Arlington Five: A hipster café in Centretown

Named after its street address, Arlington Five is the right spot if you’re looking for some great beverages, fresh pastries, or on-the-go lunches. Since its opening in October of 2015, Arlington Five has been the sister store of Wilf and Ada’s diner. The space was opened by the owners of Wilf and Ada’s as a hangout for their customers when the brunch lines were too long. Arlington Five has since garnered its own success as a standalone café. Despite its roots as part of the Wilf and Adas team, Arlington Five has recently switched owners and now functions autonomously. Fear not! The two locations remain very friendly with each other. Arlington Five is now owned by local coffee tycoon Henry Assad of Happy Goat Coffee. The café has adopted many fan favourites of the growing Happy Goat empire.

Although this café is still branded under the Arlington Five name, it shares many commonalities with the other Happy Goat locations. Locally roasted coffee beans, fresh and creative sandwiches, salads and snacks, and open door vibe are the brand’s trademarks. The menu is simple but tasty, and typically changes every few months. Aside from the sandwiches and salads, an in-house baker spends her time creating and developing recipes for homemade sweets! The pastries are baked fresh on site each morning, making this spot a must-add to your Saturday morning routine.  

The owners wanted the space to be comfortable for all. There is nothing too fancy at Arlington Five, but the vibe remains stylish and chic. With stone walls, wooden tables, and exposed floating shelves, they perfectly blended modernity with comfort.  It was designed by Jessie Duffy, a local designer who has worked on many of Ottawa’s restaurants.

Regardless of age or style, you will feel welcome Arlington Five- especially if you have a hipster beard! This café is a great spot to sit down for a casual morning coffee, a lunch date, or a quick coffee on your way to work.

Written by Sydney Carter
Photography by Photos Arlington Five

Last update: August 22, 2021

Make a suggestion