Savor the Flavor of the Best Poutine in Ottawa: 7 Must-Try Spots
Be warned: This blog post might cause extreme cravings and major FOMO!
As we’ve learned, Ottawa takes its poutine very seriously. They have endless variations of flavors, fillings, and sauces for the classic trifecta of fries, cheese curds, and piping-hot gravy.
Whether you prefer sweet, savory, or somewhere in between, there’s a joint out there serving poutine just the way you like it. From food trucks and diners to fast-casual spots, you can consider this an insider’s guide to the best poutine in Ottawa.
Lou Fast Food
Lou Fast Food is a favorite among downtown workers, so you better make a beeline as soon as the lunch bells ring—or else, you’ll have to wait in line.
Family-owned and operated, they’ve been serving up classic poutine since 1987. Their fries always come out golden brown, served with a mountain of cheese and a liberal coating of brown gravy, which should fuel you up for the rest of the day.
Aside from the incredible value you get, what we love about Lou’s is their exceptional service. Every time you walk up their food truck, they’ll greet you with a smile.
3 Brothers Shawarma & Poutine
If you’ve got a bad case of the drunken munchies, you can satisfy your cravings at the 3 Brothers Shawarma & Poutine. This traditional Middle Eastern restaurant serves meat-laden renditions of poutine, including our favorite—the shawarma poutine.
They combine golden-brown fries, squeaky cheese curds, and savory gravy with the accouterments of Middle Eastern shawarma: slices of marinated meat, slow-cooked on a vertical rotisserie, and a dollop of homemade garlic sauce.
It’s a filling meal that tastes great tipsy, hungover, or stone-cold sober.
Elgin Street Diner
— Media credit: fortwoplz
Poutine for breakfast anyone? Elgin Street Diner levels up the classic recipe by adding your favorite breakfast items, such as bacon, tater tots, smoked meat, caramelized onions, and even chili.
However, it’s their signature ESD poutine that will keep you coming back for more. Hand-cut fries arrive spread across a huge platter, topped with fried onions, bacon, and St. Albert cheese curds, then drenched in brown gravy.
Even vegans have something to look forward to here. So, if you want to skip the meat, don’t forget to ask for their mushroom gravy, which is just as flavorful and good.
The Great Canadian Poutinerie
The Great Canadian Poutinerie is where you go if you’re feeling a little bit adventurous with food. Their list of poutines has spiraled to bewildering lengths, now ranging from General Tso and sweet sriracha to original Philly steak.
One of their recent additions is the hot honey poutine. Sweet, savory, and spicy, it’s a delicious combination of karaage chicken tossed in their hot Canadian honey sauce and chili flakes, which we can’t get enough of.
Here, you can also build your own poutine to match your cravings. Just pick and choose the ingredients you want, ranging from pulled pork, crispy chicken, beef, and bacon.
The King Eddy
Ottawa’s go-to for vegetarian and gluten-free poutine is The King Eddy’s, an upscale diner in the ByWard Market. It is in a touristy area, but we would brave the crowds just for its all-day breakfast menu and Quebec poutine.
They only serve one type of poutine here—the classic fry with cheese curds and gravy. If you’re a meat lover, you do have the option to top your plate with some bacon, beef patties, or boneless fried chicken.
Best of all, they’ve got great daytime-friendly cocktails to match your meals.
Chez Lucien
Located at the corner of ByWard Market, this cozy bar and bistro serves quintessential Canadian comfort foods alongside good local beer.
You can only get classic poutine though, which means no extra toppings or fusion sauces. It’s simple but it’s always spot-on.
Here, the lights are low, the meals are hot, and the beer is always cold, making it a perfect spot to catch up with your friend. It’s a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of downtown Ottawa.
Zak’s Diner
Zak’s Diner has been a long-time favorite of families in Ottawa. They have a bevy of breakfast choices, fusion dishes, and Canadian staples like poutine so you and your youngsters will leave amply satisfied every time.
The poutine flavors aren’t too crazy here, but they do have noteworthy renditions like four cheese and bacon sausage. If you want your fries extra crispy and good, we recommend getting poutine with curly fries instead of the usual shoestring.
We also love that they have outdoor seating. So when the days are warm, you can enjoy a hearty meal with some sunshine.