Ottawa Cafe Crawl

Last week, we brought you part 1 of this suburban coffee shop roundup, covering great independent spots in the western suburbs of Ottawa. This week, we’ve got a selection of awesome cafés in the southern and eastern suburbs. Enjoy!

I don’t know if Ottawa residents are aware of how many wonderful independent coffee shops exist in the suburbs. Some feel like hidden gems or special secrets I’ve been keeping to myself. So, I’m sharing several of my favourite suburban discoveries here, focusing on non-chain independent coffee shops and cafés without multiple locations, to celebrate their unique qualities.

Beginning with simple coffee and snacks, the café has now expanded with coffee expert Stevie Pan at the helm. Black Squirrel now holds a liquor licence and their menu is expanding with a new kitchen in place.

Many Ottawa staples will be on site but the complete list of vendors includes range of must-try local roasters.

With rustic charm and a comforting menu, this couple’s restaurant in The Glebe feels like a natural fit for the neighbourhood.

A local, family-owned coffee shop celebrates its new location inside the National Arts Centre with free all-day coffee and a performance by DJ Trevor Walker.