Guidebook for Ottawa

Ashley
Guidebook for Ottawa

Food Scene

Delicious gourmet plant-based food!
14 localnici recomandă
Café My House
1015 Wellington St. W
14 localnici recomandă
Delicious gourmet plant-based food!
Ottawa's local coffee chain - they roast their own coffee in Little Italy, and make all their food and snacks from scratch. There are many Bridgehead locations all around town, but this is the closest one to home :)
210 localnici recomandă
Bridgehead
131 Beechwood Ave.
210 localnici recomandă
Ottawa's local coffee chain - they roast their own coffee in Little Italy, and make all their food and snacks from scratch. There are many Bridgehead locations all around town, but this is the closest one to home :)
Breakfast everyday until 2pm :)
17 localnici recomandă
Chesterfield's Gastro Diner
1433 Wellington St. W
17 localnici recomandă
Breakfast everyday until 2pm :)
Closest Starbucks - less than 10 mins away!
91 localnici recomandă
Starbucks
100 Elgin St
91 localnici recomandă
Closest Starbucks - less than 10 mins away!
A cheerful and bright cafe with coffee, snacks, and beer and wine later in the day!
14 localnici recomandă
Equator Coffee Westboro
412 Churchill Ave N
14 localnici recomandă
A cheerful and bright cafe with coffee, snacks, and beer and wine later in the day!
Great restaurant with tasty breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and a huge selection of local beers!
15 localnici recomandă
The Savoy Brasserie
334 Richmond Rd
15 localnici recomandă
Great restaurant with tasty breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and a huge selection of local beers!
Vegetarian bakery, cafe, and pizza place all in one. Always playing great music. Probably our favourite place in town!
37 localnici recomandă
Bread & Sons
195 Bank St
37 localnici recomandă
Vegetarian bakery, cafe, and pizza place all in one. Always playing great music. Probably our favourite place in town!
An Ottawa institution - almost too busy to go for weekend brunch. Baked goods are so amazing, and they make great coffee, too!
131 localnici recomandă
Art-Is-In Bakery
250 City Centre Ave
131 localnici recomandă
An Ottawa institution - almost too busy to go for weekend brunch. Baked goods are so amazing, and they make great coffee, too!
Our favourite brunch spot with all-day breakfast!
22 localnici recomandă
Jax
479 Bronson Ave
22 localnici recomandă
Our favourite brunch spot with all-day breakfast!
Best bread in town!
13 localnici recomandă
True Loaf Bread Company
573 Gladstone Ave
13 localnici recomandă
Best bread in town!
Amazing vegetarian restaurant! Great breakfast and lunch options, and there's also a hot bar where you can fill a bowl with food for $5-10 :)
40 localnici recomandă
Wild Oat Bakery, Cafe & Farm
819 Bank St
40 localnici recomandă
Amazing vegetarian restaurant! Great breakfast and lunch options, and there's also a hot bar where you can fill a bowl with food for $5-10 :)
Tasty pay-by-weight vegetarian spot just down the street - great place to stop into if you're looking for a warm soup on a cold day.
28 localnici recomandă
The Table Vegetarian Restaurant
1230 Wellington St. W
28 localnici recomandă
Tasty pay-by-weight vegetarian spot just down the street - great place to stop into if you're looking for a warm soup on a cold day.
Cute little tea shop with the best and biggest selection of teas! Amazing in-shop baked treats, as well!
6 localnici recomandă
teastore
53 York St
6 localnici recomandă
Cute little tea shop with the best and biggest selection of teas! Amazing in-shop baked treats, as well!
AMAZING restaurant run by a Quebec celebrity chef, Marysol Foucault. Ever-changing menu, fresh and local ingredients. It's a tiny space, so expect to wait a bit for a table, but know that it's all worth it.
55 localnici recomandă
Edgar
60 Rue Bégin
55 localnici recomandă
AMAZING restaurant run by a Quebec celebrity chef, Marysol Foucault. Ever-changing menu, fresh and local ingredients. It's a tiny space, so expect to wait a bit for a table, but know that it's all worth it.
Tacos! You can sit inside, but we recommend ordering from the take-out window. Eggplant and the crispy fish tacos are personal faves. Open late!
168 localnici recomandă
El Camino
380 Elgin St
168 localnici recomandă
Tacos! You can sit inside, but we recommend ordering from the take-out window. Eggplant and the crispy fish tacos are personal faves. Open late!
Get the laksa!
43 localnici recomandă
Datsun
380 Elgin St
43 localnici recomandă
Get the laksa!
