I love the bookshop and espresso bar combination! Nice selection of books, both new and used. They even have a little bargain section for $1. We ordered some coffee as well, which on a side note, was really good and would deserve 5 stars…but we’re disappointed to see that people we’re sitting down for a really long time blocking the cafe seats (we browsed the store for about 40 minutes) and some of these people didn’t even order anything and none of the staff members said anything. After we ordered we were told that we would ‘just have to take our coffee to go’. In addition to that I honestly have to say that I was a bit annoyed, that they double cupped the coffee, as I just find it to be such a waste. I get that you don’t want to burn your customers hand’s, but maybe ask before you waste an extra cup on every order. If it would have not been for the last two aspects mentioned above: 5 stars…

It's a very nice comfy place to have a coffee, chat and read. There is a simple but wide variety of coffees, teas, and/or other drinks to chose from. All through out the main floor and basement of this little shop, there are many books that line the rows, ready to be read. The downstairs area dedicated to read as well. Black squirrel is all inclusive with gender neutral bathrooms. Not long ago I came for one of their music jam nights. It's a nice spot to have a coffee, tea, or alcohol drink (they are liscenced) and listen to music at night. Every drink I have had is A-mazing! And their pastries are all very good. Never tried their food but they seem to have some small bites to eat like grilled cheese, salads and etc. Their kitchen however, closes at 9pm. Highly recommend the place. A bit hard to find though, it's sign is a circle with a black squirrel inside it!

I came here because of the cozy aesthetic and decent reviews on coffee. Baristas were nice, substantial coffee and tea menu. I tried the Cinnamon Bun, which was more of a cinnamon cube but it was good. Coffee wasn't too acidic, bitter, nor was it weak. I had a latte, and would definitely get another next time I come back. I came at 11:45am on a Sunday morning, it was packed near the front, so you can only sit in the basement. Parking is non-existent, hence why I came on a Sunday when other local businesses were closed to try to find a spot. You can find street parking for 1 hour Monday through Friday 9am-7pm, unlimited parking on weekends. Still took me a while to find a spot. Front door is not accessible. Overall, I would come back with my husband, acknowledging that parking is hard to find and the seating area near a window is usually full.

In a city with a lots of coffee shop, this surely is something different. Coffee in a book store. It’s an ambience to experience and a Good concept. Firstly, I tried Mocha here and it was good. They have like 5 options in coffee. Very limited food other than some pastries, obviously they don’t want food to ruin books. They had some vegan options too. The interior decor with old books around you with a coffee mug in your one hand and a book on your other is unexplainable feeling.. They have old and new book in two floor building. The book collection is really good and well organized. The staffs were really friendly and knowledgeable. There is parking in the side and also street parking in the front which was really helpful.

Literally amazing. Where else can you get hardcovers of popular books for less than $15?? Insane. I need to know their business model cause this is very impressive. Huge selection of books! The first floor I thought was already enough but they even have a basement. One of the few used books stores that like I mentioned, have more popular and well known books. They also carry a decent selection of new books that obviously aren’t discounted but still nice to have the option! Decent space inside too to sit and study and the cafe is great. I got a matcha latte which was good just wished it was stronger and an orange chocolate chip cookie that was delicious. Highly recommend, I will be back!!

Black Squirrel boasts a massive collection of used books in a neatly organized and comfortable setting. The staff on the bookstore-side of the business are friendly and knowledgeable. The bookstore includes academic publications and various prints of classic books with varying prices. While some books are a bit expensive for a used bookstore, cheaper publications can be found with a careful eye. The cafe is also comfortable and provides a variety of drink and food options. One of my favourite elements of the place was the ability to sell old books for store credit, which can be redeemed to buy drinks at the cafe or more books from the store!

Staff were friendly and the ambience of the place may put you at ease. Some of their drinks such as their mocha is very sweet for my personal taste. Apparently their coco powder is “half sugar half coco”. They have book sections next to the coffee shop. Numerous subjects such as, science, non-fiction, marvel were available. Books are priced similar to commercial book stores, if not more. They accommodate seating. This location is in the heart of Ottawa (downtown) so expect it to get crowded easily. I highly recommend to arrive there as soon as they open in a attempt to secure comfortable seating spots.

