Local Coffee & Tea Guide
Updated: Mar 10, 2022
I have a profound love for local coffee and tea. 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 and tea always make for great gifts, anytime during the year!
Coffee
Animated Coffee
Animated Coffee we wants to offer people the chance to do good, for all animals. Every time you take a sip of your coffee you have been a voice for those that have none. A portion of all their sales go to animal charities (listed on their website). You can also find their coffee at Strawberry Blonde Bakery locations across Ottawa.
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.
https://thearterycommunityroasters.com/
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! They are a group of friends and family who love coffee and create great coffee. You can find their beans at a few locations in Ottawa, like the Herb and Spice shop, Black Squirrel Books and more!
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 two 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 currently have a pop-up shop with Pokoloko in Westboro until December 31!
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. They just launched their coffee earlier this year!
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 various shops like Herb and Spice shop or 692 Coffee Bar in Manotick. I personally, love their Ambrosia roast and have a 1lb bag of beans at home. 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. I haven’t had the chance to try these beans yet but I’ve heard others really enjoy their coffee.
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 is located in Kemptville and started in North Gower. 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.
https://www.opulencecoffee.com/
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.
https://www.rideauroastery.com/
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/
Suzie Sips Coffee
Sue started up her coffee business earlier this year and I’ve had the chance of trying out a bag. I enjoyed my medium roast bag of beans. She currently offers free delivery in Ottawa with a purchase of $25 and over.
For more information, please visit their website https://www.suziesips.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!
Tea
Alicja Confections
The home of the postcard chocolate bar now offers loose leaf tea blends.
https://www.alicjaconfections.com/collections/loose-leaf-tea
Birch Moon Wellness Co.
Birch Moon is a tea company based in Ottawa that offers wellness teas made with wild-harvested Siberian chaga and herbs. They even have some wicked merchandise for tea lovers. The Chaga tea is divine!
For more information, please visit their website https://birchmoon.ca/
Diversitea
Diversitea can often be found at the Ottawa Farmer’s Market on Sundays at Lansdowne. The market is where I first discovered this wonderful tea shop. Their chai tea and ginger syrup are two of my favourite products. They are also available in various shops around Ottawa, their website has more information. The Chai tea blend and apricot tea blend are two of our favourites.
For more information, please visit their website http://www.diversitea.ca/
Green Lotus Organics
Green Lotus Organice is a new tea company in town. They hand pick their herbs in remote parts of Wakefield. The herbs are wild, organic and cultivated by nature!
https://www.facebook.com/greenlotusorganics/
Handmade Herbology
Handmade Herbology embraces an eco-friendly model and works with the land to reflect how we are all interconnected. Every batch for each product is a little bit different, but each one made with love and intention following the same principles of sustainability, care and balance.
https://handmadeherbology.love/
Leaf House City Farms
They currently rent a half acre from the Just Food Community Farm located within the City of Ottawa on Traditional Algonquin Territory. Leaf House's mission is to offer local herbal options to their community while using ecological farming practices. They offer both fresh and dried herbs, depending on the season. I have personally been to the farm a handful of times and Karen and Emily are amazing.
https://www.leafhousecityfarm.ca/
Life Booster Tea
Life Booster Tea is a Canadian based company whose mission is to improve the lives of women and men throughout the world and to bring the planet back to life through reforestation. Each product sold plants one tree! All of their teas are ethically sourced and contain only specific, hand-picked ingredients that have been proven to produce results and make positive changes in people’s lives. We love the immunity blend!
They also offer free delivery to Ottawa residents! Check out their website https://lifeboostertea.com/
Maple Tea Company
Maple Tea Company serves and helps the local community with a delicious offering of organic and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) Certified teas. A proud younger sibling to Ottawa’s North Brew Coffee, Maple Tea shares a likewise belief that ethically-sourced ingredients and a desire to make a difference can drive global change.
https://northbrew.ca/collections/vendors?q=Maple%20Tea%20Company
Mint and Honey
Mint & Honey tea and gift emporium is located in Kanata and they have a wonderful selection of tea. They offer a variety of local products in their inventory as well as tea. Great spot to purchase a gift!
To save 10% on your order of $35 or more, use code OLIVIA10
For more information, please visit their website https://mintandhoney.ca/
Shanti Tea
Another great local tea company, with many great options. They also sell dry foods, herbs and spices. I first discovered this tea company in 2015 at a shop on Bank St. in Old Ottawa South. I really enjoy their tea and so far my favourite is the Strawberry White tea, it’s nice and subtle. Shanti tea can also be found at the Country Perks Cafe inside the Country Moments Spa in Navan.
For more information, please visit their website https://www.shantitea.ca/
Sleepy Steep Tea
Tea for sleep and herbal tea blends handcrafted with all natural ingredients. I personally love the Lunar Lemon Balm blend.
Take Charge Tea
I had Take Charge Tea years ago and quite enjoyed it. Take Charge Tea is home business owned and operated by Bonnie-Jean Stacey. They have lots of tea options for targeted functions and you can find them at many stores in Ottawa. Check out their website http://www.maidenkanadah.com/
Tea Genic Wellness
Tea Genic Wellness is located in Ottawa and their focus is on health and wellness. This vendor can also be found at Ottawa Artisans Market. Tea Genic's festive blends are delicious.
For more information, please visit their website https://teagenicwellness.com/
Tealee
I’ve been drinking Tealee tea since 2012 and they popped up on the campus farmer’s market. Ever since, I have always picked up tea from this local brand. They offer local pick-up in Ottawa! I really enjoy the apple cinnamon oolong tea. They also create custom blends for special occasions. Our top picks: Zesty Earl Grey, Sweet Sage, Princess Presley and Jasmine Bliss.
For more information, visit their website https://www.tealee.ca/
Tease Tea
Tease Tea is headquartered in Ottawa and is an all-natural & sustainably sourced tea company. What I love most about this tea is their objective of empowering women and giving back through their Charitea program. They offer pick up at their head office on Canotek Road and they can be found at many stores across Ottawa.
For more information, visit their website https://teasetea.com/
Teastore
The Teastore is located right in the heart of the Byward Market and it has been a staple in my tea collection for over 8 years. They have the best selection of tea and they create their own blends. If you haven’t had the chance to check out their scones, add it to your list. Personal favourites from this shop are the Buckingham Palace tea, Lady Grey and the Peach Apricot tea.
For more information, please visit their website https://www.teastore.ca/
Yae Organic Teas
Handcrafted, herbal teas for women at every stage of their life. YAE Organic Teas is your source of locally blended organic teas to inspire you to live your best life daily.
Zappyo
Their fresh blends of Yerba Mate are meant to supply the energy so that you can focus on living each day with your best self!
If I am missing any local coffee or tea vendors, please send me a message or leave a comment.
Other shop local links
https://www.inspiringolivia.com/post/books-books-books
https://www.inspiringolivia.com/post/ottawa-s-plants-and-flowers
https://www.inspiringolivia.com/post/your-ottawa-apparel-guide