Planet Coffee, Byward Market, Ottawa

The coffee is delicious, the servers are super friendly, but for me this place is 5 stars for another reason. I went to apply for a visa at the US embassy and they didn't allow me to enter with my backpack, I admit that I was desperate, because I didn't know what to do with my backpack. I came to the cafe and asked the attendant to keep my backpack until I got back. She, Michaela, simply saved my day. Of course, after that we enjoyed a coffee and one of the pâtisseries, which, by the way, are very tasty!!!

I had a horrible experience at this place. The customer service and drinks are okay. This story is a bit long whirled and while it had nothing to do with the owner or staff, it did take place at their business and it profoundly and negatively affected me, as a young woman. I was in the bathroom( which is gross and needs to be cleaned way more often ) at their establishment and I heard someone trying to open the door with a key. I shouted out that it's occupied but he didn't hear me and I had the misfortune of having a fully grown man walk in on me while I was using the bathroom. Unfortunately I could not get up as I was indisposed and had this man walk in on me. He didn't even apologize ; just simply said he couldn't hear me. Ladies please watch out for this guy as he's almost 300 pounds, white male, with a beard that's at least 6'5 in height, and looks like officer Piscatella from Orange is the new black ( if you've ever seen this show). I'm guessing he lives in the area and most likely , this was an accident but we can't know for sure. It completely scared and startled me so bad that I'm still upset about it when I look back cause it was a threatening situation. It is a complete stranger after all and you never know what could happen or even what the intention is;we live in a messed up world and I don't like to take chances. Although I am not blaming the owner for another person's actions and although she did treat me to a baked good, I have to say I am very disappointed in this establishment all together. Firstly, as a woman, why am I not entitled to the same safety and dignity as other people? The owner has not made gender specific bathrooms and simply runs them with a key ( that anyone can get their hands on). I'm not sure how this happened as I don't work there but the fact that they can open from the outside is ridiculous and can make for a frightful situation and encounter. When I told her to maybe make a male and female washroom, she said that it's "too much." I just love how my rights and safety don't count for anything. If she likes, she can also make a gender neutral washroom but as women our safety and dignity needs to be respected and taken seriously. I hope it doesn't happen to anyone and she has fixed this or at least made it more clear for customers. Needless to say I won't be stepping foot in there again.

Gem in Ottawa! Love that they have a huge selections of bakery and pastries. Great selection of beverages as well. I was surprised to find the cafe very spacious. Their jupyter jolt and coffee cake was nice. Their matcha latte was good, but I was a little disappointed to find out that it had vanilla syrup in it. I do think they should’ve specified that their matcha latte has extra flavor syrups in it. A great cafe overall where I will be visiting again!