Places in Downtown, Ottawa
Explore places in Downtown, Ottawa. Discover local businesses, restaurants, cafes, parks, and attractions.
3 Brothers Shawarma & Poutine
Middle Eastern meets Canadian comfort food. 3 Brothers is famous for their shawarma poutine — crispy fries, cheese curds, gravy, and tender shawarma on top. Three locations across Ottawa, open late.
Ādisōke - Ottawa Central Library (Opening 2026)
Ottawa's new central library, a joint facility with Library and Archives Canada. Expected to open in late 2026. The name means "to tell a story" in Anishinaabemowin.
All Out Burger
A fast-growing Ottawa smash burger chain with 4 locations. Known for juicy smash burgers, loaded poutines, and crispy chicken at affordable prices. The Gladstone location is the original.
Arlington Five
A cozy cafe just off Bank Street with a scratch kitchen, local ingredients, and a community feel. Hosts art shows, workshops, and evening events. Known for their muffins and soothing lattes.
Bank of Canada Museum
A free, interactive museum exploring economics and monetary history. Home to the National Currency Collection with over 110,000 artifacts, plus hands-on exhibits including a rocket ship inflation simulator and a design-your-own banknote station.
Benny's Bistro
A hidden gem inside The French Baker in the ByWard Market. Known for one of the best brunches in Ottawa with French-inspired dishes and fresh pastries steps away. Saturday brunch draws lines out the door.
Burgers n' Fries Forever (BFF)
A Bank Street smash burger spot known for hand-cut double-fried fries and rotating monthly specials. Halal, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available. Fresh patties smashed to order.
ByWard Market
One of Canada's oldest and largest public markets, established in 1826. Home to over 600 businesses including restaurants, boutiques, and a year-round indoor market with seasonal outdoor vendors.
Canadian Museum of History
Canada's national museum of human history, located across the river in Gatineau with sweeping views of Parliament Hill. Features the Canadian History Hall, an immersive Canadian Children's Museum, and the Grand Hall with the world's largest indoor collection of totem poles. Free Thursday evenings 5-7 PM.
Canadian Museum of Nature
Canada's national natural history museum, housed in a landmark Victorian sandstone building. Features dinosaur fossils, a blue whale skeleton, the world's largest display of Canadian birds, and an Arctic gallery. Free Thursday evenings 5-8 PM for all.
Canadian War Museum
Canada's national museum of military history, featuring four chronological galleries, a massive vehicle hall, and the architecturally striking Memorial Hall. Free admission every Thursday 5-7 PM.
CF Rideau Centre
Ottawa's largest downtown shopping centre with 175+ stores on three levels, directly connected to the O-Train's Rideau Station. Features anchor stores Simons and Hudson's Bay, an 850-seat dining hall, and indoor walkways to the ByWard Market, Westin Ottawa, and Shaw Centre.
Chez Lucien
A ByWard Market institution since the early '90s. Chez Lucien is a cozy corner bar known for its no-frills burgers, cold beer, and live music. The Lucien Burger with cheddar, bacon, and red onion jam is a local favourite.
Co Cham
A modern Vietnamese spot on Somerset Street blending tradition with creativity. Known for vibrant banh mi, comforting pho, and beautifully plated dishes that stay true to authentic flavours.
Commissioners Park
The home of the Canadian Tulip Festival, with over 300,000 tulips across 26 flower beds along the shore of Dow's Lake. Free to visit year-round.
Confederation Park
A 2.6-hectare downtown park adjacent to the Rideau Canal, home to Winterlude's Crystal Garden with ice sculptures and winter activities. In summer, it hosts the Ottawa Jazz Festival. Features a historic fountain from London's Trafalgar Square and a 20-metre Kwakiutl totem pole.
Drip House
Part cafe, part cocktail bar. Drip House transitions from house-made croissants and specialty coffee by day to cocktails by night. Multiple locations across Ottawa with the Chinatown spot as the flagship.
Dukes
A modern brunch spot just off Bank Street, open 7 days a week. Known for sourdough pancakes, creative sandwiches, and a full drink menu with cocktails. A newer addition to Ottawa's brunch scene that's already a local favourite.
Fairmont Château Laurier
One of Canada's most iconic hotels and a National Historic Site since 1981. The 1912 Châteauesque limestone building sits between Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal locks, with a lobby, restaurants, and public spaces open to all visitors.
J:unique Kitchen
A Vancouver-style sushi spot on Cooper Street with creative rolls and expertly crafted nigiri. Dinner only, closed Mondays. One of Ottawa's most acclaimed sushi restaurants.
