Ottawa is known for its Parliament buildings, but little do people know that this city is a gold mine for good eats. Ottawa is a very multicultural city where you can find streets, in the heart of downtown, decorated with flags from different countries. These flags indicate that country’s presence on the street. For example, Preston Street has an Italian flag and on this street, you can find great Italian bakeries, restaurants and pubs. Read on to learn about the ten best places to eat in Ottawa.
1. Vietnam Palace
Ottawa is full of places you can get pho and it’s actually one of the local go-to foods for people who like to party because most pho places, in Chinatown, are open until 5 am. But not all of these places have great food. The absolute best pho, in Ottawa, is found at Vietnam Palace. But, unlike most of the other pho places in Chinatown, this place isn’t open until 5 am - it has regular business hours.
Don’t like soup? This place offers a great selection of meat with rice or rice noodles. If you like authentic Vietnamese food, you must try this restaurant, before leaving Ottawa.
Vietnam Palace
Address: 819 Somerset St W, Ottawa
Website: Vietnam Pho
2. Royal Treasures
Royal Treasures is a Chinese restaurant in the heart of downtown Ottawa. This homey restaurant features a full menu of mouthwatering Asian-inspired dishes. You must try their mayo shrimp - a combination of juicy shrimp, topped with a delicious mayo-based sauce, that is to die for!
Royal Treasures
Address: 774 Somerset Street West, Ottawa
Website: Royal Treasures
3. Pub Italia
Ottawanians love this pub, not only for their food but for their epic “Beer Bible”. You guessed it, this bible is a menu chock full of domestic and imported beer. The strawberry-flavoured beer is a favourite amongst the females who visit this pub. If you have a significant other that doesn’t fancy beer, you should come down and have them take a look at the Beer Bible. To go with your beer, Pub Italia features a full menu with signature pasta dishes.
Pub Italia
Address: 434 Preston St, Ottawa
Website: Pub Italia
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4. World Burger
Not many people know about this burger place, in Ottawa, but this little restaurant is great for burger connoisseurs. The menu is filled with different toppings for burgers, based on different countries and the ingredients found there. For instance, the Paris burger features honey-poached pears, caramelized onions, Brie cheese, bacon, honey mustard, and mayo. There is an option to create your own burger but the preselected combinations will make your taste buds flare.
World Burger
Address: 1651 Merivale Rd, Nepean
Website: World Burger
5. Island Flava
Do your taste buds crave Jamaican beef patties, oxtail curry, and roti? Come down to Island Flava, in the heart of downtown, to experience the islands, in Canada. Are you looking for a Canadian staple, topped with Caribbean spice? Then you must try the jerk poutine at Island Flava!
Island Flava
Address: 409 Dalhousie St, Ottawa
Website: Island Flava
6. Shawarma Deluxe
Editor’s note: Establishment is permanently closed
Ottawa has a shawarma place on every corner. It can be hard to get everything you want on your shawarma, with all the crunchy vegetables and fresh garlic sauce. Shawarma Deluxe, close by the Byward Market, is definitely the place to go. The shawarmas at this spot have all the flavours you’re looking for, at a great price!
Shawarma Deluxe
Address: 347 Dalhousie St, Ottawa
7. Zak's Diner
Zak’s Diner has two locations in Ottawa and is famous for their deep fried Mars bars! If you’ve never had one, you can try one at Zak’s anytime, because they’re open 24 hours. They also feature all-day breakfast platters, which is always a plus!
Zak's Diner
Address: 14 Byward Market Square, Ottawa & 499 Terry Fox Drive, Kanata
Other Locations: 515 Mc Neeley Ave, Carleton Place | 220 Elgin St, Ottawa
Website: Zak’s Diner
8. Elgin Street Diner
Aside from being open 24 hours, in a clubbing hotspot, this diner has great food. The burgers here are fresh and the poutine brings in patrons from all around. Elgin Street Diner features a variety of poutine and sandwiches, as well as an all-day breakfast! This diner was voted best diner, best 24-hour spot, best breakfast, best poutine, best milkshake, and best in service by the readers of Xpress Magazine. If you’re in the downtown area and hungry don’t hesitate to walk into the Elgin Street Diner and have some grub!
Elgin Street Diner
Address: 374 Elgin St, Ottawa
Website: Elgin Street Diner
9. Pancho Villa
If you’re looking for authentic Mexican food, Pancho Villa is the place to be! You can sit outside on the patio and eat shrimp nachos or corn flour tortilla enchiladas and drink beer margaritas. Top it all off with some deep fried ice cream and your tummy will be smiling!
Pancho Villa
Address: 361 Elgin St., Ottawa
10. Rangoli
There are many Indian restaurants in Ottawa, but not all of them cook with all the spices necessary to make a good curry. Rangoli, in the east end of Ottawa, offers great value and quality food. You can also buy Indian sweets at this restaurant, by the pound.
Rangoli
Address: 2491 St Joseph Blvd, Orléans
Website: Rangoli
For foodies
Ottawa is a very multicultural city, with restaurants to spare and although most of the food here is delicious, there is the odd place that serves tasteless food. Eat wisely - visit one or all of the ten places on this list in the near future - your tastebuds will thank you.