Ottawa Restaurants: The Ultimate Foodie Guide to Ottawa’s Original Downtown
July 10, 2023
Did you know that Rideau is home to 91 unique restaurants and cafes? With such a diverse offering ranging from brunch hot spots to authentic cuisine from countries worldwide to artisanal coffee shops, Downtown Ottawa is a haven for great food and amazing restaurants.
Dive into the food scene with this ultimate guide!
THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day…and let us tell you, restaurants in Downtown Ottawa sure know how to do it in style!
Wilfrid’s
Start your morning off on a high note by heading down to Wilfrid’s, located in the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, for a gourmet breakfast!
This menu is sure to impress, offering both a breakfast buffet and a la carte options. And if that’s not enough to convince you, the views of Parliament Hill and the Rideau Locks are unparalleled.
📍 1 Rideau Street
🍳 Buffet and A la Carte Breakfast Hour
⏰ Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM
⏰ Saturday to Sunday: 7:30 AM to 10:40 AM
🍳 Weekend Brunch Hours
⏰ Saturday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM
📞 613-241-1414
🍔 Menu
Daly’s
Whether you’re craving an energizing breakfast or a lavish brunch, Daly’s will help start your day on a delicious note. Try their Eggs Benedict featuring their signature olive oil citrus hollandaise over organic poached eggs, smoked salmon, spinach and a toasted English muffin.
📍 11 Colonel By Drive
⏰ Monday to Friday: 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM
⏰ Saturday to Sunday: 6:30 AM to 11:30 AM
📞 613-560-7333
🍔 Menu
INTERNATIONAL CUISINE, RIGHT HERE IN OTTAWA
No passports are needed for this one-way trip to authentic cuisine from all over the world!
Metropolitain Brasserie
Spend the night in Paris without the long line at the airport! Metropolitain Brasserie serves the best French cuisine of any restaurants located in Ottawa, from freshly shucked oysters to steak frites.
📍 700 Sussex Drive
⏰ Monday to Wednesday: 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
⏰ Thursday to Friday: 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM
⏰ Saturday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
📞 613-562-1160
🍔 Menu
Si Señor
Si Señor is one of the best Mexican restaurants that Ottawa has to offer! They serve vibrant and flavourful dishes from al pastor, pollo tinga, and cochinita pibil with fresh corn tortillas filled with traditional Mexican flavors. We mean this when we say it, you need to try their Tres Leches cake, it is heavenly!
📍 506 Rideau Street
⏰ Monday: CLOSED
⏰ Tuesday to Saturday: 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
⏰ Sunday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
📞 613-421-7490
🍔 Menu
La Bottega
Enjoy the hustle and bustle of the ByWard Market while enjoying a sip of espresso from La Bottega at Nicastro’s! Stop by for a bite to eat and experience Italy in the heart of Ottawa’s Original Downtown!
Wander through the store’s aisles stocked with over 200 artisan olive oils and an abundance of aged balsamic vinegar, rustic pasta, and sauces, and the deli and cheese counters are non-comparable to other grocery stores.
📍 64 George Street
⏰ Monday to Saturday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
⏰ Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
📞 613-789-7575
🍔 Menu
Ramakrishna
If you’re looking for one of the best Indian restaurants in Ottawa, this is it! Ramakrishna Indian Restaurant specializes in North Indian cuisine, and there is something extra special about their food. More importantly, the staff treats you the absolute best, ensuring you are delighted.
As we said, it’s naan of our business, but we think that their butter chicken is by far the best. This dish will immediately transport you to the streets of Mumbai or New Delhi, and you will want more and more.
Wash everything down with one of their mango lassis that will instantly cool you down after chicken tandoori. This is the perfect drink for a hot day, infused with mango, simple syrup, and cardamom!
📍 417 Rideau Street
⏰ Monday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
📞 613-789-7979
🍔 Menu
Shanghai Wonton Noodle Restaurant
Here is your invitation to savor this authentic culinary experience at Shanghai Wonton Noodle Restaurant for the most authentic Chinese noodle dishes! This hidden gem offers mouthwatering noodles from their extra-large wonton soup, Dan-Dan noodles, and famous beef noodle soup.
