The views expressed in this Opinion article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.
Think you know Ottawa? Here's your chance to put your local cred to the test. Whether you're new in town or a longtime resident, these seven Ottawa restaurants have become an unofficial rite of passage in the country's capital.
There's no doubt that Ottawa’s restaurant scene has seen a boom in recent years, but these spots have withstood the test of time. They remain quintessentially Ottawa and are always there to remind us of how far we've come.
Which is why you can't say you've truly experienced Ottawa until you've been to these spots. At least, in my opinion.
So how many have you been to?
The King Eddy
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Comfort classics
Address: 47 Clarence St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: An Ottawa classic in its own right, King Eddy takes years of hospitality experience and pairs it with a love of comfort food.
It all started with their burgers, but over the years the spot has morphed into so much more. A community hub in the downtown core of Ottawa's ByWard market that serves up classics with a twist.
The food is great, but I also think an incredibly underrated draw is their space. This bright diner is warm, welcoming, and trendy. It's the kind of place you can hang out in for hours without even realizing how much time has passed.
Yangtze
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Dim sum
Address: 700 Somerset St. W., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Yangzte is the last of Ottawa's "big three" historical dim sum places. It has over 40 years of experience serving the Ottawa community, and while other dim sum spots have come and gone, the big gray palace on Somerset Street continues to hold strong.
Yangtze has a classic but elegant feel to it. It is grandiose in a way that is tough to explain unless you've been there, but it is an Ottawa staple. This is the kind of place everyone has to try once.
Yangtze Website
Aladdin Bakery
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Lebanese bakery
Address: 1801 Carling St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: There are other Aladdin bakery locations, but this is the one you need to visit to call yourself a true Ottawan.
Aladdin has been serving up Lebanese pies to locals for so long that kids who used to trade bus tickets for pies are now taking their kids to go and get pies of their own.
This may seem hyper-specific, but I've heard this story about Aladdin-goers more times than I can count. This humble bakery has been creating memories for decades and will continue to for decades more.
This also happens to be my pick for the best Lebanese pie in the city (the meat and cheese pie is a must-try!).
Elgin Street Diner
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Diner classics and poutine
Address: 374 Elgin St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: The Elgin Street Diner, which will be referred to as ESD from here on out, has helped every Ottawa local in a time of need at one point or another.
Whether it be for a post-bar poutine or a morning-after breakfast, this Ottawa staple has truly had our backs when we are at our worst.
There was a point in my university life where the ESD poutine with bacon and caramelized onions was a weekly occurrence. I would eat half of it in my usual post-bar haze, and save the rest for the next morning. I guarantee there are thousands of people out there like me who have had similar (or many similar) ESD experiences in their fuzzy memory bank and for that reason alone it deserves to be an Ottawa staple.
Ward 14 Consignment Bar
A hot dog at Ward 14
Jordan Pizzuti
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Hot dogs and bar snacks
Address: 139 Preston St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Ward-14 has become a symbol of uniqueness in Ottawa's nightlife — it has late-night eats, Monday trivia, and pop-ups. Plus, almost everything you see is for sale (I've personally been eyeing one of the pews in the Jesus room).
A favourite bar for industry folk across the city and the general population alike, Ward 14 has a reputation for being one of the most affordable, fun, and welcoming places you can go in the country's capital.
It should get the restaurant and bar version of a protection order that restricts anyone from changing or replacing it. If it were up to me, Ward 14 would outlive my great-grandchildren so that everyone can experience what a wonderful place it is.
The Third
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Comfort food faves
Address: 1017 Wellington St. W., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Another staple in its own right, The Third is widely known as the place to go for a solid meal, a great selection of beer and wine, and an atmosphere that people love without ever having to break the bank.
I mean, seriously, where else in today's Canada can you go for a craft beer, a burger with fries and all the fixings, and great service for under $20? I'll save you the research — it's almost nowhere.
As a result, The Third has solidified itself as an Ottawa staple.
The Manx
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Globally-inspired pub food
Address: 370 Elgin St, Unit 1, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: This is a bar that deserves flowers from everyone. When you first walk down those Elgin Street steps into the cozy basement, you're reminded of what a bar should be. Warm, inviting, and full of beer.
The Manx thrives on its ability to be authentic, never giving into societal pressures of what we're told a bar needs to be. It is as classic as classic gets. The staff are always happy to make sure you and your pals are having a good time.
Like any good pub, enjoyment is not restricted by time of day at The Manx. Late night, dinner, lunch, and even their severely underrated weekend brunch are all a great time to experience what The Manx has to offer.
These seven places represent exactly what Ottawa hospitality stands for. If you've never been, well there is no better time than the present to let yourself in on some of the most wonderful offerings Ottawa houses.