9 Diners In Ottawa That Will Make You Feel Like You're In Riverdale
Diners have been popular for, well, ages. However, diners weren't exactly 'cool' since Betty, Veronica, Archie and Jughead started sippin' on delicious milkshakes at Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe on the CW show Riverdale. Thanks to Riverdale, diners have gained a popularity again and they're hella Instagrammable now.
Not to mention, Diners have the best food. Cheeseburgers, milkshakes, onion rings, and most of them are opened late so you can get that late night craving in. Obviously, you probably won't go here to talk about the dark and dramatic stuff that they talk about in Riverdale, but just popping in to catch up with friends is good enough!
Bramasole Diner
Where: 428 Bank St
This diner has everything down from the decor to the food. Bramasole Diner is only open from 7 am to 3 pm daily, but that's because their breakfast is to die for. And they have every option you could want for lunch as well. Try them Bram-Slam for breakfast, which gets you 1 pancake, 1 French toast, 2 eggs, 2 pieces of bacon, 2 sausages, homefries, toast and a large juice for only $13.00!
Elgin Street Diner
Where: 374 Elgin St.
This diner is open 24/7, so you already know it's good. This is one of Ottawa's most loved diners, and from the picture above you can probably tell why. They have everything you could every want on the menu and 13 milkshakes to choose from. Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe is shaking. From breakfast to late night, the options are endless. But I'd recommend any of the breakfast, poutine, and burgers.
Fil's Diner
Where: 1209 Wellington St W
Now this is a diner if I've ever seen one. Inside, the walls are lime green and the booths are a perfect blue colour, and of course the floors are checkered. They serve breakfast daily until 3 pm, so props to Fil's Diner honestly. This 60's style diner has so many delicious options, and if you're not that hungry they have a section called 'munchies' that consists of so many carbs. Yes please.
The Wellington Diner
Where: 1385 Wellington St W
This retro diner is open from 7 am to 9 pm everyday, and let me just start off by saying they have a peanut butter and jam milkshake. Not sure if it gets better than that. The decor of this diner is stunning, as it has comic books and other retro pictures up on the walls. You can find anything you're craving at The Wellington Diner, so if you don't know what you want to eat, you'll find it here.
John's Family Diner
Where: 1365 Wellington St W
If you're an early riser, this is the diner for you. It opens everyday of the week except Sunday at 5 am so you can get your breakfast out of the way in the best way! Their breakfast is definitely their most popular time of the day, BUT they also sell shawarma. Absolute game changer.
Chesterfield's Gastro Diner
Where: 1433 Wellington St W
Okay, this is definitely the diner that's the least like the one in Riverdale. However, if you're over the whole 'retro diner' vibe, then this is definitely where you need to be. Not only do they not have milkshakes, but they have upgraded diner foods such as big cheese grilled cheese, double blueberry triple stack pancakes, and fancy cheese steaks. Yum!
Flapjack's Canadian Diner
Where: 354a Preston St
This is a more Canadian diner, as they even have a Canadian maple milkshake. Flapjack's Canadian Diner is like Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe on crack, in the best way possible. From poutine, to waffles, to hamburgers, there's no way you won't want something on this menu. You can even get Oreo waffles, so...
Zak's Diner
Where: 14 Byward Market Square
The holy grail of diners in Ottawa, and the one that actually hosted the Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe pop-up in Ottawa. While they're not giving out Betty and Veronica milkshakes anymore, you can still get delicious milkshakes that put the ones you see in Riverdale to shame. This diner is also open 24/7 and it's never not busy. If you eat the food here and drink a milkshake, you'll see why.
Rockin' Johnny's Diner
Where: Multiple Locations
Rockin' Johnny's Diner is where you wanted to eat as a kid. It's the closest thing to an actual 60's diner in Ottawa, and everything about it is so fun. If you think you're too old for milkshakes, you can add alcohol to yours to make it even more fun. This is definitely a spot that will make you feel like you're in Riverdale, I mean, even the menus are old school.
