Ottawa Cafes & Bistros
Light lunches or trendy foodie fare is often on the menu at Ottawa, Ontario area cafes and bistros. Enjoy a snack or a main meal in a restaurant replete with charm and charisma. The Ottawa cafes and bistros listed below feature descriptions and maps to help you decide where to go. Have you tried a restaurant here? Then have your say and write a review.
Modern decor and a great wine list make this cafe the place to relax, enjoy a meal and catch up with friends. Some of the tasty menu options include gnocchi, with mushrooms and parmesan, and tuna spiced with cumin and lemon.
Umi runs as a cooperative coffee shop in central Ottawa. Their coffee is fair trade and organic. There is always something going on at this place, from fundraiser nights for local non-profits to literary readings. Supporting the local community, they also run a daycare and a community garden.
Ready-made meals, cafe and lunch services, a selection of gourmet cooking products and comprehensive catering solutions are offered by this shop and eatery. Corporate catering and cocktail party food services are available.
Located in the Byward Market, this chic and modern bistro specializes in steak but also offers menu items such as lobster and mussels. Guests can pair their meal with a glass or bottle from the wine list.
Saskatoon-born Arup Jana is the head chef at this modern bistro, where he combines fresh and local ingredients to create new menus monthly. Located in Westboro, customers are invited to stop by and sample the changing menu.
Opened in 1995, this cafe located in a heritage building in the Byward Market. Serving in-season and organic dishes, this establishment also houses a music store that retails new releases, dub and reggae CDs.
Located at the University of Ottawa's downtown campus, Cafe Nostalgica is a friendly spot where students, graduates and professors can gather for a relaxing chat or a lively discussion. Food and drink items are cheap and specials are offered. The menu features basic and tasty favourites.
Offering one of the most impressive wine lists in Ottawa, Vineyards Wine Bar and Bistro also offers premium scotch, brandy and port. The dark and cosy interior perfectly compliments the live jazz music offered three nights a week. The bisto's menu features items such as steak and fries, calamari, oysters, grills and cheese platters.
Located next to the French Baker, this little bistro serves breakfast, lunch and brunch on the weekends. The goat cheese frittata and fresh baked goods from the bakery are a great start to any day.
Café Spiga is a casual and modern eatery located in Ottawa's trendy Byward Market area. Both traditional Italian and European favourites are on the menu, the wine list is varied and visitors can finish off a meal with a tasty dessert.
Patrons here enjoy homemade Italian cuisine in a cozy and inviting atmosphere. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Located close to the Great Canadian Theatre Company, Canvas Resto-Bar is a great pre- or post-show venue. This self-described boutique bistro uses seasonal, local and organic ingredients. Try such dishes as steak frites, butternut squash risotto, and wild mushroom tartelette.
In addition to offering Italian espresso and an array of coffee beverages, this unique cafe features a photographic gallery of resident artist, Jean-Marc Carisse. Italian paninis and specialty desserts are served.
The Pepper Garden is located on Montreal Road in Ottawa. The menu features include numerous pasta dishes, steak frites and duck confi.The bistro is open Tuesday - Sunday.
Maxwell's Bistro & Club is a casual spot to grab a bite to eat with friends. The menu features international fare such as oysters, gourmet pizza and grills, and the wine list offers 26 varieties for visitors. A weekend brunch is served and from Wednesday to Saturday nights, the bistro turns into a club.
Benitz Bistro is open for lunch and dinner and is located on Somerset Street West. Aside from their lunch and dessert menus, they also offer a dessert menu and brunch menu, as well as a wine list. Menus can be customized for parties.
Thyme and Again offers a food shop and catering services. Inside the food shop visitors can enjoy sandwiches, prepared meals, desserts and hot drinks.
Les Soupieres boasts an atmosphere so stylish and sophisticated, visitors might believe they've been transformed to a little Parisian bistro. Soup is the specialty with eight homemade varieties on offer every day. A full menu of authentic French fare is also available.
Located in the trendy Byward Market, the Black Thorn Cafe is a relaxing spot to enjoy a glass of wine in the evening after a day of exploring Ottawa. Offering a street-side patio in addition to bar seating and tables indoors, the cafe features a range of specials throughout the week and a brunch on weekends and holidays.
The Cameron Avenue Café is located in the Ottawa Tennis & Lawn Bowling Club. The cafe offers views of the courts and the Rideau River. They serve breakfast on the weekends. During the weekdays they serve lunch and dinner.
Located in Westboro Village, this relaxed, contemporary established offers an array of lunch and dinner selections, including fresh-made sandwiches and soups and eclectic dinner offerings using regional ingredients. Full bar service and Sunday brunch are also available.
This casual and friendly neighbourhood cafe provides brunch, lunch and dinner menus of homestyle food with an international influence. Grilled salmon, green Thai fettuccine, almond crusted chicken breast and jambalaya are all favourites.
