Are you “down” for Downtown Ottawa eats? Discover the best culinary spots right here!
Did you know that there were a whopping 18.6 million folks who visited Downtown Ottawa in 2023? That’s straight from the ByWard Market District Authority!
With this info, you can’t deny how many curious visitors love spending time in the heart of Ottawa. I’m willing to bet you a couple of SuzyQ donuts that a lot of those people were on the hunt for a great place to eat.
And that’s exactly why I’ve put together this article – to help people navigate the delicious maze of downtown dining options. But not only that! I’m also here to ensure that every spot you’ll eat at has a Best in Ottawa stamp of approval.
1. Al’s Steakhouse
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Website: https://www.alssteakhouse.ca
Address: 327 Elgin St
Contact details: +1 613-233-7111
Operating hours:
- Monday and Tuesday, and Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Wednesday to Saturday – 11 AM to 11 PM
Al’s Steakhouse along the iconic Elgin Street offers an elevated dining experience, serving haute cuisine for the refined palate.
Its interior exudes a stylish and classy allure as if echoing the sophistication of the delicious menu options. And speaking of the enticing menu, you can expect a plethora of beloved classics of upscale cuisine, where steaks really shine through.
It comes in several succulent choices, but if you were to ask me for my favorite, I’d say the New York strip in a heartbeat for its melts-in-your-mouth texture and robust flavor profile.
Make sure to explore their exciting list of libations for an even more exciting time!
— Media credit: northandnavy
Website: https://northandnavy.com
Address: 226 Nepean St
Contact details: +1 613-232-6289
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 5 PM to 9 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 5 PM to 10 PM
- Sunday – closed
North & Navy boasts a stellar vibe, offering a lavishness and charm that people with curious palates will definitely be enticed to check out. I mean, they managed to reel me in—like a gourmet fish on a line!
Here, you’ll be welcomed with a delicious aroma of authentic Northern Italian favorites that are meant to tantalize their patron’s palate.
Since they have a rotating menu depending on the availability of their farmers, you can expect fresh and innovative dishes that change over time.
3. Mill St. Brew Pub Ottawa
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Website: https://millstreetbrewery.com/en
Address: 555 Wellington St
Contact details: +1 613-567-2337
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Thursday – 11 AM to 11 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 11 AM to 12 AM
Mill St. Brew Pub gives visitors a taste of what nightlife is like in vibrant Ottawa with an elevated bar fare to be enjoyed with tasty libations. Located at 555 Wellington St, an angel number of an address is already a good sign, right?
Unsurprisingly (since this is Canada after all), the poutine is the crowd favorite.
And you know what? I’m not even mad about it. It’s quite tasty indeed! While it’s a bit on the saltier side it hits the spot with every savory bite.
Make sure to check out their own exciting brews too for a taste of local craftsmanship and flavor innovation!
4. Ceylonta
— Media credit: eatwithyumi
Website: https://ceylonta.com/en/
Address: 403 Somerset St W
Contact details: +1 613-237-7812
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11 AM to 9 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 4 PM to 9 PM
Ceylonta is a go-to spot downtown for deliciously authentic Sri Lankan cuisine where dishes are served in a vibrant and casual setting.
The mutton kothu rotti takes center stage in their discerning menu filled with mouth-watering bites. This renowned Sri Lankan dish has earned a sparkling reputation as a beloved street food in this South Asian country.
Patrons of Ceylonta love it for the tender rotti and well-seasoned meat. If you’re not a fan of mutton, they also have it in other variations such as beef, chicken, egg, plain, and vegetarian.
5. City Goose
— Media credit: citygooseottawa
Website: https://www.citygoose.ca
Address: 478 Bank St
Contact details: +1 613-422-2489
Operating hours:
- Monday – 4 PM to 11 PM
- Tuesday and Wednesday – 3 PM to 11 PM
- Thursday to Sunday – 12 PM to 11 PM
City Goose is an intimate hangout spot where people gather for the vibe, food, and drinks.
Despite being located along the famous Bank Street, it surprisingly continues to fly under a lot of foodies’ radar, but hopefully, this article changes that!
For food, the white pizza with calabrese is top-tier with its perfectly crispy crust, savory calabrese sausage, and other exciting inclusions.
Feel free to explore their other pizza flavors as well, as there’s a lot of exciting variety that will make you want to come back again and again!
6. Sansotei Ramen
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Website: https://www.sansotei.com
Address: 153 Bank St
Contact details: +1 613-695-1718
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – closed
If you’re walking around downtown and a craving for Japanese food suddenly hits you, you’re in luck – Santosei Ramen is just within easy reach!
They’re quite known for their hearty ramen bowls with the tonkotsu black being the crowd favorite. Its rich broth shines through in every sip, but the chashu steals the show with its tender, melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
If you enjoy spicy food, the spicy tantan might be more up your alley.
7. Thali
— Media credit: thaliottawa
Website: https://thaliottawa.ca
Address: 136 O’Connor St
Contact details: +1 613-594-4545
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 3 PM, 4:30 PM to 9 PM
Thali brings to Downtown Ottawa one of the finest butter chicken dishes it has ever seen. This famous Indian classic has seen its fair share of various interpretations, but the one at Thali just knows how to hit the spot.
