Local Coffee Guide
- Olivia Lam
- Oct 14, 2020
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 17, 2024
I have a profound love for local coffee. I’ve definitely had my fair share of tea and coffee around town and over the years. I’ve learned to appreciate the locality of these businesses and hope this list brings you joy! I enjoy a darker roast coffee with depth of flavour but I also appreciate the flavour notes in a lighter roast. Coffee always makes for great gifts, anytime during the year!
Coffee
The Artery Community Roasters
The Artery is a social enterprise where people living with disabilities are paid a living wage to roast and package specialty coffee. The light roasts from the Artery are one of the best I've ever had. Give them a try, you might never go back to dark roast. If you ever happen upon this roaster at the market, Will is a gem and is always a pleasure to speak to. Their coffee can be found at many local shops around town and served at Ottawa Bike Cafe on Sparks Street.
Birch Bark Coffee Co.
Birch Bark Coffee Co. is a coffee roaster based out of Ottawa, who is working to provide clean water for Indigenous families across Ontario. A portion of the proceeds from each bag that Birch Bark Coffee Company sells will help buy water purifiers for Indigenous families who don’t have access to clean water. I haven’t had a chance to taste these beans yet, but they are on the list. You can find their beans at a variety of shops in Ottawa, please see their retail locations tab on their webpage.
For more information, please visit their website – https://birchbarkcoffeecompany.com/
Bluebarn Coffee Roasters
Bluebarn Coffee Roasters is located in Wakefield, QC. They roast their beans in an actual Blue barn in Wakefield, which is so neat! Their coffee shop in Wakefield is a must visit. You can find their beans at a few locations in Ottawa!
For more information, please visit their website – https://bluebarncoffee.com/
Brown Bag Coffee Roasters
This roaster is located in Aylmer but I will include them on this list because they can often be found in Ottawa shops. They offer free local delivery, curbside pick up and free Canada-wide shipping. I have yet to try these beans but will be picking up a bag once I run out of my current beans.
For more information, please visit their website https://bbcr.ca/
Cafe Latte Cino
Caffe Latte Cino also offers coffee beans and tea in addition to their regular menu. They are located in Orleans.
For more information, please visit their website https://cafelattecino.com/
Cloud Forest Coffee
I stumbled open Cloud Forest Coffee at a craft market about 3 years ago. I instantly fell in love with the flavour and depth of the beans. The scent of the coffee generally draws me into tasting it. I have since cycled through two bags of the medium roast coffee beans. CloudForest Coffee is an organic direct-trade coffee. They've got a coffee shop in Westboro inside the Pokoloko store and another spot in Hull.
CloudForest Coffee also offers delivery, see their website for more information. https://cloudforestcoffee.ca
Eight50 Coffee
Eight50 Coffee is a female owned coffee company in Ottawa run by Muna. They offer beans and coffee subscription boxes.
For more information, please visit their website
Equator Coffee Roasters
Equator has been around since 1998 and a certified B Corporation. They offer such a fantastic variety of roasts and wicked merchandise. They also have a few shops around town, if you didn’t already know. My favourite roast so far has been Outlier, a delicious medium roast coffee. Pick up a bag of beans at any of their shops or various local shops around Ottawa.
For more information, please visit their website https://equator.ca/
Figaro Coffee
Figaro is located at Trainyards and offers a variety of coffee beans to go. They also offer delivery on their beans within Ottawa.
For more information, please visit their website https://www.figarocoffeehouse.com/
Fluid Solar Roasted Coffee
Fluid Coffee is located in Clayton, but you can pick up their beans at 692 Coffee Bar in Manotick. I personally, love their Ambrosia and decaf roasts. The coolest part about these beans are how they are processed. These beans are processed with renewable energy, the waste water is recycled and they use compostable bags. Every aspect of sustainability in procuring these beans has been thought of.
For more information, please visit their website https://fluidcoffee.ca/
Francesco’s Coffee Company
Francesco’s is located right in Ottawa and offer roast-to-order beans. I have yet to try these beans but I’ve been told they are quite a good roast.
For more information, please visit their website https://francescoscoffee.com/Olivia/?ref=506
Happy Goat Coffee Company
Happy Goat Coffee is an Ottawa-based coffee company, headquartered in Hintonburg. They have a few locations across the city and delicious brews. At the moment their Laurel location remains open, with reduced hours. You can also find them online and they are offering free shipping on orders over $40.
For more information, please visit their website https://www.happygoatcoffee.com/
Izere Coffee
A mother-daughter company, who believe that opportunity shouldn’t be a luxury for women. Their facilities and operations are led by a group of women who support their families through Izere.
