Ottawa Restaurants in Downtown
Find the best restaurants in Downtown, Ottawa.
JOEY Rideau
Modern restaurant at CF Rideau Centre with double happy hour — afternoon and late-night — featuring $5 highballs, sushi, and Adult Snack Packs.
Elgin Street Diner
Ottawa's iconic 24-hour diner serving classic all-day breakfast in the heart of downtown since 1993.
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.
Sansotei Ramen
One of Canada's most famous ramen chains, specializing in authentic Tonkotsu ramen from the Kyushu and Hokkaido regions of Japan. Three Ottawa locations.
Parle by Viet Fresh
Ottawa's only halal-certified Vietnamese restaurant, offering pho, banh mi, and Thai dishes in an upscale ByWard Market setting with late-night hours.
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.
Zak's Diner
Iconic ByWard Market diner serving classic comfort food including poutine, all-day breakfast, and burgers since 1986.
Shawarma Palace
Ottawa's most popular shawarma destination with multiple locations, serving authentic Lebanese shawarma late into the night at budget-friendly prices.
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.
Kinton Ramen
National ramen chain offering both piping-hot and refreshing chilled ramen varieties. Located on Elgin Street with another location in Barrhaven.
Pili Pili Wood Charcoal Grill
ByWard Market African charcoal-grill serving pili pili chicken, grilled meats, and authentic Congolese flavours — quick-service spicy comfort food on Dalhousie Street.
The Grand Pizzeria & Bar
Neapolitan wood-fired pizzeria in ByWard Market with half-price pizza and $5 drinks during happy hour — one of the best food deals downtown.
The Whalesbone
Premier oyster bar and sustainable seafood restaurant on Elgin Street. Known for fresh daily oysters and Executive Chef Michael Radford's expertly prepared fish.
Ahora Mexican Cuisine
ByWard Market Mexican restaurant since 2004, famous for generous portions, budget-friendly prices, and free salsa bar.
North & Navy
Venetian bacari-inspired Northern Italian restaurant in a converted downtown house, known for handmade pasta, seasonal ingredients, and an intimate dining atmosphere.
Fatboys Southern Smokehouse
Downtown ByWard Market BBQ institution serving Memphis-style ribs and Southern smokehouse classics with live music and Sunday brunch buffet.
El Camino
Contemporary Mexican restaurant and raw bar on Elgin Street serving creative tacos, featuring famous crispy fish tacos and adventurous options.
Riviera
Set in a former Art Deco bank on Sparks Street, Riviera is Ottawa's most dramatic dining room. Ranked
The King Eddy
ByWard Market breakfast haven serving all-day classics and the famous Morning Glory sandwich in warm, inviting atmosphere.
The King Eddy
A family-operated ByWard Market institution since 2014, The King Eddy serves what many call Ottawa's best burger alongside Northern Fried Chicken and all-day breakfast. No reservations, no pretension — just quality comfort food on Clarence Street.
Al's Steakhouse
Ottawa's original steakhouse since 1967. First and only restaurant in Ottawa to cook beef on live charcoal. Features 40-day aged beef and Australian A9 Wagyu.
Colonnade Pizza
The original Ottawa-style pizzeria, established in 1967. Thin-crust pizza with diverse toppings and a loyal local following. Five locations across the city.
The Greek Souvlaki Shack
A small, no-frills Greek restaurant on Bank Street in Centretown known for traditional, genuine souvlaki, gyros, and Greek salad at affordable prices.
Chateau Lafayette (The Laff)
Ottawa's oldest bar since 1849 with live music or DJ almost every night, Tuesday open mic, and no cover charge — a ByWard Market institution.
Giovanni's Ristorante
A Little Italy landmark for over 30 years. Giovanni's offers classic Italian fine dining with Ottawa's largest wine cellar and complimentary valet parking on Preston Street.
