Guidebook for Ottawa
Food Scene
The food is phenomenal, local and seasonal menu.
Depending on your mood, try the mimosas with eggs benny or the burger. you're welcome.
*make reservations to secure your spot! it really does fill up and walk-in's are rare for parties bigger than 2*
90 locals recommend
Fraser
7 Springfield RdThe food is phenomenal, local and seasonal menu.
Depending on your mood, try the mimosas with eggs benny or the burger. you're welcome.
*make reservations to secure your spot! it really does fill up and walk-in's are rare for parties bigger than 2*
This place is SO small, barely any seating inside with a nice patio in the summer. The food is why people wait in line, outside in all seasons. Inventive, seasonal and local cuisine. Unreal baked goods.
Order some salted caramel cookies to take home for later (you won't regret it!)
55 locals recommend
Edgar
60 Rue BéginThis place is SO small, barely any seating inside with a nice patio in the summer. The food is why people wait in line, outside in all seasons. Inventive, seasonal and local cuisine. Unreal baked goods.
Order some salted caramel cookies to take home for later (you won't regret it!)
Delicious French Brasserie fare and the city's largest raw bar in a top-notch location. The restaurant size triples in good weather with one of the largest, treed patios in the city. Although brunch is fantastic, you can't go wrong during Hill Hour (M-F, 4-7pm and after 9:30pm), when jumpo shrimp are $1.00/each and PEI oysters are $1.50/each
Even if you're only after a solid cocktail or dessert, this will do you.
22 locals recommend
Metropolitain Brasserie Restaurant
700 Sussex DrDelicious French Brasserie fare and the city's largest raw bar in a top-notch location. The restaurant size triples in good weather with one of the largest, treed patios in the city. Although brunch is fantastic, you can't go wrong during Hill Hour (M-F, 4-7pm and after 9:30pm), when jumpo shrimp are $1.00/each and PEI oysters are $1.50/each
Even if you're only after a solid cocktail or dessert, this will do you.
Ace Mercado
121 Clarence StreetYUM. Creative Mexican food, margaritas... if you can, go!
Delicious scones (sweet and savoury) made fresh each day. You can purchase some yummy eats to take-out and bring it them back home or sit and enjoy one of their creative scone sandwiches and breakfast meals!
It can get quite busy weekend mornings- a local favourite!
36 locals recommend
The SconeWitch (Beechwood)
35 Beechwood Ave.Delicious scones (sweet and savoury) made fresh each day. You can purchase some yummy eats to take-out and bring it them back home or sit and enjoy one of their creative scone sandwiches and breakfast meals!
It can get quite busy weekend mornings- a local favourite!
El Camino
380 Elgin StTACOS!
Byward Market location coming soon!
Drinks & Nightlife
I would say this used to be a secret spot, but not anymore! This is Ottawa's oldest (dive) bar that recently got a facelift and expansion. A host of quirky clientele makes it the spot to be. In the day, you can enjoy plenty of board and card games and the *jukebox* with your pint.
You haven't lived until you've seen the Lucky Ron show on a Saturday afternoon (turned evening, turned night, turned early morning...)
27 locals recommend
Chateau Lafayette (The Laff)
42 York StI would say this used to be a secret spot, but not anymore! This is Ottawa's oldest (dive) bar that recently got a facelift and expansion. A host of quirky clientele makes it the spot to be. In the day, you can enjoy plenty of board and card games and the *jukebox* with your pint.
You haven't lived until you've seen the Lucky Ron show on a Saturday afternoon (turned evening, turned night, turned early morning...)
Elgin Street is lined with bars, pubs and restaurants. A walk on a nice evening will definitely have you stopping at various spots.
15 locals recommend
Elgin Street
Elgin StreetElgin Street is lined with bars, pubs and restaurants. A walk on a nice evening will definitely have you stopping at various spots.
Sightseeing
Check out Parliament hill from any vantage point you can! Tour tickets are free (!) but are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Go to 90 Wellington st for these and go early! You won't want to miss the Peace Tower.
891 locals recommend
Parliament Hill
Wellington StreetCheck out Parliament hill from any vantage point you can! Tour tickets are free (!) but are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Go to 90 Wellington st for these and go early! You won't want to miss the Peace Tower.
The stunning Basilica is not to be missed. Although it is very beautiful from the outside, you must go inside to sit and take in the incredible starry ceiling and craftsmanship.
Please note this is basilica is in operation as an active place of worship and so may be closed to outside visitors. Please be quiet and respectful of parishioners.
56 locals recommend
Notre Dame Basilica
385 Sussex DrThe stunning Basilica is not to be missed. Although it is very beautiful from the outside, you must go inside to sit and take in the incredible starry ceiling and craftsmanship.
Please note this is basilica is in operation as an active place of worship and so may be closed to outside visitors. Please be quiet and respectful of parishioners.
A little further from the city (30-40 min) is Wakefield, a very pretty, quaint village with some great bars, restaurants and live music. For a postcard view, go see the beautiful covered bridge. If you have time, get out here!
Recommend:
The Black Sheep
Chez Eric
Kaffé 1870
141 locals recommend
Wakefield
A little further from the city (30-40 min) is Wakefield, a very pretty, quaint village with some great bars, restaurants and live music. For a postcard view, go see the beautiful covered bridge. If you have time, get out here!
