Middle Eastern café opening new location in Whitby soon

A café known for its coffee, desserts and late-night menu is getting ready to expand in Durham Region, with a second location on the way in Whitby.

Olive Branch Café, which first opened in Oshawa last spring, appears to be continuing its growth with a new space in north Whitby (Brooklin), taking over the former Upshot Coffee Co. location at 16 Winchester Rd. E.

The café gained attention following its March 2025 opening at 452 Taunton Rd. W. in Oshawa, offering a mix of Palestinian and Lebanese eats alongside handcrafted drinks and desserts.

The space quickly became known for its cozy atmosphere, with green and gold accents and a layout suited for both casual visits and longer stays.

Its drink menu includes matcha lattes, fresh fruit smoothies and Middle Eastern favourites such as mint lemonade and sahlab—a warm, spiced milk-based drink. Iced latte options range from s’mores and tiramisu to pistachio and Spanish latte flavours.

Dessert options include cookies, cheesecakes and croffles (a croissant-waffle hybrid) topped with Biscoff or pistachio cream, with the option to add ice cream. Traditional sweets such as kunafa, along with viral Dubai chocolate and strawberry cups, are also featured.

On the savoury side, the menu has lighter options like turkey or chicken deli sandwiches, basil grilled cheese and salmon avocado earlier in the day, as well as heartier items such as chicken sandwiches and Philly cheesesteaks.

While an official opening date has not been announced, the expansion comes roughly a year after the Oshawa location launched, pointing to a possible spring or summer debut.

In the meantime, the Oshawa café is open at 9 a.m. daily and closes at midnight through the week, with later hours until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The location sits about a seven-minute drive from the upcoming Whitby spot.

—Cover photo via Olive Brach Cafe