Guidebook for Ottawa
Food Scene
Café My House
1015 Wellington St. WDelicious 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 locals recommend
Bridgehead
131 Beechwood Ave.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 :)
Chesterfield's Gastro Diner
1433 Wellington St. WBreakfast everyday until 2pm :)
Starbucks
100 Elgin StClosest Starbucks - less than 10 mins away!
A cheerful and bright cafe with coffee, snacks, and beer and wine later in the day!
14 locals recommend
Equator Coffee Westboro
412 Churchill Ave NA 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 locals recommend
The Savoy Brasserie
334 Richmond RdGreat 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 locals recommend
Bread & Sons
195 Bank StVegetarian 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 locals recommend
Art-Is-In Bakery
250 City Centre AveAn Ottawa institution - almost too busy to go for weekend brunch. Baked goods are so amazing, and they make great coffee, too!
Jax
479 Bronson AveOur favourite brunch spot with all-day breakfast!
True Loaf Bread Company
573 Gladstone AveBest 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 locals recommend
Wild Oat Bakery, Cafe & Farm
819 Bank StAmazing 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 locals recommend
The Table Vegetarian Restaurant
1230 Wellington St. WTasty 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 locals recommend
teastore
53 York StCute 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 locals recommend
Edgar
60 Rue BéginAMAZING 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 locals recommend
El Camino
380 Elgin StTacos! You can sit inside, but we recommend ordering from the take-out window. Eggplant and the crispy fish tacos are personal faves. Open late!
Datsun
380 Elgin StGet the laksa!
Award-winning gelato just down the street, and it's 40% off on Sundays from 9-10pm ;)
14 locals recommend
Stella Luna Gelato Cafe Hintonburg
1130 Wellington St. WAward-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 locals recommend
Union Street Kitchen Café
42 Crichton StTiny cafe located in a ritzy neighbourhood. Great coffees and teas, and rich desserts!
The Merry Dairy
102 Fairmont AveHomemade 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 locals recommend
La Bottega Nicastro, ByWard Market
64 George StItalian 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 locals recommend
Planet Coffee, ByWard Market, Ottawa
24a York StTucked 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 :)
Corazon De Maiz
55 Byward Market SquareBest 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 locals recommend
Black Squirrel Books
1073 Bank StCafe 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 locals recommend
The Ministry of Coffee and Social Affairs
1013 Wellington St. WHip coffee shop. Also open late for drinks!
The best doughnuts! They're all good, but try: Sugar Munkki, Raspberry Cassis, and London Fog.
89 locals recommend
SuzyQ Doughnuts
1015 Wellington St. WThe best doughnuts! They're all good, but try: Sugar Munkki, Raspberry Cassis, and London Fog.
Elgin Street Diner
374 Elgin StOpen 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 locals recommend
Eggspectation
171 Bank StReally 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 locals recommend
Pure Kitchen Elgin
340 Elgin StVegetarian 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 locals recommend
Pure Kitchen Westboro
357 Richmond RdVegetarian 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 WThere 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!
Mainstay Coffee Company
1111a Wellington St. WLocal coffee roaster
Feline Cafe
1076 Wellington St. WOur neighbourhood's local cat cafe! Meow!
Baker Street Cafe
385 Richmond RdBusy 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 locals recommend
BeaverTails Byward Market
69 George StClassic 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 locals recommend
Bridgehead Roastery and Coffeehouse
130 Anderson StOttawa'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!
Zak's Diner
14 Byward Market SquareOpen 24/7, and in the heart of the Byward Market!
Artisan cured meats made into delicious sandwiches, and right around the corner.
11 locals recommend
Meat Press
45 Armstrong StArtisan 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 locals recommend
Starbucks
100 Elgin StFancy 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 locals recommend
Moo Shu Ice Cream & Kitchen
477 Bank StHand crafted Hong-Kong style ice creams, and other treats made with local ingredients
Wilf & Ada's
510 Bank StVery 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 locals recommend
The Whalesbone Bank Street
430 Bank StThe 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 locals recommend
Fauna
425 Bank StClassy 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 locals recommend
Little Victories Coffee
801 Bank StPretty 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 locals recommend
Thyme & Again
1255 Wellington St. WBakery/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 locals recommend
Parliament Hill
Wellington StreetYou 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 locals recommend
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex DrVisit 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 locals recommend
ByWard Market
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!
Rideau Canal National Historic Site
1 Second AvenueWalk or skate along our famous Canal!
The National War Memorial
Wellington StreetFairmont Château Laurier
1 Rideau StArts & 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 locals recommend
National Gallery of Canada
380 Sussex DrAmazing 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 locals recommend
National Arts Centre
1 Elgin StOur National Arts Centre was recently renovated, and it is stunning! Catch any kind of show: orchestra, jazz, contemporary, Broadway shows! Lots of selection :)
Canadian War Museum
1 Vimy PlOttawa Art Gallery
50 Mackenzie King BridgeCity Hall Art Gallery
110 Laurier Ave WOne of Canada's most visited museums! Has a spectacular view of Ottawa.
545 locals recommend
Canadian Museum of History
100 Rue LaurierOne 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 locals recommend
Parkdale Park
366 Parkdale AveOnly open from spring to November from 6am to 6pm, but just down the street and great for grabbing some fresh, local fruits and veggies.
Farm Boy
1495 Richmond RdOur 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 locals recommend
NU Grocery
1130 Wellington St. WZero-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 :)
Whole Foods Market
951 Bank StOttawa'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 locals recommend
Herb & Spice Food Shop
375 Bank StOttawa'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 locals recommend
Ottawa River Pathway
Ottawa River PathwayAlthough 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!
Arboretum
ArboretumBeautiful greenspace, great for picnics
Interesting little area along the Ottawa River Pathway with rock sculptures in the water!
17 locals recommend
Remic Rapids Park
Kichi Zībī MīkanInteresting 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 locals recommend
The Pond
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 locals recommend
Jacques Cartier Park
285 Rue LaurierA 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 locals recommend
Dundonald Park
516 Somerset St WPretty 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 locals recommend
Westboro Beach Cafe
745 Sir John A. Macdonald ParkwayOur 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 locals recommend
Tooth and Nail Brewing Company
3 Irving AveGreat 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 locals recommend
Beyond the Pale Brewing Company
250 City Centre AveSample 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 locals recommend
Local Lansdowne
826 Exhibition WayGreat 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 locals recommend
Bar Robo
170 Queen StreetGreat 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 locals recommend
Heart and Crown
67 Clarence St.Ottawa's classic "going out" spot. Great place to dance and listen to live music.
10Fourteen
1014 Wellington St. WSmall and stylish neighbourhood bar
The Hintonburg Public House
1020 Wellington St. WPopular bar for food and drinks
Flora Hall Brewing
37 Flora StOne 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 locals recommend
Mill St. Brew Pub
555 Wellington StLocated 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
SAABOON
595 Gladstone AveLocal, vegan soap shop!
Purple Urchin
1094 Bank StLocal 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 locals recommend
Rideau Centre
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 locals recommend
Victoire
1282 Wellington St. WVery well-curated clothing shop focussed on Canadian and women designers!