Looking for the best places to eat and drink in Ottawa? Whether you’re a local foodie or a first-time visitor, the capital serves up an exciting culinary scene. From cozy brunch cafés to stylish dinner spots, our guide will help you discover the very best Ottawa has to offer.
Breakfast & Brunch in Ottawa
Ottawa takes brunch seriously! Here are our favourite go-to places for good food, great coffee and weekend vibes.
Centretown
- Wilf & Ada’s – A cozy diner serving fresh, delicious brunches with quality, locally sourced ingredients. Don’t miss their eggs Benedict, frittata, and French toast.
- Mazarine – Tasty Mediterranean-inspired brunch including halloumi omelette, avocado labneh toast and pancakes.
- Jax – This cozy bistro offers freshly-baked breads, house-smoked roasted ham, smoked salmon bagels, banana bread French toast and an amazing hot chocolate. Arrive early, this popular spot fills up fast!
The Glebe
- Wild Oat Bakery & Café – Fresh, organic breakfasts with outstanding sourdough, cinnamon danish, muffins, sweet and savoury croissants and plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options. Click here to discover their menu.
- Cantina Gia – Popular with locals for its welcoming atmosphere and excellent Italian dishes. The brunch menu features avocado toast, blueberry crespelles, and a hearty farmer’s breakfast. Find out more here.
Hintonburg & Wellington West
- Little Jo Berry’s Bakery – Friendly vegan bakery with sweet and savoury treats.
- Bread By Us – Artisanal bakery offering small-batch sourdough breads, ciabatta buns, scones, croissants and one of the best hazelnut lattes in town. Order here now.
- Chesterfields Gastro Diner – Classic brunch favourites with a modern twist including homemade waffles, pancakes, apple cinnamon French toast, creative bennies, roasted vegetables and more.
Lunch & Dinner
Centretown & Downtown
- Fauna – Stylish and upscale with inventive dishes made from top-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Excellent wine pairings.
- Datsun – Asian fusion food, lively atmosphere and creative cocktails. Enjoy shrimp wontons, pork belly, crispy chicken or tofu bao, laksa and must-try dandan noodles with pork, scallion and red chili.
- Cocotte Bistro – Authentic French cuisine with a modern twist and top-notch service.
- Riviera – Housed in a splendid former bank near Parliament Hill, this elegant restaurant offers standout cocktails, seafood, lobster spaghetti, and perfectly cooked meats.
- Beckta Dining & Wine – Fine dining in a stunning heritage building. Refined, seasonal menus.
- Shawarma Palace – Middle Eastern cuisine, one of Ottawa’s top shawarma spots.
ByWard Market
- Play Food & Wine – Sharing plates with expert wine pairings. Enjoy a seasonal menu with locally sourced produce. Take a seat at the bar by the open-concept kitchen to watch the chefs in action!
- El Camino – Flavourful Mexican cuisine with great tacos.
- Ratatouille Bistro – A family-owned French fusion cuisine restaurant. Tender Lamb shank and beef bourguignon, wild mushroom ravioli, and don’t miss the gourmet charcuterie board, perfect for sharing. See their menu here.
- Restaurant e18hteen – A contemporary French-inspired fine dining experience offering premium steaks and fresh seafood.
Westboro & Wellington Village
- Gezellig – Contemporary and convivial bistro set in a lofty, beautifully converted 1950s bank building. Seasonal menu featuring beef tartare, artisanal cheese and charcuterie, fresh fish and their signature butterfinger dessert (cookie base, chocolate, peanut butter, dulce de leche).
- Supply and Demand – Known for its raw bar dishes, fresh seafood and mouth-watering, house-made pasta.
- Stofa Restaurant – Refined restaurant that serves a three- or five-course table d’hôte menu with excellent dishes such as citrus salad, mushroom soup en croute, duck breast, chicken presse and soufflé. Click here to find out more.
Vegan & Healthy Eats in Ottawa
Ottawa’s vegan and health food restaurants offer delicious dishes that are as good for your body as they are for your taste buds.
