Ottawa is a city best experienced through its flavours, a culinary landscape that brings together heritage, cosmopolitan creativity and proudly Canadian ingredients. Over just two days, you can explore bustling markets, chic dining rooms, artisanal cafés and some of the country’s most forward-thinking kitchens. Here is your curated gourmet itinerary.
DAY 1: THE CLASSICS, THE MARKETS AND THE ICONS
9:00 AM – Breakfast at Art-Is-In Boulangerie (Hintonburg)
Begin with one of Ottawa’s cult bakeries. Think buttery pastries, decadent cruffins, sourdough loaves and hearty brunch plates served in a chic industrial setting. Everybody raves about their Crispy Pickle Melt Sandwich and their freshly baked almond croissants. artisinbakery.com
10:30 AM – Explore ByWard Market
Walk Ottawa’s most historic and delicious district. Wander through fruit stalls, artisanal chocolatier counters, cheese shops and coffee roasteries. Stop for a classic Beaver Tail, a fried dough pastry shaped like the animal’s tail, served hot with sweet toppings like cinnamon sugar, Nutella, or fruit.
Don’t miss the vibrant murals along York Street. They bring together local stories and audacious contemporary design, transforming stairways and building walls into open-air galleries. They’re a lively backdrop for exploring the neighbourhood and a reminder of the city’s thriving public-art culture. Especially impressive is Morning Doves by Erin McCluskey.
12:30 PM – Lunch at Riviera (Sparks Street)
After a morning of grazing, indulge in a refined lunch inside this elegant former bank. Riviera’s interpretation of modern Canadian cuisine focuses on seasonal, high-quality ingredients. The style is often described as refined and approachable at the same time, featuring handmade pasta, excellent seafood and meat dishes, and stunning cocktails with house-made syrups. Signature dishes include Lobster spaghetti, Nordic shrimp wedge salad and the steak tartare. dineriviera.com
From the left: Art is in Bakery’s famous dark chocolate almond croissants; Morning Doves mural by Erin McCluskey in York Street (© Canada.ca); and seared tuna starter at the sophisticated restaurant, Riviera (© Ottawa Tourism).
3:00 PM – Parliament Hill Walk & Sweet Interlude
Stroll towards Parliament Hill, taking in the unique juxtaposition of politics and gastronomy that defines central Ottawa. Stop for a local butter tart or an artisan gelato from nearby shops.
5:00 PM – Cocktail Hour at The Clarendon Tavern (ByWard Market)
Settle in with a pre-dinner drink, maybe one of their popular craft cocktails and a plate of charcuterie in this relaxed bar frequented by the Ottawan stylish crowd. theclarendon.ca
7:30 PM – Dinner at Atelier (Little Italy)
The pièce de résistance of your first day. Atelier’s 40-course tasting menu is an immersive four-hour journey through molecular gastronomy, executed with precision and whimsy. Expect the unexpected: playful textures, freeze-dried elements, edible illusions and a level of creativity groundbreaking in Canada. Booking essential. atelierrestaurant.ca
From the left: View or Parliament Hill (© Ottawa Tourism); one of Clarendon Tavern’s signature cocktails – Golden Hour; and “Petaline”, a buttermilk panna cotta from Atelier’s 40-course tasting menu (© Ottawa Tourism).
DAY 2: MODERN FLAVOURS AND NEIGHBOURHOOD DISCOVERIES
10:00 AM – Brunch at Wilf & Ada’s (Bank Street)
A small, charming diner made famous by its exceptional cooking from scratch, including their house-cured bacon, which everyone says is the best in town. Also very popular is the savoury scone plate and the eggs in purgatory. wilfandadasscratchdiner
11:30 AM – Rideau Canal Walk
Digest with a scenic stroll along the UNESCO-recognised canal. Originally built for military defence in the 1830s, it is also an engineering marvel, featuring a series of locks and dams that overcome serious elevation changes. In winter, it transforms into the world’s largest skating rink; in warmer months, it’s a tranquil, picturesque pathway.
1:30 PM – Lunch at Aiāna (Downtown)
Aiāna is the perfect midday reset: refined and contemporary with a warm heart rooted in Canadian identity. Chef Raghav Chaudhary’s menu champions local producers and seasonal ingredients which he transforms into fine dining dishes with sophisticated presentations. Order the wagyu tartare, duck with saskatoon berries or the chef’s tasting plate. aiana.ca
Left: The Rideau Canal is North America’s oldest continuously operated canal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007.
Right: Aiāna celebrates Canada’s diverse heritage with seasonally inspired dishes paired with a distinctive selection of wines.
5:00 PM – Pre-Dinner Drinks at Glebe
Glebe is a vibrant neighbourhood in central Ottawa known for its eclectic shops and food scene, Lansdowne Park, historic homes, green spaces and Rideau Canal access. Its buzzy streets are full of cool bars such as the stylish Alora rooftop, which enjoys panoramic downtown views and club vibe with live DJs. aloraottawa.com
7:00 PM – Final Dinner at Supply and Demand (Wellington West)
Wellington West is Ottawa’s creative enclave, lined with indie cafés, artisanal ice-cream makers, comic shops, boutiques and bakeries. Supply and Demand is one of Ottawa’s most consistently praised restaurants. Known for its house-made pastas, hyper-fresh seafood and creative vegetables. Try the raw bar selection, the squid-ink pasta or the impeccable crudo.
THE PETITS FOURS
If you have an extra day and you love beer, you may want to explore the local microbrewery scene – make Tooth and Nail, Beyond the Pale and Dominion City top of your list. If that day happens to be a Sunday, go to the Farmers’ Market at Landsdowne Park in the morning. It runs year-round from 9 AM to 3 PM, offering fresh local produce, baked goods, crafts, food, music and a great atmosphere, with options for both outdoor and indoor shopping.
Ottawa Farmer’s Market at Landsdowne Park features over 85 local vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, cooked dishes,
crafts, plus live music and food court options (© Ottawa Tourism).
THE TAKEAWAY
In just 48 hours, Ottawa reveals itself as not only the political capital of Canada but also its quietly confident gastronomic heart. A spirit of gourmet experimentation, rich multicultural influences, and the generosity of the local terroir come together to shape a food scene that is fast becoming one of the city’s most compelling assets.
Explore in-depth the Ottawa culinary landscape guided by the Ottawa Tourism Board: ottawatourism.ca
Air Canada flies directly from London Heathrow to Ottawa three times a week, with frequency planned to increase in 2026.
Author: Julia Pasarón
Learn more about Ottawa in our article, Ottawa – Canada’s Understated Capital.
Lead image: View of ByWard Market from Andaz Copper Spirits and Sights bar. © Ottawa-Tourism.
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