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Summary

Popular Ottawa Dishes You Need To Try If You Consider Yourself A True Local

How many have you tried? 🤤
Staff Writer

Have you tried these top bites in the city? You can see for yourself by counting how many of these popular Ottawa dishes you have tried.

Most of the items are remarkably affordable, with many of them costing only a few dollars. So if you want to go on a self-guided culinary tour to the best meals, you could without breaking the bank.

If you consider yourself a true local, here is a fun test. Have you eaten at least nine of the dishes below?

Macarons From Quelque Chose Patisserie

Price: 💸

Address: 70 George St., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: The macarons are just as good as the ones you'd find in Paris and come in so many delicious flavours that you'll want to try.

Shawarma From Shawarma Palace

Price: 💸

Address: Multiple locations

Why You Need To Go: You can't call yourself a local unless you occasionally devour a shawarma or falafel sandwich.

BeaverTail From BeaverTails

Price: 💸

Address: 69 George St., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: Did you know the first Beavertail was sold in the Ottawa area back in 1978? We can't imagine skating on the Rideau Canal and not stopping to enjoy one of these crispy flat pastries.

Egg Roll From Golden Palace

Price: 💸

Address: 2195 Carling Ave., Ottawa, ON 

Why You Need To Go: Their egg rolls are so mouthwatering; some people buy boxes loaded with them to enjoy at home.

O-Towner From Art Is In Bakery

Price: 💸

Address: 42 Byward Market Sq., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: This bakery is so exceptional it was featured on the Food Network Canada's You Gotta Eat Here. While there are no wrong choices on the menu, you need to try the O-Towner, a mix between a croissant and a doughnut.

Doughnut From Suzy Q

Price: 💸

Address: Multiple locations

Why You Need To Go: These doughnuts will test your willpower not to eat the entire box in one sitting. Throughout the year, there are rotating seasonal flavours, but you can't go wrong with the maple bacon, London fog, or carrot cake.

A Bagel From Kettlemans Bagel

Price: 💸

Address: Multiple locations

Why You Need To Go: Open 365 days in the year, no matter when you visit, you'll be able to see the staff baking Montreal-style bagels in their wood-burning oven.

Gelato From Stella Luna

Price: 💸

Address: 1130 Wellington St. W., Ottawa, ON 

Why You Need To Go: It is an award-winning shop that changes its gelato flavours selection daily, so there is always something new to try.

A Sandwich From DiRienzo's

Price: 💸

Address: 111 Beech St., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: They are known for the giant sandwiches that come loaded with delicious meats and vegetables like prosciutto or eggplant.

Scone From The SconeWitch

Price: 💸

Address: 150 Elgin St., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: Their sweet or savoury scones are perfection. Top picks include currant ginger, cheddar or any of their scone sandwiches.

A Cookie From Moulin de Provence

Price: 💸

Address: 55 Byward Market Sq., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: This bakery is best known for its Obama Cookie, a maple leaf-shaped shortbread that says Canada on it.

Tacos From El Camino

Price: 💸

Address: Multiple locations

Why You Need To Go: Next time hunger strikes, you should visit their takeout window to satisfy your craving with their fish, cauliflower, chorizo, or ox tongue tacos.

Afternoon Tea At Zoe's 

Price: 💸💸💸

Address: 1 Rideau St., Ottawa, ON 

Why You Need To Go: You'll feel like you are in London as you indulge in their luxurious afternoon tea. It comes with an assortment of finger sandwiches, mini desserts, scones and your choice of tea.

Poutine From Pong's Poutine

Price: 💸

Address: 2079 Carp Rd., Carp, ON

Why You Need To Go: If you haven't tried this food truck, you are seriously missing out. Here you get poutine with tons of squeaky cheese and a rich gravy that is worth the drive.

  • Stephanie White was an Ottawa-based Associate Editor for Narcity Canada. She has been writing mouthwatering food and wanderlust-inspiring articles for Canadians since 2012. She has a B.A. and B.Ed. from Ottawa University. When she isn't writing, you can find her travelling the globe and trying new restaurants. Stephanie has previously been published on Insider, Flight Network, Apartment Therapy, Faces Magazine, Daily Hive, Dished and The Spruce.

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