Award-winning gelato just down the street, and it's 40% off on Sundays from 9-10pm ;)
14 localnici recomandă
Stella Luna Gelato Cafe Hintonburg
1130 Wellington St. W
14 localnici recomandă
Award-winning gelato just down the street, and it's 40% off on Sundays from 9-10pm ;)
Tiny cafe located in a ritzy neighbourhood. Great coffees and teas, and rich desserts!
10 localnici recomandă
Union Street Kitchen Café
42 Crichton St
10 localnici recomandă
Tiny cafe located in a ritzy neighbourhood. Great coffees and teas, and rich desserts!
Homemade ice cream!
9 localnici recomandă
The Merry Dairy
102 Fairmont Ave
9 localnici recomandă
Homemade ice cream!
Italian grocery store with a restaurant, sandwich counter, and espresso bar in the back! Great for groceries, but even better for sandwiches which they're famous for :)
64 localnici recomandă
La Bottega Nicastro, ByWard Market
64 George St
64 localnici recomandă
Italian grocery store with a restaurant, sandwich counter, and espresso bar in the back! Great for groceries, but even better for sandwiches which they're famous for :)
Tucked away in a courtyard of the Byward Market, this cafe is an Ottawa classic. They have a nice patio in the summer time - perfect for people watching :)
32 localnici recomandă
Planet Coffee, ByWard Market, Ottawa
24a York St
32 localnici recomandă
Tucked away in a courtyard of the Byward Market, this cafe is an Ottawa classic. They have a nice patio in the summer time - perfect for people watching :)
Best burritos in town! Friendliest staff!
18 localnici recomandă
Corazon De Maiz
55 Byward Market Square
18 localnici recomandă
Best burritos in town! Friendliest staff!
Cafe and used bookstore all in one! Run by two young guys we know - very hip, can be busy, and fun to hang out at. They have events at night, too!
9 localnici recomandă
Black Squirrel Books
1073 Bank St
9 localnici recomandă
Cafe and used bookstore all in one! Run by two young guys we know - very hip, can be busy, and fun to hang out at. They have events at night, too!
Hip coffee shop. Also open late for drinks!
31 localnici recomandă
The Ministry of Coffee and Social Affairs
1013 Wellington St. W
31 localnici recomandă
Hip coffee shop. Also open late for drinks!
The best doughnuts! They're all good, but try: Sugar Munkki, Raspberry Cassis, and London Fog.
89 localnici recomandă
SuzyQ Doughnuts
1015 Wellington St. W
89 localnici recomandă
The best doughnuts! They're all good, but try: Sugar Munkki, Raspberry Cassis, and London Fog.
Open 24/7 and their poutine is vegetarian!
56 localnici recomandă
Elgin Street Diner
374 Elgin St
56 localnici recomandă
Open 24/7 and their poutine is vegetarian!
Tiny little Korean place - great for lunch! Also has a food cart on Bank St in the summer, and can be found at some farmer's markets in the summer, too!
Bap by Raon Kitchen, Laurier
Tiny little Korean place - great for lunch! Also has a food cart on Bank St in the summer, and can be found at some farmer's markets in the summer, too!
Really tasty breakfast place if you're downtown and want a big plate of food :)
16 localnici recomandă
Eggspectation
171 Bank St
16 localnici recomandă
Really tasty breakfast place if you're downtown and want a big plate of food :)
Vegetarian comfort food, but not your typical hippie vegetarian restaurant! Try their mushroom-walnut burger, you won't regret it. They have fancy drinks, smoothies, juices, and local beers. Breakfast is super well priced (avocado toast for $5!) and we recommend the breakfast burrito! There is also a location in Westboro.
64 localnici recomandă
Pure Kitchen Elgin
340 Elgin St
64 localnici recomandă
Vegetarian comfort food, but not your typical hippie vegetarian restaurant! Try their mushroom-walnut burger, you won't regret it. They have fancy drinks, smoothies, juices, and local beers. Breakfast is super well priced (avocado toast for $5!) and we recommend the breakfast burrito! There is also a location in Westboro.
Vegetarian comfort food, but not your typical hippie vegetarian restaurant! Try their mushroom-walnut burger, you won't regret it. They have fancy drinks, smoothies, juices, and local beers. Breakfast is super well priced (avocado toast for $5!) and we recommend the breakfast burrito! There is also a location on Elgin.
36 localnici recomandă
Pure Kitchen Westboro
357 Richmond Rd
36 localnici recomandă
Vegetarian comfort food, but not your typical hippie vegetarian restaurant! Try their mushroom-walnut burger, you won't regret it. They have fancy drinks, smoothies, juices, and local beers. Breakfast is super well priced (avocado toast for $5!) and we recommend the breakfast burrito! There is also a location on Elgin.
