The Ministry of Coffee and Social Affairs

Cortado was really good with doughnuts from Suzy Q, next door. The coffee was aromatic and smooth.

Stopped by for a quick caffeine boost while in the city. This place was recommended by a friend who lives in the city. -[VANILLA LATTE 16 oz] $5.75 ☕ Delicious, and just the right amount of sweetness I was looking for Service was very friendly, and was more than happy to answer any questions if you had any. Water is something you can serve yourself from the counter on the side. They even provide water glasses for you to do just that. They had food items that I would want to try next time too!

Really disappointed in the Ministry of coffee service and bathroom. I went to the bathroom and there was a stall and an open urinal. As a woman, if I had come out and a man was peeing I would have been extremely uncomfortable. I understand having gender neutral bathrooms but to let more than one person in to a very small space and someone has everything hanging out with no privacy right outside your stall, is very offputting and unsafe. I told the staff and they were very dismissive.

I used to visit this place 2-3 times a week before being out of the country for almost 2 years. Sad to say the Ministry of Coffee is now unrecognizable to me. This used to be a busy, hip place that served great coffee and sandwiches during the day and strong cocktails and snacks at night. When I last visited, I actually thought it was about to close down -- the staff seem bored and uninterested, empty shelves with little choice of food, all the booze has gone, and it's just a very rundown and tired vibe. I have NO idea what happened, but hope they turn it around quickly.

Coffee is 7/10. I ordered regular latter and it was your regular latte. The place itself is a bit too dark for my liking , but it’s VERY spacious. It is a great spot for catching up with friends but maybe not so much for getting work done or studying there. Food selection is okay, more of a quick snack but definitely not a lunch spot . Employees were VERY nice and hella fast even tho it was quite packed when we went there. Overall a cool spot to explore with a very chill vibe :)

The drinks are very good! I had the Nutella latte and the regular latte, both are good! I had the sausage egg breakfast sandwich, probably one of the best! Staff are nice. Patrons are cool Ottawa hipsters! You see bikes in the shop or parked out front. I bring my two year old daughter and I see other little kids in there. Cool, open, and friendly environment. Why only 4 stars? Because the breakfast sandwich was cool in the middle, and I ordered the bacon sandwich, not sausage. Will I go back? Absolutely! Everytime I visit from Boston, that's my go to coffee shop!

Hard not to give it a five star. Quality is amazing open late for studying and prices are comparable to most cafes. Overall would recommend if you need to study until midnight throughout the week.

Nice place, had the Nutella latte, PB & Joy chocolate bar 🍫 and the Maple Cookie 🍪 Latte... excellent! PB & Joy ... nice little darker chocolate snack Maple Cookie... good taste. A little too hard and brittle in my opinion. Also quite quite small for $2.50 also. Should be about a buck for a cookie that small. Overall the coffee shop is a nice little gem, but stick to the coffee and you will be very happy 😊

Had a terrible experience here today. The staff were quite rude and unfriendly and my coffee was very very below average!!

Modern but comfortable. Upscale cafe vibe, jazz and blues music made it relaxing. There are high tops, tables and charging spots. Strong, good coffees. They have Nutella for special coffee blends it's not just powdered chocolate here. Craving a whiskey or Irish coffee? Beer? They are also a small bar! A few desserts- I recommend the apple one. Just wish it had pillows to make it cozier.

Great location in the heart of Westboro, open late, indoor and outdoor seating, partitions between tables for COVID protection. And above all awesome coffee.. the only thing missing is some good treats, or snacks. The options are limited and they are mostly vegan!

Location: On Wellington. Street parking is available but check the signage. I think it's free on Sundays but not sure. The place: No frills - it has a minimalist, industrial feel to it, with very few tables in use to ensure social distancing during this crazy pandemic time. I particularly appreciated the plastic dividers that were hanging from the ceiling to separate tables. Also, similar to its Elgin location, they've got excellent tunes. The goods: On this particular visit, I had a Cortado with almond milk. It was great. My friend thoroughly enjoyed her plain latté as well. Service: Great - the fellow who served us was friendly and he appreciated my Winnie the Pooh mask. I mean, what more can a girl ask for? Price point: I think the Cortado was about $4. Great local spot for delicious coffee.