Shanghai Wonton Noodle offers the best authentic noodles with a warm and comforting environment that will immediately transport you to the streets of Shanghai. This is an absolute must-try here on Rideau as the prices are affordable, but the food and people are excellent.
📍 178 Rideau Street
⏰ Monday to Friday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
⏰ Saturday to Sunday: 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
📞613-233-9900
Island Flava
Island Flava serves up the best authentic Caribbean food in the city! Not only does the jerk chicken make you warm inside with how spicy it is, but the employees warm your heart by making you feel so special.
Everything is fresh and made daily to give locals the taste of authentic Caribbean cuisine and home to Ottawa’s First Jerk Chicken Poutine, which we can say is mouthwatering and delicious. Chef Lennox prepares everything daily, from his roti to the fresh juices he makes, you need to check this place out now.
Our Administration and Operations Coordinator, Ash, swears by the goat curry, and our office thanks her for the incredible smells!
📍 409 Dalhousie St
⏰ Monday to Friday: 11:30 AM to 7:00 PM
⏰ Saturday: 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
⏰ Sunday: CLOSED
📞 613-321-4198
🍔 Menu
Sushi Village
For a little taste of Japan, head on down to Sushi Village and try any one of their wide selection of sushi platters, bento boxes and poke bowls.
📍 217 Rideau Street
⏰ Monday: CLOSED
⏰ Tuesday to Saturday: 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM
⏰ Sunday: 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM
📞 613-680-6639
🍔 Menu
ONLY THE FINEST OF DINING
Zoe’s Ottawa
This place is rich in history, while being young at heart. Zoe’s offers a captivating bar experience while serving up a side of local history. Did you know that Zoe’s was named after Sir Wilfred Laurier’s wife, Lady Zoe?
Sit down in Ottawa’s castle overlooking the rich history of downtown Ottawa all while enjoying Afternoon Tea. Zoe’s is one of the few restaurants in Ottawa that offers an unforgettable experience of traditional Afternoon Tea with a twist. The menu features unique pastries. Open-faced sandwiches and their famous English scones. The tea has been carefully chosen from a selection of LOT 35 loose leaf teas.
Don’t wait till the last minute to book a high tea experience, as spots do tend to fill up fast.
📍 1 Rideau Street
⏰ Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
⏰ Friday to Saturday: 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
📞 613-241-1414
🍔 Menu
NORCA
Dine in the beautiful NORCA restaurant inside Le Germain hotel and indulge in flavourful food inspired by Canadian ingredients.
Sip on classic cocktails, natural wines, or local beers. They pair beautifully with NORCA’s gourmet Northern Canadian cuisine.
📍 50 Rideau Street
⏰ Sunday to Saturday: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
⏰ Sunday to Monday: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
📞 613-691-3218
🍔 Menu
The Shore Club
Enjoy tender steaks and fresh seafood in The Shore Club’s contemporary upscale dining room. Indulge in one of their seafood towers that include all of the finest and freshest seafood or a fine selection of different cuts of steak.
Make sure you pair everything with an extra dirty martini!
📍 11 Colonel By
⏰ Monday to Friday: 11:30 AM to 12:00 AM
⏰ Saturday to Sunday: 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM
📞 613-569-5050
🍔 Menu
1 Elgin
The National Arts Centre’s 1 Elgin is proud to showcase the fresh flavours and ingredients of Canada! Focusing on local seasonal ingredients, 1 Elgin’s menu is a culinary experience that indulges the senses.
1 Elgin is located along the Rideau Canal at the NAC, and is the perfect location to indulge and savour an exquisite meal before the show is about to begin.
📍 1 Elgin Street
⏰ Tuesday to Saturday: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
⏰ Sunday to Monday: CLOSED
📞 613-594-5127
🍔 Menu
RESTAURANTS PERFECT FOR EVERY DAY CELEBRATIONS
Are you looking for a place to eat on your Thursday Date Nights? Celebrating GNO? Birthday? Anniversaries? These dining experiences will help you make any special occasion a memorable one.
