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Café Bon Vivant is your local coffee shop and lunch counter in the heart of Russell Village.
Bon Vivant
Noun:
a sociable person who has cultivated and refined tastes especially with respect to food and drink.
Our mission is to foster a welcoming, comfortable community space where our neighbours and visitors can access high quality food and beverages made by passionate people – many of whom live in our community!
We source our coffee locally from Chin Chin Coffee Roasters. Our house-made treats and sandwiches are complemented by an array of artisanal pastries and baked goods from independent businesses located in Russell, Ottawa, Cornwall, and Montréal.
We always have really good gluten-free options available. Vegan, too.
Come visit us for breakfast, lunch, or dessert!
Our Artists
Misson:
Café Bon Vivant’s mission for its art wall is to platform visual artists of all backgrounds, with emphasis on local and emerging artists. We will prioritize artists from the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, SD&G, Cornwall, South-Western Québec, and rural Ottawa. Women, Francophones, and artists from equity-seeking communities are encouraged to submit their works.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is a free parking lot on site that we share with two other businesses. Additionally, there is plenty of free street parking in the immediate vicinity.
The café is a well lit space and it is situated on ground level.
Our front door is wide enough to accommodate most power wheelchairs, however the door is not automated. There is a ramp from the parking lot to the sidewalk outside of our front door. It can be awkward to navigate but it has allowed many of our customers using strollers, walkers, and wheelchairs to access the cafe.
Our washroom has an extra-wide door. There are grab bars next to and behind the toilet to facilitate transfers.
We have a courtesy baby-change table available in the washroom
All of our furniture moves to accommodate the needs of our guests. Two of our tables are height-adjustable.
All of our seating is rated for a minimum of 250 pounds. Several of our seating options are rated for 500 pounds.
Our food menu includes a robust selection of gluten-free items. Sandwiches can be made on gluten-free bread by request.
We have several options for sugar-free drinks, as well as no-sugar-added treats and snacks.
There are multiple vegan options for treats and sandwiches available daily. Almost all of our soups are vegan.
We offer several items that are produced in a nut-free kitchen, with some pre-packaged at the production site to prevent cross-contamination.
Although we make an effort to prevent cross contamination and we have multiple policies in place specifically for the handling of our gluten-free offerings, we can not guarantee 100% that anything is allergen free.
We understand that everyone’s risk tolerance is different. Please reach out to us in person at the café or via email with any questions you have about specific allergens or ingredients, or what we do to minimize risk for our guests.
We have a gallery program for visual artists who create works that can be hung on walls. Please fill out this form to propose your own art show. Artists of all levels are encouraged to apply.
Maybe, but it’s unlikely at this time. We have a full roster of suppliers already so we don’t have a lot of capacity to take on new products. If you really feel that you have something to offer that we’re missing, you’re operating in an inspected kitchen, and you’re prepared to offer wholesale pricing, send us an email or drop off some samples in person.
We have a small display of retail items. We prioritize local, artisanal products. At this time, our retail program is not taking on new products. This may change seasonally, so if you think you have something that would be a great fit, please reach out.
This is just one of the decisions we made to minimize costs where we can to keep our prices as low as possible for our community. Come on in and talk to us in person!
Yes! We offer trays of treats, and sandwich platters for meetings and small events. The more notice you give us, the more flexible we are. Send us an email at cafebonvivant613@gmail.com with the details of your request. Make sure you include the date you’re requesting, how many people you plan to feed, and any dietary restrictions. new products.
Maybe! Send us an email at cafebonvivant613@gmail.com to discuss the details. We’re happy to host your events outside of our regular operating hours. Buying out the cafe for a private booking during our regular hours may also be an option. Let’s chat!
We have a modest annual budget dedicated to supporting local initiatives that align with our priorities. If your project or fundraiser supports the arts (especially public arts!), 2SLGBTQ+ persons in our community, or food security programs, there is a good chance we will say yes.
Please email us at cafebonvivant613@gmail.com with your request. Be sure to include what kind of donation you are asking for and how it will be used, as well as how you plan to recognize sponsors and donors.
Café Bon Vivant is open 7 days a week at 191 Castor St in beautiful Russell, Ontario.
We Support Local!
At Bon Vivant Café, we proudly serve local coffee and baked goods, celebrating the talents and flavors of our community.
Check Out Our Local talent! >>
You deserve a treat.
Land Acknowledgement
Café Bon Vivant is located on the traditional territory of the Iroquois (Haudeasaunee), Algonquin (Anishinabewaki and Omàmìwininìwag) and Mohawk (Kanienʼkehá꞉ka) peoples. We acknowledge our responsibility to respect and honour these lands.
