Olivia TaylorCentretown is the hottest dining spot in Ottawa, especially for those who consider themselves a “foodie”. From mainstream restaurants to hidden holes in the walls, this city is filled to the brim with delicious discoveries—and we’re here to highlight some of them!
We’ve rounded up some of our Centretown restaurants and highlighted everything, from their dishes down to their ambience. Also, we’ve provided some pro tips that we think you can find handy when you eventually visit these places so be sure to stick by until the end!
Elgin Street Diner
Website: https://www.elginstreetdiner.com
Address: 374 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1N1, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-237-9700
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
Cost: $-$$
Elgin Street Diner offers a nostalgic dining experience for those looking to be transported back in time. It’s one of the few remaining authentic and classic diners, featuring neon-lit signs, retro pieces of furniture and a wide array of comfort food.
The dishes that are offered here are your classic diner menu items such as cheeseburgers, fries, milkshakes, hotdogs, sandwiches, pies—the works. Also since this is a diner through and through, you can expect delicious brewed coffee right off the pot! The best part? It’s open 24/7!
Overall, locals love dining in Elgin Street Diner because of its vintage feel, good food and great camaraderie. It’s places like this where you’ll get a sense of community in Centretown, as it’s usually where a lot of locals gather frequently to order their regulars.
| Pro tip: If you’re not sure what to order, take our advice and start with their poutine! Since this is a local diner through and through, you’ll be getting one of the most authentic versions of this dish in all of Canada! |
SuzyQ Doughnuts Hintonburg
Website: https://suzyq.ca
Address: 1015 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 2V7, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-724-2451
Operating hours:
- Sunday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Monday to Thursday: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Friday: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Cost: $$
For all those sweet tooths out there, SuzyQ Doughnuts should be on your bucket list if you’re stopping by Centretown. As you may have gleaned from its name, this beloved spot offers amazing doughnuts, but not just any kind!
The ones you’ll find here are overloaded with different toppings and feature some unique flavours that you won’t typically find in doughnut shops. Some of their most famous doughnuts include maple bacon, toasted coconut and twisted passion.
They also offer classic flavours like salty caramel, dirty chocolate and cookies and cream. It doesn’t matter which one you order though, as you can expect to satisfy your sweet tooth with any of them—plus, they’re amazing to pair with one of their equally tasty coffee drinks!
| Pro tip: If their branch in Centretown is a bit out of your way, don’t worry! You can also stop by their branches at St Laurent Boulevard and Robertson Road, Nepean. |
Stella Luna Gelato Cafe
Website: https://www.facebook.com/StellaLunaCafe/
Address: 1103 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3X4, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-523-1116
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday: 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Cost: $$
If you’re craving something cold and sweet, then a trip to Stella Luna Gelato Cafe is one of the best things you can do in Centretown! This gelato spot offers a solid selection of flavours from favourites such as chocolate and vanilla to seasonal offerings like candy corn and pistachio.
It’s more than just a gelato cafe too, as they also serve a variety of delicious quick bites like sandwiches and our personal favourite, arancini. If you don’t know this dish is essentially a deep-fried ball of risotto that has mozzarella filling—perfect if you have the munchies!
If ice cream isn’t up your alley but your kids insist on going here, don’t worry! They also serve freshly brewed hot coffee for those chilly Ottawa days that we’re all too familiar with.
| Pro tip: If you have a special event coming up, consider calling these guys for the job! They make stunning customised cakes that aren’t just pretty but delicious as well. Additionally, you can also order their cakes for special occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Christmas Eve, Halloween, etc. |
Beavertails
Website: https://beavertails.com
Address: 69 George St, Ottawa, ON K1N 1K1, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-241-1230
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Cost: $
Beavertails is one of the most iconic places to eat not just in Centretown, but in all of Canada! This humble store is instantly recognisable from its bright red facade and the whiff of what they’re cooking up in their kitchen when you visit them.
If you’re wondering why they’re named this way, it’s because of their signature pastry, which is a hand-stretched dough that’s shaped into a beaver tail. The dough is then deep-fried and topped with different kinds of toppings and flavours like chocolates, nuts, candies and even fruits!
Aside from beavertails, they also serve a delicious version of poutine, which is great to munch on during the wintertime. This dish consists of all the goodness that you can expect from a poutine, from the crispy fries down to the gravy and cheese—who needs diets anyway?
| Pro tip: Since this iconic stall is located in ByWard Market, make sure to explore every corner of this bustling hub, from its nearby museums to its cosy cafes and anything in between. Most importantly, make sure to take a mandatory tourist photo by the ByWard Market Clock! |
The Whalesbone Elgin Street
Website: https://thewhalesbone.com
Address: 231 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L6, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-505-4300
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Cost: $$$
The Whalesbone is the ultimate seafood lover’s paradise, as it offers a wide array of decadent and mouthwatering dishes from the ocean. Their best offering that sums up the experience in this restaurant is their plate of fresh and briny oysters, which is the perfect starter.
Aside from oysters, you can also treat yourselves to good old-fashioned fish and chips. The batter they use to coat their fish is magnificent, as it creates a nice crispy shell for the tender cod meat inside—a chef’s kiss kind of dish!
