There’s Something From Everyone at the EveryPerson Café in Ottawa

Inside the EveryPerson Cafe in Ottawa, Ontario. Photo by Daria Toptygina.

Six weeks prior to opening his first coffee shop, the owner of the new EveryPerson Café in downtown Ottawa turned to the one place on the internet where honesty and locality meet: Reddit.

First-time coffee entrepreneur Daniyal Zafar, who launched the business with his brother, Mohannad Hussain, outlined his vision for the business — including blending a local community space with elements of European, particularly Parisian, cafe culture, based on his travels.

Photo by Daria Toptygina.

Three Reddit posts and 3,000+ comments later, the vision grew to include a comfortable and safe place that is open in the evenings, artwork galore and food options that cater to different dietary needs.

The shop opened last December, incorporating nearly all of the most-requested advice from Redditors. The result? “We’re one of the fastest growing cafes in Ottawa,” Zafar recently told DCN.

While opening at 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. on weekdays and weekends, respectively, it closes at 8 p.m., making it one of the only downtown cafes to stay open into the evening, offering an alternative to after-work bars. On Wednesdays, the shop stays open until 9:30 to accommodate a weekly open mic. It also doubles as a gallery for local artists, with events scheduled around artwork, as well.

Photo by Daria Toptygina.

One Ottawa artist, named Gabriel (@indoartamus) was even added to the payroll, as he spends considerable hours each week refreshing the cafe’s murals.

Naturally, the shop’s interior is dripping with creativity. Swirling white brushstrokes pop against a calming dark blue backdrop. Paintings of flowers, fictional characters and genre scenes line the brick walls. Lounge chairs and plenty of electrical outlets encourage customers to stay a while.

The menu offers a classic line-up of espresso-based drinks with no upcharge for non-dairy options. All the coffee is sourced from Ontario’s Brown Bag Coffee Roasters — which sources coffee directly from producers in Colombia, Kenya and Nicaragua — prior to roasting in Gatineau by Shann Bosnell. At the counter, customers are greeted by baristas behind a Victoria Arduina Eagle One espresso machine.

The EveryPerson staff, including founders Daniyal Zafar and Mohannad Hussain (2nd and 3rd from left). Courtesy photo.

“Shann was able to come help select this machine and all the other equipment that we have, as well,” Zafar told DCN. “And for the actual set-up and training he was able to connect me with the Co-founder of Art House Cafe, Joe [Beaton], and he actually came in and helped train all the EP team.”

Zafar said the shop is intent on sourcing as much as possible from Ottawa- and Gatineau-based small-businesses. Vegan baked goods, with gluten-free options available, are supplied by Little Jo Berry’s. All breakfast and lunch sandwiches come in daily from Olga’s Deli & Catering.

Photo by Daria Toptygina.

Zafar first saw the EveryPerson cafe space, off the intersection of Bank and Slater Streets, back in September 2024. His brother’s friend owns the building, and his brother owns a construction company and was able to lead the buildout.

“Before this, and still currently, I’m in the technology business space,” Zafar said. “That’s my main thing. This [EveryPerson] is kind of that passion business.”

As the Ottawa weather begins to warm, Zafar is looking forward to patio season, and potentially adding an outdoor service window.

Photo by Daria Toptygina.

The EveryPerson Café is located at 139 Bank St. in Ottawa, Ontario. Comments? Questions? News to share? Contact DCN’s editors here. For all the latest coffee industry news, subscribe to the DCN newsletter. 

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