There are hundreds of these Vietnamese places on Somerset Street West, but this purple one is our go-to! We like the vermicelli dishes. Open super late!
Pho Bo Ga 2 Snack Bar
857 Somerset St W
There are hundreds of these Vietnamese places on Somerset Street West, but this purple one is our go-to! We like the vermicelli dishes. Open super late!
Local coffee roaster
23 localnici recomandă
Mainstay Coffee Company
1111a Wellington St. W
23 localnici recomandă
Local coffee roaster
Our neighbourhood's local cat cafe! Meow!
6 localnici recomandă
Feline Cafe
1076 Wellington St. W
6 localnici recomandă
Our neighbourhood's local cat cafe! Meow!
Busy breakfast place with an English rock & roll kind of theme!
37 localnici recomandă
Baker Street Cafe
385 Richmond Rd
37 localnici recomandă
Busy breakfast place with an English rock & roll kind of theme!
Classic Canadian fried dough treat! We like the simple version, with cinnamon, sugar, and a wedge of lemon :)
59 localnici recomandă
BeaverTails Byward Market
69 George St
59 localnici recomandă
Classic Canadian fried dough treat! We like the simple version, with cinnamon, sugar, and a wedge of lemon :)
Ottawa's local coffee chain - this is where the magic happens: Bridgehead's roastery and bakery in Little Italy! They host a free tour of their whole operation the first Saturday morning of every month - it's fun, informative, and you get loads of free samples!
29 localnici recomandă
Bridgehead Roastery and Coffeehouse
130 Anderson St
29 localnici recomandă
Ottawa's local coffee chain - this is where the magic happens: Bridgehead's roastery and bakery in Little Italy! They host a free tour of their whole operation the first Saturday morning of every month - it's fun, informative, and you get loads of free samples!
Open 24/7, and in the heart of the Byward Market!
37 localnici recomandă
Zak's Diner
14 Byward Market Square
37 localnici recomandă
Open 24/7, and in the heart of the Byward Market!
Artisan cured meats made into delicious sandwiches, and right around the corner.
11 localnici recomandă
Meat Press
45 Armstrong St
11 localnici recomandă
Artisan cured meats made into delicious sandwiches, and right around the corner.
Fancy Starbucks in the Byward Market. Serving up the regular Starbucks fare, but also has interesting alcoholic-cofffee beverages.
91 localnici recomandă
Starbucks
100 Elgin St
91 localnici recomandă
Fancy Starbucks in the Byward Market. Serving up the regular Starbucks fare, but also has interesting alcoholic-cofffee beverages.
Hand crafted Hong-Kong style ice creams, and other treats made with local ingredients
24 localnici recomandă
Moo Shu Ice Cream & Kitchen
477 Bank St
24 localnici recomandă
Hand crafted Hong-Kong style ice creams, and other treats made with local ingredients
Very popular breakfast spot!
77 localnici recomandă
Wilf & Ada's
510 Bank St
77 localnici recomandă
Very popular breakfast spot!
The best fish & chips in town, along with other seafood dishes. Classic East Coast feel. They have 2 other locations, too!
115 localnici recomandă
The Whalesbone Bank Street
430 Bank St
115 localnici recomandă
The best fish & chips in town, along with other seafood dishes. Classic East Coast feel. They have 2 other locations, too!
Classy and incredibly delicious. We've seen famous hockey players here! Dinner is on the expensive side, but they have really unique menu items and a great wine list. We like going for lunch - it's slightly less expensive and totally worth it.
56 localnici recomandă
Fauna
425 Bank St
56 localnici recomandă
Classy and incredibly delicious. We've seen famous hockey players here! Dinner is on the expensive side, but they have really unique menu items and a great wine list. We like going for lunch - it's slightly less expensive and totally worth it.
Pretty and new cafe in the Glebe! Get the "magic" coffee ;)
9 localnici recomandă
Little Victories Coffee
801 Bank St
9 localnici recomandă
Pretty and new cafe in the Glebe! Get the "magic" coffee ;)
Bakery/cafe/restaurant all in one! They make their own food, baked goods are delicious, and if you get drip coffee you get free refills! Check out the art gallery upstairs!
24 localnici recomandă
Thyme & Again
1255 Wellington St. W
24 localnici recomandă
Bakery/cafe/restaurant all in one! They make their own food, baked goods are delicious, and if you get drip coffee you get free refills! Check out the art gallery upstairs!

