Olivia TaylorHear me out, ’cause we’re going to talk about pubs, but not just any pubs—gastro pubs! Yep, the place where beer meets gastronomy, and we’re glad to say that Ottawa won’t disappoint.
For this list, we compiled Ottawa’s finest gastropubs where the grub isn’t just an afterthought—it’s the main event (you know, table-tipping and belly-rubbing food; I’m serious, they’re that good!). So read on, and let your appetite pave the way!
Wellington Gastropub
Website: https://www.thewellingtongastropub.com/
Address: 1325 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 3B6, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-729-1315
Operating hours:
- Tuesday – 5 PM to 9 PM
- Wednesday – 11 AM to 9 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 11 AM to 9:30 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 2 PM
Cost: $-$$
The Wellington Gastropub has great food, drinks, and craft beers. Some of their best-seller, slash, crowd favourites are the rapini and farro salads and Ploughman’s Plate.
Let’s not forget the cocktails—be it a cool summer daisy or a classic Negroni—they offer everything, plus, of course, whiskey. The cherry on top is that they feature local musicians on their ‘Record Club’ nights.
| Pro tip: They have an ever-changing seasonal menu that makes every visit a unique experience, so keep an eye out for those. And hey, try to reserve a window seat—you won’t regret it! |
Chez Lucien
Website: https://www.instagram.com/chezlucienottawa/
Address: 137 Murray St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5M7, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-241-3533
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 2 AM
Cost: $$
Chez Lucien serves dishes that you wouldn’t want to miss, like the Chez Lucien burger since it’s loaded with toppings you can ask for like bacon, champignons, fromage a la creme, mushroom and cream cheese.
Then there’s the moules frites (mussels and fries) which is Belgium’s popular dish. Also, they drown you in options with their stellar cocktails and superb locally brewed craft beers.
Plus, they’ve got a free pool and jukebox, so it’s impossible not to have a fantastic time here.
| Pro tip: Make sure you watch out for those lunch specials and the Sunday open mic nights, which you will enjoy. |
The Brig Pub
Website: https://thebrigpub.com/
Address: 23 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5S7, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-562-6666
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 2 AM
- Saturday and Sunday – 12 PM to 2 AM
Cost: $$
The Brig Pub offers comfort food that hits the right spot: think fish tacos and buttermilk fried chicken wings. Drink-wise, you can’t ignore that the Brig’s got the Brew Crew’s top seal of approval.
Make sure you sip on one of those local brews or go for their famous Brig Pub House Lager, as it surely did not become a crowd-favourite for nothing. If you’re into cocktails, then the Bourbon Lemonade is a must-try, perfect to drink on their patio.
| Pro tip: Remember to keep tabs on their daily specials, and FYI, they host trivia nights every Thursday. Also treasure this mini gold nugget of information: the evening happy hour comes with $5 drinks! |
Prohibition Public House
Website: http://www.prohibitionhouse.com/
Address: 337 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K2P 0J8, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-565-2704
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 5 PM to 11:30 PM
- Friday – 5 PM to 2 AM
- Saturday – 11 AM to 2 AM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 11:30 PM
Cost: $-$$
Prohibition Public House’s offerings are so diverse, that you’d swear even the law would break for a taste (pun intended). Its menu is a smorgasbord of local fare cooked homestyle.
Quintessentially Canadian like their bison burger, or a bit fringe like the duck wings-name it, and they have it. Their local craft beers on tap are impressive, while the cocktails like somerset sour and contraband lemonade are inventive.
If you’re in the mood for something eccentric, go for their eggnog bourbon; it’s what most locals will likely recommend to you.
| Pro tip: They’ve got this cool “Burger and Beau’s” deal every Tuesday, and you better make reservations if you’re planning a Sunday breakfast. |
The Cheshire Cat Pub
Website: http://www.cheshirecatpub.com/
Address: 2193 Richardson Side Rd, Carp, ON K0A 1L0, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-831-2183
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 11 PM
Cost: $-$$
Nestled out in Carp, The Cheshire Cat Pub houses a menu that seems to sing to your stomach. They’ve got fish and chips and a crispy chicken burger, and their sticky toffee pudding is, to put it mildly, addictive.