Cocotte Bistro
French comfort cuisine in the heart of downtown Ottawa. Located inside The Metcalfe Hotel, Cocotte Bistro serves everything from breakfast to late dinner with locally sourced ingredients, weekend brunch, and a beautifully designed Parisian-inspired dining room.
Corazon de Maiz
Budget-friendly counter-service Mexican spot in the heart of ByWard Market, known for authentic tostadas, tacos, and homemade Horchata.
EVOO Greek Kitchen
A stylish modern Greek restaurant in Little Italy with refined plates, a Greek-inspired cocktail menu, and Sunday brunch. Family-owned with over 50 years in the restaurant industry.
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.
Pour Boy Pub
Somerset Street pub with multiple weekly comedy events — Comedy Thursdays, Wednesday Open Mic, and Monday donation-based comedy shows.
Thali
Downtown Indian restaurant specializing in traditional thali platters — circular trays with multiple dishes that let you taste a variety of flavours in one meal. Kerala-inspired menu with halal options.
Smash Daddy
Ottawa's first Wagyu smash burger food truck, now with four locations serving Halal-certified AAA Canadian beef burgers and beef tallow fries.
East India Company
Ottawa institution serving Indian food for over 40 years. Famous for the lunch buffet — one of the best in the city. Family-run with locations downtown and in the west end.
Pizza Nerds
Creative wood-fired pizzeria with a cult following. Multi-day fermented dough, Ottawa-inspired toppings, and options for vegan and gluten-free eaters.
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.
D'Arcy McGee's Irish Pub
Authentic Irish pub on Sparks Street since 1997, located near Parliament Hill, featuring live music and classic Irish atmosphere with modern pub fare.
Khao Thai Restaurant
Family-owned Thai restaurant certified by the Royal Thai Government. Thai Select designation ensures authentic cuisine since 2004.
Town
Family-run artisan Italian restaurant on Elgin Street, known for handmade pasta, ricotta meatballs, and a warm atmosphere with great music. A neighbourhood favourite since 2010.
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.
Sí Señor Mexican Street Food
Award-winning Mexican street food serving authentic Mexico City recipes, famous for QuesaBirrias that won Canada's Best Tacos.
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.
Pho Thu Do
A Chinatown veteran of over 30 years on Somerset Street. Rich, flavourful broth and tender meats. Open late on weeknights.
Métropolitain Brasserie
A Parisian-inspired brasserie on Sussex Drive with Ottawa's largest oyster bar. Métropolitain Brasserie brings authentic French dining to the ByWard Market — classic cuisine, expertly crafted cocktails, and buck-a-shuck oysters every Thursday.
The Shore Club
Located in the Westin Hotel with stunning Rideau Canal views. Premium steaks alongside excellent seafood, steps from ByWard Market.
Sidedoor
Sidedoor brings elevated Southeast Asian street food to the ByWard Market. Led by Top Chef Canada finalist Jonathan Korecki, the restaurant serves family-style sharing plates — think Asian-inspired tacos, dumplings, and handmade donuts — in a vibrant courtyard-adjacent space on York Street.
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.
Restaurant e18hteen
CAA Four-Diamond fine dining in a 19th century stone building in the ByWard Market, known for over 20 years of top steak, seafood, and Canadian Freestyle Cuisine in a dark, elegant atmosphere.
Huong's Vietnamese Bistro
A family-run Vietnamese bistro on Booth Street known for dishes rarely found elsewhere in Ottawa, including Banh Xeo (Vietnamese crepe) and Bun Bo Hue. Affordable, authentic, and full of character.
Hokkaido Sushi
The go-to all-you-can-eat sushi spot in ByWard Market. Order fresh nigiri, rolls, sashimi, and hot Japanese dishes straight to your table at lunch or dinner.
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.
Smoke's Poutinerie
Canada's largest poutinerie chain offering over 30 creative poutine varieties, open late for night owls in downtown Ottawa.
The Gilmour
Centretown neighbourhood bar with one of Ottawa's cheapest happy hours — $5 for lager, IPA, house wine, and fries daily from 3-6pm.
