Bridgehead

Although we typically try to go to smaller local coffee shops, or Starbucks as an alternative, occasionally i give bridgehead a try and often find that it is not quite at the standard of comparably priced chains. In particular, the service is nowhere near what it should be for a $ 5+ drink. Most recently, I went with my husband and our 18 month old daughter. Admittedly, our daughter was getting tired and whiny. The barista seemed unfriendly immediately. Once we sat down, my daughter accidentally knocked my drink off the table, which got her crying. Instead of coming to help clean it up, or telling us not to worry about it, the barista watched while I spent a good chunk of time cleaning it up with napkins. She did not offer to replace my drink. While she is under no obligation to replace my drink, I think it is the nice thing to do, particularly when you see that someone is juggling a small child and trying to clean up a big mess. At any rate, it is what they would do at a competitors like Starbucks and for this reason, that is where I’ll go next time.

I had stopped going to bridgehead a few months back, because every other time I go in I get really bad service and at their price point one would expect great service all the time. Today I decided to go back and give them a try again– The two employees at the cash were pleasant enough. I was waiting for my 5 $ drink when the young employee shouted that my drink was ready– I didn’t know where to stand to get my beverage and they lack any signage telling customers where your suppose to pick up your drink…(I waited at the bar where they used to hand you your coffee) the rude employee looked at me and said «like I don’t know where you expect me to hand you your drink» I was shocked that she was so rude! I replied «this is where they used to hand out the lattes» at which point she replied «ya well this area is broken» — First, how am I suppose to know what’s broken behind the bar? I don’t work there. Second why can’t you just turn around and walk the one extra step to hand me my drink (which by the way is where I would expect her to give me the drink) After all they are charging 5 $ for a coffee, and sorry it’s your job! Tim Hortons has better customer service!!!

I frequent this Bridgehead quite a bit, but have never been blown away by anything here. I like to support them, since it’s a local chain, but it’s rare that I have an awesome experience whenever I swing by. Granted, I usually have two children in tow (nanny times!), but we’re never a trouble.
Perhaps it’s because this place is often busy. Whenever I pop in during a weekday there are few seats. The thing I do love is that the space is bright and airy and when you do get a seat, it’s a place where you could languish for hours. As Dawn M mentioned, they do have free wifi, but you need to ask for the password (I find this a bit antiquated and it always irks me a bit).
In terms of the coffee, it’s fantastic. I also love that they have some gluten-​free goodies that actually taste quite nice — I just wish the service was a bit better!

Hunger pangs + 4hour break between classes = Coffeehouse time.
Carleton U eateries being what they are, I headed for Bank Street. Bridgehouse is so popular in Ottawa I figured I’d check in. Hadn’t in a year.
Wi-​fi is SLOW and restricted to 1hour access. Like, what? ( Unilocal nearest Starbucks)
Hot chocolate is made with milk yet tastes watery. :(No white hot choc available cause they like to keep things «organic». Grrr. When will this trend end.
Outdoor seating is restricted to two tables only.
Verdict: Not so great especially for hanging out.
I RECOMMEND: the chocolatine (choc croissant)
EXTRA TIP: To access wireless you have to go to
and enter the provided username and password from there. Your browser won’t necessarily redirect you from your home page.

This is our closest Bridgehead, so end up here weekly after shopping on weekends.
The staff are decent, always polite but never inspiring. What I mean is, I don’t get a sense of ‘we love our customers’ when I go there.
Everything we ever order is good and fresh. I like Bridgehead as a brand because they are Ottawa based and they have a focus on sustainability… and they have good coffee.^_^
If you want wifi, ask for a super secret code at the cash.
Would I return? Yes
Would I recommend? Yes

Thank you Bridgehead for the delicious Chai Latte and for giving my boyfriend a new obsession.
Special thanks to the happy, friendly dudes and to the not so happy and friendly ladies.
— for the bridgehead on Putman?

Redeemed my free coffee after drinking 7 on my coffee stamp card! The store has a warm feel, and offers comfy cushioned seats compared to the sterile seating around the corner at Timmys. Try the granola cookie!

Bridgehead in the Glebe is a nice alternative to *bucks, the coffee is of higher quality, fair trade (legit?) and organic.
The décor is nice, it doesnt have the corporate *bucksness about it, but it doesnt quite feel like a real café/​bakery style. The staff is attentive, prices are on-​par with the *bucks
Overall good place to study and enjoy a cup from the large selection of coffees or teas, they do also make a great Americano.
Bridgehead still falls short of Calgary’s Good Earth coffeeshop and bakery chain.

I love this place. The coffee is good (think well-​roasted, artisanal and fair-​trade) and the food rocks (think healthy whole grain sandwiches and salads, fresh, organic). Mostly I love it because, living in Toronto, I have no access to decent muffins. They can’t make them here — maybe it is something in the water? maybe it is the attitude (like «like water for chocolate»)? Not too mention, unless you go to a premium coffee bar here, and pay big bucks, the coffee is either like tepid dishwater or Starbucks/​Second Cup.
Sooooo…I come to Ottawa, have a drip coffee, or an expresso-​based coffee (both are really good) and *gorge* myself on the muffins. My favs are the triple berry and the muesli, but they are all good. Not as amazing as the muffins in Victoria BC, not as outstanding as the coffee in Vancouver, but still good.
I guess I should be grateful to Tdot for being so subpar in this arena… muffins are terribly fattening, after all :0) Luckily I can then go for a run/​skate along the canal in Ottawa to compensate.

Not quite the rah-​rah feel of Starbucks (which I can’t stand) but still too much the corporate vs family feel (which I love). I’ve had a long espresso here before and it was pretty blasé and certainly not full-​bodied nor rich as others I’ve enjoyed elsewhere. I tried a brewed french roast this time but again, not too far above McDo’s coffee (which isn’t half-​bad these days if you’re in a rush, by the way).
The service last time was horribly slow as well, but since I’ve only been a couple times, will concede that this may as easily be rare as it is common. Go check it out and see for yourself.
None of this to slam the fair-​trade, environmentally happy aspects of Bridgehead as pointed out by others. Just that I came looking for a great cup of coffee and haven’t gotten one here yet.

I almost feel badly for prejudging Bridgehead. What I thought was just another East Coast coffee chain is not at all– au contraire (they speak French here too, wild) Quite possibly the best Americano I’ve ever had– and I think that everyday and every time I take a sip. In Ottawa? Who would have thought… Furthermore, they have great café food, organic granolas, soups, baked goods, etc.
The Ottawa chain offers a full line of fairly-​traded and shade grown organic coffees and teas. Check out Jason D’s review for more info or check out their website

So yes the coffeehouse is committed to the environment but thankfully is also committed to taste — The contemporary décor, high ceilings and comfortable seating make it that much better.

Bridgehead is a local Ottawa chain of organic coffee houses. They are committed to fair trade practices, meaning their coffee is purchased from grower co-​ops and not multinational wholesalers. And, they walk the walk in terms of environmental responsibility — their bathrooms feature low-​flow toilets. Nevertheless, despite the avoidance of big wholesalers, Bridgehead drinks are priced on par with their peer coffee houses — and, they also share that comfy, jazzy atmosphere. The most obvious difference is the seating. If you go to Bridgehead with a friend, one of you will be sitting on a comfortable couch. The person on the other side of the table has to make do with an alumium stool — which gets old after a while.