Joe the Dog Coffee
I first discovered this coffee at a pet store on Bank St. in 2014. Joe the Dog Coffee beans are roasted in eastern Ontario and they also raise funds for local animal rescues. There are a few options for roasts and they are pretty tasty. My favourite roast is the Gotta Go.
For more information, please visit their website http://www.joethedogcoffee.ca/
Little Victories Coffee
Another local coffee shop in the Glebe. I bought two bags of the Sunshine bags and they were mild and easy to drink. The shop has a few other beans to offer and they are located in a great spot. Little Victories coffee is available for purchase online. If you order 3 bags or more, they are offering free shipping Canada wide with the code COMMUNITY or free local delivery. They have opened up an outdoor pop-up shop to the side of their building.
For more information, please visit their website https://www.lvcoffee.ca/
Lulo Coffee Roasters
Lulo Coffee is an Ottawa based micro-roastery that launched earlier this year. I’ve heard that Arlington 5 has partnered with Lulo Coffee Roasters. Excited to see what comes next!
For more information, please visit their website https://lulocoffee.ca/
Mighty Valley Coffee
This coffee company is located in Smiths Falls but you can find their beans at Massine’s Your Independent Grocer in Ottawa. They have a variety of roasts and I personally enjoy the Valley House Blend. You can also find their coffee served at Foundry Coffee in Carleton Place.
For more information, please visit their website https://www.mightyvalleycoffee.com/
Morning Owl Coffee
Morning Owl has many locations across the city but they also sell their own beans. If you’ve every picked up a cuppa coffee and enjoyed their brew, why not buy a bag of beans. They also have some wicked merchandise available.
Check out their individual instagram accounts for more information. Here is a link to the offerings at the Parkdale location https://form.jotform.com/202736056977263
No Go Coffee Co.
No Go Coffee has a newly opened coffee shop in Osgoode. They offer a variety of roasts and even have some apparel for sale! You can find these beans at a few locations across the Ottawa Valley, more information is available on their website.
For more information, please visit their website https://nogocoffee.com/
North Brew Coffee
North Brew Coffee is another great local coffee roaster who donates a portion of every bag sold to the Ottawa Mission. They recently launched an Autumn Brew that sounds quite delicious. I have found their coffee at Makerhouse Co. in Hintonburg and picked up a bag last fall.
For more information, please visit their website https://northbrew.ca/
To shop their coffee from Makerhouse Co. https://makerhouse.com/
Opulence Coffee
Offering coffee and coffee only, in a modern, industrial yet still very professional atmosphere, Opulence Coffee offers the freshest coffee possible. Roasting on site 6-7 days a week, from light to dark, decaf and espresso, you will find something that will take care of your caffeine needs. This shop is located on Dalhousie street in the Byward market.
Pico Alto Coffee
Pico Alto is located in Gatineau, QC and they are built on sustainable development. Pico Alto imports, packages and distributes organic coffee beans grown by local farmers in the Copan region of Honduras.
For more information, please visit their website – http://picoalto.ca/index.html
Poppa Bean Coffee
Poppa Bean Coffee Roastery, I have had the pleasure of having each time I visit the Lansdowne Farmers Market. I always bring my reusable mug knowing that there will be fresh local coffee available. The coffee profile is refreshing and light. Spots where you can grab these beans include Whole Foods, The Herb and Spice shop on Wellington St W and Seed to Sausage on Gladstone. Poppa Bean is a part of an initiative called the Vendors Project where you can order from select vendors who would normally be found at the Ottawa Farmer’s Market. If you order over $45, free delivery is available.
For more information, please visit their website – https://www.poppabean.ca/collections/pure-bread-sourdough
Rideau Roastery
Named after the region where they live in Canada, Rideau Roastery (pronounced Ree-dough) has been craft roasting the finest coffee beans since 2014. Only the highest-grade Ethically Sourced and Organic green beans are shipped from around the world to their little roastery, where they use special roast profiles to produce high-quality single-origin roasts and custom-flavoured blends.
September Coffee Company
September Coffee is a micro roastery in Ottawa that offers a variety of roasts and a coffee subscription.
For more information, please visit their website https://september.coffee/
Snark Coffee
Snark is located in Arnprior but it’s only a short drive away from Ottawa. What I love about Snark Bean is their partnership with four charities whom you can donate part of your coffee proceeds to.
For more information, please visit their website https://snarkbean.com/
Wax and Wane Coffee
A Canadian Coffee company that celebrates the tiny moments between the waxing and waning moon. Their coffee is best served with a side of magic, whatever your magic is!
Other shop local links
Comments