5 Eastern Ontario coffee shops you must visit

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Keep this list of gorgeous, friendly coffee shops handy for your next road trip in Eastern Ontario!

I’ve been out on the road quite a bit in the last few months, researching my next book and—not coincidentally—hanging out in cafés. Similar to last year’s book, my new book will be packed with ideas for road trips from Ottawa. (This time out, weekend getaways will be the focus.)

Over the course of writing both books—and running this website since 2014—I’ve been to a lot of coffee shops. Seriously, a lot. After all, a little caffeine and a sweet treat help keep me fuelled up behind the wheel. (All those scones don’t do my waistline any favours, but that’s another story.)

Before I delve into my list of great Eastern Ontario coffee shops, two explanatory notes.

Note #1: As long-time readers know, I don’t drink coffee. At all. Can’t stand the stuff. So why on earth am I taking it upon myself to write about coffee shops in Kemptville, Sharbot Lake, Calabogie and beyond?

Simply put, I might not drink coffee, but I adore tea. However, tea shops are few and far between, and the coffee shops in this list all brew a lovely cup of Earl Grey.

I’m also a baked goods fan, and all of these cafés are reliable sources of fresh-baked cookies, muffins and similar treats.

Note #2: What, exactly, constitutes a “coffee shop”? It’s surprisingly difficult to define. Most cafés sell more than coffee, tea and muffins. Many make wraps, panini, soups and salads. Quite a number serve other beverages, from lemonade to kombucha. You can often get breakfast. A few of these little restaurants are even licensed. So how do I distinguish a “coffee shop” from a “restaurant”?

It’s not an exact science, but basically, if a café has a counter where you can order food to go, pours more than just black coffee and Orange Pekoe tea, and has some sort of baked goods on prominent display, it meets my definition of a “coffee shop.” Your mileage may vary.

All right, enough with the notes. Let’s hit the road for some caffeine and carbs!

Cardinal Café + Shop, Sharbot Lake

It’s worth pulling off Highway 7 and making the short drive into Sharbot Lake to drop into the Cardinal Café + Shop—a lively, welcoming coffee shop inside a former Catholic church. Simple stained-glass windows spill warm light across the wooden floor, and a cute plaque for sale urges visitors to “Talk to each other. Pretend it’s 1995.” You can also buy maple syrup and other local products. The huge array of fresh doughnuts includes flavours like Nanaimo bar and maple bacon, but I visited first thing in the morning, so I tucked into a tasty, gooey breakfast bagel stuffed with bacon, egg, tomato, mayo and more instead. In summer, you can also get ice cream, and there’s a licensed patio overlooking the lake across the road. 14153 County Road 38, Sharbot Lake, Ontario

Fifth Chute Coffee, Eganville

Steve Berry, co-owner of the Axe and Paddle restaurant right next door, urged me to try the salted chocolate chip cookies at Fifth Chute Coffee in Eganville. I believe he described them as “the cookies I’ve been dreaming of since I was a kid.” And he wasn’t wrong—they are amazing. The coffee shop sells a wide array of hot beverages and baked goodies, and not all of the latter are sweet; sometimes you’ll find pumpkin sourdough bread with toasted pepitas, for instance. Floating shelves are stacked with local goods you can buy, such as hats, honey, chocolate and ketchup. When I visited, the café was also hosting a pop-up art show organized by the Ottawa Valley Community Arts Open Studio. 291 Bridge Street, Eganville, Ontario

Vanilla Beans Café and Creamery, Westport

When I dropped into Vanilla Beans Café and Creamery in Westport a few months ago, indoor dining was still limited. No worries; I only had to walk a block to enjoy my crunchy, sugar-dusted raspberry scone and cup of Earl Grey in a cute gazebo overlooking Westport Harbour. Now, of course, you can savour your treats inside the coffee shop, and Vanilla Beans has a charming location inside an old limestone building. As well as cinnamon rolls and other sweet treats, the shop serves Kawartha Dairy ice cream, Equator coffee, hand-rolled bagels, Belgian waffles, fresh sandwiches and more. 34 Main Street, Westport, Ontario

Oh-el-la Café, Calabogie

I discovered the Oh-el-la Café just last week. It’s so sleek and white that it’s almost futuristic, but a gorgeous vine trailing over half the ceiling keeps it cozy. (If you don’t believe me, check out their Instagram feed.) Owner Ella Guckes worked in coffee shops in many countries while travelling the world, then returned to her hometown of Calabogie to open this coffee shop in late 2020. Local fare includes Equator Coffee from Almonte and clever gifts, such as candles emblazoned with the names of nearby communities. On chilly days, you can snuggle with your coffee next to a crackling blaze in the outdoor fire pit. Try the shop’s flaky, buttery croissants. 636 Mill Street, Calabogie, Ontario

Bubba & Bugs Coffee Bar, Kemptville

As you’ll know if you read my post about walking in Kemptville a few months ago, Bubba & Bugs Coffee Bar is an eye-catching spot. How many coffee shops have you been to that are lit by chandeliers? An exposed red-brick wall, wood floors and chalkboard menus also give the café a homey feel. The range of baked goodies is extensive and changes regularly; depending on the day, you might be able to nosh on butter tart bars, gluten-free chocolate oat cookies or cinnamon brownies. Mmmm…. 146 Prescott Street, Kemptville

If you love food (and who doesn’t?), check out my posts about where to buy international groceries in and around Ottawa and about Ile d’Orléans, a food-lovers’ island near Quebec City.

Looking for more ideas for things to see and do in our region? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or pick up a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100-km Getaway Guide, from which this post is adapted.

As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.