The 10 Best Hintonburg, Ottawa Restaurants That Locals Swear By
Located between Westboro and Wellington West, Hintonburg is Ottawa’s hippest neighborhood. Although most people know it as an edgy art district, it has quite a vibrant food scene that still flies under the radar.
It’s home to cozy cafes and bistros, as well as fancy restaurants that can turn any special celebration into a memorable experience. We’ve been coming here for years, so we’ll share our favorites, which we know other locals will swear by.
Below, we rounded up the best restaurants in Hintonburg, Ottawa we keep coming back to.
1. The Third
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Location: 1017 Wellington St. W
Operating hours:
Tuesday-Friday, 11:30 AM–12 AM
Saturday, 9 AM–12 AM
Sunday, 9 AM–10 PM
Phone: +16137282965
Must-order: Breakfast Nachos
The Third is a small, cozy restaurant frequented mostly by locals. They offer hearty plates of Canadian comfort foods like poutine, fish and chips, and burgers at a reasonable price.
Our go-to brunch order is the Breakfast Nachos. It comes with a generous heap of crispy nachos topped with onions, tomatoes, bacon, cheese, and a pair of sunny-side-up eggs, which is a little messy to eat but definitely finger-lickin’ good.
Every time we dine here, it’s packed and buzzing with life, so it’s perfect for days when you have a bit more social battery to spare. Apart from the food, we love the great vibes and the community spirit here.
Pro Tip:
The waitlist can be very long, particularly on the weekends, so book a table before your visit to secure a spot.
2. Absinthe
Media credit: absinthecafe
Website: www.absinthecafe.ca
Location: 1208 Wellington St. W
Operating hours:
Tuesday-Friday, 11 AM–9 PM
Saturday, 4 PM–9 PM
Phone: +16137611138
Must-order: Steak Frites
Hintonburg might seem like a quaint neighborhood, but it has its fair share of fancy restaurants. One of our favorites is Absinthe, an unpretentious French bistro offering a quiet, intimate dining experience.
We come here to indulge in good food and wine on special occasions. If we’re feeling very fancy, we would order the Beef Wellington, a well-seared tenderloin fillet wrapped in a flaky, golden brown crust.
However, Absinthe’s Steak Frites have always been the star of the show. Even after two decades on the menu, it’s still one of the most sought-after dishes among the local patrons—including us, of course.
The steak is simple but seasoned well enough to bring about a salty, crusty exterior and a tender, juicy interior after grilling.
They add braised green beans, crispy fries, and housemade horseradish aioli to the dish, creating a harmonious contrast of flavors and textures with every bite.
Pro Tip:
If you’re going on a date, check out the Prix Fixe menu on their website. It’s a multi-course meal curated to make your dining experience extra special.
3. Bar Lupulus
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Website: www.barlupulus.ca
Location: 1242 Wellington St. W
Operating hours:
Sunday-Thursday 5 PM–10:30 PM
Friday-Saturday, 5–11:30 PM
Phone: +16137594677
Must-order: Hamachi Crudo
Bar Lupulus is one of Ottawa’s best first-date spots because of its soft lighting, comfortable atmosphere, and cozy setting. It does get busy and noisy, but we can overlook that for good food and friendly service.
Here, they focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients that are available seasonally, so the menu does change throughout the year. Although they often switch up the dishes, we can always count on them to have high-quality seafood in their raw bar.
One of our most recent favorites is the Hamachi Crudo, which we like for its umami flavors.
Made with thinly sliced cuts of Yellowtail, the fresh fish is a treat in itself, but the addition of yuzu, puffed amaranth, serrano peppers, and candied pistachios makes it irresistible.
We also love that they have an incredible bar focused on natural wine and craft beer. Their bartenders are knowledgeable about their liquor, making it easier for you to navigate the wealth of options available.
Pro Tip:
In the spring, book a table at the backyard garden patio to enjoy fresh air and a peaceful night out.
4. Stofa Restaurant
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Website: www.stofarestaurant.com
Location: 1356 Wellington St. W
Operating hours:
Wednesday-Thursday, 5 PM–8:30 PM
Friday-Saturday, 5 PM–8:45 PM
Phone: +16137226555
Must-order: Beef Tongue
We like Stofa because the menu is fancy, but the vibe is more laid-back. While it’s posh enough for us to dress up for romantic dinners, it’s relaxed enough that wearing sneakers won’t raise any eyebrows.
Their tasting menu is a carefully curated work of art that highlights local flavors through seasonal ingredients. Out of the dishes we’ve tried, the pastrami-style Beef Tongue is a treat we’ll never forget.
Served with marinated wood ear mushrooms, spicy bean sprouts, mint, and cilantro over a Vietnamese crepe, it’s spicy, savory, and sweet. Plus, the crisp veggies and crepe add a pleasant textural contrast, making the soft beef tongue less intimidating if you’re trying it for the first time.
The restaurant is often a venue for special occasions, but that doesn’t stop us from visiting on an ordinary day. Even when there’s nothing to celebrate, we like to come here after work to relax with refreshing cocktails in hand.
Pro Tip:
Check their website or their socials to find out what’s on their menu. Since they like to switch it up, the food and the prices will vary throughout the year.
5. Supply and Demand
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Website: www.supplyanddemandfoods.ca
Location: 1335 Wellington St. W
Operating hours:
Monday-Saturday, 5 PM–10 PM
Phone: +16136802949
Must-order: Albacore Tuna Crudo
Another friendly, neighborhood spot you can rely on is Supply and Demand. Everything about the restaurant—from the interior design to the menu—was curated to host fun, memorable social gatherings with loved ones.
They source their ingredients locally, so they change their menu depending on what’s available to them every season. However, veggie-based small plates, fresh seafood, and handmade pastas are staples you’ll find year-round.
