Ottawa's Dining Scene
Although Ottawa is the centre for Canadian political debates, the city's dining scene leaves little to argue over. Whether craving a burger with fries or a five-course seafood dinner, Ottawa's restaurants deliver. With plentiful neighbourhoods filled with tempting dining choices, the only thing left to debate is what restaurant to go to. To help with this decision, WorldWeb.com offers a taste of Ottawa's best districts to wine and dine in.
BANK STREET: DOWNTOWN DELIGHTS
A great area in which to start exploring Ottawa's culinary scene is on the city's vibrant Bank Street. The dining options on Bank Street are pretty much endless with an array of breakfast joints, coffee shops, cafes, diners and fast-food outlets nestled between a diverse selection of shops. Visitors can enjoy anything from a cheese omelette at Eggspectations to a hot portabello mushroom wrap at Lunch. On Bank Street visitors can grab a bite to eat on the go or slow down and relax over a scrumptious meal on one of the restaurants' patios.
THE GLEBE: CASUAL TO GLITZY
South of downtown, Bank Street runs through the Glebe, which is a popular fashion and dining district. Glebe diners can have their pick of casual pubs, delis and upscale restaurants specializing in Indian, Italian and other international delicacies. A few favourites in the Glebe include Kettleman's Bagels for fresh bagel sandwiches, 107 Fourth Avenue Wine Bar for an after-work drink and the Canal Ritz for modern Italian cuisine and sunset views of the Rideau Canal. The Glebe is also home to the weekly Ottawa Farmers' Market, which is a wonderful spot for fresh meats, vegetables, fruits and more.
BYWARD MARKET: FRESH FOOD PARADISE
Established by Rideau Canal builder Lt.-Col. John By in 1826, the ByWard Market is one of Canada's largest public markets. The market is a great place to buy specialty and fresh foods and sample beloved local cuisine. Kiosks scattered throughout the market serve favourite local dishes, like the popular BeaverTails, which specializes in the Ottawa fried dough treat of the same name. Although shoppers can purchase fresh foods to make a gourmet dish at home, they can also enjoy a gourmet meal at casual and upscale dining establishments on site. A few places to relax over a drink and fine fare include the Black Thorn, a pub housed in the former home of a 19th-century carriage master, and Vineyards Wine Bar with a 300+ wine list.
LITTLE ITALY: OTTAWA'S MEDITERRANEAN FLAVOURS
If craving spaghetti bolognese, lasagne, pizza and other Italian classics, then Ottawa's Little Italy on Preston Street is the place to go. The area is packed with restaurants offering the best Italian specialties such as thin-crust pizzas loaded with fresh toppings at Pub Italia and an assortment of pasta dishes at Ristorante La Dolce Vita. Italy is also known for its decadent sweets, and Preston Street is well stocked with these indulgent treats. Gelato, mousses and tiramisu paired with cappuccinos, wines and other beverages are among the dessert combinations at Pasticceria Gelateria Italiana.
CHINATOWN: A TRIP TO CHINA WITHOUT LEAVING THE CITY
Somerset West, known as Ottawa's Chinatown, features a plethora of restaurants serving mouth-watering Asian dishes. As visitors weave in and out of the area's colourful shops they can sample a variety of authentic rice, noodle, meat and vegetable Chinese dishes. Dim Sum lovers can check out Chinatown's Yangtze Dining Lounge for fried beef dumplings, sticky rice in lotus leaf, egg tarts and other savoury and sweet dim sum selections. Restaurants with classic Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean cuisine are also among the dining choices.
RIDEAU STREET & WELLINGTON VILLAGE: THE PERFECT NIGHT OUT
Although Rideau Street is filled with clothing stores, the area is also known for its art and theatre scene with the Ottawa Art Gallery, National Arts Centre, Arts Court and the Ottawa Little Theatre located here. West of downtown is Wellington Village, which also promotes the arts through the Great Canadian Theatre Company. Both Rideau Street and Wellington Village offer a combination of bistros, pubs and fine dining establishments in which to enjoy a casual or fancy dinner before a show. If after something sweet, visitors can check out such establishments as Zoé's Lounge in the historic Fairmont Chau Laurier on Rideau Street for afternoon tea, and Thyme and Again in Wellington Village for cakes, tarts and cookies.
