Liam SmithYou can’t mention Ottawa without bringing up one of its most iconic streets, Bank Street. It runs through the heart of the city, passing numerous famous attractions, such as Parliament Hill, and connects the Downtown area to the suburbs.
However, with so many sights to see, restaurants to try, and hotels to sleep in, we feel like this single street deserves its own travel guide. Personally, I pass through Bank Street during my daily commute, and it’s been a while since I’ve viewed it from a different light.
So, to put my expertise to good use, I’ve compiled everything you need to know about Bank Street in Ottawa in this travel guide. Continue reading if you want to explore every crevice of this culture-rich street!
Where is Bank Street?
Bank Street spans from Wellington Street to Riverdale Avenue. It passes through approximately 25 blocks and continues through the suburban area from Downtown Ottawa.
How to Get around Bank Street
By bus: You can easily hop on and hop off OC Transpo buses along Bank Street, with Routes 6 and 7 travelling the full length of the street. These buses also have affordable fares and notably higher frequency, making them cheap, fast and reliable.
By train: There is no exact train line that runs through Bank Street, but the nearest station is the Parliament Hill O-Train Station.
By foot: Bank Street is pedestrian-friendly. In fact, it’s almost always congested with cars, so you may get to your destination faster if you walk.
By car: If you want a convenient way to get around Bank Street, you can rent a car to visit its points of interest easily.
What to Do and See in Bank Street
Check out interactive attractions at the Bank of Canada Museum
– Media credit: bocmuseum
Address: 30 Bank St.
Phone: +1 613-782-8914
Cost: Free
Operating hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Website
Since this is indeed Bank Street, you can’t leave without visiting the Bank of Canada Museum. This attraction features interactive exhibits and displays that showcase Canada’s economic history throughout the years—plus, entrance is free!
One of the best parts of this museum is Zone 5, where you can express your creativity by designing your own banknote! Another noteworthy game here is the rocket ride, which you’ll have to maneuver through the galaxy.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a complete museum without a history lesson, and fortunately, it’s not a boring one! Walking through Zone 3 will let you discover the world economic history of the Bank of Canada through a detailed timeline featuring pictures and visual aids.
Get a new high score at the House of TARG
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Address: 1077 Bank St.
Phone: +1 613-680-8274
Cost: $$
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Friday: 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
House of TARG is a great place to check out if you want to reminisce about the good old days before smartphones took over. I don’t mean to sound like a grumpy old man, but this place does feel like the nineties with its neon lights, arcade games, and pinball machines.
It’s like an arcade for grown-ups because you can also order your favourite beer and cocktails as you try to beat the high scores or your friends. You can partner these drinks with one of their perogies, which feature toppings like jalapeno peppers, cheese, and beef!
Lastly, the place also features various local acts that will get you grooving with their impressive live performances!
Admire the architecture of Parliament Hill
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Address: Wellington St.
Phone: +1 613-992-4793
Cost: Free
Operating hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Website
You can’t leave Ottawa without visiting Parliament Hill; it’s among the capital’s most iconic attractions! For starters, it’s where Canada’s federal government resides, which means that all of the important decisions made in the country are held here.
Furthermore, it offers stunning neo-Gothic architecture that’s begging to be admired and photographed! If you time your visit right, you can also witness the changing of the guards.
After admiring the beautiful buildings of Parliament Hill, you can proceed to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds it. From tall trees to vast grassy fields and, of course, the Ottawa River, the things to admire here don’t disappoint!
Hunt for the best beer in town
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Bank Street, or Ottawa in general, is home to various bars that offer draught beer, making it a great destination for a pub crawl.
If you don’t know where to start, one of the best places you can check out is CRAFT Beer Market Ottawa. It offers beer on tap, a lively ambience, and a fantastic selection of dishes, ranging from pizza to steaks and fries, sushi, mac and cheese, etc.
Other spots you can include in your pub crawl include The Rowan and Glebe Central Pub. The former is great if you want to pair your beer with upscale dishes, while the latter is perfect for that traditional, laid-back pub experience.
Glide through ice at Rideau Canal Skateway
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Address: 1 Elgin St.
Phone: +1 613-239-5000
Cost: Free
Operating hours:
If you happen to visit during Winter, which we highly recommend, you have to stop by Rideau Canal Skateway! It’s a winter staple to go ice skating here once the ice is thick enough, as it’s one of the most magical experiences in Ottawa.