If you’re looking for something meaty or you’re not a fan of seafood at all, don’t worry! They also serve a mean version of a cheeseburger as well as an Angus steak, which is paired perfectly with a side of truffle fries
| Pro tip: If you can’t get enough of their fresh oysters, we recommend visiting on Sundays, when they hold a special $2 oyster promo—pretty neat! This deal is perfect for large groups so consider this when visiting with friends and family. |
Union Local 613
Website: https://www.union613.ca
Address: 315 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K2P 0J8, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-231-1010
Operating hours:
- Monday to Tuesday: 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Wednesday to Thursday: 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Friday: 3:00 PM to 2:00 AM
- Saturday: 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM
- Sunday: 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
Sometimes, the best dishes you can try are served in the liveliest pubs, and one of the perfect examples of this is Union Local 613. This place serves some of the best grub in town from fried chicken to short ribs, salad, shrimp, pork belly and so much more.
Aside from the food, this bar is a must-visit because of its old-timey look—perfect for taking Instagram-worthy photos! Moreover, the cosy atmosphere also adds to the overall dining and drinking experience, making it a great spot to catch up with friends after a long week of work.
If you’re looking for something to kickstart your day, you can also visit this place from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Sundays. During this specific period, they’ll open their doors to serve their delicious brunch items like chicken and waffles, biscuits and eggs, blackberry scones and more.
| Pro tip: If you’re looking to have a good time with your friends over some refreshing drinks, make sure to visit this place during its happy hour (3-5 Monday to Friday and 10-Close Wednesday to Saturday). During this time, you can enjoy cheaper craft beer and wine—count us in! |
Atelier
Website: https://www.atelierrestaurant.ca
Address: 540 Rochester St, Ottawa, ON K1S 4M1, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-321-3537
Operating hours: Wednesday to Saturday: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Cost: $$$
If you’re looking to try a fine dining experience in Centretown, then Atelier should be right up your alley! This exclusive restaurant may seem inauspicious at first with its bland concrete exterior, but trust us, that’s just a facade!
Upon entering, you’ll be treated to a nice and cosy little restaurant that features sort of a yin-yang interior. One-half of the room is completely white while the other is drenched in black, from the walls to the chairs and tables.
The main highlight here, of course, is the magnificent tasting menu, which features a whopping 44 courses. Whether it be steak, vegetables, seafood and anything in between, you can expect them to be presented like an artwork—truly a Michelin star-worthy restaurant!
| Pro tip: To make sure that you don’t run out of slots, we recommend booking days or even weeks in advance on their website. If you can’t get a table, however, you can go around the block and stop by Pub Italia, which is a great restaurant as well. |
The Manx Pub
Website: https://www.manxpub.com
Address: 370 Elgin St Suite No. 1, Ottawa, ON K2P 1N1, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-231-2070
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM to 12:00 AM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Cost: $$
The Manx Pub is another iconic bar in Centretown that does a great job of catering for both foodies and nightlife enthusiasts. This is hugely thanks to its widely varied menu that consists of draught beers, spirits, wine and a handful of delicious Western classics.
Some of their best offerings food-wise include lamb curry wrap, grilled chicken and furlonger club sandwich. We also appreciate how they cater to those who don’t eat meat by offering dishes like BBQ smoked tofu sandwiches and chickpea burgers.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for something more energizing, you can treat yourself to one of their delicious brunch items. If you want our advice, order their breakfast burger, which comes with fried egg, lettuce, tomato, garlic mayo and a side of their tasty Manx potatoes or salad.
| Pro tip: If you want to add more fun and excitement to your day, you can stop by the nearby Escape Manor before burying your face in one of this pub’s burgers and sandwiches. It’s within walking distance from the bar, and it’s worth a try if you’re coming with friends and family. |
Kettleman’s
Website: https://www.kettlemansbagels.ca
Address: 912 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3W6, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-567-7100
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
Cost: $
It’s no secret that Canadians love their bagels, which is why it’s nice to have places like Kettleman’s in Centretown Ottawa. This is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a quick fix that’s both flavourful and filling that won’t cost you a fortune.
This is because their bagels are filled with delicious ingredients that create different kinds of flavours. Some of their bestsellers that you should definitely try for yourself include the breakfast bagel meal with egg, Western bagel sandwich on an everything bagel and chicken bagel.
They also have this flavour called “Kettleman’s Special”, which is a great option if you’re unsure of what to order. This delicious sandwich incorporates smoked salmon, deli cream cheese, tomatoes and red onion to create the ultimate bagel sandwich.
| Pro tip: If you want to end your meal on a sweet note but don’t want to order anything that has to do with a bagel, we recommend ordering their Nanaimo bars. This dessert features a combination of coconut crumbs, wafers and custard icing—perfect for sweet tooths! |
La Bottega Nicastro
Website: https://www.labottega.ca
Address: 64 George St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5V9, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-789-7575
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sunday:
Cost: $
If your tastebuds are craving Italian cuisine but you don’t want to break the bank, there’s no better place to visit than La Bottega Nicastro! Visiting this humble shop will make you feel like you’re in Rome thanks to the aroma of freshly cut meat and cheese.
The best way to sample all of these aromatic ingredients is by ordering one of their platters. These platters consist of a variety of sauces, cured meat, authentic Italian cheese and everything in between.
If you’re looking for something that can fill your hungry tummy, however, you can order one of their delicious sandwiches. These things are packed with fresh ingredients and will leave you salivating as soon as they’re assembled right in front of your eyes.
| Pro tip: If you can’t get enough of these delicious and authentic Italian dishes and want to bring them home, you can enrol in one of La Bottega Nicastro’s cooking classes! Check out their website to see their updated prices and schedules for these interactive courses. |
