FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CAFE & GENERAL INQUIRIES
Where are you located and when are you typically open?
Art House is located at 555 Somerset Street West in the heart of Ottawa. We are on the Northwest corner of Somerset at Bay, right by Dundonald Park. You can see our location on a map and find our most updated hours of operation through Google listing.
Where do I park?
Paid street parking is available on Somerset during the daytime and is parking is free on Somerset evenings and weekends. There is also free street parking in the streets surrounding Art House, including Bay Street. Please check individual signage for restrictions.
Can I get to Art House by bus?
Yes! OC Transpo's #11 bus stops just a few steps away from our door.
How do I enter the café?
Set in a heritage house, the front door of Art House is located on the front patio (South facing), which can be reached by an outdoor staircase that has a railing on both sides.
Is Art House Wheelchair Accessible?
Unfortunately, Art House’s 150-year-old building was not built with accessibility in mind. Disability is front of mind for us here but we are limited by our own capacities as disabled humans as well as the very real financial restraints we face as disabled humans running a small business. As we work towards making our main floor accessible (a very real goal of ours!!), our only wheelchair accessible seating at present is our patio during the warmer months. The heated deck area has a removable ramp– if it is not out when you arrive or you want us to ensure it is out for your use, please don’t hesitate to call us at (613) 230-9555.
What type of seating do you offer at the café?
We offer both indoor and outdoor seating (weather permitting). The different rooms on the main floor of the house offer a range of options in terms of tables and environment and our front and side patios offer different sizes of tables in both sheltered and open areas. Outdoor heating is available during the colder months of the year.
We ask that patrons seat themselves and order at the bar, Art House staff do not typically come to take orders at tables. For orders that require a bit more time to fulfill, our staff will happily bring your order to your table whenever possible or call it out when it’s hot and ready!
Do you take Reservations?
We do not take reservations at this time, however, we do accommodate rentals of individual rooms. For rental rates and inquiries please reach out to our Events Manager at events@thearthousecafe.ca. Please include as much detail as possible (dates, times, number of people etc).
Are dogs welcome?
Yes, we love our furry friends! Patrons are welcome to bring their dogs into Art House when placing their orders at the bar and both our front and side patio are dog-friendly zones complete with a few scattered water bowls (please ask at the bar if you can't find one or need one filled!). We ask that you please make sure that you are mindful of other patrons when bringing your pet on site, loud or aggressive animal behaviour is not acceptable.
Do you have vegan or gluten free options?
Yes! We stock a variety of treats from local vegan/gluten free bakery Sweet Cheeks. We also serve hearty vegan/gluten free salads from Hungry Babe. Our soups are made in-house and are always vegan gluten free. Sandwiches vary but we try to have vegetarian and vegan options available at all times. For beverages, we can substitute dairy milk for your choice of almond, oat, or soy milk for an additional charge. We cannot guarantee there has been no cross-contamination, so please bear that in mind. For the most up-to-date information on our food, check our menu or ask our friendly staff!
Do you serve alcohol?
Yes we are fully licensed and serve a variety of local beers and ciders on tap and in tall cans. We also have a small selection of house wines and a delicious and creative cocktail menu. We make all our cocktail syrups in house and frequently have limited featured cocktails available.
What options do you have available for people not looking to drink alcohol?
Besides our huge array of espresso beverages, kombucha, pop, seltzers and juice, we also have a number of delicious options for those looking for something a little more special. We offer a number of mocktails and non-alcoholic beers, and our iced teas and lemongrass lemonade are two of our house-made summer favourites.
