So, here are nine of the best places in Ottawa to find cheap eats — and what you can fill up on for under $15.
Paninaro: Any sandwich ($15)
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Authentic Italian schiacciata sandwiches
Address: 642 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: From slingin' sandwiches out of the back window of 5:2:8 Coffee on Somerset, to taking over the main space and building a patio, Paninaro's success story cannot be understated.
As Ottawa's only authentic Italian schiacciata sandwich, Paninaro changed the sandwich game for good in the capital. These behemoth sandwiches combine freshly made focaccia with a unique mix of ingredients like artichoke cream and hot honey to make regional delights that you truly can't find anywhere else in the city.
To give you a perspective on the size, half a sandwich is more than enough for one person, and the full-sized sandwich comes in at just $15. So, while Paninaro technically falls at the top of our $15 budget, you can bring a friend and knock the cost down to $7.50 pretty fast. Not only is this a top ten budget spot, but it's also my vote for the best sandwich in Ottawa.
Paninaro website
The Third: Whole menu ($14 or less)
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Homemade comfort food
Address: 1017 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Anyone who's familiar with my own "best of" series on Instagram and TikTok will know The Third as I consistently rank it as the best budget spot in the city.
The Third boasts a wide range of elevated bar food classics from nachos to wings, sandwiches, burgers and even an awesome weekend brunch, and not a thing on their food menu exceeds $14 dollars (which is incredible value for the quality).
If you are a frequenter of The Third then you'll know all about their brisket sandwich. If you've yet to be graced by this heaven between two buns, it's time that you run (no seriously, sprint) to get your hands on it. You can send a "thank you" message to my DMs later.
The Third Instagram page
Ventuno: Artichoke on a stem ($3.25)
Artichoke on a Stem from Ventuno.
Sal (Ventuno manager) | Submission
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Small plates
Address: 1355 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Ventuno won my heart over from the first moment I stepped inside. An apercino bar built into Il Negozio Nicastro, it's a family-owned and operated Italian grocer, deli and cheese heaven in the heart of Wellington West.
When I heard that an Amari bar had opened up in Ottawa, I was ecstatic. When I heard the menu was Italian small plates featuring meat, cheese and produce that they pull right off of their shelves, I knew I was about to experience my new favourite spot in the city.
I recently attended an event at Ventuno where I had a number of delicious (and affordable) appetizers, and none stuck out more than their whole artichoke on a stem. It's perfectly tender, well seasoned, and it pairs great with the fact that you can get another two or three items on the menu before you spend your whole $15 budget.
Paper Tiger: Fried Brussels sprouts ($14)
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Fusion
Address: 1091 Bank St, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: When we millennials were young, Brussels sprouts were depicted as the most heinous vegetable on the face of the planet. Growing up is realizing two things: life is expensive, and Brussels sprouts are delicious when prepared properly — despite what cartoons told us.
Don't believe me? RUN, don't walk, to Paper Tiger on the corner of Bank and Sunnyside. Their fried sprouts with tahini dressing are next level. The layers of texture and flavour they've managed to pack into every bite is seriously impressive.
I think we might need some new cartoons...
Paper Tiger restaurant
Sadie Bean's Ice Cream: Any pint ($11)
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Ice cream
Address: 837 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: When talking about the best bites for under $15 in the 613, I had to include something for my sweet-tooth friends out there, and for me there is no better fix to the craving than a properly made ice cream.
Sadie Bean's, located inside the Ten Toes coffee shop on Somerset Street West, is unlike any other ice cream I've experienced. Owner Tim, better known as "Sadie's Dad," does weekly exclusive ice cream drops. Every Thursday morning he puts out four new and innovative flavours and once they're gone, they're gone. That's it. See you next week with four new ones!
Not only is it impressive that Tim manages to never repeat himself, but he builds his pints of dairy deliciousness like restaurant dishes, with layers of colour, texture, and flavour that would normally be saved for fine dining.
Sadie Bean's Ice Cream instagram
Giulia: Sourdough bread with cultured butter and white anchovies ($13)
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Italian
Address: 350 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: If you're anything like me, then you'll know that sometimes you can't beat the simple things done right. For me, some freshly baked slices of sourdough bread, a dollop of really good butter, and marinated white anchovies hit that mark time and time again.
It's hard to explain the feeling it gives me when I bite into this dish again after a long while apart, but each time is better than the last.
I can't say enough good things about Giulia, although most of their menu won't qualify for this list. Trust me though when I say that this dish alone is worth the trip.
Giulia website
Datsun: Fried chicken bao ($7.95)
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Asian
Address: 380 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Since we're making our way down Elgin Street from Giulia, why not stop into their sister restaurant, Datsun?
Datsun's Asian fusion cuisine and creative cocktails have become a staple in the city, and I'd venture to say that their crispy fried chicken bao bun has a lot to do with that. If you're not familiar with bao, it's a sweet, white milk bun that's super common in Chinese cuisine. The pillow-like buns are filled with proteins, sauces, and veggies to create amazing bites.
If you're not familiar with fried chicken, get out of the house more. All jokes aside, the marriage of textures and flavours in the Datsun bao is well worth the $7.95 price tag.
Eat Datsun website
Sula Wok: Sweet and sticky pineapple rice bowl ($14.48)
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Pan Asian
Address: 184 Main St, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Sula Wok is a favourite amongst those in Old Ottawa East and South. The cozy walk up window and friendly family who own and run the business have provided the area with delicious food for years, and it's easy to tell why.
I could spend a whole article talking about all of the tasty options on their menu, but if you want substance, flavour AND value, look no further than the sweet and sticky pineapple rice bowl.
A large bowl of rice topped with a heap of veggies and aromatics, and your choice of chicken or puffed tofu (my personal favourite), is tossed in a sauce that you'll remember for weeks. For less than $15, you better believe this is a steal.
Sula Wok website
Smash Daddy: The Smash Daddy Burger ($13)
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Burger truck
Address: 298 Preston St, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: It's not often you get a "best" something for less than $15, but Smash Daddy has done it with their classic smash burger. I consider this food truck to be the best burger spot in the city.
From the custom fat content to the grass-fed beef, the caramelization of the onions, and of course their signature Smash Daddy sauce, this a well constructed, well thought-out burger, and most importantly; it's run by an amazing family. The quality to price ratio here is among the best in Ottawa.
Smash Daddy website
