Guidebook for Ottawa
Food Scene
Starbucks
100 Elgin StExcellent seasonal cuisine. Let the chef make you something special! Cozy atmosphere and attentive service. They also serve a highly renowned weekend brunch. Make a reservation.
90 residents recomanen
Fraser
7 Springfield RdExcellent seasonal cuisine. Let the chef make you something special! Cozy atmosphere and attentive service. They also serve a highly renowned weekend brunch. Make a reservation.
Ottawa is the shawarma capital of the world. With so many options, we can make it easy: the shawarma palace is the best! Often a line-up at anytime of day or night, but it moves quickly.
92 residents recomanen
Shawarma Palace
464 Rideau StOttawa is the shawarma capital of the world. With so many options, we can make it easy: the shawarma palace is the best! Often a line-up at anytime of day or night, but it moves quickly.
Excellent mexican inspired cuisine, a real treat. Casual atmosphere with bar-style service. Always busy! Go late after 8 pm otherwise be prepared to wait. Food is worth the wait and staff make it easy by taking your name and cell number and texting you when they have a table available. Meanwhile you can have a drink across the street. They have a take-out window but it is not much faster. Not budget friendly.
168 residents recomanen
El Camino
380 Elgin StExcellent mexican inspired cuisine, a real treat. Casual atmosphere with bar-style service. Always busy! Go late after 8 pm otherwise be prepared to wait. Food is worth the wait and staff make it easy by taking your name and cell number and texting you when they have a table available. Meanwhile you can have a drink across the street. They have a take-out window but it is not much faster. Not budget friendly.
In Ottawa, Pho is almost as common as shawarma. Pho Vietnam serves delicious pho at a good price. For take-out they typically only need 10 minutes.
Pho Vietnam
1187 St. Laurent BlvdIn Ottawa, Pho is almost as common as shawarma. Pho Vietnam serves delicious pho at a good price. For take-out they typically only need 10 minutes.
A local favourite. Delicious curries. Gotta try the five-start beef or fried tofu. They ill make it really spicy, if you can handle it. The Ice Kachang is a wonderful, light summer dessert to follow the rich and intense flavors of the meal. Good prices and very friendly service.
Chahaya Malaysia
1690 Montréal RdA local favourite. Delicious curries. Gotta try the five-start beef or fried tofu. They ill make it really spicy, if you can handle it. The Ice Kachang is a wonderful, light summer dessert to follow the rich and intense flavors of the meal. Good prices and very friendly service.
Coconut Lagoon
853 St. Laurent BlvdA local favourite for Indian food.
Tim Hortons
99 Rideau StA real gem. Possibly the best gelato you'll find anywhere . All gelatos made in-house with fresh ingredients. The pistachio gelato is unmatched! Also features excellent coffees and other bake goodies. Always busy during the summer, prepare to wait in line and seating in the cafe is limited. Expensive compared by worth every penny.
40 residents recomanen
Stella Luna Gelato Cafe
1103 Bank StA real gem. Possibly the best gelato you'll find anywhere . All gelatos made in-house with fresh ingredients. The pistachio gelato is unmatched! Also features excellent coffees and other bake goodies. Always busy during the summer, prepare to wait in line and seating in the cafe is limited. Expensive compared by worth every penny.
Top-notch BBQ, sides and drinks. Casual atmosphere, loud and crowded. Great place to also watch a game. Busy spot until around 8pm.
11 residents recomanen
The Smoque Shack
250 City Centre AveTop-notch BBQ, sides and drinks. Casual atmosphere, loud and crowded. Great place to also watch a game. Busy spot until around 8pm.
Great spot for an intimate dinner, a must try. All their plates are absolutely delicious, prepared with great care and detail. Great for sharing. Very good wine and drink selection. Small space, you'll need a reservation. Prices very reasonable considering the quality of food.
53 residents recomanen
Town
296 Elgin StGreat spot for an intimate dinner, a must try. All their plates are absolutely delicious, prepared with great care and detail. Great for sharing. Very good wine and drink selection. Small space, you'll need a reservation. Prices very reasonable considering the quality of food.
Local-made popcorn. A favourite stop for local snacks. A nice shop and very friendly staff.
PapaJack Popcorn
2184 Thurston DrLocal-made popcorn. A favourite stop for local snacks. A nice shop and very friendly staff.
Classic and specialty doughnuts. You will not be disappointed.
Good coffee too. Stop in while shopping in Wellington Village.
89 residents recomanen
SuzyQ Doughnuts
1015 Wellington St. WClassic and specialty doughnuts. You will not be disappointed.
Good coffee too. Stop in while shopping in Wellington Village.
An Ottawa institution. Long-time considered the best pizza in Ottawa. They do more than just pizza though, with a full family menu and decadent desserts all made in-house. Family-owned and operated.
21 residents recomanen
Louis Pizza (McArthur, Ottawa)
181 McArthur Ave.An Ottawa institution. Long-time considered the best pizza in Ottawa. They do more than just pizza though, with a full family menu and decadent desserts all made in-house. Family-owned and operated.
There is no shortage of sushi restaurants in Ottawa, but this one is authentic style. Good sushi and tempura with friendly service in a nicely Japanese-styled setting.
6 residents recomanen
C'est Japon A Suisha ( Suisha Gardens)
208 Slater St.There is no shortage of sushi restaurants in Ottawa, but this one is authentic style. Good sushi and tempura with friendly service in a nicely Japanese-styled setting.
There is no shortage of sushi restaurants in Ottawa, but this one is authentic style. Good sushi and tempura with friendly service in a nicely Japanese-styled setting.