This place is amazing! Even if you're not normally into books, you can easily get lost in a deep dive of comics graphic novels and content related to any interest. I came here for a co place to work and just got immediately distracted by all the options and cook covers and titles. Black squirrel has a friendly and cozy atmosphere, it's okay to read and take books off the shelves and spend hours working on your laptop. They have a great selection of beers on tap, Buchipop kombucha, Little Victories coffee, and Kusmi Teas, perfect to fuel your visit. Love it here, and exceeds expectations

Update 2022: returned here for the first time after the pandemic and it’s still great. They have some new staff who are very friendly. I got my mocha and it tasted good- just wish it was a little darker. There are a lot of lovely books to enjoy and a nice relaxed vibe where everyone is welcome. :) Cute and quirky coffee shop/ book store. Prior to the pandemic I came here quite often to study. The environment is very welcoming and easy going. The coffee is good. The mocha is a must try, it is not too chocolaty and has a hint of cinnamon.

Absolutely fantastic selection of books! I found some gems I was looking for. Staff were friendly and helpful. Real nice atmosphere, the books were well organized and the decor was nice. Really nice cafe that i didn't use. They also sell wine and beer, which is an excellent idea. I was informed that they are working on a digital database for their books. They have a discounted rate for Canada post if you should order a book from them. Go there to find what you want and what you need!

Black Squirrel is one of the nicest coffee stops in Ottawa. It's a cute venue with a nice view for people watching. Their coffee selection is small but delicious. And importantly, they're also an independent book store with an eclectic selection of mostly used books, including some rare items, out of print volumes and oddities. The staff is endlessly charming and kind, and their space feels like a sanctuary. A lovely quiet escape, well worth a visit.

My husband and I go out of our way to visit this shop often. They are very generous with store credit for books you bring in (I'm not sure if they offer cash as well at a lower rate). You can tell they are picky with what they put on their shelves, making sure it is quality, so it is not hard to find something you want to read. Their treats and drinks are delicious, with lots of seating. I recommend you try the dominion city seltzer they sell!

Sold some very nice books to the store received next to nothing for them, 5% of used retail value. I should have donated them to charity at least I wouldn't felt so bad about it, if profit is the new god I'll stick to the old one. Selling the books was my choice I accept that but if you are looking to sell books don't make I did do your homework. People were very nice, but people always are, when they want to take advantage of a situation.

My favourite spot in Ottawa! Great selection of books, very good coffee and baked goods, lovely atmosphere. I love how the books are organized, making it really easy to find anything I’m looking for. Things are priced quite well. I’ve found really great value at a very reasonable price point here and have been able to find philosophy, anthropology, and political theory books here that seem impossible anywhere else.

Cute little bookstore and cafe on bank. Great hot chocolate, pop, and pastries. You can sell your books here and get store credit to purchase drinks, food, or their books. In terms of genre, they have a wide range from philosophy to mythology. Only drawback of this place is that seating is limited so if you visit during a busy time, you may not find a seat. Overall, a must for book lovers.

Good cafe, university/college crowd. Nice staff. The cafe had a small selection of baked goods to accompany drinks. There are large tables that are great for working or studying. I found that there were many college students who benefited from these tables for schoolwork. It's a great place to check out books and read, it it's not too chatty. Bring a sweater, since it can get chilly here.

We've been here once before but only today did we fully explore the book selection including the basement. It was so easy to get caught up looking through the enormous collection and finding familiar or interesting titles. We really enjoyed spending time in this spot and even picked up a few books in addition to our delicious flat white + cappuccino. We will definitely be back again!

Wow! Amazing bookstore and staff! I easily describe myself as a bookaholic. My shelves can never be too full. The selection and organization met and surpassed my expectations. Everyone should visit, give yourselves at least an hour or two to wander both levels. Bring a bag that will handle the many books that will magically "fall into your hands". Prices are really good.

Lovely bookstore, serving delicious baked goods and coffee. The wooden floors, floor to ceiling bookshelves, coffee/espresso and old book smells mingle perfectly to create any book-lovers dream atmosphere. Hunting for books, especially in the basement, is quite the experience - you never know what you might find! Very friendly staff as well. Will definitely return.

Honestly a gem. I finally went after years of hearing great reviews and it's well worth the hype. It's a small, local place which supports used book sales. I think it's worth a go. You get to try your book and then buy it at a discounted price if you like it! And it's so much more sustainable too. Love the concept and love how many books they provide.

