Ottawa loves to support its local businesses and coffee shops are no exception. Local, independent coffee roasters provide a unique experience and rich flavours you can’t get at regular chains. So grab your reusable mug and make your way to some of these great coffee roasters for a tasty cup of joe in Canada’s Capital.
1. Little Victories Coffee Roasters
Travel experiences inspired the two friends behind Little Victories to elevate Ottawa’s coffee culture by starting their own coffee roasting business. This small, independent roaster ethically sources their beans, using direct trade companies whenever possible. Sip their unique brews at their café in the Glebe neighbourhood, Centretown or Elgin Street, or visit one of the many Ottawa shops and restaurants that serve Little Victories' products.
2. Bridgehead Roastery and Coffeehouse
Since opening in 2000, Bridgehead coffee shops have been popping up all over Canada’s capital region. The roastery is centrally located in Little Italy and also serves as an industrial café. Bridgehead coffees are Fairtrade Certified, which means the company only works with small-scale farmers to get the best beans at prices that truly support the farmer’s skills and effort. To top it off, Bridgehead sources most of their other products like milk, cream, honey, eggs and vegetables, from local farmers.
3. Equator Coffee Roasters
Equator Coffee has been in the bean biz since 1998. As a member of Northern America’s Cooperative Coffees, their products are all fair trade, organic and from small-scale farms. Visit their café, roastery and training centre located just 45 minutes west of Ottawa in Almonte, Ontario. Or drop by one of their coffee shops within the city.
4. Happy Goat Coffee Co.
Sourcing their beans from small-crop farmers in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Happy Goat produces niche coffees that Ottawans love. You can try their organic, fair trade roasts at one of their cafés, including the original Hintonburg location in Wellington West, and at over 100 partner merchants throughout the Ottawa area.
5. Brown Bag Coffee Roasters
After roasting coffee out of his Gatineau home as a hobby for years, Shann Bosnell opened Brown Bag Coffee Roasters near Gatineau Park. They specialize in specialty-grade, single origin beans that are certified Fair Trade Organic or Rain Forest Alliance whenever possible. You can purchase their quality products at the roastery or at coffee shops, restaurants and retailers throughout the Ottawa region.
6. Poppa Bean Coffee Roastery
Paul Foster started out using popcorn poppers to roast coffee for his office colleagues – hence the name Poppa Bean. As demand grew, he began using real roasters and selling at farmers’ markets. Although Poppa Bean doesn’t have their own storefront, you can order directly from their website or purchase their products at markets and retailers around Ottawa. Keep your eyes peeled for their popular seasonal roasts!