It boasts a delicious blend of creamy, savory, and slightly sweet, making it an overall exciting dish with a complex flavor profile.
Don’t forget to check out Thali’s dessert menu before you go. They also have plenty of good stuff there, including the flavor burst of saffron-infused rasmalai with almonds!
8. Beckta Dining & Wine
— Media credit: beckta_ottawa
Website: https://www.beckta.com
Address: 150 Elgin St
Contact details: +1 613-238-7063
Operating hours:
- Monday – 5 PM to 9 PM
- Tuesday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 2 PM, 5 PM to 9 PM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 2 PM, 5 PM to 10 PM
- Saturday – 5 PM to 10 PM
- Sunday – closed
Beckta Dining & Wine offers a sophisticated dining adventure, where the spotlight is on their stylish ambiance and refined dishes, and the star is the tasting menu.
The curated selection of mouth-watering eats from their tasting menu comes in 5 courses, ensuring a diverse gastronomic journey that will surprise every person at the table.
If you want plant-based options, make sure to tell them at least 48 hours in advance, so they can best prepare for your request.
9. Riviera Ottawa
— Media credit: dineriviera
Website: https://dineriviera.com
Address: 62 Sparks St
Contact details: +1 613-233-6262
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday – 5 PM to 10 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 5 PM to 11 PM
Riviera is a lavish destination for those with discerning palates seeking to indulge in upscale Canadian dishes downtown.
The beef tartate is the headliner, garnering sparkling reviews because of its exceptional flavor and exquisite presentation. However, feel free to try the other dish because I have personally yet to try something I didn’t like!
The cocktails are also popular among diners, so don’t miss out on trying their unique and expertly crafted drinks.
10. Gooneys Sandwichworks
— Media credit: gooneysottawa
Website: https://gooneysottawa.ca
Address: 294 Albert St suite 102
Contact details: +1 613-233-2460
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 8 PM
- Saturday – 9 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday – closed
Located on the corner of Albert Street, it’s hard to miss Gooneys Sandwichworks, especially when you catch a whiff of the delicious aroma wafting down the block.
As a fan of breakfast dishes, I recommend you try the arepas under their all-day breakfast menu. The matahambre is the highlight with its hefty inclusions of eggs, chorizo, and feta cheese, drizzled with their very own coriander sauce.
Aside from sandwiches, they also have Latin bowls, salad bowls, South American desserts, and delicious hot beverages.
11. OCCO Kitchen & Bar
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Website: https://www.occokitchen.com
Address: 160 Bay St
Contact details: +1 613-422-6192
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
- Thursday and Friday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 9 PM
OCCO is a laid-back joint where the fish and chips reign supreme. This classic bar fare delivers a perfect balance of crispy batter and tender fish.
It’s no wonder why people rave about it so much!
The cobb salad is a worthy second place, ideal for those looking for an extremely nourishing plate filled with fresh ingredients.
12. Mr. Fez Shawarma
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Website: https://mrfez.square.site
Address: 129 Bank St
Contact details: +1 613-230-7077
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 3 AM
I don’t know how many times Mr. Fez Shawarma has saved me from my late-night savory cravings.
Considering they’re open until 3 AM, those coming home from the nearby bars, craving something flavorful in the middle of the night, or just wanting a satisfying late-night meal flock to Mr. Fez to order some of their delicious shawarma.
The chicken shawarma drizzled with garlic sauce is the best and is a must-try for anyone seeking a burst of flavor in every bite.
13. Cocotte Bistro
— Media credit: cocottebistro_ottawa
Website: https://cocottebistro.com
Address: 123 Metcalfe St
Contact details: +1 613-216-2912
Operating hours:
- Sunday and Monday – 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM
- Tuesday to Saturday – 7:30 AM to 10 PM
Cocotte Bistro has been a Best in Ottawa for years. In fact, our team has written about them more times than we can count!
That said, I say this with no bias – this stylish French restaurant is the perfect brunch spot because of its charming ambiance and delectable menu offerings.
The eggs benedict is a must-try, especially for those seeking classic flavors. It comes with generous portions, perfectly poached eggs, and a rich hollandaise sauce.
They also serve delicious cocktails for brunch, so be sure to check them out for some fun day drinking!
14. Manhattans Handmade Burgers
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Website: https://www.facebook.com/people/Manhattans-Handmade-Burgers/
Address: 240 Sparks St.
Contact details: +1 613-421-0044
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7:30 AM to 2 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – closed
You simply can’t beat Manhattans Handmade Burgers when it comes to juicy and tender burgers in Downtown Ottawa.
Each of their burger options comes with AAA Canadian Lean Ground beef, so everything is certified to be top-quality and incredibly flavorful.
You know what’s even more exciting? They’re halal-certified!
And since this is Canada, they also have poutine options. The hot honey garlic chicken poutine packs a fiery punch, which I love and appreciate.