Guidebook for Ottawa
Drinks & Nightlife
Decent cheap pub fare and cold beer on tap. A characteristic "surly bartender" (Jay) and Trivia night on Mondays. En route to Gelatto (for dessert) or other enticements along the Little Italy strip.
Rochester Pub & Eatery
502 Rochester StDecent cheap pub fare and cold beer on tap. A characteristic "surly bartender" (Jay) and Trivia night on Mondays. En route to Gelatto (for dessert) or other enticements along the Little Italy strip.
Dows Lake
1001 Queen Elizabeth DrivewayFunky atmosphere, with a lovely view of Dow's Lake.
A popular pub, known for it's "Beer Bible". They offer taster samples. Great atmosphere, and beer, but mediocre food.
95 recommandé par les habitants
Pub Italia
434 Preston StA popular pub, known for it's "Beer Bible". They offer taster samples. Great atmosphere, and beer, but mediocre food.
Good ambiance and nice views on the river. Food is typical pub fare and decent, but not delicious.
45 recommandé par les habitants
Mill St. Brew Pub
555 Wellington StGood ambiance and nice views on the river. Food is typical pub fare and decent, but not delicious.
Corner Bar & Grill
777 Bank StSolid choice for burgers and beer for a decent price.
Funky and intimate - with good wine selection and tapas.
8 recommandé par les habitants
107 Fourth Avenue Wine Bar & Café
107 Fourth AveFunky and intimate - with good wine selection and tapas.
478 Bank St
478 Bank StreetDecent pub fare at a reasonable price.
A collection of Irish Pubs, entwined together with an outdoor courtyard. Decent pub fare. Live music on weekends.
Irish Village Group
A collection of Irish Pubs, entwined together with an outdoor courtyard. Decent pub fare. Live music on weekends.
An intimate place that showcases regional flavours from all over Italy with appropriately themed table d'hote and wine pairings. The menu is always changing!
http://www.divinowinestudio.com/
DiVino
225 Preston StAn intimate place that showcases regional flavours from all over Italy with appropriately themed table d'hote and wine pairings. The menu is always changing!
http://www.divinowinestudio.com/
Funky underground hangout at night, and great (but bustling!) brunches on weekends...get there >15mins before opening to hope for a seat! Good morning Peep or breakfast burritos are my faves....
95 recommandé par les habitants
The Manx Pub
370 Elgin StFunky underground hangout at night, and great (but bustling!) brunches on weekends...get there >15mins before opening to hope for a seat! Good morning Peep or breakfast burritos are my faves....
Interesting people-watching when you feel like something simple and (very) seedy.
The Dominion Tavern
33 York StInteresting people-watching when you feel like something simple and (very) seedy.
Food Scene
Funky retro licensed cafe/eatery with the most delicious chic sandwiches you will splurge ($$) for. Yummy waffles on weekends.
36 recommandé par les habitants
Pressed
750 Gladstone AveFunky retro licensed cafe/eatery with the most delicious chic sandwiches you will splurge ($$) for. Yummy waffles on weekends.
Funky cafe/bar with live music in the evenings.
9 recommandé par les habitants
The Daily Grind Cafe - Temporarily closed due to fire
601 Somerset St WFunky cafe/bar with live music in the evenings.
Delicious, local, organic "home-cooked" meals (fresh or frozen) and DELICIOUS BAKED GOODS!! They do offer coffee and assorted other foodstuffs. Don't miss the cinnamon buns...yum!!!
21 recommandé par les habitants
The Red Apron
410 Gladstone AveDelicious, local, organic "home-cooked" meals (fresh or frozen) and DELICIOUS BAKED GOODS!! They do offer coffee and assorted other foodstuffs. Don't miss the cinnamon buns...yum!!!
Cheapest pizza around. $12.42 for a walk-in special with 3 toppings. Call 613-563-1111 to order, and walk over in 15mins to pick it up!
Pizza Shark
569 Gladstone AvenueCheapest pizza around. $12.42 for a walk-in special with 3 toppings. Call 613-563-1111 to order, and walk over in 15mins to pick it up!
A Centretown staple: unpretentious, cozy breakfast joint where Ada served early risers for decades. Recently under new ownership, they are expanding beyond breakfast. Everything made from scratch!
77 recommandé par les habitants
Wilf & Ada's
510 Bank StA Centretown staple: unpretentious, cozy breakfast joint where Ada served early risers for decades. Recently under new ownership, they are expanding beyond breakfast. Everything made from scratch!
Jax
479 Bronson AveChic little bistro with nice food and a good wine list.
Funky little cafe with wireless and weirdos. They have all sorts of evening activities from "bring your own boardgame" to open mic, etc.