I've been here a number of times. The atmosphere of being surrounded by shelves of books can't be beat. Customer service is always good. The coffee and baked goods can be hit or miss, but otherwise a stellar coffee spot :) Also, it's easy to miss on the street if you don't pay attention. A hanging sign would help and work well with the aesthetic ⭐

I haven't been since the pandemic began (though my partner has) but this is one of my favourite places in the city to have a drink, chill, and browse some used books. I really liked their cold teas on a summer day. Plus they serve Dominion City beer. Just a great space and vibe. Looking forward to visiting again this summer as things open up.

This is a great place to stop by for a coffee, a snack and a previously enjoyed book and you're going to have a lot to look through to select the one you're after. Great selection and well organized. I was able to find what I was looking for in paperback and in hardcover and the price was very reasonable. Oh, and the coffee was tasty too

This place is the dream - a cute cafe mixed with a charming used bookstore. It's got cozy armchairs by the window, pots of tea on the menu, and a whole basement with stacks upon stacks of books for your perusal. You can spend hours here just exploring or reading a book with a tasty latte and croissant. An absolute Ottawa gem!

A large selection of used books at a fair price, and a good selection of new, to choose from. During my visit, the place was busy and, for me, a bit claustrophobic. The sitting areas to enjoy your drinks are relatively small and cozy. With the bustle of people throughout the store, definitely an espresso to go type of vibe.

Very cool concept, grab a coffee or cold brew and browse second hand books. My only 2 issues that are relatively minor, the bathrooms are hidden in a labyrinth of books down stairs. As well as the seating is limited other then that very cool vibe and despite the amount of books the staff seems knowledgeable of their stock.

Great place & service if you're a student or Not btw a bit small and cozy and coffee & Tea are great with dessert menus as we hosted an event - Diversity Bash Ottawa Centre ONDP - NDP# Joel Harden as a thank you is Not enough in this community as we Spread "LOVE" with "COURAGE" to stand to everyone Rights. Merci …

They have new copies of recent bestsellers, very reasonable prices for used books, and a basement with the most obscure materials. The store is super well-organized and every staff member I've spoken to has been friendly and knowledgeable- I'd trust their book recommendations! The café's decent: good coffee.

A lovely spot! Super unique! Such a great spot to swing by on a date, grab some coffee and maybe spend a bit of time reading some new books together! Grabbed an iced latte and it was delicious and the staff were all lovely. Further proof that Old Ottawa South is one of the best neighborhoods in Ottawa.

Great place to trade or swap books. Coffee and snacks are fresh and made while you wait. If you're trading in books, be sure to call ahead to make sure it's a good time. Save yourself showing up and waiting if they are busy or they don't have the staff on for that part of the store.

I had been here a handful of times, but didn't know the basement existed until my most recent visit while on the hunt for the bathroom. Browse for books, enjoy your coffee/tea, play chess, study - you can do it all here. Also, keep your eye out for their occasional 50% off book sale

I love this bookstore cafe! The only problem is that most of the tables are taken by a single person who works on a laptop and stays for a very long time. I think there should be tables reserved for people who come with friends or to read a book on the spot and drink a coffee.

This bar is a cozy and friendly place to enjoy a great coffee and indulge yourself in books. Friendly staff, good selection of used books, refreshing coffee and tea and cozy atmosphere make it my favorite place to escape from the city and refresh my mind. Highly recommended!

If you love coffee and books this place is for you! This is my favourite place for a good coffee and vegan treats (they have 5 options). Ice Matcha latte was delicious. The vegan brownie was excellent. Very knowledgeable and friendly staff. Will definitely come back

My favourite place to visit! It has some of the best coffee in the area, and such an excellent selection of books. The newer titles are full price, but you can find some bestsellers heavily discounted. Don't neglect the downstairs where you can find even more books!

A bookworm paradise! Friendly staff and lots of shelves and corners stacked with great books to get lost -and found- yourself in, for days on end! There are gems and great finds in several languages. Fun goes on in the basement. A must for book lovers in Ottawa

I can't believe I hadn't visited Black Squirrel till now. Their coffee was wonderful, the staff were so friendly and the prices on used books were incredible, they're also so well organized and the store was easy to shop at. Can't wait to visit again!

If you’re a book lover who happens to love sipping on a good drink, this is the place for you! Not only is the interior super cute, the coffees and pastries are wonderful. Plus, this is one of the only places in Ottawa that I’ve seen Espresso & Tonic!

A fantastic spot to grab a great espresso based drink along with enough book titles to keep you searching for hours should you want. Any serious book/book store lover should check this place out. I also liked that the cups and lids were compostable.