We were a little desperate to find good coffee, being unfamiliar with Ottawa and we had just picked up Suzy Q. We were just going to get put usual extra shot latte and almond milk mocha, but intrigued by the breakfast burrito. It was amazing. Had beans, quinoa, tofu scramble, and many flavourful additions. It was so big yet mysteriously I finished it. We got another one to go. The coffee was also really good. Service friendly. We will be back every time we visit. Or you know, they could open a shop in west Toronto?

Their coffee is pretty decent for size/price you pay. I want overly amazed, but it was a good brew. The location is lovely and indoor atmosphere is beautiful. Their patio is a must for people watching and chatting with friends. The staff were super friendly.

Solid espresso and great ambiance on Wellington. I just stopped in for a quick espresso while I was in the neighborhood, but I wish I had stayed longer because I loved the ambiance of the cafe - great for catching up with friends or getting some work done. I loved the fact that they highlight smaller roasters from the region. My espresso from Toronto was a little smoky and very complex, and I liked the presentation with sparkling water on a board. The service was very friendly and I'd definitely come back next time I'm in the area.

Location is good. Decor is fine. Staff are decent. One thing I do like is the community seating. They have a smallish but good food selection. My husband loves this Ottawa chain so we come in whenever we are in the area. One thing we've never taken advantage of is the alcoholic beverages of which they have a small but decent selection. When I reread this review I feel very repetitive but can't think of a better way to say that at this moment. Lol. It's a good neighbourhood meeting spot. Would I recommend? Sure. Would I return? Yes.

I went here with my friend today after lunch (the restaurant we were at was so busy and people were waiting for tables, so after we finished our lunch we left and wanted to find a place where we could sit and chat). We had both heard good things about The Ministry of Coffee and Social Affairs and it was within walking distance, so we went. It was a good place for our purposes. The place looks like an indie coffee shop and has a hipster vibe to it. Pretty much everyone there was working on their laptop and wearing huge headphones. Awesome, less people potentially eavesdropping on our conversation. I had a peaches and cream loose leaf tea ($2.60). I got my own little pot of tea and a cup. Whatever strainer they use, they need to use a finer one because after the first cup I got pieces of tea pouring out the spout into my cup :( The tea smelled good, but didn't have a strong peach taste and it was on the bitter side. My friend had a latte and a gingersnap cookie - which she shared with me :) The gingersnap cookie was good, but nothing too extraordinary. The edges were crunchy and the centre was slightly softer. It had a good ginger bite to it, but was a bit on the sweet side. Service was nice and friendly. I saw on their chalkboard menu that they serve sandwiches as well. It's a nice place to hang out and chat over coffee or tea.

I don't need many words... but their coffee is amazing - great selection and you can get beans to go as well. Nutella anything on their drinks menu is to die for!! But they make a mean flat white and cafe latte as well :) love that they have lactose free option!

Visiting the Wellington Village feels like you're not even in Ottawa any more - it's so young and vibrant, trendy and alive! The Ministry of Coffee is a good fit in the village. From the cement floors that have character - unfinished except for a coat of paint, with cracks in the cement - to the unpretentious lighting, it feels like coffee shops I have only seen before in Vancouver. The Ministry of Coffee offers long hours: 7:00am to 2:00am; you need never go thirsty. They don't offer a huge menu, but what they do offer is eclectic: beautifully crafted Espresso, Nutella latte, and after 11:00am they also serve beer and wine. The clientele is young and computer savvy. The woman currently sitting beside me is really wired up, working on her laptop and her tablet at the same time, then she pulled out her cellphone to text a message! This place is also good for another one of my hobbies: people-watching! Yes please, I want to go out for coffee - here, please! (Now, where is my wand??!) ;-)

A novel local coffee shop that is also a fusion with a craft beer & bar. This shop offers a selection of craft beers, many liquors (including an impressive assortment of whiskies), coffee/tea & hand-crafted hot beverages, plus a small bakery/deli. This is a great venue for that mixed group of peeps who want coffee/beer/cocktails all at once. There's something for everyone.... Now if only they would have a small hot food kitchen plus faster WiFi, they'll totally land that fifth star!