The best thing about this skateway is that it’s free to enjoy! However, you need to pay for your skates, which isn’t a bad deal at all, considering the beautiful and magical sights you’ll be surrounded by, especially at night!
Where to Eat and Drink in Bank Street
Sansotei Ramen
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Address: 153 Bank St.
Phone: +1 613-695-1718
Pricing: $$
Operating hours: Monday to Saturday: 11:00 AM to 9:45 PM
Sansotei Ramen does the Japanese staple justice by offering authentic flavours, like shio, tonkatsu, and miso.
If you’re looking for something with more kick, however, you must order their spicy tantan flavour. It perfectly blends richness and spiciness, featuring delicious toppings like ground pork, bamboo shoots, soft-boiled eggs, and chilli!
The place itself is a pleasure to dine in due to its cosy vibes and Japanese-inspired interior decor. We love how it pays tribute to Japanese boathouses by featuring ropes on the ceilings as well as low-hanging light bulbs.
Riviera Ottawa
– Media credit: dineriviera
Address: 62 Sparks St.
Phone: +1 613-233-6262
Pricing: $$$
Operating hours:
- Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Thursday to Saturday: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Riviera Ottawa was converted from one of Canada’s most historical banks, and some of its design elements remain today, from the vaults to the marbled walls.
The food is here top-notch as well, offering some of the freshest prawns, lobsters, and oysters. If you can’t make up your mind, you can opt for the seafood tower.
Meanwhile, meat lovers can opt for the extremely juicy Alberta striploin steak, which has been dry-aged, so you can expect the most tender and flavourful piece of meat. They also offer a wide array of classic cocktails, like Negronis!
Wilf & Ada’s
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Address: 510 Bank St.
Phone: +1 613-231-7959
Pricing: $$
Operating hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Friday: 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Wilf & Ada’s is an Ottawa staple known for offering delicious and generously portioned breakfast/brunch dishes at reasonable prices. It’s always a treat entering this restaurant, as its open kitchen will greet you with amazing aromas of poached eggs, bacon strips, sausages, etc.
The quintessential brunch dish you can order is the HungryHuman Breakfast, offering all of these along with toast! However, if you have a sweet tooth, try their buttermilk French toast, which comes with berries, apples, and the best maple syrup you’ll ever try.
Lastly, their menu is inclusive, featuring vegan options, like tofu scrambled eggs and avocado toast!
Banditos
– Media credit: banditosottawa
Address: 683 Bank St.
Phone: +1 613-565-3663
Pricing: $$
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
If you’re looking for a lively ambience, good food, live music, and refreshing cocktails, then Banditos should be right up your alley! For starters, this Mexican joint offers the best tacos in town, which feature fish, pico de gallo, chicken, or even cauliflower for vegetarians.
Our favourite is the smoked brisket due to its sheer savouriness and extremely tender texture. Regardless of which meat you choose, however, you must pair your tacos with their famous nachos, which come overloaded with corn, peppers, cheese, pico de gallo, etc.
Visit Banditos on Sundays, that’s when they feature live upbeat music from their DJ. It’s the perfect setting for drinking their refreshing cocktails with your friends!
The Whalesbone Bank Street
– Media credit: thewhalesboneonbank
Address: 430 Bank St.
Phone: +1 613-231-8569
Pricing: $$$
Operating hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
The Whalesbone on Bank Street is hands-down the best spot to get the freshest shucked oysters in Ottawa. They offer them in generous platters and even provide you with their homemade mignonette and Tabasco, of course.
If you’re looking for something more lip-smacking, however, you must try their slow-roasted beef ribs! The meat of these perfectly marinated ribs falls off the bone and is seeping with BBQ sauce and its own juices.
The place also features a charming look, taking inspiration from old shacks you’ll typically find in the bayou.
Where to Shop in Bank Street
Ottawa Antique Market
– Media credit: ottawa_antique_market
Address: 1179 Bank St, Suite A
Phone: +1 613-730-6000
Pricing: $-$$$
Operating hours: Wednesday to Monday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Website
Ottawa Antique Market houses several vintage goods, from furniture to silverware, jewellery, and more.
Some of our favourite items from their selection are these vintage signs that would look amazing in Bauhaus-style interiors. You can even find antique items from a bygone era, like old cash registers, helmets from WWII, etc.