Their beer menu features international brews, not to mention some of the greatest cocktails like their signature classic Caesar (it’s name of their cocktail—erase that salad) is something you have to experience.
And did I mention that they have board games? Yep!
| Pro tip: The end of the work week calls for fish fry specials on Fridays, and remember, the early bird gets the best seat and maybe a piece of the pie! |
Bowman’s Bar & Grill
Website: https://www.bowmansbarandgrill.ca/
Address: 1170 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K6, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-680-9339
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 11 PM
- Saturday – 4 PM to 11 PM
- Sunday – 4 PM to 10 PM
Cost: $$
Bowman’s Bar & Grill serves up dishes with a fresh, homely twist. For instance, you can try their maple BBQ ribs or dive fork-first into their famous Bowman’s burger. Now, if you can’t decide, you can always go with the familiar ones, like their tasty poutine.
Moreover, their caesar is practically like a meal in a glass, embellished with a pickled bean. Plus, they level up the pub experience with rotating craft beers and trivia nights, so you can show off your brain power while knocking back a few.
| Pro tip: Try to roll in on a Thursday for that sweet, unmatched wing night deal. Also, parking is a breeze in the surrounding area; just don’t forget to double-check the signs. |
The Waverley Elgin
Website: http://www.thewaverleyelgin.com/
Address: 339 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1M5, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-627-4140
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 4 PM to 12 AM
- Friday and Saturday – 4 PM to 2 AM
- Sunday – 4 PM to 11 PM
Cost: $-$$
The Waverley Elgin ain’t your ordinary run-of-the-mill pub—going here is like stepping into a steampunk dream sprinkled with a hint of jazz-age glamour. Their menu is a cultivated list of refined pub classics with a twist, like duck confit nachos.
Cocktail enthusiast? Don’t sleep on their Waverly mojito, and their Old Fashioned which is as authentic as it gets.
Finally, the Waverley also dishes out a feast for the senses with their live jazz nights!
| Pro tip: Spot gets cosy quickly, so snagging a reservation is wise, especially on jazz nights. Lucky for you, it’s situated in a vibe-rich area, making post-drink strolls mandatory. |
Bar Lupulus
Website: https://barlupulus.ca/
Address: 1242 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 3A4, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-759-4677
Operating hours:
- Sunday and Monday – 5 PM to 10 PM
- Tuesday and Wednesday – 5:30 PM to 10 PM
- Thursday – 5:30 PM to 11 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 5 PM to 11:30 PM
Cost: $$
Bar Lupulus is kind of where the cool kids hang, but don’t let that intimidate you since this spot’s welcoming. The menu is a gastronomic adventure, with offerings like the confit chicken wings, which is a crowd favourite.
Their beer selection is no joke, featuring rare finds like lambic and flemish and beloved classics like grape ales. Now, if you love cocktails more, their new Nordic martini is not to be missed.
| Pro tip: Make sure you try to dive in during their Happy Hour for some well-priced delights. As for parking, the street’s your best bet, but consider a ride share; the beers are too good to have just one. |
The Rowan
Website: http://www.therowan.ca/
Address: 915 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3W5, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-780-9292
Operating hours:
- Monday – 5 PM to 9 PM
- Tuesday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 2 PM, 5 PM to 9 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 10 AM to 2 PM, 5 PM to 9 PM
Cost: $$
The Rowan takes classic pub fare and elevates it to something extraordinary, from their infamous scotch egg to the melt-in-your-mouth beef bourguignon. Their steak and ale pie and fish and chips are local favourites, so you better try them out.
For craft beer enthusiasts, there’s always a meticulously selected lineup of local brews on tap. And for those chilly nights, their hot spiked beverages will warm you right up.
They’re also known to spice things up with impromptu live music and themed nights, so you better not miss out on those for a greater experience.
| Pro tip: Swing by during the late afternoon; not only is it easier to grab a spot, but you also get to experience their magical transition from a cozy day pub to a vibrant evening spot. |
O’Grady’s Outpost
Website: http://ogradysoutpost.ca/
Address: 25 Tapiola Crescent, Ottawa, ON K1T 2J7, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-800-1033
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 12 AM
- Saturday and Sunday – 10 AM to 12 AM
Cost: $-$$
O’Grady’s offers pub fare with standouts like the Outpost burger, topped with everything you can ask for in a burger, like bacon, swiss, cheddar and sauteed onions and mushrooms.