I came here to get some work done and grab a cappuccino. The coffee was definitely good - the cappuccino was stronger, and more flavourful than the typical chain coffee shop. Service was friendly and fast. Where Ministry loses points is comfort and selection of food. The chairs are generally pretty uncomfortable - either wood seats with backs (for regular tables), or metal seats without backs for elevated tables. There were some chairs along the wall with a pillow on top of the wood for comfort. In addition, there weren't nearly enough power outlets to get work done if you are running low on battery. The wifi was also very slow (despite it not being that busy). While the coffee is good, Ministry has some work to do to make it a comfortable office away from the office.

The Ministry of Coffee and Social Affairs -Ottawa. Iced Chai Latte. It was very good.

The Nutella Latte is super, but the side order of consistently shitty customer service makes you wish you'd gone somewhere else. From now on I will.

Simply amazing!great coffee and staff. Not only do they have coffee like Americano etc.they also have food and alcohol beverages along with this ambiance that is quite unique.I highly recommend this place to anyone living in the Westborough/Hintonburg area. From what I know there's at least three locations throughout the city.

I have never been to a more trendy coffee shop in my life. From the long wooden tables to the chalkboard walls, lets just say that I'm glad that I wore my Blundstones and brought my Macbook with me - I blended right in. This place is definitely geared towards the millenial who works from home - the long communal tables and ample seating (free 2 hours of wifi) make it easy to settle down and be productive. However, this coffee shop became quite crowded after 3 or 4pm so get here early to claim your seat. I had the nutella latte and a salted chocolate chip cookie. While I thought that the latte could've had more nutella flavour, the cookie was very delicious.

I love this place! The staff are always incredibly friendly and helpful. The coffee is delicious. Great pastries and snacks. And best part - they sell beans from some very unique Canadian roasters, e.g., Pilot (AMAZING light roasts!!) and Cut. Definitely worth visiting for anyone into coffee.

Good coffee and beer. Great atmosphere. Great staff and plenty of space to sip, work, chat and daydream. It is also a small wind testing facility where the AC diffusers leaf your book pages for you, and the temperature is low enough to ensure that you get out within an hour. If you're coming here to work, beware that this place is nice but a bit loud, especially after 3pm when office workers arrive here, get a beer and yell at the top of their lungs their life stories - I guess this projects joy. The internet absolutely blows. It disconnects constantly and asks you to accept term and conditions, sometime about 10 times an hour. Other than these, I like it here a lot.

Quirky little place to get together with friends. Delicious Nutella latte. Only thing I didn't like was we had our young kids and it was pretty squished with the strollers and narrow space between tables. But the staff were friendly and drinks were fast! Plus the Patio was perfect for rebundling the kids!

Quad shot Americano had no Crema on top of it . How is this possible? It was tasty , just not pulled to release all the flavour .....

I found this to be a great location for great tasting coffee. There's ample room to sit back and relax and connect to the free 2 hours of WiFi if you need to get some work done between sips. If you like to drink coffee while being surrounded by the sounds of chill music and the laughter of people going about there day this is the spot. There's also alcohol to be served up if you just can't wait for the evening of things. The staff here is really friendly and prompt to take your order. I'll certainly be back to enjoy another cup.

Amazing little coffee spot. These people take coffee seriously, but they also tend to whiskey/scotch, wine and tea drinkers. The coffee is delicious! Beans come from unique Canadia roasters. Small but quality food collection and the sugary treats are amazing and baked in house. Had a mixed berry muffin. Tasty!! Very reasonably priced.

