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Umi Cafe
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 8 am - 10 pm
Fri 8 am - 12 pm
Sat 9 am - 10 pm
Sun 10 am - 8 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
7 reviews for Umi Cafe
7 reviews in English
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Review from Samantha M.
Ottawa, ON
3/27/2012
The day before a final, you can find me at Umi at a booth with a book. This is one of my favorite places to study. I find it's so much quieter than Starbucks or bridgehead and it seems the customers here are quiet and respectful unlike the students at the uOttawa library. However, the seating is pretty limited and there are few "good" spots to sit, and chances are your table and/or chair will be wobbley.
Their food is also good mostly. Their mochas and brewed coffees are both good, maybe not as good as Bridgehead's or Starbucks but good enoujgh. Their mozzarella sandwich is also good, it consists of multigrain bread, several types of vegetables (peppers, cucumbers), a small amount of pesto and generous amounts of mozzarella. Their chili is also absolutely delicious and vegan. I haven't been too impressed with the sweets (chocolate cheese muffin in particular), but I haven't tried them all. I think it's all vegetarian too, I haven't seen an item on the menu with meat.
The decor is unique I guess, really run down but it has character. Check it out. -
Review from Melanie T.
Ottawa, ON
4/20/2012
Well, I used to love this place. The cool, hipster, run down, hostel kind of feel. Where you could walk in and study peacefully in a unique and chill atmosphere.
However, I don't know what's happened to this place since I was in university a few years ago. I went back last week, and it just seems like there is no upkeep in the place. I looked for a spot with a plug for my laptop, and I could only find maybe two outlets that were in terrible locations. One was in use as well mind you.
Wobbly tables and chairs, and old smelly couches is all you're going to find here nowadays. Seemed to be populated by a very different crowd than it used to as well. Did the ownership change perhaps? It's a shame that a place that was such a unique study spot has gone downhill.
I didn't get the chance to taste any of their food or drinks this time around however, since I didn't stay long.
Take your books and bags elsewhere unless you don't mind the run-down joint. -
Review from Ennis A.
Ottawa, ON
7/17/2010
Very hipster. I like.
I came here during a Saturday afternoon. Just a few people. But there is a mood to this place. It feels like everyone is in the same room. I think the perfect description would be your local library with a canteen. There's a laptop on a counter. Some books marked "Carlton" on another table. I guess people feel safe leaving their stuff behind. But it is still a coffee shop. I can smell the coffee from where I'm sitting. And that's worth the world to me.
About that canteen. The prices are as fair as they were in college. I've been in Ottawa for just over a month and almost got used to paying 2.50$ for a croissant from Bridgehead. This brings me back to sanity. I haven't tried the food yet but a $4 sandwich? Yes please. I have to so though, for a co-operative shop the prices could and should be much cheaper. C'est la vie.
Music. This place is immersed in music. There's nothing special going on now but you just feel it. The art. The announcements of shows and apparently they have live music/jazz/spoken word? in the evenings. I definitely need to be here for that. If this place gets filled up for that - or even if it didn't - I have a feeling that a performance would make everyone here befriend each other. The best part is this is the kind of place you can come to alone - I like to fly solo on my down time - and meet people casually. Not your typical bar atmosphere. This might make a liar out of me but I'll update this once I come back here during an evening.
They have a website. Looks nifty. If you are a real hipster, you'll like this place. Wanna-be hipsters would feel at home too. -
Review from Blair M.
Ottawa, ON
2/25/2010
Umi's awesome--great local character. I like the open mic nights, and judging by the crowds for said shows most people are not as uptight as Mr. Adrian.
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Review from Amanda D.
Orleans, ON
8/10/2010
Great vegan sandwiches! I had the avocado panini. It was very tasty. The bread was great and the sandwich was full of flavor. My husband had the falafel tofu sandwich that was also very good. I believe there were 4 vegan sandwiches and a few vegan desserts. I'll definitely be back! Yum!
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Review from Tim C.
Ottawa, ON
7/2/2011
The sandwiches are pretty good. A little dilapidated, if you're into that.
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Review from Adrian A.
Chelsea, QC
12/24/2009
Too many hippies, and the fact that they do not know how to serve juice makes this communist-owned (wait how can you be communist-owned) cafe not fun to be at. There is always some annoying thing going on (open mic, etc.), plus they called me a nerd for playing board games. All in all I'd stay away, and hit up Raw Sugar just down the street.
