the Bridgehead coffee shop at the North End of Bank and walk south towards the another
Bridgehead coffee shop just across the bridge you'll come across at least a dozen quaint independant cafe's squeezed between Tim Horton's, Starbucks and even a Second Cup. I started at the Second Cup and found that the local owner has really elevated his game. It was a great litle shop with all the feel of a boutique and the efficiency of a major chain.
I will preface this by telling you that competition along Bank Street is fierce and I wasn't dissapointed any where I stopped. Many of the independant cafes have found a unique niche that caters to particular clientelle. I had to space my visits out across the Saturday and the Sunday to have enough time to emmerse myself in the community. The Art in the Park show was a bonus and allowed me the opportunity to savour a cup or two while I wandered throught the temporary tent city and admire the works of some local artists.
I didn't have a favorite but I have some gems to share.
If you are a dog lover you need to stop in at the
Doggin' it cafe inside of Wag Petstore and bring your dog with you to wander the store and browse unique posh doggy toys with other customers and their dogs. I wished we had brought Daisy (our Westie) and Baxter (our Aussie) with us. The service was great and the atmosphere was that of a well , a bunch of dog lovers enjoying being dog lovers. By the way it was cleaner than many cafes that don't allow dogs so don't worry about that if you come without your pet.
I wandered towards
Stella Luna to the south. What a jumping joint for a Saturday Afternoon. Bring the kids or bring a date and grab a table. I shared a gelatto and a Coffee Americano and wasn't disappointed with either. I'll admit that being from Toronto makes me naturally rushed. When I finished ordering I was handed a number and asked to sit and wait for my order. It took longer than you could get away with here in Toronto but I took the opportunity to take a moment, enjoy the cheerful chatter and smiles among the patrons. When my coffee arrived I was not dissapointed. Good things take time. I'll have to come back when I'm not on a mission to visit as many cafe's as one can visit without getting a caffeine overdose.
My next stop was
Francescos. I had enjoyed the art show for a bit and the buzz of three coffees in 3 hours had started to fade. My first impression was my mothers kitchen. It was quiet neat and orderly. Two patrons sat quietly typing away. I'm guess that they were high school students studying for exams. The barista was joking with a patron on a first name basis without missing a step in preparing his order or being professional. I immedialtely felt welcome. Tom somehow posed for pictures while filling my order and not loosing his attention to the customers who followed me. If you had to define that third place that felt like home this would be it.
We started out Sunday at
Morala the bright and cheery with a distinct bohemien feel. The service was impeccable and the coffee was great. I wished that I'd ordered something more than a dark roasted coffee. If you have a moment to stop in you feel welcome.
My last stop was at the
Bridgehead coffee at the corner of Bank and Second. The service was excellent. There was a real spirit of community with the Shoes for Charity Bin by the front door. I sampled a great latte and wandered around the neighborhood. I found some shelter from the rain in one of the local antique shops that helps give "The Glebe" it's special feel.
For visitors to the Ottawa area you need to break away from the tourist attractions for just a few moments and wander a truly beautiful city. Your coffee cravings will be met from any one of the great cafes that line Bank Street. I look forward to future visits where I can search out new haunts in our Nations Capital.
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Posted on: 2013-06-17 12:00 AM 