Book Bazaar
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Address: 417 Bank St.
Phone: +1 613-233-4380
Pricing: $-$$
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Saturday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Book Bazaar is homey spot that’s perfect for bookworms and collectors alike! It offers two floors that are filled with used, rare, and antique books—it’s impossible to leave the place empty-handed!
The place features just about every type of book you can think of, from autobiographies to fantasies, science fiction, crime, you name it, this place has it!
Beaded Dreams
– Media credit: beadeddreamsca
Address: 426 Bank St.
Phone: +1 613-235-8378
Pricing: $-$$
Operating hours: Wednesday to Friday: 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Website
If you’re looking for unique souvenir ideas, head on over to Beaded Dreams. It has an impressive selection of natively made handicrafts, like jewellery, candles, soaps, bags, and shoes.
You can also have a piece of jewellery customized, whether it be a bracelet, an anklet or a necklace!
Where to Stay in and near Bank Street
Alt Hotel Ottawa
– Media credit: nnnance
Address: 185 Slater St.
Phone: +1 613-691-6882
Pricing: $$
Book Now
Alt Hotel is one of the most charming accommodations in the capital. It offers guests spacious and modern suites, with complete amenities and fantastic views of Downtown Ottawa.
The hotel also features a quaint cafe, where guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast and fresh coffee—plus, it offers a serene ambience that’s perfect for relaxing afternoons. You can’t beat its location either, as it’s near famous attractions like the Bank of Canada Museum, Parliament Hill, and the Ottawa River.
Ottawa Marriott Hotel
– Media credit: ottawamarriott
Address: 100 Kent St.
Phone: +1 613-238-1122
Pricing: $$$
Book Now
If you want to experience a lavish stay during your weekend in Ottawa, the Marriott Hotel should be on your radar. Its suites are all elegantly designed and spacious, featuring every modern amenity you can expect from a 5-star hotel.
The hotel doesn’t fall short of facilities as well, with one of its most notable offerings being the indoor heated pool—perfect during the winter! You can also bring your kids here and let them enjoy the dedicated kids’ zone and game room.
Sonder The O’Connor Apartments Downtown
– Media credit: sonderstays
Address: 377 O’Connor St.
Phone: +1 438-795-6650
Pricing: $$
Book Now
Sonder The O’Connor Apartments is one of the best options if you’re looking to stay for more than a couple of days in Ottawa. Since they’re apartments rather than traditional hotel suites, they’ll feel like a second home with complete kitchens, dining areas, and living rooms.
The rooms look and feel charming as well, with modern designs consisting of wooden floors, Scandinavian-esque furniture, and white, minimalistic walls. As if those aren’t enough to entice you, each room also features spectacular views of the Ottawa skyline.
If you take fitness seriously, you won’t have to worry about missing a workout during your stay here, thanks to the on-site gym. Plus, with so many protein-heavy dishes waiting at nearby restaurants, you’ll have no problem sticking to your diet!
The Metcalfe Hotel by Gray Collection
– Media credit: metcalfehotel
Address: 123 Metcalfe St.
Phone: +1 613-231-6555
Pricing: $$
Book Now
It’s hard to find cheap hotel rooms around the Downtown area, which is why Metcalfe by Gray Collection is a fantastic find! The rooms can easily pass as five-star suites, with their leather chairs, massive beds, beautiful wooden finishes, and fantastic views.
Plus, it comes with all the amenities you need for a comfy stay! There’s also a massive game room, which features a full-fledged basketball court and a ping-pong table.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for authentic French cuisine, you can drop by the hotel’s fancy restaurant, Cocotte Bistro.
Hilton Garden Inn Ottawa Downtown
– Media credit: hiltons_ottawa_downtown
Address: 361 Queen St.
Phone: +1 613-234-6363
Pricing: $$$
Book Now
Hilton Garden Inn offers some of the most beautiful suites in the city, and almost every one of them provides unobstructed views of the skyline.
Its facilities are impressive, especially its indoor saltwater pool, complete with fountains! Furthermore, it also offers a gym with complete equipment for fitness gurus out there.
Dining-wise, the hotel offers Tulip Restaurant and Bar, which offers a breakfast buffet, cocktails, and International a la carte dishes for dinner.
