The National Arts Centre wants to create a venue for "coffee nuts" in the future renovated entrance of the building, facing Confederation Square.

A tender posted on the online MERX tendering service on Monday called for a business to "develop a concept with a wonderful and extremely creative story around the coffee, either where it is sourced or how it is roasted."

The "destination for coffee lovers" will be located in the northwest corner of the building on Elgin Street, and is expected to have lots of seating to allow NAC guests to flow from the lobby to the shop.

The NAC officially broke ground on the major renovation project in February.

The new entrance, along with an atrium and north addition to replace the concrete terraces, are expected to be unveiled in time for Canada's 150th birthday on July 1, 2017.

The renovated dining room, which faces the Rideau Canal, is not expect to be complete until January 2018.