It might be the small sign out front or word of mouth from a devoted regular that lures you into Jamari Espresso House for the first time. Once inside, you’ll discover a tranquil oasis that beckons you to relax, unwind and find both physical and emotional nourishment.

Mix and match seating – which includes a Balinese hanging basket chair and a lounging platform –  is purposefully designed for face-to-face conversation or quiet reflection. Gentle music mingles with the scents of spices and essential oils while cheerful, welcoming staff graciously guide you through the menu.

Paleo-inspired thanks to owner Janet Nicol’s preferred tastes, Jamari’s short roster of tempting fare includes bone broth, vegan broth and chaga mushroom broth, along with tasty topped toasts – the tahini-banana is just one of their sublime combinations. Organic soups and house-made paleo and vegan muffins, brownies and cookies are made fresh daily on site.

The inventiveness continues with house-made JAMU, an Indonesian medicinal tonic, glorious for the mind and body. Other options include paleo granola and yogurt plus a portable Hunter-Gatherer snack box filled with dried fruits and nuts. Raw chocolate treats are created on site, as are raw energy balls and bars, favoured by practitioners at the adjacent Metta Movement and Meditation Studio which shares the space.

Of course you will find coffee and tea at Jamari, but like everything else there, it’s a cut above the ordinary. The beverage lineup includes espresso from Toronto’s Hale Coffee and pour over single-origin beans are sourced from Gatineau’s Brown Bag Coffee Roasters. Also available: chai from San Francisco’s legendary Samovar Tea House, seasonal smoothies, kombucha and intriguing lattes.

The aforementioned lounging platform converts to a stage for live jazz on Sundays, and Jamari plays host to many other special events including singing workshops, book discussions, community knitting nights and more.

“I created Jamari because I looked around and couldn’t find the kind of spot in which I would relish spending time,” explains Janet. “Ours is a place that encourages people to unwind and relax while enjoying healthful, delicious food and drink. Judging by the response from the community – and from the city as a whole – there was clearly some pent-up demand for a place like Jamari.”

For more fresh FINDs from Wellington West, check back here every Tuesday!

Keyword tags: WWBIA, Wellington West, Ottawa, Hintonburg, wellness, cafe, coffee shop, coffee, chai, latte, soup, vegan, paleo, kombucha, raw food, bone broth, chaga, smoothies, music, community