Sightseeing

You can see this from your bedroom! There are free tours of the Parliament buildings available year round - you can get tickets by going to the info centre at 90 Wellington St (across from Parliament). But go early to be able to select the time that works for you!
891 localnici recomandă
Parliament Hill
Wellington Street
891 localnici recomandă
You can see this from your bedroom! There are free tours of the Parliament buildings available year round - you can get tickets by going to the info centre at 90 Wellington St (across from Parliament). But go early to be able to select the time that works for you!
Visit the residence of Canada's Governor General! Beautiful grounds to picnic on and play frisbee; nice gardens to walk through. You can also check out the changing of the guards here - a classic Canadian sight! There are also usually free tours available :)
96 localnici recomandă
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Dr
96 localnici recomandă
Visit the residence of Canada's Governor General! Beautiful grounds to picnic on and play frisbee; nice gardens to walk through. You can also check out the changing of the guards here - a classic Canadian sight! There are also usually free tours available :)
Byward Market has something happening every time of day - lots of shops, cafes, and restaurants in the day, and it's got all sorts of bars to check out at night!
585 localnici recomandă
ByWard Market
585 localnici recomandă
Byward Market has something happening every time of day - lots of shops, cafes, and restaurants in the day, and it's got all sorts of bars to check out at night!
Walk or skate along our famous Canal!
259 localnici recomandă
Situl istoric național Canalul Rideau
1 Second Avenue
259 localnici recomandă
Walk or skate along our famous Canal!
37 localnici recomandă
Monumentul Național de Război
Wellington Street
37 localnici recomandă
89 localnici recomandă
Fairmont Château Laurier
1 Rideau St
89 localnici recomandă

