One of the best things Ottawa has to offer is a place where locals can gather to find the best produce and handcrafted goods—its farmers markets. Aside from providing a sense of community, these also support local farmers.
So, bring out your loonies! We listed the best farmers’ markets in Ottawa that offer the best items, from crops to preserves to home decor.
ByWard Market
– Media credit: bywardmarket
Website: https://www.byward-market.com/
Address: 55 ByWard Market Square; Ottawa, Ontario; K1N 9C3
Contact Information: (613) 244-4410, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Open year-round
- Sunday – Wednesday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Thursday – Saturday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Admission: Free
Shop your heart out at ByWard Market, one of the oldest and largest public markets in Canada. You won’t get bored here as it’s home to hundreds of businesses—600 to be exact.
Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll most probably find it here, from clothes to food to salons—it’s never ending! And if you get tired of shopping, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from, whether you’re craving poutine or pancakes!
One of the most convenient things is that the market is easily accessible for Ottawans, whether via biking, walking, or public transportation. But you can still drive without worrying about parking—there are 3,100 parking spots within the area.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on visiting ByWard Market any day from May to October. It’s when the market is lively, with outdoor business stalls, live performances, and art exhibitions. |
Ottawa Farmers’ Market
– Media credit: ottawafarmmkt
Website: https://ottawafarmersmarket.ca/
Address: 1000 Exhibition Way, Ottawa, ON K1S 3W7, Canada
Contact Information: (613) 417-3595, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Lansdowne Market: Year-round, Sunday: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (indoors from November to April)
- Main Market: May – October, Saturday: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Westboro Market: May to October, Saturday: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Orléans Market: May – October, Thursday: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Barrhaven Market: May – October, Sunday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Admission: Free
Ottawa Farmers’ Market boasts five markets with over 150 vendors, offering plenty of choices for the locals. This is the perfect place if you’re looking to buy fresh produce and homemade goods like cupcakes, salad dressings, and self-care products.
The markets have a lively atmosphere with music to keep everyone entertained since they invite budding artists and veterans. But that’s not all: small businesses get the opportunity to launch their shops here for the very first time.
You can also bring your pups because this is a dog-friendly market, both indoor and outdoor. But don’t forget to keep them on a short leash at all times, and bring a poo bag to keep the place clean.
Pro Tips: Bring cash because not all vendors accept cashless payments. If you run out, head to Lansdowne Market to withdraw money at the ATM on-site. If you’re heading to Lansdowne Market, head early to get a slot at the underground parking area. It fills up really quickly, especially when there are special events and once the Christmas Market starts. |
– Media credit: theoriginalnavanmarket
Address: 1279 Colonial Rd, Navan, ON K4B 1N1, Canada
Contact Information: (613) 590-9999, [email protected]
Operating Hours: May – November, dates will vary: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (subject to change)
Admission: Free
Focusing on local Ottawa businesses, The Original Navan Market is a go-to if you want to support the local community. In 2023 alone, there were over 200 markets, and it can still grow in the following years as more vendors sign up.
At this Ottawa farmers’ market, you’ll find crops, cookies, cakes, pizza, beer, candles, clothing, and even tattoos! You can also visit and support the kid zone, which is an area for youth entrepreneurs in Ottawa, offering jewelry, food, and artisan crafts.
But this isn’t your usual farmers’ market because there are live performances and a family fun zone with large board games to keep everyone entertained. It’s the perfect place to hang out and shop for all ages.
Pro Tip: There’s no fixed schedule and opening days vary each year, so check their socials to see their schedule. Also, make sure to keep your eye out for their holiday market, which is usually in November. |
Barrhaven Farmers’ Market at The Log Farm
– Media credit: thelogfarm
Website:
Address: 670 Cedarview Rd, Nepean, ON K2R 1E5, Canada
Contact Information: (613) 292-1219, [email protected]
Operating Hours: May – October, Saturday: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Admission: Free
The Log Farm is a family-friendly farm in the middle of the city. There are plenty of kid-friendly activities and experiences from March to October, with special events for each season.
But one of the best events they started is Barrhaven Farmers’ Market, which opened in 2016. There are 25 to 30 vendors each week, and you’ll find them selling locally grown organic crops, baked goods, raw honey, preserves, and more.
Visiting this Nepean farmers’ market means there’s always a surprise because vendors can change every week. Even so, you’ll find a variety of items to see and purchase.
Pro Tips: Make sure to avoid bringing your dog past the market area. This is a working farm, after all, so bringing pets to the farmyard is not allowed. Since vendors aren’t permanent, don’t be shy to contact them personally if you’re looking for a specific product. The Log Farm website has a list of vendors that they’ve welcomed. |
Metcalfe Farmers’ Market
– Media credit: metcalfefarmersmarket
Website: https://www.metcalfefm.com/
Address: 2821 8th Line Rd, Metcalfe, ON K0A 2P0, Canada
Contact Information: [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Farmers’ Market: May – October, Saturday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Easter Market: Once a year, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm (date will vary depending on when Easter will fall)
- Night Market: Dates will vary, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm (date and time subject to change)
Admission: Free
If you want to venture outside of Ottawa, you can take a 30-minute drive from downtown to reach Metcalfe Farmers’ Market. It won the Ottawa Awards for the best Farmers’ Market for three years, from 2021 to 2023.