This location just opened a block away from me, literally two days after my first amazing experience at the sister location on Elgin Street; so needless to say, I was psyched that I could just stumble from my front door into a cup of coffee. I will try not to turn this review into a comparison to the other location on Elgin. The only thing I will mention is that first impressions were that the vibe/ambiance/ decor is quite different. The Elgin street location is very cozy; however the concept at the Wellington location is more large open cafeteria style, which I am not a huge fan of. When I got to the counter to order, my eyes first fell on the beer taps (what?!) lined up behind the cashier. This did not compute and at first I thought maybe they added more flavors of the nitrogen cold-brew coffee. I later found out that by night the place turns into a bar and serves food as well (ohhhhh, now that makes more sense) - which by the way was not explained at all during my first visit. So that kind of explains the non-coffee shop vibe they have going on. It's a hybrid concept which is new to me. I have yet to figure out how I feel about it, but it's new and innovative, which I like. Now, on to their specialty cold brewed nitrogen coffee. Another innovative (I am sensing a theme here) concept. I personally did not like it only because I usually tend to drown my coffee in milk and I was told by the barrista that this coffee needs to be had black otherwise adding milk will totally kill the flavor. I then brought my mom (the most seasoned coffee drinker I know) to try it. She loves her coffees bold and black. She also didn't like it because she loves the bitter after-taste of coffee which is stripped away by the process of nitrogen cold-brewing. So, this is a matter of personal taste. The nice thing though is that they are very happy to let you sample it and even put a few ice cubes in the cup for you to try it with. I tried their regular drip coffee for the first time and it was pretty good. I would say it's a medium brew with a mildly bitter aftertaste (my personal preference being light brew with no bitter aftertaste), so I probably won't be getting my daily coffee from there again. The staff so far has been very friendly. The only "hmmm... " moment happened recently when my boyfriend brought his co-worker in around lunch time and noted that the cashier had alcohol on their breath, which.... with those tantalizing beer taps highly accessible on a hot day, I don't know if I blame them. But... It's mid-day and still operating a "coffee shop" until evening, so how about we reign it in a little? I found that a bit surprising and slightly unprofessional. Anyway. I look forward to checking out the evening vibe and menu. I will update my review in either direction once I get a bit of a better sense of this hybrid model.

I like this place both in concept and execution. Let's talk concept first - coffee and alcohol and food, late hours, decent sized space compared to the Elgin location but still cozy. It's definitely a social atmosphere. There are people on laptops, like any cafe these days, but there are also lots of folks hanging out, it's not awkward to have a conversation because you're not breaking any kind of silence. Also, GREAT HOURS. Ottawa cafes generally have terrible hours. This place is an exception. On execution, the coffee is good, the pastries are yum, the service is fast and pleasant. They have fun things like the Nutella latte. Ottawa needs more places like this!

We sauntered in to have a coffee...Unremarkable in almost every way, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Good space to go if you want to relax and blend in to the landscape. Good for a date with anyone you're not trying too hard to impress. The real draw of this location is ubiquity and hours of operation. Sometimes it's 25°C at 1AM in August and a cold brew is the remedy. Other times it's midnight and strapping in for an all-nighter begins after a double-shot Americano. Ministry on Wellington West abides.

A friend was having their birthday party here and while I thought it a bit strange to have a Saturday night party at a coffee shop, I was glad she did. It's a good space with lots of seating around the sides and a long table through the middle but enough space around for anyone standing and mingling. The drink selection was surprisingly excellent with 6 local beers on tap, a fair amount of wine by the glass and a decent cocktail list. The staff was all really friendly and while I didn't check out the food, everyone seemed to be enjoying it. I did have a cup of Americano, which was delicious. Overall the place fits perfectly into the neighbourhood and I'm sure I will be back.

Really great coffee and delicious cookies. The staff is very friendly and the ambiance is casual and they play good music. What more do you need from your neighborhood coffee joint？

Very nice addition to Hintonburg. I like Bridgehead and everything, but really, how can you say no to nutella lattes? I came by for a quick stop to check out the place on a Sunday afternoon. It's much roomier than the Elgin location, which I guess brings justice to the addition of "Social Affairs" to its name. Had I lived in the area longer, I could see myself sitting in one of their tables either doing my work in peace, or joined by friends for a cuppa. For the record, with its eclectic choice of paintings/decor and hipster-approved music, I think this establishment will definitely live up to its name. Regrettably, I didn't try any of their food items, so I am basing this review entirely on ambience and the consistency of their nutella latte. If it helps, I found service relatively friendly over the 5 minutes I was there. Anyway, it's great to see other local alternatives for coffee and mingling in the area. With Cafe My House, Suzy Q, Art-is-in, and other local favorites in the same block (ish), it's definitely bringing up the Hintonburg 'hood cred to a new level!

