Ottawa, ON: A Hidden Gem of the Foodie Scene
Jessica Traina is a digital creator in Ottawa, Ontario, who creates city guides focused on hidden gems, tourism, and the best spots for foodies.
Welcome to my town, O-Town! We have the world’s largest outdoor skating rink, Canada’s government centre, all-season adventures aplenty, and an eclectic food scene that includes world famous egg rolls, shawarma, poutine and BeaverTails.
We’ll get to all that in a minute, but first, some history.
Originally known for its booming timber trade and easy river access to Quebec City, Ottawa’s history began under its former name, Bytown. The decision to make little Bytown the capital city of Canada was not an easy one. More than 200 votes were held that spanned over several decades. In 1855, Bytown was eventually selected because of its isolated location, waterway access, all-season railway system, and close (but not too close) proximity to the United States. The decision was made, Bytown’s name was changed, and Ottawa was born!
Today, Ottawa is home to more than one million residents, making it the sixth largest city in Canada, according to Statistics Canada data from 2022..
We’re most famously known for our waterways wrapping in and around UNESCO’s historic Rideau Canal and the Ottawa River. Just minutes outside of the core, though, are countless national museums, an expansive network of trails and pathways, and the rolling Gatineau hills in Quebec.
Ottawa’s Centretown allows you to walk through history, as it’s the setting for Canada’s Parliament Hill, countless national monuments, and plaqued buildings, streets, and landmarks on every corner—it truly is like one city-sized museum.
Famously known for its annual Canadian Tulip Festival, Winterlude, and Canada Day celebrations, Ottawa is a true all-season destination adored by tourists and locals alike.
Image via @jessicaexploring
Fun facts about Ottawa, Ontario?
In addition to being one of the first cities you learn about in Canadian geography, did you know Ottawa also happens to be the Shawarma Capital of Canada? It’s the most popular fast food option in Ottawa—but why?
Back in the 1980s, a Lebanese entrepreneur opened his restaurant doors on charming Elgin Street. He offered the latest and greatest, “shawarma sandwiches.” The thing is, this was a new concept to the city. Eventually, with the help of the “late-night crowd,” this to-go food option became a game changer. Word spread to other restaurateurs, and the rest is garlicky history.
Some other fun facts:
The average annual snowfall in Ottawa is 223 cm, and it’s also the 7th coldest capital city in the world. Ahead of them are spots like Reykjavik, Iceland and Helsinki, Finland.
The world’s largest tulip festival is held in Ottawa each May. Millions of tulips are planted and pop up annually. This is one of the biggest tourism times of the year and signifies to its residents the start of spring!
The name ‘Ottawa’ derives from the Algonquin word ‘adawe’ which means ‘to trade’. This is very fitting for a city known for its long trade history. Ottawa is built on unceded Anishinabe Algonquin territory.
Ottawa has a lot of Hollywood! Stars like Ryan Reynolds, Matthew Perry, Alanis Morissette, Sandra Oh, and Tom Green have all called this capital city home. For one, the saga continues to live on after Ottawa’s recent construction of ‘Ryan Reynolds Way’ in a suburb in Orleans.
Image via @jessicaexploring
The food scene in Ottawa
From traditional poutineries to some of the top 100 spots in Canada, Ottawa is home to a flourishing network of bars and restaurants. I’ve been lucky enough to dine at more than 200 of them, and these are my all-time personal favourites:
Chateau Lafayette (The Laff): Were you really in Ottawa if you didn’t enjoy copious amounts of poutine? Enjoy it at the oldest tavern in the city! Spanning back 175 years, The Laff is home to all of your favourite Canadian classics like deep-fried cheese curds, pickled eggs, and of course- poutine.
Al’s Steakhouse: A family-run institution for more than 50 years, this is the first and only Ottawa restaurant to cook on live charcoal. It’s also quite the celebrity hotspot having hosted celebs like Gene Simmons, Kevin James, and The Chainsmokers.