But if you want to venture beyond classics, the shepherd’s pie and beer-battered fish tacos are absolute must-tries, both of which are their bestsellers. Their whiskey selection is worth a nod too, ranging from smooth beginners to peaty pros.
And, for those looking to experiment, their daily special cocktails offer a refreshing twist, like the OG’s Czechkvar and Caesar “OG size,” which can be paired with everything.
| Pro tip: The spot fills up quickly on event nights, so get in early to score a good seat. Also, O’Grady’s often has live music and karaoke nights, so you’re guaranteed a great time. |
The Albion Rooms
Website: https://thealbionrooms.com/
Address: 33 Nicholas St, Ottawa, ON K1N 9M7, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-760-4771
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 11 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 11 AM to 11 PM
Cost: $$
The Albion Rooms’ space is intimate and bursting with character, just like their menu. We’re talking about those flavourful chicken liver pâté, steak frites, pork belly bao buns, and even a ramen bowl!
Plus, they offer a lot when it comes to drink, featuring classics like the old-fashioned to creative concoctions like the garden gimlet. Moreover, they host live music on Thursday nights, which sets the mood.
| Pro tip: Don’t forget to check out their charcuterie; it’s locally sourced and all kinds of perfect. And yes, the place is popular, so reservations aren’t a bad idea if you’re swinging by on a Friday or Saturday night. |
The Hintonburg Public House
Website: http://www.hintonburgpublichouse.ca/
Address: 1020 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 2X9, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-421-5087
Operating hours:
- Monday and Thursday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
- Tuesday and Wednesday – 4 PM to 10 PM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 12 AM
- Saturday – 11 AM to 12 AM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM
Cost: $-$$
The Hintonburg Public House is where everyone knows your name—yeah, it’s that kind of place. Their menu is a constantly evolving masterpiece, but you can still spot the HPH burger or the beet and goat cheese risotto, which some people are raving about.
They boast an ever-evolving list of craft beers, with local favourites like Dominion City often making an appearance. But if you’re not a beer person, their cocktails and wine list are impressive too!
No HPH visit is complete without partaking in their events, like trivia nights and even themed evenings, so there won’t be a dull moment.
| Pro tip: If you’re looking for a deal, their weekday specials are unbeatable, so check their socials for the latest. As for parking, the street’s your oyster, but remember, it’s Hintonburg—spots can be hot commodities. |
Aperitivo
Website: http://aperitivo.ca/
Address: 655 Kanata Ave. Unit L2, Kanata, ON K2T 1H6, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-592-0004
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 4 PM to 10 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 12 PM to 11 PM
- Sunday – 4 PM to 9 PM
Cost: $$-$$$
Aperitivo in Kanata serves up some seriously sophisticated food. Plus, they offer both big and small plates packed with flavours, like their seared scallops, beet carpaccio, prawn and chorizo risotto, or gnocchi.
Their craft beers are worth a mention as well, with a great local selection that rotates regularly.
| Pro tip: Reservations are your friend, especially on weekends. And because they’re all about the vibe, keep an eye out for their tasting events and wine pairings that make for a perfect excuse to step out on a weekday. |
Greenfield’s Public House
Website: https://greenfieldspublichouse.com/
Address: 900 Greenbank Rd, Nepean, ON K2J 1S8, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-823-9900
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 2 AM
Cost: $$
Greenfield’s Public House in Nepean has been serving up good times since ’88. Their fish and chips, rotisserie-style chicken wings, and Greenfield’s burger are the best-sellers.
For beer, they’ve got taps aplenty, featuring a rotating selection of the best local and international craft beers. And if it’s cocktails you’re after, their bloody mary and Irish trash can is as wild as it sounds and the most sought-after.
This spot isn’t just about the grub and the suds, live music, trivia nights, and much more; this place is always buzzing with activities alongside a buzzing crowd.
| Pro tip: Make the most of their daily specials—you’ll score great deals on both food and drinks. And be sure to check out their event calendar; there’s always something fun to look forward to. |
