Where to Eat

There are lots of lovely food bloggers in Ottawa covering the foodie scene!

Here are some of our favourite restaurants organized by neighbourhood:

Alta Vista

  • Pelican Fishery and Grill: fresh seafood ready to order, OR, buy fresh seafood to take home and make yourself!
  • Chickpeas: vegan restaurant, giant portions, the best hummus, and liked by carnivores too!

Byward Market/Lowertown

  • Das Lokal: locally sourced and crafted contemporary resto with a German flair
  • Benny’s Bistro: unassuming bistro and brunch place serving DELICIOUS food, tucked in behind a delectable French bakery
  • Burgers n’ Fries Forever: local Ottawa restaurant with excellent handmade burgers!
  • Lowertown Brewery: simple + delicious menu with locally crafted brews
  • El Furniture Warehouse : all food menu items $4.95 + a rooftop patio
  • Chez Lucien: quaint, cozy, pub in the Market with delicious burgers
  • Pili Pili Grilled Chicken: delicious charcoal grilled chicken
  • Ahora Mexican Cuisine: authentic, delicious Mexican cuisine in the Market!
  • Clocktower Brewpub: also Westboro, New Edinburgh, Glebe, Ottawa’s first & longest running craft brewery serving local brews and delicious food
  • Loft Boardgame Lounge: board game lounge that shares its space with local microbrewery Waller St Brewing in a historic 19th century house! Two floors of local brews, fresh food, endless board games, video games and fun!

Centretown

  • Sansotei: Amazing ramen! Definitely a must try
  • 222 Lyon: affordable, delicious Spanish tapas bar in a historic 19th century house
  • Elgin Street Diner: open 24/7 on Elgin. Great for post-bar poutine and shakes!
  • El Camino: contemporary take-out tacos, arguably Ottawa’s best!
  • Poncho Villa: arguably the best Mexican food in town!
  • Datsun: asian eatery, late night take-out, with an excellent reputation.
  • Burgers n’ Fries Forever: local Ottawa restaurant with excellent handmade burgers!
  • Whalesbone Oyster House: sustainable oyster bar, yummy (but pricey)
  • Town : delicious, artisanal Italian bistro, on the higher end
  • The Manx Pub: artsy basement pub, excellent brunch, lunch, dinner!
  • Wilf and Ada’s: Ottawa’s best scratch diner. Try “Eggs in Purgatory”!
  • Arlington Five: Wilf and Ada’s neighbour & sister cafe, serving awesome coffee, sandwiches, and biscuits
  • Pure Kitchen: great choice of vegan and vegetarian cuisine
  • Jak’s Kitchen: local bistro serving locally/sustainably sourced goods, creative and delicious brunch, lunch, dinner and cocktails
  • Biermarkt: chain restaurant with lots good food, and tons of beer on tap/bottles from around the world

Chinatown

  • New Pho Bo Go La: Ottawa’s best Pho, not to be confused with Pho Bo Go La across the street!
  • Koreana Restaurant: all you can eat Korean BBQ, cooked at your table!
  • Jadeland : Cantonese and Szechuan cuisine yum yum
  • Pressed: gourmet sandwich and coffee bar, with evening live music/open mic accompanied by cocktails and snacks!
  • Bar Robo: great for coffee for the Primrose folks, also regularly has live music

Glebe

Hintonburg/Mechanicsville

Little Italy

  • Art-Is-In Bakery: great selection of baked goods, sandwhiches, breads, and more!
  • Black Cat Bistro: modern French-inspired fare, delicious, a bit pricey but worth it
  • Pub Italia: Little Italy’s Irish pub with a huge beer bible, extensive food menu, and multiple patios in addition to an Abbey Beer Bar
  • Le Kim Chi: highly rated Korean restaurant…om nom Kim Chi.
  • Simply Biscotti: best biscotti and Italian pastries in Ottawa. Need we say more?

Ottawa South

  • Belmont: upscale traditional fare…eg. salad nicoise with seared albacore tuna. Yum.
  • House of Targ: pinball, Pierogies, live music – what more can be said??!
  • Siam Kitchen: delicious Thai food.
  • Life of Pie: what more needs to be said. So many pies. So many kinds of pie.
  • Stella Luna Gelato: Ottawa’s best Gelato. Seriously. No really, go get some.

Vanier/New Edinburgh

Westboro