- The Green Door (The Glebe) – Popular organic, vegetarian self-serve buffet with seasonal focus, and many vegan and gluten-free options. Favourite dishes include lentil patties, dal, avocado salad and vegan cheesecake.
- Pure Kitchen Elgin (Elgin Street + Westboro) – Flavour-packed vegetarian and vegan food, fresh juices, amazing crunchy wraps and nourishing buddha bowl.
- St. Elsewhere (Chinatown) – Trendy wine bar and restaurant known for its creative plant-based dishes and carefully curated wine list.
- Peace Garden (ByWard Market) – Smoothies, fresh juice, Indian thali plates, curries, salads and vegan burgers, all served in a serene, plant-filled setting.
Dessert & Sweet Treats in Ottawa
Whether you’re craving gelato, doughnuts or iconic Canadian treats, head to these top Ottawa dessert spots.
- BeaverTails (ByWard Market) – You must try BeaverTails, the classic Canadian pastry shaped like a beaver’s tail. The hot, fried pastries are topped with cinnamon, sugar, maple syrup, bananas, chocolate or maple bacon.
- Moo Shu Ice Cream (Wellington West) – Small-batch ice creams made from scratch using local ingredients. Creative, Asian-inspired flavours including lime leaf and fresh mint, black sesame, strawberry shortcake and dalgona coffee.
- The Cupcake Lounge (Westboro) – Gourmet cupcakes baked fresh daily.
- Roll’d Up Dessert Lounge (Lansdowne Park, The Glebe) – Handcrafted rolled ice cream and other sweet creations in a vibrant setting.
- Stella Luna Gelato (Old Ottawa South) – Family-owned café famous for its award-winning Italian-style gelato, along with waffles, scones, specialty coffee, panini, salads and desserts.
Bars, Breweries & Pubs in Ottawa
Ottawa’s craft beer scene is vibrant and diverse, with over 50 independent breweries across the city and surrounding region producing everything from crisp lagers and traditional ales to hoppy IPAs and malty stouts.
Neighborhoods like Hintonburg, Wellington West, Centretown, and the ByWard Market each host a concentration of standout breweries—such as Tooth and Nail Brewing, Beyond the Pale, Flora Hall, Dominion City, Kichesippi and more—that together showcase both historical and experimental styles.
Restaurants and bars all over Ottawa support local independent brewers, and the region hosts many events and festivals that celebrate local craft beer. These include the Gatineau Beerfest and the Byward Beerfest.
Brewery Tours
Brew Donkey’s curated bus and walking tours take you to various craft breweries in and around Ottawa. Meet brew masters, learn about the brewing process and sample fantastic craft beers along the way.
Must-try Local Dishes
Ottawa’s vibrant food scene offers a delicious blend of traditional Canadian flavors and multicultural influences, making it an exciting city for food lovers and curious travelers alike. The bustling Byward Market is the place to go for diverse culinary delights and fresh local produce.
A local favourite, the iconic Beavertails are sweet pastries often topped with sugar, chocolate, or cinnamon. The Ottawa region is also known for producing high-quality maple syrup. You can find it drizzled over Beavertails, pancakes and waffles at local eateries. Maple syrup can also be found in the ByWard Market, where many local producers sell it in various other forms including maple sugar, hard and soft maple candies and maple butter.
Another must-try is Ottawa-style shawarma, a testament to the city’s Middle Eastern community, known for its tender, flavorful meats wrapped in soft, warm pita bread. For something heartier, don’t miss Poutine, a comforting dish of crispy French fries topped with cheese curds and savory gravy that perfectly captures Canadian comfort food.
Why not treat yourself to an Ottawa food tour? C’est Bon Ottawa offers guided culinary tours that take you through the city’s foodie neighbourhoods, featuring curated tastings along with cultural and historical highlights.
Ottawa’s Food Scene is Authentic, Diverse, and Delicious
With its diverse array of restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and breweries, Ottawa’s food and drink scene delivers something for every palate. From cozy brunch spots and a fusion of global influences, to locally sourced ingredients and a thriving craft beer culture, the capital’s culinary offerings are both impressive and inviting. Wherever you go in the capital, there’s always a new flavor to savor, and every reason to come back for more.