Great get away either with friends or alone…. Always packed on weekends so best come here early or during weekdays Not only they serve coffee and espresso, you can also sip wine and others while in the store browsing for books….. lay back ambiance

Wonderful used book store and coffee shop. I just wish their weekend hours were better as I would love to grab a coffee and peruse their book shelves before catching movie across the street. Perhaps extending shop hours until 9pm for Fri & Sat?

This is one of my favourite bookstores! Their selection is excellent and their prices are reasonable. On top of all that they serve great coffee and espresso! I can’t think of a better combination. The parking lot for customers is also great!

Remember when Starbucks first opened in chapters. And it was so fabulous having a coffee and looking at books. Well this is even better. People are friendly great prices on Books such a wide variety of food and books. Don’t miss out on this

Awesome little shop to get some work done, have a delicious lemon square with your coffee & even pick up a few $1 books! Personally I'm a fitness coach & was very happy with the books I found, I'm sure you'll find something great too!

This is one of my favorite cafes in Ottawa. Great coffee. They have vegan cookies and desserts You are SURROUNDED by books. It is heaven. The people working there are super helpful and they have a great selection of books here :)

Lovely book store cafe. Friendly staff and safe use of covid-19 protocols. No seating at the moment, but coming soon. Best to browse first and take the Coffee to go as we did. Mini cookies were also delicious. Thanks!

They’re a used books shop entwined with a coffee shop. They have an African books section, which is rare for Ottawa. The only downside is that they open a bit later and close a bit earlier than I would like.

Huge selection of books, friendly staff, delicious coffee, and good vibes. What more could you ask for?! ❤️ Came for a coffee, left with a stack of great reads. Used bookstores like this are a gem. …

A great bookstore and coffee shop with a solid selection of literature. New books arrive regularly, and the staff is helpful and welcoming. Don't forget to also check out the basement for even more books!

Stumbled upon this great bookstore while on a trip in Ottawa. Great curated selection of new and used books. Staff was friendly and welcoming. Capped off the visit with an absolutely delicious Americano!

The girls that served my wife were extremely dismissive and showed no customer service whatsoever, they ignored her for like five minutes as she waited by the counter to order. Please hire nicer people

It was such a cute place and the staff were so kind and the coffee was so delicious. I also loved the big selection of books and the overall vibe here was amazing I really reccomend going here.

I honestly don’t understand the hype of this place. It’s quite messy and disorganized and full of young adults being loud and obnoxious. The books are cheap, but the drinks are expensive.

Great space and coffee. Amazing collection. Don't forget to check out the basement. There are some real hidden gems. The price could've been a tad lower considering they are second hand.

One of the best used bookstores in Ottawa. 6-8 tables available for cafe and eating baked goods. The matcha latte is super tasty with or without added sugar - highly recommend

Great bookshop. It's usually pretty busy, but I find their book selection to be pretty good and easy to browse. They serve coffee and buy books. Nice vibe, if a bit cramped.

Very lovely spot to grab good coffee and browse books. I bought a few books there and they had a great selection and were reasonably priced. Service was amazing as well.

Cozy little joint with plenty of chic and hipster decor. Love the ambience. Didn't buy any books but lots of selection of used ones. Plenty of outlet plugs and seating!

Why is it only open until 5 pm? The place is full of customers, when they come and ask everyone to get out. Shame, could be a nice place to pass by after work.

Cozy book nook with decently priced cafe drinks and beverages. Crowds up fast on weekends for seating but it's always a blast just browsing the shelves.

We waited 25 minutes for one cool double expresso and one cold cappuccino. Not my idea of an "expresso". Too bad it's not possible to give 0 star.

I come here once a week on my day off. Staff is friendly, the store is super cute and clean, and it’s the best used book store in Ottawa. 10/10

Agreat place for books of all kinds. Don't forget to check out the basement. There's some real surprises down there! Coffee's great too!

Thoroughly enjoyed this place, I seriously can't get over how MANY books there are! You gotta check out the basement!

Nice coffee shop and book store. The coffee was good, and the lemon squares were amazing. Will definitely be back.

Great community hang-out! What could be better than books and coffee in a homey environment? Highly recommended.

Amazing place to grab a coffee, study, read a book. It's near downtown Ottawa and it's hipster and cozy.

Very cute bookshop/cafe. The setup is very cozy and very vintage! Great place to go with friends

Friendly, bright place to find a great book, great coffee and peace of mind. An urban oasis.

Nice quaint coffee shop. Has a cool vibe..books everywhere. Very unique