Joey RIDEAU
JOEY Rideau is the perfect patio for celebrating a special occasion, a date night out, or going out with the girls! This patio in Ogilvy Square offers rustic vibes, with comforting heaters to keep you warm and cozy during the cooler nights.
Join JOEY’s for a happy hour Sunday to Thursday from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM to close. Indulge in their extensive food and drink Happy Hour menu featuring the sushi cone – a JOEY original, truffle parmesan fries, and the best guacamole you will ever try! Wash it down with a supersonic gin and tonic, topped with lemon slush!
📍 50 Rideau Street
⏰ Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
⏰ Saturday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM
📞 613-680-5639
🍔 Menu
The Albion Rooms
If you’re in Ottawa and looking for restaurants with a fantastic menu by a well-known chef and delicious cocktails in a historic building. You need to check out The Albion Rooms! It is the perfect place for afternoon Happy Hour, brunch or any special occasions.
Top Chef Canada winner and Beat Bobby Flay winner Chef Rene Rodriguez created the menu. Chef Rene focuses on the farm-to-table theme, working with local producers and farmers to give locals the freshest and in-season ingredients.
📍 33 Nicholas Street
⏰ Sunday to Wednesday: 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
⏰ Thursday: 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM
⏰ Friday to Saturday: 11:30 AM to 12:00 AM
📞 613-760-4771
🍔 Menu
Level One
Level One Game Pub has everything you need to level up your evening with great food, refreshing drinks and over a thousand video games to choose from.
Level One has an extensive selection of fine eats and sweet treats to indulge in, from perogies, nachos and house-made gummy candies for gamers to enjoy!
📍14 Waller Street
⏰ Monday: 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM
⏰ Tuesday to Thursday: 2:00 PM to 12:00 AM
⏰ Friday: 2:00 PM to 2:00 AM
⏰ Saturday: 12:00 PM to 2:00 AM
⏰ Sunday: 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
📞 613-695-7529
🍔 Menu
Pure Kitchen
Visit one of the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Ottawa while looking over William Street and the ByWard Market. Perfect place for those looking for a healthier option after a day downtown! This is also an excellent place for people-watching if the hustle and bustle is for you!
Share a few starters with friends, as Pure Kitchen offers delicious starters you would want to consume daily. The radical cauliflower wings are seriously the best as it’s soft and tender on the inside but glazed in a Korean BBQ sauce or a Buffalo hot sauce.
📍 115 Rideau Street
⏰ Sunday to Wednesday: 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
⏰ Thursday to Saturday: 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
📞 613-845-1818
🍔 Menu
Clocktower
If you are looking for a wide selection of in-house craft beer and addicting pub nosh, head to Clocktower Brew Pub!
Clocktower offers a comfortable atmosphere, all while serving up the best craft beer! This gastro-pub offers delicious classic pub food, from chicken wings to deluxe burgers and homemade pierogies with sour cream and crispy bacon.
Join Clocktower for their Live Music Saturdays and listen to great music while enjoying a pint of beer.
Here’s a list of Clocktower’s iconic house-made beer:
🍺 Kolsch
A very crisp and clean, easy-drinking blonde beer.
🍺 El Camino
An authentic Mexican-style lager with high clarity and a very clean body.
🍺 Raspberry Wheat
A refreshing wheat beer with subtle raspberry and fresh fruit aromas.
🍺 NO.7 IPA
Hop forward offering, packed with a delicious blend of fruit, floral, and citrus notes.
🍺 ESB
A unique blend of several malts and hops makes it a smooth “English Style” beer.
🍺 ‘96 Red
A blend of malts and hops lightly sweetened with robust notes of toffee and caramel.
🍺 Bank St. Brown
It is made with notes of coffee and chocolate to make it a traditional light-bodied, smooth dark ale.
🍺 CT Stout
A creamy stout brewed with roasted malts.
📍 140 Rideau Street
⏰ Monday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
⏰ Tuesday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
⏰ Friday to Saturday: 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM
⏰ Sunday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
📞 613-562-4878
🍔 Menu
PATIO SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
We wish these places were opened all year round, but if you’re visiting in the summer and want something to do with friends on a hot day, you need to add these restaurants to your Ottawa Summer Bucket List.