Although we love oysters, the Albacore Tuna Crudo is a must-have here. Drizzled with lemon and truffle oil, its bright flavors are refreshing to the palate, especially when paired with rich, meatier dishes.
Pro Tip:
Save room for dessert. Get the Eton Mess, a large pile of ice cream topped with berries, whipped cream, and meringue.
6. Siam Bistro
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Website: www.siambistro.com
Location: 1268 Wellington St. W
Operating hours:
Sunday, 4:30 PM–9 PM
Monday, 4:30 PM–9:30 PM
Tuesday-Friday, 11 AM–2 PM, 4:30–9:30 PM
Saturday, 4:30–9:30 PM
Phone: +16137283111
Must-order: Panang Curry
One of the best Thai restaurants in Ottawa is Siam Bistro. For three decades, they’ve been feeding the neighborhood with traditional dishes, such as Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong, and Green Mango Salad.
They have quite an extensive menu, so there’s something to suit all tastes. If you love curry as much as we do, we recommend Panang, which gets most of its flavors from roasted nuts, kaffir lime, and coconut milk.
Compared to other Thai curries, it has a slightly sweeter and nuttier taste. Although it has a little bit of spice, it’s not as intense as the Green Curry, making it a more comforting meal.
Pro Tip:
A service charge is automatically added for large groups. If you’re dining with at least 8 people, expect 18% gratuity to be added to the bill.
7. Tennessy Willems
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Location: 1082 Wellington St. W
Operating hours:
Sunday-Wednesday, 4 PM–9 PM
Thursday, 11:30 AM–9 PM
Friday, 11:30 AM–10 PM
Saturday, 11:30 AM–10 PM
Phone: +16137220000
Must-order: Wild Boar
If you’re Italian, you might want to look away because Tennessy Willems puts pineapples on their wood-fired pizzas—but we’re not even mad about it. Although they have the classics, we love the creative flavors more, particularly the Wild Boar.
Topped with spicy wild boar sausages, goat cheese, and apples, the pizza is rich, creamy, and refreshing with perfectly crisp edges. We just wish it were a bit spicier.
They like to switch up the menu to keep things interesting for the patrons, but the Caesar salad is a staple for a good reason. The veggies are always fresh and crisp, and the flavors are well-balanced, complementing the meatier pizzas.
The place is small but busy, especially on the weekends. You should book a table in advance, or you’ll have to deal with long wait times.
Pro Tip:
They offer different specials throughout the week, ranging from draft beer and cocktails to appetizers and salads. Check their Instagram to get the latest updates on these promos.
8. The Hintonburg Public House
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Location: 1082 Wellington St. W
Operating hours:
Sunday-Wednesday, 4 PM–9 PM
Thursday, 11:30 AM–9 PM
Friday, 11:30 AM–10 PM
Saturday, 11:30 AM–10 PM
Phone: +16137220000
Must-order: Huevos Rancheros
The Hintonburg Public House has been serving traditional pub fare such as fish and chips, burgers, and grilled cheese sandwiches since 2011. They’re known for their rotating selection of craft beers that pair well with their fried, greasy dishes.
We love the Huevos Rancheros, which is our go-to order for brunch. Over crisp tortillas, they add sunny-side up eggs, corn, black beans, smoky stewed tomatoes, and sour cream, making it a crunchy, savory, and comforting meal.
They have a dairy-free and gluten-free alternative for it. Like most of the items on the menu, they can adjust the dishes to fit your dietary restrictions.
The restaurant is a popular weekend brunch spot, so it can get pretty busy and loud. You can book a table, good for 1.5 hours only, but at your request, they can extend your stay.
Pro Tip:
They have daily specials like Wine Not Wednesdays and Thursdays Blursdays. Check their website for the latest promos.
9. Chesterfield’s Gastro Diner
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Website: www.gastrodiner.ca
Location: 1300 Wellington St. W
Operating hours:
Wednesday-Monday, 9 AM–2 PM
Phone: +16136808990
Must-order: Shakshuka Board
Another brunch spot you shouldn’t miss is Chesterfield’s Gastro Diner. We really like that they offer free sides, other than bread, on select entrees. They even do weekly specials, featuring the craziest flavor combos.
One dish we’ll never forget is the Tijuana Nights Benny with poached eggs, goat cheese guac, spicy chorizo, roasted spuds, and flaming hot Cheetos, which satiates the fast food cravings without the guilt.
From the regular menu, we love the shakshuka board as it has everything—salty, savory, and sweet. It’s a well-balanced meal with the usual poached eggs and feta cheese in tomato sauce, served with a side of bread and jam, berries, and salad.
Pro Tip:
They don’t accept reservations and operate only on a first-come, first-served policy. To secure a table, arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
10. Elmdale Oyster House and Tavern
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Website: www.thewhalesbone.com
Location: 1084 Wellington St. W
Operating hours:
Monday, 5 PM–11 PM
Tuesday-Wednesday, 5 PM–10 PM
Thursday, 4 PM–12 AM
Friday-Saturday, 4 PM–2 AM
Phone: +16137282848
Must-order: Lobster Spaghetti
If you’re looking for fresh seafood and live music on a weekday night, Elmdale Oyster House and Tavern is a great spot. The atmosphere is pretty chill in the earlier hours, but late at night, the DJ will turn up the music for dancing.
Here, they serve elevated pub fare. Although they’re known for their oysters, they have other seafood dishes like lobster rolls, calamari, and mussels that are worth a try.
Our favorite is the lobster spaghetti, a simple yet indulgent meal that tastes buttery, sweet, and slightly briny. It’s made with a tomato sofrito sauce, which adds a tangy, umami flavor that we can’t get enough of.
Pro Tip:
Head to their website to book a table and secure a spot on their busiest days.