Stella Luna Gelato Café is a locally owned and operated family business specializing in artisan gelato. A full European Coffee Bar, fresh fruit smoothies, frappe and Italian panini sandwiches are also available.
Located in Ottawa's Little Italy, Pasticceria Gelateria Italiana offers hot breakfasts, sandwiches, pasta, pizzas and more dishes. Tortes, cheesecakes, mouses and pies are few of the dessert choices.
Amuse Bistro Ottawa
Situated in the Beaches area of Ottawa, Amuse Bistro is located in a renovated house and offers diners a small, inviting atmosphere with just a handful of tables, friendly service and a menu of traditional favourites.
Absinthe Cafe Resto Bar
Both the menu and the decor of this trendy, bohemian bistro are influenced by the French bistro-style. Popular among the local crowd, Absinthe Cafe Resto Bar features a live DJ spinning on Friday and Saturday nights. Visitors can enjoy brunch at the bistro on weekends.
Café Du Canada
Located in the Byward Market area, Café Du Canada is a reasonably priced spot to stop for breakfast or lunch. Join local workers and residents for a full egg, bacon and toast meal or enjoy a plate of hot pancakes. A number of special lunch items are offered each day.
101 Cafe & Bar
Located in downtown Ottawa at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 101 Cafe & Bar serves a gastronomic menu of dishes from across the globe. The eatery with an art deco-inspired interior allows visitors to try something Italian, French, Asian or Indian.
The Scone Witch
Playing on the word sandwich, The Scone Witch bakes a variety of flavoured scones daily which patrons can eat plain or with fillings such as salmon, ham and veggies. Jams and honey are also available to top off a freshly made scone. The cafe also offers a range of homemade pastries.
Trio
Trio is the type of trendy neighbourhood bistro that is usually found in Montreal. Catering to artsy locals, the bistro serves a menu of simple but tasty fare such as thin-crust pizza. A number of wines are available by the glass. Local DJs spin world beat, jazz, Latin and more.
Heart & Soul
Located in the community of Dunrobin west of Ottawa, this quaint eatery features a menu of home made choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Uniquely crafted meals and a homey dining environment are hallmarks.
Cafe Paradiso
This stylish bistro offers a delectable blend of classic and modern dishes in an environment that is equally as progressive. Dishes fuse Asian, Mediterranean and vegetarian dishes for something completely different. Visit this restaurant for evening jazz perfomances on select evenings.
Aunt Olive's
Shoppers will enjoy stopping by Aunt Olive's for a bite to eat while they browse through the vintage clothes for sale. Although tiny, there are about 20 seats in which customers can try something from the regularly changing menu. Take-out is available as well.
Infusion Bistro
Featuring a warm atmosphere with an interior that mixes classical and modern elements, the Infusion Bistro features a menu with a wide variety of items. Visitors can dine on burgers, salads, pasta and a particular favourite is the Jamaican Jerk Pork. The bistro serves a brunch on the weekend from 10am to 3pm.
Palermo Cafe & Deli
Located within steps of Parliament, Palermo Cafe & Deli offers quick and filling snacks, as well as small meals and coffee, for hungry explorers
Le Cafe
Located at the National Arts Centre and boasting a view of the Rideau Canal, Le Cafe offers a menu of both Canadian specialties as well as international dishes. The semi-formal eatery features an impressive outdoor patio.
Chez Louis Quick Lunch & Deli
Chez Louis Quick Lunch & Deli is a cozy cafe that offers sandwiches, salads and other delights in a casual atmosphere.
Byward Cafe
Located at Byward Market, this cafe's patrons include those shopping at the market as well as local business people. Featuring a bright interior, the cafe offers counter services and a menu of soups, sandwiches, salads and other light fare. There is a partially covered patio so diners can enjoy their meals outside.
Caffe Ventuno
Located within the Il Negozio Nicastro food shop, this little cafe serves thin-crust pizza, pasta and cheeses. Ingredients are fresh and there a a variety of beverages including espresso and cappuccino available.
Simply Biscotti
Located in Ottawa's Little Italy, Simply Biscotti offers an array of house-made pastries including, of course, biscotti--a wide variety of it. Espresso-based drinks and paninis are also served.
Bay Street Bistro
Located at the Albert at Bay Suite Hotel, the Bay Street Bistro offers a menu inspired equally by authentic Italian and sunny Californian fare. Items include crab cakes, calamari, meaty and vegetarian pasta dishes, pizza and more.
Lookout Bar & Bistro
Located on the second floor of a building in the Byward Market, Lookout Bar & Bistro is easy to miss but worth trying to find. With an industrial interior and funky decorations, the bar features a balcony that overlooks the street and there are pool tables in the back to keep patrons entertained. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights an eclectic crowd grooves on the dance floor to the sounds of local DJs.
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