6 residents recomanen
C'est Japon A Suisha ( Suisha Gardens)
208 Slater St.There is no shortage of sushi restaurants in Ottawa, but this one is authentic style. Good sushi and tempura with friendly service in a nicely Japanese-styled setting.
The best bread in the city. Potato & dill and the 12-grain fennel are favorites. Their croissants are incredible.
131 residents recomanen
Art-Is-In Bakery
250 City Centre AveThe best bread in the city. Potato & dill and the 12-grain fennel are favorites. Their croissants are incredible.
Shopping
Large indoor shopping mall. Plenty of parking available but also easily accessible by transit.
149 residents recomanen
St Laurent
1200 St. Laurent BlvdLarge indoor shopping mall. Plenty of parking available but also easily accessible by transit.
Full indoor mall located in the heart of downtown Ottawa. Many clothing stores and coffee shops. Also includes a food court. Parking available but it is most easily accessible by transit.
589 residents recomanen
Rideau Centre
Full indoor mall located in the heart of downtown Ottawa. Many clothing stores and coffee shops. Also includes a food court. Parking available but it is most easily accessible by transit.
Car shopping mall. Plenty of stores and a few fast-food options to choose from.
9 residents recomanen
Trainyard Mall / Road to Belfast station
Car shopping mall. Plenty of stores and a few fast-food options to choose from.
Parks & Nature
Open grass space, shady trees, playground, wading pool and bocci court. Skating rink during the winter.
Weston Park
Open grass space, shady trees, playground, wading pool and bocci court. Skating rink during the winter.
Beautiful board walk trails during the summer. Excellent cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails during the winter.
39 residents recomanen
Mer Bleue Bog Trail
Ridge RoadBeautiful board walk trails during the summer. Excellent cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails during the winter.
Largest forest in the Greenbelt. Excellent forest hiking trails during the summer and cross-country skiing trails during the winter. Short and long trails available.
Pine Grove Trail
Davidson RoadLargest forest in the Greenbelt. Excellent forest hiking trails during the summer and cross-country skiing trails during the winter. Short and long trails available.
Large, open grass fields. Popular spot for a game of frisbee, soccer and cricket. Connected to walking, jogging and biking trails.
Lynda Lane Park
580 Smyth RdLarge, open grass fields. Popular spot for a game of frisbee, soccer and cricket. Connected to walking, jogging and biking trails.
Essentials
Loblaws
64 Isabella StFresh produce, meats and cheeses. Also features and excellent hot lunch counter for a quick, delicious meal.
64 residents recomanen
Farm Boy
830 Belfast RdFresh produce, meats and cheeses. Also features and excellent hot lunch counter for a quick, delicious meal.
The Ottawa Hospital General Campus
501 Smyth RdSmall general store specializing in premium, local meats. General store carries a wide selection of local cheeses, preserves and some breads. Must try the duck proscuitto.
10 residents recomanen
Seed to Sausage General Store
729 Gladstone AveSmall general store specializing in premium, local meats. General store carries a wide selection of local cheeses, preserves and some breads. Must try the duck proscuitto.
Sightseeing
Colina del Parlament
Wellington StreetByWard Market
Arts & Culture
Great for kids of all ages. Seasonal exhibits on 4th floor. Beautiful historic building in central Ottawa, close to shops and restaurants.
468 residents recomanen
Museu Canadenc de la Natura
240 McLeod StGreat for kids of all ages. Seasonal exhibits on 4th floor. Beautiful historic building in central Ottawa, close to shops and restaurants.
Great place for families. Total renovation to be complete summer 2017.
123 residents recomanen
Museu de Ciència i Tecnologia del Canadà
1867 St. Laurent BlvdGreat place for families. Total renovation to be complete summer 2017.
Theatre in the heart of downtown. Parking available but more easily accessible by transit.
346 residents recomanen
National Arts Centre
1 Elgin StTheatre in the heart of downtown. Parking available but more easily accessible by transit.
Galeria Nacional del Canadà
380 Sussex DrCheck out the special exhibits.
Best for families and young children. A beautiful building with access to the Ottawa river for stunning views of Parliament. Also home to an IMAX movie theater, always featuring excellent documentaries.
545 residents recomanen
Museu Canadenc d'Història
100 Rue LaurierBest for families and young children. A beautiful building with access to the Ottawa river for stunning views of Parliament. Also home to an IMAX movie theater, always featuring excellent documentaries.
Museu de la Guerra del Canadà
1 Vimy Pl Easily accessible by transit.
Getting Around
Easy access to downtown via Route '86 Baseline'. Travel to St-Laurent Shopping Mall via Routes '106 St-Laurent' and '114 St-Laurent'.
Elmvale Mall Stop station
Easy access to downtown via Route '86 Baseline'. Travel to St-Laurent Shopping Mall via Routes '106 St-Laurent' and '114 St-Laurent'.
Ottawa International Airport
1000 Airport Parkway PrivateVelogo Bike
395 Wellington StLittle known secret: City Hall is the perfect place to park when travelling downtown evenings and weekends. Underground parking, available spots available, $2 parking Monday to Friday after 6pm and all day Saturday and Sunday. Safe, secure and within an easy walk of Byward Market, Elgin Street, NAC, Rideau Canal, Rideau Centre and Parliament Hill.
25 residents recomanen
Ottawa City hall
110 Laurier Ave WLittle known secret: City Hall is the perfect place to park when travelling downtown evenings and weekends. Underground parking, available spots available, $2 parking Monday to Friday after 6pm and all day Saturday and Sunday. Safe, secure and within an easy walk of Byward Market, Elgin Street, NAC, Rideau Canal, Rideau Centre and Parliament Hill.