Guidebook for Ottawa
Drinks & Nightlife
It's small, hidden and easygoing with tasty food, frothy beer and no pretension. Worth the trip down to Elgin.
95 recommandé par les habitants
The Manx Pub
370 Elgin StIt's small, hidden and easygoing with tasty food, frothy beer and no pretension. Worth the trip down to Elgin.
Not the place to go for food (over priced and small portions) but a great option for having a drink somewhere a bit more unique than Ottawa's typical pub scene. It's usually very busy.
63 recommandé par les habitants
The Hintonburg Public House
1020 Wellington St. WNot the place to go for food (over priced and small portions) but a great option for having a drink somewhere a bit more unique than Ottawa's typical pub scene. It's usually very busy.
Best place in the 'hood for a drink hands down! Still carries the local flavour of a bygone era combined with the best booze prices in Ottawa. A must see.
15 recommandé par les habitants
Carleton Tavern
223 Armstrong StBest place in the 'hood for a drink hands down! Still carries the local flavour of a bygone era combined with the best booze prices in Ottawa. A must see.
Mix of Italian trattoria and Irish pub - the "beer bible" as it's called has hundreds of brews from around the world. Worth a visit for the decor alone.
95 recommandé par les habitants
Pub Italia
434 Preston StMix of Italian trattoria and Irish pub - the "beer bible" as it's called has hundreds of brews from around the world. Worth a visit for the decor alone.
Great little spot. Doesn't give itself away from the street...step inside and be surprised. A variety of locally brewed beer. Snacks but no meals, which is the only problem with this place.
41 recommandé par les habitants
Tooth and Nail Brewing Company
3 Irving AveGreat little spot. Doesn't give itself away from the street...step inside and be surprised. A variety of locally brewed beer. Snacks but no meals, which is the only problem with this place.
In the heart of West Wellington, this little gem has tasty tapas, a great wine selection and patio out front for people watching on long summer nights.
21 recommandé par les habitants
Bar Laurel
1087 Wellington St. WIn the heart of West Wellington, this little gem has tasty tapas, a great wine selection and patio out front for people watching on long summer nights.
The world’s top female sommelier chose to come home to Gatineau and open this wonderful 'bar a vin' - a true gem in the national capital region. So worth the trip across the river.
52 recommandé par les habitants
Soif Bar à vin
88 Rue MontcalmThe world’s top female sommelier chose to come home to Gatineau and open this wonderful 'bar a vin' - a true gem in the national capital region. So worth the trip across the river.
Food Scene
Wow - the perfect place to splurge on a good bottle of wine and spend the evening laughing and nibbling away on very good food. Reservation required.
53 recommandé par les habitants
Town
296 Elgin StWow - the perfect place to splurge on a good bottle of wine and spend the evening laughing and nibbling away on very good food. Reservation required.
For something a little different, cross the river and check out this great little place in Gatineau. It's small, so no guarantees you can get in, but really worth a try.
55 recommandé par les habitants
Edgar
60 Rue BéginFor something a little different, cross the river and check out this great little place in Gatineau. It's small, so no guarantees you can get in, but really worth a try.
Handmade and locally sourced meat and veggie fast food favourites.
40 recommandé par les habitants
Hintonburger
366 Parkdale DrHandmade and locally sourced meat and veggie fast food favourites.
Located in a light industrial complex right next to Hintonburg, this cafe/bakery proves that if a destination is good enough, people will go anywhere to sip a latte.
131 recommandé par les habitants
Art-Is-In Bakery
250 City Centre AveLocated in a light industrial complex right next to Hintonburg, this cafe/bakery proves that if a destination is good enough, people will go anywhere to sip a latte.
With flavours like Maple Bacon, Cornmeal Cherry, Raspberry White Chocolate, Salty Caramel, and Toasted Coconut with Kaffir Lime, this is a welcome departure from Tim Horton’s. Enjoy!
89 recommandé par les habitants
SuzyQ Doughnuts
1015 Wellington St. WWith flavours like Maple Bacon, Cornmeal Cherry, Raspberry White Chocolate, Salty Caramel, and Toasted Coconut with Kaffir Lime, this is a welcome departure from Tim Horton’s. Enjoy!
