Guidebook for Ottawa
Food Scene
Nutty Greek Bake Shop
490 Rochester StGood coffee, delicious baked goods. Right around the corner!
Delicious authentic Thai food in a small, family run restaurant. You can order take-out online.
Wandee Thai Cuisine
40 Beech StDelicious authentic Thai food in a small, family run restaurant. You can order take-out online.
I haven't actually eaten at Mati... It opened just a few months ago. I'm recommending it based solely based on the decor and the intoxicating charcoal smell that emanates from it! And it's about a half-block from the apartment
16 locals recommend
Mati
428 Preston StI haven't actually eaten at Mati... It opened just a few months ago. I'm recommending it based solely based on the decor and the intoxicating charcoal smell that emanates from it! And it's about a half-block from the apartment
Arguably Ottawa's best sandwiches at this hole-in-the-wall corner store. Order by number at the deli counter. Get a cannoli at the cash. You won't regret it. Other meals to go as well.
25 locals recommend
Di Rienzo's Grocery
111 Beech StArguably Ottawa's best sandwiches at this hole-in-the-wall corner store. Order by number at the deli counter. Get a cannoli at the cash. You won't regret it. Other meals to go as well.
Mainstay Coffee Company
1111a Wellington St. WLocally roasted coffee. Yum.
Actaully called "Jak's", but it won't let me input that! My favourite breakfast spot in Ottawa. Apparently they serve other meals too...
22 locals recommend
Jax
479 Bronson AveActaully called "Jak's", but it won't let me input that! My favourite breakfast spot in Ottawa. Apparently they serve other meals too...
Good coffee! You can stumble there in the morning - it's just a stone's throw away. There is a food truck behind the building called Dumpling Park that's I've been meaning to try... if you go let me know what it's like!
Morning Owl
538 Rochester StGood coffee! You can stumble there in the morning - it's just a stone's throw away. There is a food truck behind the building called Dumpling Park that's I've been meaning to try... if you go let me know what it's like!
More coffee... Bridgehead is an Ottawa chain that has locations all over the city. This one is their main roastery. It can be loud when the machines are going, but the coffee and food are good.
29 locals recommend
Bridgehead Roastery and Coffeehouse
130 Anderson StMore coffee... Bridgehead is an Ottawa chain that has locations all over the city. This one is their main roastery. It can be loud when the machines are going, but the coffee and food are good.
The Ministry of Coffee and Social Affairs
1013 Wellington St. WTry the baked goods. So good.
Delicious, sustainable seafood. There are several locations in the city. Make a reservation.
115 locals recommend
The Whalesbone Bank Street
430 Bank StDelicious, sustainable seafood. There are several locations in the city. Make a reservation.
A shrine to Italian soccer star Roberto Baggio. Casual. The pizzas are darn good too.
12 locals recommend
Roberto Pizza
348 Preston StA shrine to Italian soccer star Roberto Baggio. Casual. The pizzas are darn good too.
My favourite of the Ottawa breweries. So many good beers to sample. Take home a litre or growler of your favourite. ***Please note - the brewery has moved to 250 City Centre Ave., Bay 160. ***
42 locals recommend
Beyond the Pale Brewing Company
250 City Centre AveMy favourite of the Ottawa breweries. So many good beers to sample. Take home a litre or growler of your favourite. ***Please note - the brewery has moved to 250 City Centre Ave., Bay 160. ***
The Merry Dairy
102 Fairmont AveLocally made ice cream. What else do you need to know?
Drinks & Nightlife
Craft cocktails and tasty small plates. My favourite Preston St. bar.
62 locals recommend
The Moonroom
442 Preston StCraft cocktails and tasty small plates. My favourite Preston St. bar.
Pub Italia
434 Preston StKitchy pub with a great patio. Extensive beer menu.
One of Ottawa's oldest bars. A good place to grab a beer and watch the hockey game. Famous for square pizzas and meatball sandwiches. Kids menu.
49 locals recommend
The Prescott
379 Preston StOne of Ottawa's oldest bars. A good place to grab a beer and watch the hockey game. Famous for square pizzas and meatball sandwiches. Kids menu.
You can't throw a stone without hitting a pub in Ottawa. Large patio, decent food, nice decor. Very close by.
63 locals recommend
Heart & Crown - Preston Street
353B Preston StYou can't throw a stone without hitting a pub in Ottawa. Large patio, decent food, nice decor. Very close by.
Essentials
Luciano's is a local deli that sells the best (uncooked) sausages in town. An Ottawa institution.