Recommend:
The Black Sheep
Chez Eric
Kaffé 1870
Arts & Culture
This is my favorite museum in terms of anthropology and culture. I prefer it's previous name, 'The Museum of Civilization', but the exhibits are as good if not better than ever.
The great hall has floor to sky-high ceiling windows with views over the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill (one of the best views of the city, really) and is filled with stunning Totem Poles from Canada's West Coast
Visit: http://www.historymuseum.ca/
545 locals recommend
Canadian Museum of History
100 Rue LaurierThis is my favorite museum in terms of anthropology and culture. I prefer it's previous name, 'The Museum of Civilization', but the exhibits are as good if not better than ever.
The great hall has floor to sky-high ceiling windows with views over the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill (one of the best views of the city, really) and is filled with stunning Totem Poles from Canada's West Coast
Visit: http://www.historymuseum.ca/
This gallery is stunning. Their permanent collections are fantastic with well curated visiting exhibitions throughout the year.
Entrance is free on Thursday evenings!
Visit: http://www.gallery.ca/en/
552 locals recommend
National Gallery of Canada
380 Sussex DrThis gallery is stunning. Their permanent collections are fantastic with well curated visiting exhibitions throughout the year.
Entrance is free on Thursday evenings!
Visit: http://www.gallery.ca/en/
Getting Around
Although ostensibly a mall, the Rideau Centre is a hub for all major bus routes in Ottawa.
589 locals recommend
Rideau Centre
Although ostensibly a mall, the Rideau Centre is a hub for all major bus routes in Ottawa.
Essentials
This is my closest local grocer- everything you need 2 minutes from the house!
150 locals recommend
Metro
50 Beechwood Ave.This is my closest local grocer- everything you need 2 minutes from the house!
Where to buy alcohol! The LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) has locations all over the city- this is closest to my place. They sell spirits, wines and beers. The location on Rideau Street has an extensive Vintages collection in a spacious lower level.
191 locals recommend
LCBO
160 Elgin StWhere to buy alcohol! The LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) has locations all over the city- this is closest to my place. They sell spirits, wines and beers. The location on Rideau Street has an extensive Vintages collection in a spacious lower level.
This is a little further afield from the house, but is quite a bit larger than Metro and also has a Wine Rack and pharmacy.
264 locals recommend
Loblaws
64 Isabella StThis is a little further afield from the house, but is quite a bit larger than Metro and also has a Wine Rack and pharmacy.
This is the closest gas station to the house. Reduce your stress by filling up early in the morning or later in the evening. It can get crazy!
18 locals recommend
Shell
962 Merivale RdThis is the closest gas station to the house. Reduce your stress by filling up early in the morning or later in the evening. It can get crazy!
This is my *favourite* grocer- excellent produce, organics and fresh goods. Lots of in-house made products to rave about (soups etc)
64 locals recommend
Farm Boy
830 Belfast RdThis is my *favourite* grocer- excellent produce, organics and fresh goods. Lots of in-house made products to rave about (soups etc)
The Nordik is an amazing spa set in the Chelsea woods. Very close to the city, but feels like a getaway. Entrance to the spa is on a first-come-first-served so if the facilities hit capacity, you will have to wait. *Trick* All massages include access to the baths so if you book an early massage you will be guaranteed entry for the rest of the day :)
312 locals recommend
Nordik Spa-Nature | Chelsea
16 Chemin NordikThe Nordik is an amazing spa set in the Chelsea woods. Very close to the city, but feels like a getaway. Entrance to the spa is on a first-come-first-served so if the facilities hit capacity, you will have to wait. *Trick* All massages include access to the baths so if you book an early massage you will be guaranteed entry for the rest of the day :)
Parks & Nature
Gatineau Park is HUGE. With over 156 km of hiking trails, and many points of entry you can cater your visit specifically to your needs.
visit:
http://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places-to-visit/gatineau-park
174 locals recommend
Gatineau Park Welcome Area
Promenade de la GatineauGatineau Park is HUGE. With over 156 km of hiking trails, and many points of entry you can cater your visit specifically to your needs.
visit:
http://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places-to-visit/gatineau-park
With various access points all along our street, this park is your run/walk destination during your stay.
10 locals recommend
Stanley Park
183 Stanley AveWith various access points all along our street, this park is your run/walk destination during your stay.
You can't beat a cold lake swim in the summer. There is paid parking onsite, with beaches in different spots. O'Brien Beach is lovely but my personal favorite - Blanchet Beach- is further down lake, and also the main entry point for my favorite hiking spot in Gatineau Park- Wolf Trail!
52 locals recommend
Lac Meech
You can't beat a cold lake swim in the summer. There is paid parking onsite, with beaches in different spots. O'Brien Beach is lovely but my personal favorite - Blanchet Beach- is further down lake, and also the main entry point for my favorite hiking spot in Gatineau Park- Wolf Trail!
This beach is still my local fave, despite moving out of this neighborhood a coupe years ago. Great sunsets, live music and a beach-side bar (kitschy and can be overpriced but worth securing your 'rent' at a table!)
34 locals recommend
Westboro Beach
This beach is still my local fave, despite moving out of this neighborhood a coupe years ago. Great sunsets, live music and a beach-side bar (kitschy and can be overpriced but worth securing your 'rent' at a table!)