Umi Cafe
610 Somerset St WFunky little cafe with wireless and weirdos. They have all sorts of evening activities from "bring your own boardgame" to open mic, etc.
Funky little cafe with wireless and weirdos. They have all sorts of evening activities from "bring your own boardgame" to open mic, etc.
9 recommandé par les habitants
Raw Sugar Cafe
692 Somerset Street WestFunky little cafe with wireless and weirdos. They have all sorts of evening activities from "bring your own boardgame" to open mic, etc.
Delicious, fair trade, locally roasted coffee. They also serve baked goods and light lunch fare.
210 recommandé par les habitants
Bridgehead
131 Beechwood Ave.Delicious, fair trade, locally roasted coffee. They also serve baked goods and light lunch fare.
So Good Restaurant Inc
717 Somerset St WUnpretentious but cheap and tasty Asian food.
Glebe Indian cuisine
589 Bank StDecent Indian (eat in / take out).
Talay Thai
511 Bank StClosest Thai Resto. Decent food. Eat in/take out.
If you want to treat yourself to dinner and don't mind the $$$ - the table d'hote is decent value - and every bite is delectable! Funky atmosphere as well.
http://www.navarrarestaurant.com/
13 recommandé par les habitants
Navarra Restaurant
93 Murray StIf you want to treat yourself to dinner and don't mind the $$$ - the table d'hote is decent value - and every bite is delectable! Funky atmosphere as well.
http://www.navarrarestaurant.com/
Delicious new addition to the Gelatto scene - and they let you combine as many flavours as you want!!
344 Preston St
344 Preston StreetDelicious new addition to the Gelatto scene - and they let you combine as many flavours as you want!!
If you are looking for dim sum - this is a good one. Yangtze is another one, just across the street. Very affordable to go with a large group and eat until you can't!
691 Somerset St W
691 Somerset Street WestIf you are looking for dim sum - this is a good one. Yangtze is another one, just across the street. Very affordable to go with a large group and eat until you can't!
Sri Lankan food - the Dosas are delicious and the Thalis (variety plate) is are also good value. Order and share 2 plates amongst 3 people and you won't leave hungry!
12 recommandé par les habitants
CEYLONTA RESTAURANT
403 Somerset St WSri Lankan food - the Dosas are delicious and the Thalis (variety plate) is are also good value. Order and share 2 plates amongst 3 people and you won't leave hungry!
Relaxed atmosphere, small plates and charcuterie...all delicious!
10 recommandé par les habitants
Murray Street
110 Murray StreetRelaxed atmosphere, small plates and charcuterie...all delicious!
Cozy, comfortable and decent pub fare. Good for watching a game, or find a quieter nook in the corner....
80 recommandé par les habitants
Chez Lucien
137 Murray StCozy, comfortable and decent pub fare. Good for watching a game, or find a quieter nook in the corner....
Freshly prepared, yummy and reasonably priced mexican fare. Kate's vote for best/closest/cheapest/quickest take-out option in the 'hood. Eat in or take out. 2 blocks from home - easy!
Burrito gringo Bronson
566 Bronson AveFreshly prepared, yummy and reasonably priced mexican fare. Kate's vote for best/closest/cheapest/quickest take-out option in the 'hood. Eat in or take out. 2 blocks from home - easy!
Funky Southern-inspired resto-bar...limited seating and don't miss the downstairs clubhouse (through the bookcase in the wall - no really!) http://union613.ca/
315 Somerset St W
315 Somerset Street WestFunky Southern-inspired resto-bar...limited seating and don't miss the downstairs clubhouse (through the bookcase in the wall - no really!) http://union613.ca/
Delicious taco platters, but a bit pricier (and funkier) than Burrito Gringo's fast food style. Eat-in or order-in via "justeat.ca" Not for late-nite munchies though - they are usually closed by 9pm.
707 Gladstone Ave
707 Gladstone AvenueDelicious taco platters, but a bit pricier (and funkier) than Burrito Gringo's fast food style. Eat-in or order-in via "justeat.ca" Not for late-nite munchies though - they are usually closed by 9pm.
Bustling and unique/trendy/funky eatery. Reservations recommended. http://www.townlovesyou.ca/
296 Elgin St
296 Elgin StreetBustling and unique/trendy/funky eatery. Reservations recommended. http://www.townlovesyou.ca/
Cozy place, good/varied Spanish style Tapas menu with decent beer and wine list...things sometimes get hectic when they are very busy/full but otherwise, pull up a seat and they treat you like family!
222 Lyon Tapas Bar
222 Lyon St. NCozy place, good/varied Spanish style Tapas menu with decent beer and wine list...things sometimes get hectic when they are very busy/full but otherwise, pull up a seat and they treat you like family!
