Top 5 coffee shops in Ottawa, chosen from local press
Four outlets were read to build this guide: Narcity, Apt613, Daily Coffee News and CP24. A place is included only when a named outlet wrote about it in 2024 or later and placed it in Ottawa. Picks are ranked by the number of distinct outlets that covered them, then by the most recent mention. This guide was checked on November 6, 2026.
Ranked by the number of outlets.
Ties go to the place written about most recently.
Number 1Little Victories Coffee
44 Elgin St., Downtown (Elgin Street), Ottawa
CP24 reported in February 2026 that Little Victories ranked 71st on the World's 100 Best Coffee Shops list, one of only three Canadian shops selected. Narcity named it among Ottawa's best coffee shops in September 2024, and Apt613 noted it in October 2026 during a city-wide café tour. The shop has three Ottawa locations.
“An Ottawa coffee shop with a location just steps from Parliament Hill and Sparks Street has been named one of the best specialty coffee shops in the world.”
CP24, Josh Pringle · news · February 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
“Their great coffee and modern vibes make everyone feel comfortable.”
Narcity, Jordan Pizzuti · best-of list · September 8, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
“Little Victories doesn't serve flavoured drinks, a decision I respect, even if it complicates my research.”
Apt613, Amanda Baker · feature · October 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Photo: Little Victories Coffee's website
- Number 2
Ten Toes Coffee
837 Somerset St. W., Somerset West, Ottawa
Narcity named Ten Toes among Ottawa's best coffee shops in September 2024, noting it serves coffee alongside a vintage clothing section, a laundromat, beers on tap, and late-night events on weekends. Apt613 visited in October 2026 and noted the shop's coffee with pleasant, nutty notes.
“They deliver a classic interpretation of the PSL, with pleasant, nutty coffee notes that pair naturally with the pumpkin.”
Apt613, Amanda Baker · feature · October 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
“Yes, they do serve up amazing coffee, but they are home to a ton of cool stuff.”
Narcity, Jordan Pizzuti · best-of list · September 8, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
Number 3Black Squirrel Books & Espresso Bar
1073 Bank St., Old Ottawa South, Ottawa
Narcity included Black Squirrel in its September 2024 list of Ottawa's best coffee shops. Apt613 featured the café in April 2025 as a good place to work or study, noting the window tables and the mix of books and coffee.
“There are a few tables at the front, closest to the windows, where you can people-watch or read a book during your breaks”
Apt613, Aria Wilson · feature · April 21, 2025 (opens in a new tab)
“It is a coffee shop with a bookstore inside.”
Narcity, Jordan Pizzuti · best-of list · September 8, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
Photo: Black Squirrel Books & Espresso Bar's website
Number 4The Bower Coffee Co.
429 Richmond Rd., Westboro, Ottawa
Daily Coffee News profiled The Bower in July 2024, noting its simple menu and focus on coffee from Canadian roasters, with no syrups and no wi-fi. Narcity included it in September 2024 as one of Ottawa's best coffee shops.
“The shop maintains a simple, clean menu, avoiding syrups or other unhealthy add-ins in order to focus on the coffees.”
Daily Coffee News, Daria Toptygina · feature · July 30, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
“The Bower is the result of decades of dedication to a craft that happened almost by accident.”
Narcity, Jordan Pizzuti · best-of list · September 8, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
Photo: The Bower Coffee Co.'s website
Number 5Equator Coffee Roasters
412 Churchill Ave. N., Westboro, Ottawa
Apt613 included the Westboro location of Equator Coffee Roasters in its October 2026 city-wide café tour, writing that Equator produced the strongest pumpkin flavour of any shop tested. Equator has roasted organic, fair-trade coffee in the Ottawa area since 1998.
“Equator delivers the most pronounced pumpkin flavour, accompanied by a generous showing of warming spices.”
Apt613, Amanda Baker · feature · October 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Photo: Equator Coffee Roasters's website
How to cite this guide
voche.me editors. "Top 5 coffee shops in Ottawa, chosen from local press." voche.me, checked November 6, 2026. https://voche.me/on/ottawa-2026/guides/top-coffee-shops-ottawa
Each place has its own address, such as https://voche.me/on/ottawa-2026/guides/top-coffee-shops-ottawa#little-victories-coffee.
Questions this guide answers
What are the top coffee shops in Ottawa according to local press?
This guide lists five Ottawa coffee shops named by local and national outlets: Little Victories Coffee, Ten Toes Coffee, Black Squirrel Books & Espresso Bar, The Bower Coffee Co., and Equator Coffee Roasters. Each was written about by at least one named outlet in 2024 or later.
How were these coffee shops chosen?
Each shop is here because a named outlet, such as a newspaper or magazine, wrote about it in 2024 or later and placed it in Ottawa. No place was added from rating sites, the business's own pages, or social media posts alone. Picks are ranked by the number of distinct outlets that covered them.
Which outlets were read to make this guide?
Four outlets were read: Narcity, Apt613, Daily Coffee News, and CP24. Articles dated before 2024 were not used, because a place named only in older coverage may have changed or closed.
When was this guide last checked?
This guide was checked on November 6, 2026. Each article cited was read on that date.
What makes Little Victories Coffee stand out?
CP24 reported in February 2026 that Little Victories ranked 71st on the World's 100 Best Coffee Shops list, one of only three Canadian shops on the list. The shop operates three Ottawa locations.
What is Ten Toes Coffee known for?
Narcity wrote in September 2024 that Ten Toes serves coffee alongside a vintage clothing section, a laundromat, beers on tap, and late-night events on weekends. The main location is at 837 Somerset St. W.
What is different about Black Squirrel Books & Espresso Bar?
It combines a used bookstore with an espresso bar at 1073 Bank St. in Old Ottawa South. Apt613 noted in April 2025 that window tables are good for reading or people-watching.
How do I report a mistake in this guide?
Use the corrections form at voche.me/report and name the place and the line that is wrong.
Every page this guide draws on
- Ottawa's pumpkin spice latte tour of 2026Apt613, Amanda Baker · October 28, 2026 · apt613.ca · read November 6, 2026
- Local study and work-from-home spots to take advantage of this springApt613, Aria Wilson · April 21, 2025 · apt613.ca · read November 6, 2026
- This Ottawa specialty coffee shop named one of the World's 100 Best Coffee ShopsCP24, Josh Pringle · February 23, 2026 · cp24.com · read November 6, 2026
- The Bower Coffee Co. Leans Into Quality in Ottawa, OntarioDaily Coffee News, Daria Toptygina · July 30, 2024 · dailycoffeenews.com · read November 6, 2026
- The 9 best coffee shops in Ottawa to fit every moodNarcity, Jordan Pizzuti · September 8, 2024 · narcity.com · read November 6, 2026
Found an error? Tell the editors with the corrections form. Read our standards.