Café Fwanest
Bakeries & Desserts

Café Fwanest

4.8 (113 reviews)
← Byward Market
Dine-inTakeout

ABOUT

This Gatineau café specializes in African cuisine and coffee in a casual setting on Rue Jacques-Cartier. The space offers outdoor seating and basic amenities, making it suitable for a relaxed meal or coffee break. With a 4.8-star rating across over 100 reviews, it’s a neighbourhood spot known for authentic African flavours and quality beverages.

HOURS

Sunday 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Monday 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Friday (today) 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Saturday 11:00 am - 7:30 pm

RESTAURANT DETAILS

🍽️ Service Options
✓ Dine-in ✓ Takeout
⭐ Popular For
✓ Lunch ✓ Breakfast ✓ Brunch
🥗 Offerings
✓ Coffee
🪑 Dining Options
✓ Lunch ✓ Breakfast ✓ Brunch
🏠 Amenities
✓ Washroom ✓ Outdoor seating
👥 Crowd
✓ Families
💳 Payments
✓ Credit cards ✓ Debit cards ✓ NFC mobile payments
🅿️ Parking
✓ Free parking lot ✓ Free street parking

REVIEWS

"
Ali Vaseghnia
October 12, 2025
★★★☆☆

I came in with high expectations after reading the reviews, but the café didn’t quite live up to them. The latte wasn’t as rich as I hoped, and the sandwich, though fairly priced, was a bit underwhelming. The location is beautiful with great river views; I just wish the food matched the setting.

"
Kamal Ismail
September 1, 2025
★★★★☆

Café Fwanest is a charming spot in Gatineau with a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. The staff are friendly and make you feel right at home, which adds to the overall experience. The coffee is excellent, and the menu has a nice variety of options whether you’re stopping in for a quick drink or planning to sit and relax for a while.

One of the highlights here is the gelato—it’s fresh, flavorful, and makes a perfect treat to pair with your coffee or enjoy on its own. It really adds something special to the café.

The space itself is comfortable and well designed, making it a great place to meet friends, do some work, or simply unwind

"
Chaz z
June 18, 2025
★★★★★

Superb sandwiches, amazing coffee with the best patio view of any café I’ve tried in the Gatineau-Ottawa area! 👌🔥😍☕️

The jerk chicken sandwich tasted incredible and had great quality juicy chunks of chicken breast, I would highly recommend it! 👏🥪

"
Nada Anan
May 24, 2025
★★★★★

Loved the latte at Fwanest Cafe—so smooth and flavorful! The lake view was stunning, and big thanks to Grace for the warm, friendly service. Can’t wait to come back!

"
Emily Graham
June 2, 2024
★★★★★

Wow! A lovely new coffee shop right by the water! The staff were super friendly and welcoming. I highly recommend this spot if you are looking for a hot drink or gelato by the water.

Write a Review

📍
1071 Rue Jacques-Cartier
VISIT WEBSITE →
🕙
📍
1071 Rue Jacques-CartierGatineau, QC J8T 2W3
🗺️ Get Directions
🔄 Data last verified Apr 2026 ✏️ Suggest a correction
Share
Reddit WhatsApp TikTok
From the Blog
Best Restaurants in ByWard Market: Beyond the Tourist Traps (2026) Best Cheap Eats in Ottawa: Eating Well for Under $15 (2026)
Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing to update your hours, photos, and details.

🏪 Claim This Listing - It's Free
🏳️ Know something about this place?

Help your community with things that aren't always listed online.

🥗 Dietary
☪️
Halal
Serves halal meat - even if they don't advertise it
🌱
Vegan-friendly
Has solid vegan options even if it's not a vegan restaurant
🥦
Vegetarian-friendly
Good vegetarian options on the menu
🌾
Gluten-free options
Has gluten-free dishes or can accommodate
✡️
Kosher
Serves kosher food or has certified kosher options
✨ Features
🌙
Open past 10pm
Kitchen or bar stays open late - good for night owls
🍺
Happy Hour
Has a regular happy hour with drink or food deals
🍷
BYOB
You can bring your own bottle - call ahead to confirm
Wheelchair accessible
Accessible entrance, seating, or washroom
🚪
Private dining room
Has a private space for events or groups
🤫
Quiet / low noise
Good for conversation - not a loud scene
🍽️ Amenities
🌿
Confirmed Patio
🎵
Live music
Hosts live music or performances regularly
🐾
Dog-friendly
Welcomes dogs on the patio or inside
🧒
Kids menu
Has a dedicated kids menu or child-friendly options
🍸
Full bar
Serves spirits, cocktails, wine, and beer
🥡
Takeout
You can order food to go - call or walk in
🛵
Delivery
Delivers directly or through a third-party app
💵
Cash only
Doesn't accept cards - bring cash
📝 Something wrong?

Incorrect hours, address, or info? Help us keep the directory accurate.

More in Byward Market

Top-rated restaurants in the same neighbourhood

View all 98 →
Orange Turtle Bakery
★ 5.0 Bakeries & Desserts
📍285 Saint Patrick Street
La Nhau Viet Kitchen & Bar
★ 5.0 Vietnamese
📍108 Murray St
Protein Chefs - Ottawa Healthy Meal Delivery
★ 5.0 Sandwiches & Delis
📍78 George Street
Hikaru by TOMO
★ 5.0 Japanese & Sushi
📍109 Clarence Street
Axia Station
★ 4.9 Grocery & Specialty
📍147 Rideau Street
Bliss Tea
★ 4.9 Bubble Tea & Drinks
📍238 Besserer Street
Also explore: All Bakeries & Desserts restaurants → Bakeries & Desserts in Byward Market →