BANK STREET: DOWNTOWN DELIGHTS
A great area in which to start exploring Ottawa's culinary scene is on the city's vibrant Bank Street. The dining options on Bank Street are pretty much endless with an array of breakfast joints, coffee shops, cafes, diners and fast-food outlets nestled between a diverse selection of shops. Visitors can enjoy anything from a cheese omelette at Eggspectations to a hot portabello mushroom wrap at Lunch. On Bank Street visitors can grab a bite to eat on the go or slow down and relax over a scrumptious meal on one of the restaurants' patios.
THE GLEBE: CASUAL TO GLITZY
South of downtown, Bank Street runs through the Glebe, which is a popular fashion and dining district. Glebe diners can have their pick of casual pubs, delis and upscale restaurants specializing in Indian, Italian and other international delicacies. A few favourites in the Glebe include Kettleman's Bagels for fresh bagel sandwiches, 107 Fourth Avenue Wine Bar for an after-work drink and the Canal Ritz for modern Italian cuisine and sunset views of the Rideau Canal. The Glebe is also home to the weekly Ottawa Farmers' Market, which is a wonderful spot for fresh meats, vegetables, fruits and more.
BYWARD MARKET: FRESH FOOD PARADISE
Established by Rideau Canal builder Lt.-Col. John By in 1826, the ByWard Market is one of Canada's largest public markets. The market is a great place to buy specialty and fresh foods and sample beloved local cuisine. Kiosks scattered throughout the market serve favourite local dishes, like the popular BeaverTails, which specializes in the Ottawa fried dough treat of the same name. Although shoppers can purchase fresh foods to make a gourmet dish at home, they can also enjoy a gourmet meal at casual and upscale dining establishments on site. A few places to relax over a drink and fine fare include the Black Thorn, a pub housed in the former home of a 19th-century carriage master, and Vineyards Wine Bar with a 300+ wine list.
LITTLE ITALY: OTTAWA'S MEDITERRANEAN FLAVOURS
If craving spaghetti bolognese, lasagne, pizza and other Italian classics, then Ottawa's Little Italy on Preston Street is the place to go. The area is packed with restaurants offering the best Italian specialties such as thin-crust pizzas loaded with fresh toppings at Pub Italia and an assortment of pasta dishes at Ristorante La Dolce Vita. Italy is also known for its decadent sweets, and Preston Street is well stocked with these indulgent treats. Gelato, mousses and tiramisu paired with cappuccinos, wines and other beverages are among the dessert combinations at Pasticceria Gelateria Italiana.
CHINATOWN: A TRIP TO CHINA WITHOUT LEAVING THE CITY
Somerset West, known as Ottawa's Chinatown, features a plethora of restaurants serving mouth-watering Asian dishes. As visitors weave in and out of the area's colourful shops they can sample a variety of authentic rice, noodle, meat and vegetable Chinese dishes. Dim Sum lovers can check out Chinatown's Yangtze Dining Lounge for fried beef dumplings, sticky rice in lotus leaf, egg tarts and other savoury and sweet dim sum selections. Restaurants with classic Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean cuisine are also among the dining choices.
RIDEAU STREET & WELLINGTON VILLAGE: THE PERFECT NIGHT OUT
Although Rideau Street is filled with clothing stores, the area is also known for its art and theatre scene with the Ottawa Art Gallery, National Arts Centre, Arts Court and the Ottawa Little Theatre located here. West of downtown is Wellington Village, which also promotes the arts through the Great Canadian Theatre Company. Both Rideau Street and Wellington Village offer a combination of bistros, pubs and fine dining establishments in which to enjoy a casual or fancy dinner before a show. If after something sweet, visitors can check out such establishments as Zoé's Lounge in the historic Fairmont Chau Laurier on Rideau Street for afternoon tea, and Thyme and Again in Wellington Village for cakes, tarts and cookies.
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