Solid pub choice. Microbrew, great nachos and decent pub fare. Sunny patio. Big screen TVs inside.
575 Bank St
Solid pub choice. Microbrew, great nachos and decent pub fare. Sunny patio. Big screen TVs inside.
Funky little eatery in trendy/upcoming area. A bit on the pricey side, but the food is delicious and the beer on tap is actually cheaper than the pub across the street! http://backlanecafe.com
1087 Wellington St W
1087 Wellington Street WestFunky little eatery in trendy/upcoming area. A bit on the pricey side, but the food is delicious and the beer on tap is actually cheaper than the pub across the street! http://backlanecafe.com
Excellent choice. Funky atmosphere, DEE-licious food and ample beer and wine list (and good pairing suggestions). On the pricey side, but worth it! Reserve. http://www.thewellingtongastropub.com/
1325 Wellington St. W
1325 Wellington Street WestExcellent choice. Funky atmosphere, DEE-licious food and ample beer and wine list (and good pairing suggestions). On the pricey side, but worth it! Reserve. http://www.thewellingtongastropub.com/
Cozy, nice atmosphere. Excellent wine list, charcuterie plates, good menu, but portions tend on smaller side, and pricey! Everything is either made in-house or brought in from local farms.
1091 Bank St
1091 Bank StreetCozy, nice atmosphere. Excellent wine list, charcuterie plates, good menu, but portions tend on smaller side, and pricey! Everything is either made in-house or brought in from local farms.
One of the hot new dinner resto's in Ottawa. http://www.supplyanddemandfoods.ca/
54 recommandé par les habitants
Supply and Demand
1335 Wellington St. WOne of the hot new dinner resto's in Ottawa. http://www.supplyanddemandfoods.ca/
Bridgehead is a great local "chain" of coffee shops. They source fair trade organic coffee and have a roasterie in Little Italy..so you know it's freshly roasted!
210 recommandé par les habitants
Bridgehead
131 Beechwood Ave.Bridgehead is a great local "chain" of coffee shops. They source fair trade organic coffee and have a roasterie in Little Italy..so you know it's freshly roasted!
Bridgehead is a great local "chain" of coffee shops. They source fair trade organic coffee and have a roasterie in Little Italy..so you know it's freshly roasted!
210 recommandé par les habitants
Bridgehead
131 Beechwood Ave.Bridgehead is a great local "chain" of coffee shops. They source fair trade organic coffee and have a roasterie in Little Italy..so you know it's freshly roasted!
Bridgehead is a great local "chain" of coffee shops. They source fair trade organic coffee and have a roasterie in Little Italy..so you know it's freshly roasted!
210 recommandé par les habitants
Bridgehead
131 Beechwood Ave.Bridgehead is a great local "chain" of coffee shops. They source fair trade organic coffee and have a roasterie in Little Italy..so you know it's freshly roasted!
Hard to spot, this amazing little bakery sits in between Nepean and Gloucester and offers great pizza, pastries and other breakfast fare.
195 Bank St
195 Bank StreetHard to spot, this amazing little bakery sits in between Nepean and Gloucester and offers great pizza, pastries and other breakfast fare.
225 Strathcona Ave
225 Strathcona AvenueUpper scale eatery that offers brunch, dinner and late-night tapas until 1:30am!
Essentials
Artisanal bread goods, baked on site. Yummy (but $$).
13 recommandé par les habitants
True Loaf Bread Company
573 Gladstone AveArtisanal bread goods, baked on site. Yummy (but $$).
Hartman's Your Independent Grocer
296 Bank StLarge grocery store.
Large grocery store, right next to an LCBO and a TD bank. Convenient!
264 recommandé par les habitants
Loblaws
64 Isabella StLarge grocery store, right next to an LCBO and a TD bank. Convenient!
Specialized in Italian foods, but their fresh produce display is always hand-picked and perfect. Slightly more expensive, but a nice shopping exerience! Basic eat-in option for sandwiches and cafe.
11 recommandé par les habitants
Il Negozio Nicastro
792 Bank StSpecialized in Italian foods, but their fresh produce display is always hand-picked and perfect. Slightly more expensive, but a nice shopping exerience! Basic eat-in option for sandwiches and cafe.
Not much fresh produce, but they usually have any staple items you might need. They buy groceries from the IGA and then mark them up ~10%. A fair deal when you need something in a pinch!
595 Gladstone Ave
595 Gladstone AvenueNot much fresh produce, but they usually have any staple items you might need. They buy groceries from the IGA and then mark them up ~10%. A fair deal when you need something in a pinch!
455 Bank St
455 Bank StreetPharmacy and packaged foods/essential groceries
Shopping
LCBO
160 Elgin StIf you need to stock up on vino, beer or spirits.
You might have to stand in line with the dodgey bottle-collectors, but this is the closest beer store around.