Le Moulin de Provence
A ByWard Market landmark since 1998, Le Moulin de Provence is a French bakery and café famous for its Obama Cookies — the maple leaf shortbread that Barack Obama bought during his 2009 visit. Fresh-baked pastries, artisan breads, and a warm market atmosphere.
Pubwells on Preston
Traditional British pub on Preston Street since 1991 with live rock, jazz, and bluegrass on Thursday and Saturday nights.
Harmons Steakhouse
Ottawa's most luxurious contemporary steakhouse. Located in a restored 130-year-old building, featuring USA Wagyu Gold Grade and on-site butchery.
The Rainbow Bistro
Ottawa's legendary blues bar (locally known as the "Rainbow Bar") since 1984, with live music Thursday through Saturday and a Sunday Afternoon Blues Jam in ByWard Market.
Zoe's Lounge
Elegant cocktail lounge inside the Fairmont Chateau Laurier with classic martinis, afternoon tea, and Yousuf Karsh's famous Churchill portrait.
Dominion Tavern
Ottawa's punk and metal live music hub in ByWard Market for 25+ years — cash only, pool table, dive bar atmosphere.
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.
Aiāna Restaurant Collective
Award-winning fine dining restaurant led by Chef Raghav Chaudhary. Celebrates Canadian cuisine with farm-to-table approach and Wine Spectator recognition.
Starling
ByWard Market bar in an 1875 landmark building offering all drinks at $6 during daily happy hour, with a rooftop patio for summer.
SOCIAL Restaurant + Lounge
Progressive Canadian restaurant on Sussex Drive with a stunning courtyard patio, known for $2 happy hour oysters and craft cocktails.
Charlotte
Mid-century modern cocktail and wine lounge on Elgin Street with $17-$19 craft cocktails, DJ nights, and a living-room atmosphere.
Gitanes
Ottawa's highest-rated French restaurant. Chef Mitch Lacombe serves modern French cuisine with sustainably sourced Canadian ingredients on Elgin Street. Named to Canada's 100 Best Restaurants, with an extensive wine cellar and raw bar.
Apothecary Cocktail Lounge
Speakeasy cocktail lounge beneath Starling in ByWard Market with late-night happy hour offering 50% off martinis, draft, and wines.
The Vanitea Room
Ottawa's first opulent salon de thé on Somerset West, serving 3-tiered afternoon tea with Sloane Tea, finger sandwiches, and pastries in an elegant setting.
Ember
Japanese-inspired cocktail bar and live-fire restaurant in ByWard Market with fat-washed spirits, infused cocktails, and charcoal-grilled cuisine.
The Clarendon Tavern
Farm-to-table tavern in an 1800s heritage building with daily happy hour, artisanal pizza deals, and a dog-friendly courtyard patio.
Lou Fast Food
Downtown Ottawa's legendary poutine food truck operating near Parliament Hill since 1987, serving classic poutine and hot dogs during weekday lunch.
Buvette Daphnée
A Quebec-style wine bar that made Canada's 100 Best Restaurants in its first year. Buvette Daphnée brings Montreal charm to the ByWard Market with an ever-evolving menu of seasonal small plates, natural wines, and creative cocktails on William Street.
Banh Mi My Hang
A Chinatown institution serving Ottawa's best banh mi for $5-6. Cash only, takeout focused, and known for Vietnamese street food staples like banh xeo, goi cuon, and Vietnamese iced coffee.
3 Brothers Shawarma & Poutine
Unique fusion spot serving traditional poutine and Middle Eastern-inspired variations, open 24/7 across multiple Ottawa locations.
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.
Bar Ocelli
Award-winning cocktail bar in ByWard Market — 2025 Spirited Awards Honoree and 10BestBars.ca
Stolen Goods Cocktail Bar
Ottawa's
Copper Spirits & Sights
Ottawa's highest rooftop bar and restaurant on the 16th floor of the Andaz Ottawa Byward Market hotel, offering panoramic views, signature cocktails, small plates, and an outdoor fire pit terrace.