Cozy and hip. A bit expensive but seafood is sustainable so prices make sense. Oysters are delish and all the tunes are played from a turntable behind the bar. Tough to get a seat.
115 recommandé par les habitants
The Whalesbone Bank Street
430 Bank StCozy and hip. A bit expensive but seafood is sustainable so prices make sense. Oysters are delish and all the tunes are played from a turntable behind the bar. Tough to get a seat.
Nice owner, cool art exhibits, great brunch, day and evening entertainment.
36 recommandé par les habitants
Pressed
750 Gladstone AveNice owner, cool art exhibits, great brunch, day and evening entertainment.
Co-located with a bike shop, this is guaranteed best coffee in Ottawa. Very cool vibe, really chill baristas, open early -- best addition to the block in years and right around the corner.
9 recommandé par les habitants
Little Victories Coffee
801 Bank StCo-located with a bike shop, this is guaranteed best coffee in Ottawa. Very cool vibe, really chill baristas, open early -- best addition to the block in years and right around the corner.
The SconeWitch (Elgin)
150 Elgin StSweet, savoury, perfect.
Wonderful little Vietnamese spot. Customer service is brusque but sincere. Fresh food, good prices, clean and quick.
9 recommandé par les habitants
New Mee Fung Restaurant
350 Booth StWonderful little Vietnamese spot. Customer service is brusque but sincere. Fresh food, good prices, clean and quick.
While the next door neighbour (El Camino) seems to get more play, Datsun plays it cool and serves up a more interesting menu of Asian fusion small plates and tapas. Even better, there's loads of space so you're never fighting for a seat (even though it would be worth the wait).
43 recommandé par les habitants
Datsun
380 Elgin StWhile the next door neighbour (El Camino) seems to get more play, Datsun plays it cool and serves up a more interesting menu of Asian fusion small plates and tapas. Even better, there's loads of space so you're never fighting for a seat (even though it would be worth the wait).
Built in 1869, the premises has been many things — originally a jewelry store, a financial institution through most of the 20th century, and for a few years until 2014 a shop catering to stamp collectors. Now, it’s a magnet for the sharply dressed and dressed-down alike. All make merry in a long, alluring, neo-classical, high-ceilinged space. Not cheap but worth the price of admission - this 'ode to Madmen' is unparalleled in Ottawa's food and drink scene. Reservations required.
56 recommandé par les habitants
Riviera Ottawa
62 Sparks St.Built in 1869, the premises has been many things — originally a jewelry store, a financial institution through most of the 20th century, and for a few years until 2014 a shop catering to stamp collectors. Now, it’s a magnet for the sharply dressed and dressed-down alike. All make merry in a long, alluring, neo-classical, high-ceilinged space. Not cheap but worth the price of admission - this 'ode to Madmen' is unparalleled in Ottawa's food and drink scene. Reservations required.
Entertainment & Activities
Not the easiest to get to from Ottawa without a car but an indulgent and surprisingly affordable place to spend the day recharging mind and body.
312 recommandé par les habitants
Nordik Spa-Nature | Chelsea
16 Chemin NordikNot the easiest to get to from Ottawa without a car but an indulgent and surprisingly affordable place to spend the day recharging mind and body.
Arts & Culture
Canada's Cold War Museum! Built to protect the government from nuclear attack, this once-secret bunker is now a museum and National Historic Site.
56 recommandé par les habitants
Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum
3929 Carp RdCanada's Cold War Museum! Built to protect the government from nuclear attack, this once-secret bunker is now a museum and National Historic Site.
The bar is high but remains a standout amongst Ottawa's amazing cultural spots. Canada's greatest collection of domestic and international paintings, drawings, sculpture and photographs. Masterpieces by internationally recognized artists, as well as a totally redone Canada Hall to mark our 150th birthday. Group of Seven paintings are an absolute must see - especially Lawren Harris - and Louise Bourgeois' Maman spider out front. Breathtaking!