Chez Lucien: Tucked away on the edge of Ottawa’s historic ByWard Market, this hidden gem offers the largest burger plates you ever did see. Specific kudos go to their pear and brie burger which was born to be paired with their perfectly crispy fries.
Koichi Ramen: Having once thrived on a nearly solely ramen-only diet while living in Japan, this is the closest I have found to the ramen in Osaka. You can craft your own bowl of ramen by choosing your broth, spiciness level, and protein. There are five levels of spice, but don’t take it lightly: the mild alone packs a punch.
Le Moulin de Provence (kd): If you’re more of an early riser, this café is home to the best Earl Grey tea and cheese croissants I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. It also just happens to be a block away from Parliament Hill.
The speakeasy and cocktail bar scene
In addition to its booming food scene, Ottawa is also home to a hush-hush sprawling of speakeasies and intimate cocktail bars. Tucked in basements, behind bookshelves, and under churches, these libations are worth the hunt.
Jackalope: Tucked in a cellar somewhere on Sparks Street, this speakeasy has no door, no menu, and no reservations.
Stolen Goods Cocktail Bar: Featuring a constant rotation of fun themed menus, this bar seats just 20 people and is best reserved far in advance.
Brigid’s Well Pub: Just look for the red light! Set in the basement of an old church, this pub is open when it wants to be and shows it by flicking on its red street light. If you didn’t know about it, you’d never guess.
Image via @jessicaexploring
The what’s what of neighbourhoods
Ottawa is home to an ever-expanding collection of charming neighbourhoods, all offering something uniquely different from the next.
Let’s breakdown a few of the more notable neighbourhoods:
The Glebe Is the perfect fusion of small town and central living. This Hallmark-esque neighbourhood is known for its endless lineup of independent cafés, local shopping, and quaint residential streets. From young families to seniors, to students and all in between, residents of all demographics thrive in this neck of the woods. It’s also home to the city’s Canadian Football League team, the Ottawa Redblacks, who play at the stadium at Lansdowne—a newer section of this neighbourhood featuring a pedestrian-friendly entertainment area along the Rideau Canal.
Being home to three major colleges and universities, Ottawa is also known for its student-friendly neighbourhoods like Sandy Hill and Old Ottawa South. Booming with cute coffee shops, quiet parks, and historic homes, they tick all of the boxes for their studious residents.
Neighbourhoods like Chinatown, Little Italy, and Hintonburg should also be on your list. With their slightly older residences and location just outside of the hustle and bustle, they’re able to provide relatively more affordable options while still being within the vicinity of the downtown core.
Families tend to settle outside of the downtown core in the suburban areas of Kanata, Barrhaven, Nepean, and Orleans. Although sitting at four different pillars of the city, all of which are an equal 30-minute drive from Centretown.
Kanata is found to the west and is home to the Ottawa Senators arena, ample trails, and conservation areas. It provides a unique balance of suburb and nature being so close to the Ottawa River and its neighbouring green spaces. Nepean is southwest of the downtown core. It’s dubbed the ‘inner core’ of Ottawa and is the most populated of the three. Orleans is located to the east and hugs the Ottawa River. It’s made up of dozens of communities and is also known for its Francophone population.
Image via @jessicaexploring
One thing you can’t miss
Whether you’re here for a good time or a long time, there is one thing you just can’t miss: Major’s Hill Park. Tucked behind the 120-year-old Chateau Laurier, this park offers the best view of Parliament Hill in the city. From spring tulips to winter trotting, it’s enjoyed best in all four seasons. It also happens to be steps from the Rideau Canal locks, Byward Market, and National Gallery of Canada making it an easy squeeze into your itinerary.
Ottawa is an exciting, diverse, and sprawling city that has something for everyone. Whether you’re here for a skate along the Canal in the winter, or a tiptoe through the tulips in May, one thing is for sure—Ottawa’s charm is only going to keep getting better.