Get a fix in Ottawa: 3 great coffee joints in the city

Ottawa Travel Guide

|

Tuesday, 06 November 2012 16:09

Got a caffeine addiction? Thankfully, Ottawa is right on par with other sophisticated metropolises where coffee provides the city with a beating pulse, and with dozens of independent cafes to choose from, anyone who travels to Ontario will be in good hands if they need an energy boost every morning. Rather than going to the chains available around the world, visitors should instead set their sights on smaller coffee joints that take pride in every cup they make.

Bread & Sons: For the afficionado
Those who like their coffee without the frills of milk and sugar will be in heaven at Bread & Sons, which boasts the self-proclaimed slogan that its coffee is the "Best on the block. Any block." Visitors who are willing to put the baristas to the test can take a short walk from their Ottawa hotel and head to Bank Street, where the smell of freshly baked bread might be the first scent to hit their nose - before the coffee.

After drooling over the stacks of bread and pastries, it's time to order a shot of espresso. Don't be shy to look over to the barista's working station to watch as the thick crema forms in the tiny shot glass. Patrons who know what they're doing should drink their espresso as soon as it's served to them so as to keep all of the rich flavours intact.

Pressed: For the bruncher
It's Saturday morning, and visitors might have seen an awesome concert the night before and stayed out a little past their usual bedtime. When noon rolls around and they're still at their Ottawa accommodations, it might be time to get out of bed and take a walk to Pressed, where the weekend menu is just as impressive as the coffee beverages. Along with serving delicious brewed coffee and espresso drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, Pressed also has impressive dishes that will cure any post-drinking blues.

From banana and peanut butter-topped Belgian waffles to what the chefs call "The Hangover," which features slow-smoked beef brisket, cheese curds and gravy, Pressed is just what the doctor ordered.

Bridgehead: For the environmentalist
Coffee grows in tropical locations around the world, and some visitors might be concerned about the source of their cup of caffeine. At Bridgehead, they can rest assured that all of the beans are fairly traded with farmers from the farthest reaches of the globe, and as every batch is roasted right in Ottawa, aficionados needn't worry about sacrificing quality for deliciousness.