Arts & Culture

Amazing collections and exhibitions. We've been to art galleries all around the world, and this is top notch! Free on Thursday nights from 5-8pm.
552 localnici recomandă
Galeria Națională din Canada
380 Sussex Dr
552 localnici recomandă
Amazing collections and exhibitions. We've been to art galleries all around the world, and this is top notch! Free on Thursday nights from 5-8pm.
Our National Arts Centre was recently renovated, and it is stunning! Catch any kind of show: orchestra, jazz, contemporary, Broadway shows! Lots of selection :)
346 localnici recomandă
National Arts Centre
1 Elgin St
346 localnici recomandă
Our National Arts Centre was recently renovated, and it is stunning! Catch any kind of show: orchestra, jazz, contemporary, Broadway shows! Lots of selection :)
395 localnici recomandă
Muzeul de Război Canadian
1 Vimy Pl
395 localnici recomandă
57 localnici recomandă
Galeria de artă Ottawa
50 Mackenzie King Bridge
57 localnici recomandă
12 localnici recomandă
City Hall Art Gallery
110 Laurier Ave W
12 localnici recomandă
One of Canada's most visited museums! Has a spectacular view of Ottawa.
545 localnici recomandă
Muzeul Canadian de Istorie
100 Rue Laurier
545 localnici recomandă
One of Canada's most visited museums! Has a spectacular view of Ottawa.

Essentials

Only open from spring to November from 6am to 6pm, but just down the street and great for grabbing some fresh, local fruits and veggies.
43 localnici recomandă
Parkdale Park
366 Parkdale Ave
43 localnici recomandă
Only open from spring to November from 6am to 6pm, but just down the street and great for grabbing some fresh, local fruits and veggies.
Our favourite grocery store!
42 localnici recomandă
Farm Boy
1495 Richmond Rd
42 localnici recomandă
Our favourite grocery store!
Zero-waste grocery store just down the street, so bring a shopping bag with you! Surprisingly well priced, and you can pick up just as much as you need of anything for your stay :)
6 localnici recomandă
NU Grocery
1130 Wellington St. W
6 localnici recomandă
Zero-waste grocery store just down the street, so bring a shopping bag with you! Surprisingly well priced, and you can pick up just as much as you need of anything for your stay :)
47 localnici recomandă
Whole Foods Market
951 Bank St
47 localnici recomandă
Ottawa's hippie grocery store! You can get hard-to-find specialty items here. There's a juice bar in the back, and they also have a hot soup bar that we like grabbing a snack at.
29 localnici recomandă
Herb & Spice Food Shop
375 Bank St
29 localnici recomandă
Ottawa's hippie grocery store! You can get hard-to-find specialty items here. There's a juice bar in the back, and they also have a hot soup bar that we like grabbing a snack at.

Parks & Nature

Although marked differently on the map, there is access to the Ottawa River Pathway just outside our home - you can walk all the way along the river to get downtown :) Great for a peaceful walk or bike ride, and you can cross-country ski or snowshoe on it in the winter!
17 localnici recomandă
Ottawa River Pathway
Ottawa River Pathway
17 localnici recomandă
Although marked differently on the map, there is access to the Ottawa River Pathway just outside our home - you can walk all the way along the river to get downtown :) Great for a peaceful walk or bike ride, and you can cross-country ski or snowshoe on it in the winter!
Beautiful greenspace, great for picnics
26 localnici recomandă
Arboretum
Arboretum
26 localnici recomandă
Beautiful greenspace, great for picnics
Interesting little area along the Ottawa River Pathway with rock sculptures in the water!
17 localnici recomandă
Parcul Remic Rapids
Kichi Zībī Mīkan
17 localnici recomandă
Interesting little area along the Ottawa River Pathway with rock sculptures in the water!
Beautiful swimming hole in a wildlife sanctuary. Closes at 2pm. Great for cooling off on hot summer days!
8 localnici recomandă
The Pond
8 localnici recomandă
Beautiful swimming hole in a wildlife sanctuary. Closes at 2pm. Great for cooling off on hot summer days!
A nice park across the bridge into Quebec! Great views of Ottawa, and there are often events held at this park :)
58 localnici recomandă
Parcul Jacques Cartier
285 Rue Laurier
58 localnici recomandă
A nice park across the bridge into Quebec! Great views of Ottawa, and there are often events held at this park :)
Pretty park in Centretown. In the summertime, they play movies in the park at night!
14 localnici recomandă
Dundonald Park
516 Somerset St W
14 localnici recomandă
Pretty park in Centretown. In the summertime, they play movies in the park at night!
Our neighbourhood beach - great for cooling off in the summertime!
23 localnici recomandă
Westboro Beach Cafe
745 Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway
23 localnici recomandă
Our neighbourhood beach - great for cooling off in the summertime!