16 locals recommend
Luciano Foods Ltd
114 Preston StLuciano's is a local deli that sells the best (uncooked) sausages in town. An Ottawa institution.
This is the closest full grocery store. A bit of a walk from the apartment.
12 locals recommend
Metro Music
695 Bank StThis is the closest full grocery store. A bit of a walk from the apartment.
Local Italian deli. Meats, cheeses, pastas and sauces. They also make sandwiches to go.
Casa Nicastro Foods
304 Preston StLocal Italian deli. Meats, cheeses, pastas and sauces. They also make sandwiches to go.
Parks & Nature
A great place for a stroll or a bike ride, just a couple blocks away. If you're adventurous or in need of exercise you can rent canoes, kayaks or paddle boats at the pavillion.
191 locals recommend
Dows Lake
1001 Queen Elizabeth DrivewayA great place for a stroll or a bike ride, just a couple blocks away. If you're adventurous or in need of exercise you can rent canoes, kayaks or paddle boats at the pavillion.
Rideau Canal
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Great for a walk, run, or bike ride.
Large, quiet, treed park on beside Dow's Lake. Great for a walk and a picnic.
26 locals recommend
Arboretum
ArboretumLarge, quiet, treed park on beside Dow's Lake. Great for a walk and a picnic.
A huge park with hiking, biking, skiing trails, scenic lookouts, etc. Only minutes from the city. A big part of what makes Ottawa a great place to live.
522 locals recommend
Gatineau Park
33 Chem. ScottA huge park with hiking, biking, skiing trails, scenic lookouts, etc. Only minutes from the city. A big part of what makes Ottawa a great place to live.
Miles and miles of bike and walking path along the Ottawa River. You'll hardly feel like you're in a city at all.
17 locals recommend
Ottawa River Pathway
Ottawa River PathwayMiles and miles of bike and walking path along the Ottawa River. You'll hardly feel like you're in a city at all.
Check out hundreds of balancing rock "statues" in the Ottawa river.
17 locals recommend
Remic Rapids Park
Kichi Zībī MīkanCheck out hundreds of balancing rock "statues" in the Ottawa river.
Arts & Culture
I'm far from an art expert or afficionado, but I do enjoy a stroll through the gallery. It's high up on Nepean Point with a great view of the Ottawa river as well. Visit the website for more details.
552 locals recommend
National Gallery of Canada
380 Sussex DrI'm far from an art expert or afficionado, but I do enjoy a stroll through the gallery. It's high up on Nepean Point with a great view of the Ottawa river as well. Visit the website for more details.
Architectually interesting building meant to look like a warship, right on the shore of the Ottawa river. You don't have to "like" war to find it interesting. The large lawn around the museum hosts several festivals throughout the summer, including Bluesfest in early July.
395 locals recommend
Canadian War Museum
1 Vimy PlArchitectually interesting building meant to look like a warship, right on the shore of the Ottawa river. You don't have to "like" war to find it interesting. The large lawn around the museum hosts several festivals throughout the summer, including Bluesfest in early July.
Fantastic museum and an iconic building, across the river in Gatineau (Hull). The children's museum section will keep you entertained regardless of your age. There is an IMAX theatre as well. This location might have the best view you can get of Ottawa from anywhere.
545 locals recommend
Canadian Museum of History
100 Rue LaurierFantastic museum and an iconic building, across the river in Gatineau (Hull). The children's museum section will keep you entertained regardless of your age. There is an IMAX theatre as well. This location might have the best view you can get of Ottawa from anywhere.
Great Canadian Theatre Company
1233 Wellington St. WLocal theatre. Season runs Sept-May.
The Gladstone Theatre
910 Gladstone AveLocal theatre.
Symphony, theatre, dance, improv, rock concerts... there is always something going on at the NAC.
346 locals recommend
National Arts Centre
1 Elgin StSymphony, theatre, dance, improv, rock concerts... there is always something going on at the NAC.
Entertainment & Activities
Great comedy club. Thursday is the best night, but any night will do. Reservations required. Right around the corner from the apartment.
68 locals recommend
Absolute Comedy Ottawa
412 Preston StGreat comedy club. Thursday is the best night, but any night will do. Reservations required. Right around the corner from the apartment.
Home of the Ottawa Redblacks football team and the Ottawa Fury soccer team, as well as concerts. The area around the stadium has several bars and restaurants.
105 locals recommend
TD Place
1015 Bank StHome of the Ottawa Redblacks football team and the Ottawa Fury soccer team, as well as concerts. The area around the stadium has several bars and restaurants.
Shopping
Aberdeen Pavilion
1000 Exhibition WayHome of the Ottawa Farmer's Market every Sunday 9am-3pm.