Dig into Ottawa’s food scene, culinary tours and everything in between

Welcome to Canada’s capital, home to one-of-kind dining experiences that are certain to excite everyone’s taste buds. Ottawa’s community of chefs, cooks and foodie insiders don’t shy away from the kind of culinary creativity that extends beyond the plate. Visitors will quickly discover distinct flavours served up in remarkable settings that can only be found here. Heading to Ottawa this summer? Bring an appetite and a sense of adventure and get ready to hit the streets for an expertly curated food tour or a night of fine dining set inside one of the city’s stunning heritage buildings.

But first, coffee

Coffee drinkers can’t lose with a stop at Little Victories Coffee Roasters. The shop has three locations, two near Parliament Hill and one in The Glebe, each with its own unique neighbourhood vibe. There’s no wifi here, which locals love because it encourages gathering around the community table for a conversation instead of logging on to a laptop, and visitors will appreciate the oversized patio by Parliament Hill – the best spot in town to watch the summertime Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill. The shop also roasts their own beans so if you find a new favourite, you can take a bag home as a souvenir.

Eats on the street

To make sure that you don’t miss a single dish, book a food tour with C’est Bon Ottawa. Their guides will introduce you to the city’s best independent spots in foodie havens like Byward Market and under-the-radar Lowertown. With tours available by foot or bike and in both French and English, it’s the best way to experience a wide range of local bites. The Taste of the Byward Market tour is a deep (and tasty) dive into the market’s incredible 200-year-old history and its influence on the city’s food scene. There’s five food stops, three savoury, two sweet – and yes, you’ll get to bite into a BeaverTail. For travellers who prefer to eat and sightsee at their own pace, C’est Bon has self-guided options, too.

“I love that I have yet to try everything in the city,” says Stefanie Siska, C’est Bon Ottawa’s co-owner, president and general manager. “To me, Ottawa’s food scene is unpretentious and bursting with choices and variety. It’s just a lot of good people making really good food.”

Making fine dining fun

At Atelier, chef Marc Lepine wants you to sit down and stay awhile. When diners book a table here, they’re given a luxurious three hours to enjoy their meal – one that includes around 40 modern, regional small-bite dishes organized into groups that the chef describes as “expressions.” Located in Ottawa’s Little Italy neighbourhood, the restaurant has secured a spot on Canada’s 100 Best for 2025 along with Arlo in Centretown with its menu highlighting fresh Canadian seafood, Riviera, which serves up an unforgettable lobster spaghetti in a restored bank building near Parliament Hill, and Perch, also in Little Italy, where the team prioritizes sustainable, ethically and locally farmed ingredients. “I’m anticipating the opening of chef Briana Kim’s new restaurant and fermentation lab, Antheia,” adds Siska, offering a look towards the future of the city’s fine dining scene.

Sweet satisfaction

SuzyQ Doughnuts began as a stand at Ottawa’s beloved Parkdale Market where they introduced the city to their own twist on the Finnish munkki, a fried, doughy delight made with cardamom and quark. Now, with a brick-and-mortar shop in Hintonburg and a city-wide fanbase, this family-run business has expanded its menu of made-from-scratch sweets including the shop’s iconically Canadian maple bacon doughnut.

Little Jo Berry’s is Ottawa’s destination for gluten-free, vegan and dairy-free treats. The shop, run by queer, non-binary entrepreneur Jo Masterson, has a rotating menu of sweet and savoury baked goods, a vegan coffee bar and a selection of locally produced vegan grocery items. A vibrant, fun and welcoming space, you’ll also regularly find a Queer Market here where you can browse the work by local queer artisans and pick up a souvenir.

Highlights from the bakery’s menu include chocolate cinnamon streusel cake, gluten-free cookie sandwiches, and the bakery’s take on childhood favourites like Pop Tarts and Flakies. If you’re craving something savoury, they make their own vegan sausage rolls, too.

Cocktails, mocktails and tastings

Chase sightseeing with a tasty cocktail (with or without alcohol) in one of the city’s chic bars or tasting rooms. Behind the unassuming facade of The Belmont in Old Ottawa South visitors will find a cozy, modern interpretation of the classic pub with a side of college nostalgia. Here, elevated bar snacks can be paired with mocktails like a gingery pineapple highball or a seriously refreshing green tea margarita.

For those who like their drinks with a boozy punch, there’s Rabbit Hole with Jackalope, its semi-secret speakeasy, Lowertown Brewery for craft beer, and Buyers and Cellars Tasting Room for sophisticated wine tastings or a single glass in relaxed but elegant surroundings. With a wine list that changes weekly, guests can expect new and innovative wines in addition to some coveted vintages from top producers.

This summer, visitors to Ottawa will find a flourishing food scene – one that has grown out of the city’s rich history and that continues to evolve, inspired by the diverse, vibrant communities that call the city home.

Explore Ottawa’s delicious food scene at ottawatourism.ca.

Advertising feature produced by Globe Content Studio with Ottawa Tourism. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.