Drinks & Nightlife

Great beer, pub-like atmosphere, and you can buy some to bring home!
41 localnici recomandă
Tooth and Nail Brewing Company
3 Irving Ave
41 localnici recomandă
Great beer, pub-like atmosphere, and you can buy some to bring home!
Sample Ottawa's best beers, and purchase some to bring home! Must try: Pink Fuzz and Aromatherapy. Our favourite brewery :) It's actually located at 250 City Centre Ave, Ottawa, ON next to Art-Is-In Bakery
42 localnici recomandă
Beyond the Pale Brewing Company
250 City Centre Ave
42 localnici recomandă
Sample Ottawa's best beers, and purchase some to bring home! Must try: Pink Fuzz and Aromatherapy. Our favourite brewery :) It's actually located at 250 City Centre Ave, Ottawa, ON next to Art-Is-In Bakery
Great place for beers and fun music, they have games to play, tasty food, and a good place to catch sporting events.
37 localnici recomandă
Local Lansdowne
826 Exhibition Way
37 localnici recomandă
Great place for beers and fun music, they have games to play, tasty food, and a good place to catch sporting events.
Great cafe during the day that turns into a music venue at night. We love checking out their Jazz Nite, a free-cover live jazz show the last Wednesday of every month starting around 7pm. Small but great beer selection!
21 localnici recomandă
Bar Robo
170 Queen Street
21 localnici recomandă
Great cafe during the day that turns into a music venue at night. We love checking out their Jazz Nite, a free-cover live jazz show the last Wednesday of every month starting around 7pm. Small but great beer selection!
Ottawa's classic "going out" spot. Great place to dance and listen to live music.
54 localnici recomandă
Heart and Crown
67 Clarence St.
54 localnici recomandă
Ottawa's classic "going out" spot. Great place to dance and listen to live music.
Small and stylish neighbourhood bar
13 localnici recomandă
10Fourteen
1014 Wellington St. W
13 localnici recomandă
Small and stylish neighbourhood bar
Popular bar for food and drinks
63 localnici recomandă
The Hintonburg Public House
1020 Wellington St. W
63 localnici recomandă
Popular bar for food and drinks
One of Ottawa's newest breweries!
27 localnici recomandă
Flora Hall Brewing
37 Flora St
27 localnici recomandă
One of Ottawa's newest breweries!
Located in an old historic mill right on the Ottawa River, this place is a good spot to grab a pint of beer (try the Portage - it's made of water from the Ottawa River!) and some food.
45 localnici recomandă
Mill St. Brew Pub
555 Wellington St
45 localnici recomandă
Located in an old historic mill right on the Ottawa River, this place is a good spot to grab a pint of beer (try the Portage - it's made of water from the Ottawa River!) and some food.

Shopping

Local, vegan soap shop!
SAABOON
595 Gladstone Ave
Local, vegan soap shop!
Local soap shop
8 localnici recomandă
Purple Urchin
1094 Bank St
8 localnici recomandă
Local soap shop
Downtown Ottawa's big shopping centre - also connected to the transit system, so it's easy to get to and from places from there.
589 localnici recomandă
Rideau Centre
589 localnici recomandă
Downtown Ottawa's big shopping centre - also connected to the transit system, so it's easy to get to and from places from there.
Very well-curated clothing shop focussed on Canadian and women designers!
23 localnici recomandă
Victoire
1282 Wellington St. W
23 localnici recomandă
Very well-curated clothing shop focussed on Canadian and women designers!