Guidebook for Ottawa
Food Scene
Great coffee, baked goods, and bread in a very cool setting. They also have beer available after 4pm (keep in mind they aren't open late).
29 locals recommend
Bridgehead Roastery and Coffeehouse
130 Anderson StGreat coffee, baked goods, and bread in a very cool setting. They also have beer available after 4pm (keep in mind they aren't open late).
Super popular bakery in industrial area nearby. They also do breakfast/brunch & lunch. Their popularity is well-deserved. Their dynamite baguettes rank up there with the best bread ever.
131 locals recommend
Art-Is-In Bakery
250 City Centre AveSuper popular bakery in industrial area nearby. They also do breakfast/brunch & lunch. Their popularity is well-deserved. Their dynamite baguettes rank up there with the best bread ever.
two six {ate}
268 Preston StGreat food, drinks, and vibe. Could be in nightlife category too.
Our favourite Pho joint. You have to try their spring rolls too!!
9 locals recommend
Pho Thu Do Restaurant
781 Somerset St WOur favourite Pho joint. You have to try their spring rolls too!!
Sushi 88
690 Somerset St WOur favourite sushi joint. At the foot of Ottawa's Chinatown arch.
Great food & lively atmosphere. They sometimes have live music or theme nights.
47 locals recommend
Elmdale Oyster House & Tavern
1084 Wellington St. WGreat food & lively atmosphere. They sometimes have live music or theme nights.
Cozy neighbourhood pub with good food & beer. Known for their pizza.
8 locals recommend
Pubwells Restaurant
96 Preston StCozy neighbourhood pub with good food & beer. Known for their pizza.
Season's Pizza
725 Somerset St WOur go-to for pizza. We love the Canadian & Italian pizzas.
Ginza Ramen
832 Somerset St WPopular ramen restaurant steps from our front door.
Mill St. Brew Pub
555 Wellington StGreat beer (and good food) in a beautiful, historic building.
Essentials
Italian grocery store. Great deli/butcher counter, huge selection of cheeses and all the Italian items you'd expect. Great sandwiches. The staff are all very friendly. We love supporting this neighbourhood store!
16 locals recommend
Luciano Foods Ltd
114 Preston StItalian grocery store. Great deli/butcher counter, huge selection of cheeses and all the Italian items you'd expect. Great sandwiches. The staff are all very friendly. We love supporting this neighbourhood store!
Car recommended when going here. It's the closest large grocery store.
119 locals recommend
Hartman's Your Independent Grocer
296 Bank StCar recommended when going here. It's the closest large grocery store.
Famous for their sandwiches but we also love their turnovers & cannoli (when you they're not sold out).
25 locals recommend
Di Rienzo's Grocery
111 Beech StFamous for their sandwiches but we also love their turnovers & cannoli (when you they're not sold out).
Drinks & Nightlife
The Moonroom
442 Preston StSmall, trendy bar with great drinks and small plates.
One of the last remaining proper taverns in Ottawa. Great for drinking quarts and watching sports. Famous for their meatball sandwich.
49 locals recommend
The Prescott
379 Preston StOne of the last remaining proper taverns in Ottawa. Great for drinking quarts and watching sports. Famous for their meatball sandwich.
Large, popular Irish pub with live music some nights. If Irish pubs are your thing this is the place for you.
63 locals recommend
Heart & Crown - Preston Street
353B Preston StLarge, popular Irish pub with live music some nights. If Irish pubs are your thing this is the place for you.
Restaurant with great drinks and lively, trendy nightlife scene. We usually go for drinks only (food has been hit & miss over the years).
63 locals recommend
The Hintonburg Public House
1020 Wellington St. WRestaurant with great drinks and lively, trendy nightlife scene. We usually go for drinks only (food has been hit & miss over the years).
Food can be great (Tasty Little Bastards, Meatball Sandwich, Mussels, Pizzas) but better known for drinking.
95 locals recommend
Pub Italia
434 Preston StFood can be great (Tasty Little Bastards, Meatball Sandwich, Mussels, Pizzas) but better known for drinking.
Tooth and Nail Brewing Company
3 Irving AveGreat beer. Very limited cold food (no kitchen).
Entertainment & Activities
Open swims and lane swimming open to the public (check schedule at www.ottawa.ca or just pop by and ask).
26 locals recommend
Plant Recreation Centre
930 Somerset St WOpen swims and lane swimming open to the public (check schedule at www.ottawa.ca or just pop by and ask).
Dow's lake (at South end of Preston St) offers canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding in summer and skating on the Rideau canal during winter.
259 locals recommend
Rideau Canal National Historic Site
1 Second AvenueDow's lake (at South end of Preston St) offers canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding in summer and skating on the Rideau canal during winter.
Parks & Nature
Huge national park that has walking trails, hiking trails, mountain biking trails, beaches, campgrounds, rock climbing. During winter there are cross-country ski trails (classic and/or skate skiing), and snowshoe/hiking trails. Great resource for outdoorsy people.
174 locals recommend
Gatineau Park Welcome Area
Promenade de la GatineauHuge national park that has walking trails, hiking trails, mountain biking trails, beaches, campgrounds, rock climbing. During winter there are cross-country ski trails (classic and/or skate skiing), and snowshoe/hiking trails. Great resource for outdoorsy people.
Pathway along the Ottawa River for walking, biking, etc. Was straight down Preston to the War Museum grounds and you'll hit the path just before the river. Goes behind parliament if you travel east. Goes very far if you travel west.
17 locals recommend
Ottawa River Pathway
Ottawa River PathwayPathway along the Ottawa River for walking, biking, etc. Was straight down Preston to the War Museum grounds and you'll hit the path just before the river. Goes behind parliament if you travel east. Goes very far if you travel west.
Huge park with walking trails and lots of beautiful trees and canal views. Lots of dog owners let their dogs off leash here. Big hill for sliding during winter.
41 locals recommend
Dominion Arboretum
ArboretumHuge park with walking trails and lots of beautiful trees and canal views. Lots of dog owners let their dogs off leash here. Big hill for sliding during winter.
Primrose
179 Primrose AveLocal park with play structure & splash pad. Off-leash dog outside fence.
Arts & Culture
Canadian War Museum
1 Vimy Pl240 McLeod St
240 McLeod StreetCanadian Museum of History
100 Rue LaurierNational Gallery of Canada
380 Sussex DrOrange Art Gallery
290 City Centre AveSmall, local art gallery.
Sightseeing
Parliament Hill
Wellington Street