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.
Yan's Restaurant
Family-owned Armenian and Georgian restaurant in the ByWard Market serving Khinkali, Adjaruli Khachapuri, and traditional beet salad with tkemali — opened December 2025.
Norca Restaurant & Bar
A boutique hotel restaurant and bar inside Le Germain, serving contemporary North American cuisine with house fermentations, natural wines, and a dedicated bar program.
Giulia (The Market)
Widely considered the best pizza in Ottawa, Giulia's ByWard Market location on York Street serves coastal Italian pizza and pasta with a stellar beverage program. The Chef's Counter offers a multi-course experience right in the kitchen.
Mr. Maocai
A Sichuan maocai (instant hot pot) restaurant on Bank Street. Pick your ingredients and broth, and the kitchen cooks it for you.
Chef Ric's
Social enterprise restaurant by The Ottawa Mission serving $5 lunch specials with daily changing menus of healthy home-style cooking, located in the former Rideau Bakery space.
Nan's Parlour
Grandma's dive bar concept in ByWard Market with $5 rail cocktails Thursday through Sunday — the cheapest craft cocktails downtown.
Sasha's Poutine Stand
An old-school poutine stand on York Street serving classic fries, poutine, and sausages until 3am. Cash only.
Hanyang Jokbal
First and only Korean restaurant in Canada specializing in Jokbal — braised pork hocks. A unique traditional dish you won't find elsewhere.
Meow! That's Hot
Centretown Bank Street kitchen and bar with weekly live music and comedy, a visually distinctive interior, and a full food and drinks menu.
La Terrasse
Seasonal outdoor terrace at the Fairmont Château Laurier offering shareable plates, cocktails, and sangria with views of Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal locks, and the Ottawa River.
Lois 'N' Frima's Ice Cream
ByWard Market ice cream institution serving homemade ice cream with over 60 rotating flavors since 1984.
Jackalope
Hidden speakeasy below Rabbit Hole on Sparks Street with craft cocktails, absinthe rituals, and a candlelit no-windows atmosphere. Reservations required.
FONO
Ottawa's first Hi-Fi listening bar on Bronson Avenue — custom handmade speakers, vinyl DJ sets, Spanish tapas-inspired bites, and specialty cocktails in a 1925 heritage building.
1 Elgin
Fine dining restaurant inside the National Arts Centre featuring local seasonal Canadian cuisine and a patio with retractable canopy overlooking the Rideau Canal.
Atelier
Award-winning tasting menu restaurant led by Chef Marc Lepine. A 7-course immersive dining experience featuring molecular gastronomy techniques in an intimate setting.
Beckta Dining & Wine
Award-winning fine dining destination in a historic Grant House on Elgin Street, featuring contemporary Canadian cuisine by Chef Kyle Wilson and a sommelier-guided wine program.
DreamLand Cafe
Fresh handmade pasta specialist on Preston Street, known for truffle mac & cheese and lobster spaghetti. A small, cozy spot with multiple "best pasta in Ottawa" awards — reservations are essential.
Mamma Teresa Ristorante
A beloved Italian restaurant on Somerset Street, serving classic dishes since 1970. Founded by the Boselli family from Parma, Mamma Teresa is known for generous portions and traditional recipes.
Peace Garden
Long-running vegetarian restaurant in the ByWard Market serving Indian-inspired dishes, vegan options, and organic fair-trade coffee since 1992.
Pho Tuan
Family-run Vietnamese restaurant near Chinatown known for authentic Bun Cha Ha Noi, Bun Bo Hue, and other traditional dishes at affordable prices.
Rabbit Hole
Underground cave-like dining room and tiki-themed rooftop patio on Sparks Street, serving wood-fire pizza, charcuterie, and oysters with themed nights throughout the week.
Somewhere Dine Bar
A contemporary European dine bar in the ByWard Market with craft cocktails, oysters, and a dedicated late-night menu from midnight to 2am.