Little Victories Coffee Roasters
Ottawa's standout coffee roaster with a flagship on Elgin Street overlooking Parliament Hill. In-house roasted beans, minimalist design, and excellent flat whites. Multiple locations across the city.
Major's Hill Park
A downtown park overlooking the Ottawa River, Parliament Hill, and the Rideau Canal locks. One of Ottawa's best spots for spring tulips, summer festivals, and views of the city's landmarks. Free and open daily.
National Arts Centre
Canada's bilingual, multi-disciplinary home for the performing arts, featuring four performance venues, the NAC Orchestra, and the 1 Elgin restaurant with Rideau Canal views. A National Historic Site with Brutalist architecture and a striking 2017 glass addition by Diamond Schmitt Architects.
National Gallery of Canada
Canada's premier art museum, housed in a landmark Moshe Safdie glass-and-granite building on Sussex Drive. Home to the world's most comprehensive collection of Canadian and Indigenous art, plus European masterworks and contemporary pieces — over 93,000 works in total. Free every Thursday evening 5–8 PM.
National War Memorial
Canada's national monument honouring those who have served and died in all conflicts, centred on a 16-metre granite arch with 22 bronze figures by sculptor Vernon March. Unveiled by King George VI in 1939, it includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (added 2000). Sentries stand guard daily from April to November.
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
Ottawa's oldest and most architecturally significant church, designated a National Historic Site in 1990. The Gothic Revival basilica features twin 54.5-metre spires, 17 stained glass windows by Guido Nincheri, 30 life-sized carved wooden figures, and a vaulted ceiling painted blue with gold stars. Free to visit.
Ottawa Art Gallery
Ottawa's municipal art gallery, always free to visit. Features rotating exhibitions of Canadian, local, and international contemporary art. Open late Wednesday through Saturday until 9 PM. Located downtown near the Rideau Centre.
Ottawa City Hall
Ottawa's municipal government headquarters featuring impressive architecture, public art, and the scenic Jean Pigott Place public square.
Parliament Hill
Canada's seat of federal government and a National Historic Site, featuring the iconic Peace Tower, the Centennial Flame, and free guided tours of the West Block and Senate. Centre Block is closed for renovation until the early 2030s.
Pho By Night
A ByWard Market institution for over 25 years. Known for slow-simmered beef bone broth pho and late-night weekend hours. One of Ottawa's most recognized Vietnamese restaurants.
Pho Thu Do
A Chinatown veteran of over 30 years on Somerset Street. Rich, flavourful broth and tender meats. Open late on weeknights.
Rideau Canal
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink in winter. Perfect for walks, cycling, and boating in summer.
Saigon Boy Noodle House
A Chinatown noodle house on Somerset Street known for giant portions and quick service. Great for a fast lunch or dinner. The pho bowls are big, the prices are small.
Shawarma Palace
Ottawa's shawarma institution since 1996. A family-run chain with 4 locations known for generous portions, tender meat, and those garlicky potatoes. The Rideau Street original is where it all started.
Shawarma's King
A Bank Street staple known for generous portions, juicy meat, and garlic sauce. Open until 3-4am on weekends, making it a go-to late-night spot. Over 1,600 Google reviews with a 4.1 rating.
Sparks Street
Canada's first permanent pedestrian mall, established in 1967. The car-free promenade stretches four blocks between Elgin and Lyon streets, one block south of Parliament Hill. Features heritage buildings, restaurant patios, and summer festivals including the Ottawa International Buskerfest.
Strathcona Park
A 6-hectare riverside park in Sandy Hill on the banks of the Rideau River. Features the Lord Strathcona Fountain (1909), a popular playground, summer wading pool, Odyssey Theatre performances, and the Adàwe Crossing bridge connecting to Overbrook. Free year-round.
Supreme Court of Canada
Canada's highest court, housed in an Art Deco building designed by Ernest Cormier with a distinctive Château-style copper roof. Free guided tours take visitors through the marble lobby and the black-walnut-panelled main courtroom. Public hearings are also open to attend.
The King Eddy
A ByWard Market diner known for burgers made from beef ground fresh in-house daily. Never frozen, no preservatives, no added seasoning. Also serves fried chicken, waffles, and all-day brunch. Open 364 days a year.
TOMO Restaurant
Ottawa's premier omakase experience in the ByWard Market. Chef Hikaru Yokoyama serves a 16-course experience featuring premium sashimi, ten pieces of nigiri, A5 Japanese Wagyu, and more. A decade-long ByWard Market staple.
Wilf & Ada's
Ottawa's most loved brunch spot. A scratch diner on Bank Street where almost everything is made in-house, from fresh-squeezed juices to house-smoked bacon. Walk-in only. Expect a line on weekends.