Guidebook for Ottawa

Adam
Guidebook for Ottawa

Food Scene

91 locals recommend
Starbucks
100 Elgin St
91 locals recommend
Excellent 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 locals recommend
Fraser
7 Springfield Rd
90 locals recommend
Excellent 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 locals recommend
Shawarma Palace
464 Rideau St
92 locals recommend
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.
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 locals recommend
El Camino
380 Elgin St
168 locals recommend
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.
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 Blvd
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.
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 Rd
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.
A local favourite for Indian food.
26 locals recommend
Coconut Lagoon
853 St. Laurent Blvd
26 locals recommend
A local favourite for Indian food.
49 locals recommend
Tim Hortons
99 Rideau St
49 locals recommend
A 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 locals recommend
Stella Luna Gelato Cafe
1103 Bank St
40 locals recommend
A 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 locals recommend
The Smoque Shack
250 City Centre Ave
11 locals recommend
Top-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 locals recommend
Town
296 Elgin St
53 locals recommend
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.
Local-made popcorn. A favourite stop for local snacks. A nice shop and very friendly staff.
PapaJack Popcorn
2184 Thurston Dr
Local-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 locals recommend
SuzyQ Doughnuts
1015 Wellington St. W
89 locals recommend
Classic 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 locals recommend
Louis Pizza (McArthur, Ottawa)
181 McArthur Ave.
21 locals recommend
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 locals recommend
C'est Japon A Suisha ( Suisha Gardens)
208 Slater St.
6 locals recommend
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 locals recommend
C'est Japon A Suisha ( Suisha Gardens)
208 Slater St.
6 locals recommend
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 locals recommend
Art-Is-In Bakery
250 City Centre Ave
131 locals recommend
The 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 locals recommend
St Laurent
1200 St. Laurent Blvd
149 locals recommend
Large 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 locals recommend
Rideau Centre
589 locals recommend
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 locals recommend
Trainyard Mall / Road to Belfast station
9 locals recommend
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 locals recommend
Mer Bleue Bog Trail
Ridge Road
39 locals recommend
Beautiful 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 Road
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.
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 Rd
Large, open grass fields. Popular spot for a game of frisbee, soccer and cricket. Connected to walking, jogging and biking trails.

Essentials

264 locals recommend
Loblaws
64 Isabella St
264 locals recommend
Fresh produce, meats and cheeses. Also features and excellent hot lunch counter for a quick, delicious meal.
64 locals recommend
Farm Boy
830 Belfast Rd
64 locals recommend
Fresh produce, meats and cheeses. Also features and excellent hot lunch counter for a quick, delicious meal.
9 locals recommend
The Ottawa Hospital General Campus
501 Smyth Rd
9 locals recommend
Small 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 locals recommend
Seed to Sausage General Store
729 Gladstone Ave
10 locals recommend
Small 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

891 locals recommend
Parliament Hill
Wellington Street
891 locals recommend
585 locals recommend
ByWard Market
585 locals recommend

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 locals recommend
Canadian Museum of Nature
240 McLeod St
468 locals recommend
Great 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 locals recommend
Canada Science and Technology Museum
1867 St. Laurent Blvd
123 locals recommend
Great 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 locals recommend
National Arts Centre
1 Elgin St
346 locals recommend
Theatre in the heart of downtown. Parking available but more easily accessible by transit.
Check out the special exhibits.
552 locals recommend
National Gallery of Canada
380 Sussex Dr
552 locals recommend
Check 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 locals recommend
Canadian Museum of History
100 Rue Laurier
545 locals recommend
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.
Easily accessible by transit.
395 locals recommend
Canadian War Museum
1 Vimy Pl
395 locals recommend
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'.
60 locals recommend
Ottawa International Airport
1000 Airport Parkway Private
60 locals recommend
Velogo Bike
395 Wellington St
Little 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 locals recommend
Ottawa City hall
110 Laurier Ave W
25 locals recommend
Little 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.