There are many options of vendors each week, with over 45 sometimes. Despite having many vendors, it’s still a small market, allowing you to check out the whole place without getting too tired.
It’s a producer-based market, meaning all items are grown, created, or handmade. You can find woodcrafts, home decor, clothing, fruits and vegetables, preserves, raw honey, baked goods, tea, coffee, and takeaway food.
Pro Tips: Check their socials for the availability of their easter and night markets. There’s no fixed schedule because it changes each year. You can bring your dog to the farmers’ market as long as they’re on a lead. You can also check out stalls that sell dog treats to keep them entertained. |
Parkdale Market
– Media credit: parkdalepublicmarket
Website: https://parkdalepublicmarket.ca/
Address: 366 Parkdale Ave, Ottawa, ON K1Y 1G8, Canada
Contact Information: (613) 244-4410, [email protected]
Operating Hours: May – October, Monday – Sunday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Admission: Free
Bring your reusable bags and head to Ottawa’s second-oldest public market. At Parkdale Market, you’ll have a blast browsing the stalls for fruits, produce, and homemade goodies.
You’ll find farm-to-table goods, freshly cooked food, flowers, candles, home decor, and even temporary tattoos. It’s the market for every Ottawan, also offering delicious vegan and vegetarian food.
It’s not just shopping you can do because the market hosts events, like outdoor yoga classes and spooky nights. So, bring your pups and wander the rows of local vendors—but keep them on a lead at all times for everyone’s safety.
Pro Tip: Watch out for updates because sometimes, they open at night. It’s a completely different experience, especially in the winter, because the market is decorated with string lights and has live music. |
Ottawa Organic Farmers’ Market
– Media credit: fermeagricola
Website: https://www.oofmarket.ca/
Address: Riverside United Church, 3191 Riverside Dr., Ottawa, ON K1V 8N8, Canada
Contact Information: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Year-round, Saturday: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Admission: Free
If you’re looking for organic produce, Ottawa Organic Farmers’ Market is the place to go. It’s been around for over 30 years, and has continued to welcome local farmers to help them sell their crops.
This farmers’ market is small, but rest assured, it’s full of farm-to-table crops from farmers in Ontario and Quebec. You may even find young entrepreneurs, so head on over and give them support!
The best part about this spot is you won’t get overwhelmed with choices. There aren’t a tonne of vendors, but you get all the crops you need, and they are top-quality, especially during harvest season.
Pro Tip: Visit during Christmas time because they open a bazaar and add more products and possibly new vendors. |
Ottawa Antique Market
– Media credit: ottawa_antique_market
Website: https://ottawaantiquemarket.com/
Address: 1179 Bank St, Suite A, Ottawa, ON K1S 3X7, Canada
Contact Information: 613-730-6000, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Tuesday: Closed
- Friday & Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Admission: Free
Ottawa Antique Market may look like a single shop, but the space is actually shared by 25 professional antique dealers. The market covers 10,000 sq. ft. of space, meaning more antiquities to display.
You can’t leave this market without purchasing something. There are many collectibles from different eras, such as Victorian and Georgian.
Imagine this: rows of Early Canadiana furniture, mid-century pieces, vintage records, old photographs, gramophones, and vintage clothing. There are also plenty of knick knacks if you want to add something unique to your home decor.
Pro Tip: We suggest not bringing your kids if they aren’t into vintage stuff. The place has many fragile items that can easily be knocked down. |
CARP Farmers’ Market
– Media credit: carpfarmersmarket
Website: https://carpfarmersmarket.ca/
Address: 3790 Carp Rd, Ottawa, ON K0A 1L0, Canada
Contact Information: [email protected]
Operating Hours: May – October, Saturday: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Admission: Free
A producer-based farmers’ market and one of the largest in Ontario, CARP Farmers’ Market is the place to visit in the summer when produce is at its best. Expect lots of fruits, vegetables, and poultry.
That’s not all! You’ll also find homemade goods, handcrafted items, and specialty goods. Many are from local businesses, too, so you get to support the community.
We suggest checking out garlic jelly products from Cheff Fields Farm, which come in different flavours that you can spread on crackers, cream cheese, or use as a marinade.
Pro Tip: Check their socials sometime before Easter. They host an Easter Farmers’ Market, so you get to visit without waiting for May. |
613flea
– Media credit: 613flea
Website: https://www.613flea.ca/
Address: Aberdeen Pavilion, Exhibition Way, Ottawa, ON K1S 3W7, Canada
Contact Information: Via online contact form
Operating Hours: Saturday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, but hours change each month (dates are subject to change)
Admission: Free
619flea, an indoor and outdoor market, is a must-visit if you want one-of-a-kind goods. There are 150 vendors selling a wide selection of vintage items, handcrafted goods, and yummy food – you won’t find lots of vendors selling the same kinds of items.
If you don’t want to use public transportation, we suggest driving or cycling. There’s no need to worry about parking because there are a thousand spaces available and 600 bike racks in the area.
The best part? Dogs are welcome! But they should be well-behaved and socialized because barking isn’t allowed at this market, or you may be asked to leave until your pup calms down.
Pro Tip: We suggest signing up for their newsletter if you want to keep updated with their operating dates and hours, which change each year. But you can check out their Facebook page if you don’t want to receive emails. |