This summer, datenight embarked on their inaugural Awards, recognizing the best of the best in our city (and cities across Canada). datenight awards was created to provide our community a thoughtful guide of the best date ideas based on your input and our Committee’s expertise.
Over the summer, date night lovers of all kinds could submit their nominations for their favourite spots around the city in six chosen categories including Dinner Date, Brunch Date, Coffee Date, Cocktail Date, Brewery Date, and Dessert Date.
Can we get a drum roll? Because we have the first official list of winners for the top dessert spots for dates in Ottawa of 2024. Keep reading to see your picks!
SuzyQ Doughnuts
What’s the best compliment to a coffee date? A delicious doughnut of course! SuzyQ offers gourmet doughnuts that are made from scratch in a variety of OG flavours, including vegan flavours, and seasonal favourites. You can even order adorable mini doughnuts or a Happy Birthday boxed set to celebrate special occasions!
Located at: Bells Corner (2015 Roberston Rd, Nepean), St. Laurent (1721 St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa), and Hintonburg (1015 Wellington St. W, Ottawa)
Little Jo Berry’s
Little Jo Berry’s is a bakery and coffeeshop built on community and friendship. Their treats rotate each day, offering a fresh and interesting selection each time you visit. Everything they offer is also vegan! Whether you’re craving something dairy-free, gluten-free, or just plain ol’ delicious, this is a must-visit dessert spot in Ottawa.
Located at: 1305 Wellington St. W, Ottawa
Mantovani 1946
If a family-owned business who received their training from a Master Gelato Maker in Italy isn’t a green flag, then we don’t know what is. Crafting Italian classics like tiramisu, affogato, and of course gelato, this is a great place to get some treats for any occasion. The beautiful interiors also make Mantovani 1946 a great place to have a cute dessert date.
Located at: 87 Murray St, Ottawa
Dao Café
Dao Café is a modern, one-of-a-kind café that offers delicious high-quality baked goods, premium cha (tea) and coffee, and the only spot in Ottawa that offers Pablo Cheese Tarts, Cho-kwok-lat Chocolates, Hattendo Cream Buns and Puddings, and Daango Macarons and cakes. Dao also offers their own exclusive line of Euro-Asian-inspired croissants and buns.
Located at: Dao Bake & Sip Café (1558 Merivale Rd, Unit 102, Nepean), Dao x Tealive Innovation Kitchen (1930 Innes Rd, Gloucester)
Moo Shu Ice Cream
This small-batch ice cream shop is a fan-favourite here in Ottawa. They offer some of the most unique flavours we’ve ever come across, including ‘Jasmine Green Tea & Salted Cream Cheese’, ‘Vegan Ginger & Lychee’, and ‘Hong Kong Milk Tea’. They love to collaborate with Ottawa’s talented farmers, brewers, jam makers and roasters, to name a few, offering flavours that are memorable in their novelty and nostalgia.
Located at: 477 Bank St, Ottawa
Tartelette Bakery
This beautiful cafe in Old Ottawa East offers scrumptious French-style tarts and pastries, fresh breads, sandwiches, and a variety of coffee and tea drinks. The uniqueness of their pastries lies in the guarantee that each and every item from their bakery is passionately hand-made and prepared with premium ingredients. All of their baked goods and breads are made using traditional baking methods with an emphasis on consistency, ensuring that each of them is as good as the last.
Located at: 175 Main St, Unit 7, Ottawa
The Cupcake Lounge
The Cupcake Lounge is an Ottawa-based bakery that specializes in gourmet cupcakes. Their cupcakes are baked fresh daily and are made with the finest ingredients with no artificial flavours, lard, or preservatives. They are also iced by hand with a spatula! If cupcakes are not your thing, they also offer offer delicious desserts including cakes, cookies, cheesecakes, tarts, decorating kits, and more.
Located at: ByWard Market (6 ByWard Market Square) & Westboro (324 Richmond Rd)
Oh So Good Desserts
Located in the historic ByWard Market, Oh So Good is one of Ottawa’s original dessert and coffeehouses. They offer a delicious selection of cakes, cheesecakes, and pies along with brunch options like open-faced sandwiches and açai bowls. It’s the perfect spot to visit for a cute afternoon coffee date or to pick up some sweet treats for a special occasion!
Located at: 54 ByWard Market Square, Ottawa
Juice Dudez
This destination is perfect for a late night sweet treat! The love, care and craft that goes into every drink at Juice Dudez dates all the way back to the 1880s and their family fruit farm in Lebanon. Apart from their iconic fruit drinks, they also offer yummy desserts and coffee. The best part – they’re open until at least 12 a.m. every night at both of their locations!
Located at: Westboro (A-91 Richmond Rd, Ottawa) & Ridgemont (1702 Bank St, Ottawa)
Anabia Cupcakes
Anabia provides modernism and creativity in everything they do. From their uniquely delicious cupcakes make with the finest ingredients, to their handpicked sweet treats, you’re such to find something to satisfy your cravings! They also have a great selection of coffee-based drinks for a perfect afternoon pick-me-up.
Located at: 3570 Strandherd Dr, Nepean
Stay tuned for the top 10 in our other categories, and more Awards to come soon! and browse the best date ideas here.
