Meet Raphaël - Ottawa’s Coffee Whisperer
"Coffee is a conversation — and I’m here to listen."
For Raphaël, coffee is more than a drink. It’s a story, a craft, and a way to connect with people. Long before opening Café Raphaël in January 2025, he spent years studying flavor, experimenting with blends, and perfecting techniques — not for competitions or titles, but for the quiet artistry of creating the perfect cup, one guest at a time.
When he discovered the sunlit corner space at the base of the Envie building in Ottawa’s Little Italy, he saw more than walls and windows. He saw velvet chairs, golden chandeliers, marble tables, and the possibility of transporting guests to another era. Today, every detail inside Café Raphaël — from the antique paintings to the porcelain cups — is handpicked to evoke the timeless charm of European coffeehouses.
But it’s Raphaël’s approach to hospitality that sets him apart. He greets each guest like an old friend, takes the time to understand their tastes, and often creates drinks tailored just for them. Whether it’s a perfectly balanced misto, a vibrant matcha, or a cannoli made fresh that morning from his family’s recipe, each offering is prepared with precision, passion, and heart.
For Raphaël, the goal is simple:
- To make every visit meaningful.
- To serve coffee worth remembering.
- And to ensure that when you leave, you already know you’ll be coming back.