515 Somerset St W
515 Somerset Street WestYou might have to stand in line with the dodgey bottle-collectors, but this is the closest beer store around.
465 Bank St
465 Bank StreetClosest liquor store.
The proprietor is a former colleague of mine who has developed a passion for olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Stop in for a tasting tour - perfect hostess gifts.
The Unrefined Olive
151A Second AveThe proprietor is a former colleague of mine who has developed a passion for olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Stop in for a tasting tour - perfect hostess gifts.
Everything Else
A nice little park with playground structure and splash pad for the kiddies. There is a community garden project there as well.
Glebe Memorial Park
75 Glendale AveA nice little park with playground structure and splash pad for the kiddies. There is a community garden project there as well.
Nice little park to go to with a picnic blanket, some cheeses and a (discretely concealed) bottle of wine....just off the Rideau canal.
Patterson Creek
Nice little park to go to with a picnic blanket, some cheeses and a (discretely concealed) bottle of wine....just off the Rideau canal.
A nearby park with sandbox/playstructure for the kiddies and a fenced-in dog park for the pooches to play.
6 recommandé par les habitants
McNabb Park
435 Percy StA nearby park with sandbox/playstructure for the kiddies and a fenced-in dog park for the pooches to play.
An interesting park for people-watching. Ours friends got married there "because anything can happen": from little old ladies practicing tai chi, kids playing, random chess games, drunks, buskers, etc
14 recommandé par les habitants
Dundonald Park
516 Somerset St WAn interesting park for people-watching. Ours friends got married there "because anything can happen": from little old ladies practicing tai chi, kids playing, random chess games, drunks, buskers, etc
Coin Laundry (they will wash, dry and fold, for an extra fee) and dry-cleaning.
14 recommandé par les habitants
Majestic Cleaners & Laundry
553 Gladstone AveCoin Laundry (they will wash, dry and fold, for an extra fee) and dry-cleaning.
A new small plates/upscale restaurant featuring local meat and produce, opened by a very talented chef and friend who lives in our neighbourhood! https://www.facebook.com/Faunaottawa
425 Bank St
425 Bank StreetA new small plates/upscale restaurant featuring local meat and produce, opened by a very talented chef and friend who lives in our neighbourhood! https://www.facebook.com/Faunaottawa
Arts & Culture
Local Theatre with interesting plays. Seats are a bit squishy, but there is a good view from anywhere in the house.
22 recommandé par les habitants
The Gladstone Theatre
910 Gladstone AveLocal Theatre with interesting plays. Seats are a bit squishy, but there is a good view from anywhere in the house.
A relic in Ottawa. They show an eclectic mix of films, see schedule here: http://bank.mayfairtheatre.ca/schedule/
44 recommandé par les habitants
Mayfair Theatre
1074 Bank StA relic in Ottawa. They show an eclectic mix of films, see schedule here: http://bank.mayfairtheatre.ca/schedule/
The Bytowne eschews Big Hollywood, screening a great selection of foreign films and things that make you think. Schedule: http://www.bytowne.ca/movie-calendar
87 recommandé par les habitants
ByTowne Cinema
325 Rideau StThe Bytowne eschews Big Hollywood, screening a great selection of foreign films and things that make you think. Schedule: http://www.bytowne.ca/movie-calendar
Easy, Affordable, Laughs. Check website for details:
http://www.absolutecomedy.ca/Ottintro.html
68 recommandé par les habitants
Absolute Comedy Ottawa
412 Preston StEasy, Affordable, Laughs. Check website for details:
http://www.absolutecomedy.ca/Ottintro.html
Theatre, music, dance - check their website for details.
346 recommandé par les habitants
National Arts Centre
1 Elgin StTheatre, music, dance - check their website for details.
Sightseeing
Great for kids and adults. Interesting, interactive...there is a "bug zoo" in the basement!
29 recommandé par les habitants
240 McLeod St
240 McLeod StreetGreat for kids and adults. Interesting, interactive...there is a "bug zoo" in the basement!
We have never been, but it has been very popular with guests.
395 recommandé par les habitants
Musée canadien de la guerre
1 Vimy PlWe have never been, but it has been very popular with guests.
Great displays for Canadian and First Nations history. Check website for free hours on Thursday afternoons.
545 recommandé par les habitants
Musée canadien de l'histoire
100 Rue LaurierGreat displays for Canadian and First Nations history. Check website for free hours on Thursday afternoons.
Interesting exhibits - check their website for details.
552 recommandé par les habitants
Musée des beaux-arts du Canada
380 Sussex DrInteresting exhibits - check their website for details.