552 recommandé par les habitants
National Gallery of Canada
380 Sussex DrThe bar is high but remains a standout amongst Ottawa's amazing cultural spots. Canada's greatest collection of domestic and international paintings, drawings, sculpture and photographs. Masterpieces by internationally recognized artists, as well as a totally redone Canada Hall to mark our 150th birthday. Group of Seven paintings are an absolute must see - especially Lawren Harris - and Louise Bourgeois' Maman spider out front. Breathtaking!
Part museum, part nature walk. For almost 50 years, this was the summer home of William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada's 10th prime minister. Visitors can stroll along paths, visit the restored cottages, amble through the gardens and admire the ruins or stop for lunch at the Moorside Tearoom. Interpretation guides, audiovisual presentations and interpretation panels present a picture of Canada at that time.
30 recommandé par les habitants
Mackenzie-King Estate
Part museum, part nature walk. For almost 50 years, this was the summer home of William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada's 10th prime minister. Visitors can stroll along paths, visit the restored cottages, amble through the gardens and admire the ruins or stop for lunch at the Moorside Tearoom. Interpretation guides, audiovisual presentations and interpretation panels present a picture of Canada at that time.
Shopping
This treasure trove of second hand delights is a perfect place to while away some time in Ottawa. You won't leave empty-handed.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Society of St. Vincent De Paul (Ottawa)
1273 Wellington St. WThis treasure trove of second hand delights is a perfect place to while away some time in Ottawa. You won't leave empty-handed.
Viens Avec Moi
1338 Wellington St. WSmall local business with cute, fashionable stuff.
Lovely, Canadian-made items for women, men and children. Unique and hip accessories that make for great souvenirs from a trip to the nation's capital.
17 recommandé par les habitants
Flock Boutique
1275 Wellington St. WLovely, Canadian-made items for women, men and children. Unique and hip accessories that make for great souvenirs from a trip to the nation's capital.
The Record Centre
1099 Wellington St. WWhy do we recommend it? Because it's awesome.
If you want something that's not mass produced, is meticulously made and that will garner lots of comments this is the place - gorgeous clothes and accessories.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Twiss & Weber
If you want something that's not mass produced, is meticulously made and that will garner lots of comments this is the place - gorgeous clothes and accessories.
Essentials
Italian grocery store with a deli that sells the cheapest and MOST delicious sandwiches in Ottawa!
25 recommandé par les habitants
Di Rienzo's Grocery
111 Beech StItalian grocery store with a deli that sells the cheapest and MOST delicious sandwiches in Ottawa!
Quebec is a cheese mecca, so it's worth crossing the river to pick some up from the experts. Charcuterie accoutrements also available.
La Trappe à Fromage (Hull)
114 Boulevard Saint-RaymondQuebec is a cheese mecca, so it's worth crossing the river to pick some up from the experts. Charcuterie accoutrements also available.
LCBO
160 Elgin StThe closest spot to get a bottle of wine, cold beer, etc.
Wellington Wholesale Seafood
1105 Wellington St. WTop-shelf seafood that's right around the corner from our place.
Parks & Nature
Beautiful park connected to one of Ottawa's largest farmers' markets, this spot is great for kids and adults to lounge and play.
43 recommandé par les habitants
Parkdale Park
366 Parkdale AveBeautiful park connected to one of Ottawa's largest farmers' markets, this spot is great for kids and adults to lounge and play.
Scenic trail, more or less flat so great for young and old.
39 recommandé par les habitants
Mer Bleue Bog Trail
Ridge RoadScenic trail, more or less flat so great for young and old.
Pink Lake is accessible, perfect for old and young and definitely worth the trek. Stunning colours year round, but particularly in the autumn. While you're in the area, check out some other spots in Gatineau Park or stop by Le Nordik for a soak.
18 recommandé par les habitants
Pink Lake Trail
Promenade de la GatineauPink Lake is accessible, perfect for old and young and definitely worth the trek. Stunning colours year round, but particularly in the autumn. While you're in the area, check out some other spots in Gatineau Park or stop by Le Nordik for a soak.