It is not worth the hype. I went in evening. It was not busy. I ordered Nutella Latte & Mushroom Sandwich,which was not on menu but they said can be made. They served me parm(eggplant) sandwich and latte. Nutella Latte was okaish. N sandwich was better but not worth the price. It is not ideal place for work either. They play a little too loud music.

This is one of my fav Ottawa coffee spots! It's a really great place to get work done, as that's what most people who stick around tend to be doing. All of their coffees and foods that I've tried have been exceptional, I would especially recommend their vanilla latte and mushroom sandwich! Definitely worth the visit.

This is a great example of an indie coffee shop. The drinks were great, the ambiance was relaxed. Overall enjoyable.

Love this place! Excellent staff and fantastic brews. Highly recommend the bacon breakfast sandwich.

Damn, their lattes are good. Prices are fair. The energy is great in this place and they have free wifi. I wanted to take home several of the cool paintings one the walls. A friend had their veggie sandwich and reports it was delicious.

Definitely one of my favourite coffee places. Atmosphere is very welcoming and the decor makes the place look very sleek. Though the tables full quite quick, they definitely have more seating than most coffee places which I appreciate. The staff is kind and the coffee is made quick (even when it's a pour over). Be sure to check it out!

Great coffee, very friendly staff, and a fantastic atmosphere. Coffee's not your thing? Their chai latte was out of this world ...oh, and there's booze too!!

Two days ago I went to visit with my boyfriend. Their Nutella hot chocolate is amazing! It is surprisingly not overly sweet. I enjoyed the atmosphere and definitely will be coming back for more hot chocolate!

This was a cool spot. Plenty of seating, great coffee and tea options as well as some food. It has a good amount of seating but still maintains a cozy atmosphere. At night it becomes a cool hangout spot. The hours are great, whereas a lot of coffee places in the area close down earlier this one stays open late and has a bar.

Artisan coffee done well. They also have excellent pastries if you have a sweet tooth. Stay a little later and you have more tasty bites and some excellent craft beer. A great hangout regardless of the time of day.

Good coffee at a reasonable price! Food looks great, but haven't tried it yet. They also serve local craft beer for when coffee just isn't strong enough!

This place..:.fantastic coffee. Great vibe. A Quick in and out. Hit the spot with some good java love!

Dropped in here on my way to SuzyQs. The service was much friendlier than my experience in the downtown location. They were using Matchstick beans and moving to Sam James the next week. It's nice to see them rotating between roasters. They also serve alcohol.

We are back in Ottawa and The Ministry of Coffee is still fantastic! The staff recommended wonderful coffee beans and I was very happy when I made myself a beautiful cup of coffee at home! I also tried their flat white the other day and it was so so good! Full flavour and I don't even normally go for a flat white :) Regarding their food, I tried one of their sandwiches, a turkey melt? and it was delicious. I love the atmosphere at their Wellington St location. It is very relaxed and comfortable. The staff is really friendly and makes you feel so welcome! The lovely barista even asked us how we liked the coffee and everyone else made sure that we are enjoying our food and coffee!

I stopped in after work for a coffee and loved the rustic décor, the coffee was good with an earthy taste. The only negative was the music was a little loud for my taste but...I will return as I did enjoy it and although I don't live in the hood anymore but I still work there I want to support new business because after all it's still home too me.

This is my favourite place! Excellent coffee, great food, amazing atmosphere.

The Elgin location is so much better. I just got back from the place. Staff was just plain condescending and rude. There are limited options to go with the coffee (and many other better options in the neighbourhood). Coffee was, well, coffee. Nothing special. Also, can someone explain if this place has anything to do with London-based Department of Coffee and Social Affairs or are they just ripping off the name?

Lots of space and the iced brew is amazing! I had two of the treats and they are nothing fantastic. The macaroons are dry but tasty and the breakfast bar is good but gives your jaw a workout getting through the hard oats! Basically, go here for the coffee!

I like the laid back atmosphere in this place, and the staff are friendly. The coffee is good. I love the selection of freshly prepared food.

As a daily customer at the Elgin St. Location I was so happy to have moved so close to the Wellington location. At both stores I have been spoiled by all the staff, management & owners. So humble, so knowledgeable, so good at making me feel at home.