Guidebook for Ottawa

Rachel
Guidebook for Ottawa

Food Scene

The food is phenomenal, local and seasonal menu. Depending on your mood, try the mimosas with eggs benny or the burger. you're welcome. *make reservations to secure your spot! it really does fill up and walk-in's are rare for parties bigger than 2*
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Fraser
7 Springfield Rd
90 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The food is phenomenal, local and seasonal menu. Depending on your mood, try the mimosas with eggs benny or the burger. you're welcome. *make reservations to secure your spot! it really does fill up and walk-in's are rare for parties bigger than 2*
This place is SO small, barely any seating inside with a nice patio in the summer. The food is why people wait in line, outside in all seasons. Inventive, seasonal and local cuisine. Unreal baked goods. Order some salted caramel cookies to take home for later (you won't regret it!)
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Edgar
60 Rue Bégin
55 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This place is SO small, barely any seating inside with a nice patio in the summer. The food is why people wait in line, outside in all seasons. Inventive, seasonal and local cuisine. Unreal baked goods. Order some salted caramel cookies to take home for later (you won't regret it!)
Delicious French Brasserie fare and the city's largest raw bar in a top-notch location. The restaurant size triples in good weather with one of the largest, treed patios in the city. Although brunch is fantastic, you can't go wrong during Hill Hour (M-F, 4-7pm and after 9:30pm), when jumpo shrimp are $1.00/each and PEI oysters are $1.50/each Even if you're only after a solid cocktail or dessert, this will do you.
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Metropolitain Brasserie Restaurant
700 Sussex Dr
22 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Delicious French Brasserie fare and the city's largest raw bar in a top-notch location. The restaurant size triples in good weather with one of the largest, treed patios in the city. Although brunch is fantastic, you can't go wrong during Hill Hour (M-F, 4-7pm and after 9:30pm), when jumpo shrimp are $1.00/each and PEI oysters are $1.50/each Even if you're only after a solid cocktail or dessert, this will do you.
YUM. Creative Mexican food, margaritas... if you can, go!
20 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Ace Mercado
121 Clarence Street
20 (рекомендации местных жителей)
YUM. Creative Mexican food, margaritas... if you can, go!
Delicious scones (sweet and savoury) made fresh each day. You can purchase some yummy eats to take-out and bring it them back home or sit and enjoy one of their creative scone sandwiches and breakfast meals! It can get quite busy weekend mornings- a local favourite!
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The SconeWitch (Beechwood)
35 Beechwood Ave.
36 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Delicious scones (sweet and savoury) made fresh each day. You can purchase some yummy eats to take-out and bring it them back home or sit and enjoy one of their creative scone sandwiches and breakfast meals! It can get quite busy weekend mornings- a local favourite!
TACOS! Byward Market location coming soon!
168 (рекомендации местных жителей)
El Camino
380 Elgin St
168 (рекомендации местных жителей)
TACOS! Byward Market location coming soon!

Drinks & Nightlife

I would say this used to be a secret spot, but not anymore! This is Ottawa's oldest (dive) bar that recently got a facelift and expansion. A host of quirky clientele makes it the spot to be. In the day, you can enjoy plenty of board and card games and the *jukebox* with your pint. You haven't lived until you've seen the Lucky Ron show on a Saturday afternoon (turned evening, turned night, turned early morning...)
27 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Chateau Lafayette (The Laff)
42 York St
27 (рекомендации местных жителей)
I would say this used to be a secret spot, but not anymore! This is Ottawa's oldest (dive) bar that recently got a facelift and expansion. A host of quirky clientele makes it the spot to be. In the day, you can enjoy plenty of board and card games and the *jukebox* with your pint. You haven't lived until you've seen the Lucky Ron show on a Saturday afternoon (turned evening, turned night, turned early morning...)
Elgin Street is lined with bars, pubs and restaurants. A walk on a nice evening will definitely have you stopping at various spots.
15 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Elgin Street
Elgin Street
15 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Elgin Street is lined with bars, pubs and restaurants. A walk on a nice evening will definitely have you stopping at various spots.

Sightseeing

Check out Parliament hill from any vantage point you can! Tour tickets are free (!) but are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Go to 90 Wellington st for these and go early! You won't want to miss the Peace Tower.
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Холм парламента
Wellington Street
891 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Check out Parliament hill from any vantage point you can! Tour tickets are free (!) but are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Go to 90 Wellington st for these and go early! You won't want to miss the Peace Tower.
The stunning Basilica is not to be missed. Although it is very beautiful from the outside, you must go inside to sit and take in the incredible starry ceiling and craftsmanship. Please note this is basilica is in operation as an active place of worship and so may be closed to outside visitors. Please be quiet and respectful of parishioners.
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Notre Dame Basilica
385 Sussex Dr
56 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The stunning Basilica is not to be missed. Although it is very beautiful from the outside, you must go inside to sit and take in the incredible starry ceiling and craftsmanship. Please note this is basilica is in operation as an active place of worship and so may be closed to outside visitors. Please be quiet and respectful of parishioners.
A little further from the city (30-40 min) is Wakefield, a very pretty, quaint village with some great bars, restaurants and live music. For a postcard view, go see the beautiful covered bridge. If you have time, get out here! Recommend: The Black Sheep Chez Eric Kaffé 1870
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Wakefield
141 (рекомендации местных жителей)
A little further from the city (30-40 min) is Wakefield, a very pretty, quaint village with some great bars, restaurants and live music. For a postcard view, go see the beautiful covered bridge. If you have time, get out here! Recommend: The Black Sheep Chez Eric Kaffé 1870

Arts & Culture

This is my favorite museum in terms of anthropology and culture. I prefer it's previous name, 'The Museum of Civilization', but the exhibits are as good if not better than ever. The great hall has floor to sky-high ceiling windows with views over the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill (one of the best views of the city, really) and is filled with stunning Totem Poles from Canada's West Coast Visit: http://www.historymuseum.ca/
545 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Канадский музей истории
100 Rue Laurier
545 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This is my favorite museum in terms of anthropology and culture. I prefer it's previous name, 'The Museum of Civilization', but the exhibits are as good if not better than ever. The great hall has floor to sky-high ceiling windows with views over the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill (one of the best views of the city, really) and is filled with stunning Totem Poles from Canada's West Coast Visit: http://www.historymuseum.ca/
This gallery is stunning. Their permanent collections are fantastic with well curated visiting exhibitions throughout the year. Entrance is free on Thursday evenings! Visit: http://www.gallery.ca/en/
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Национальная галерея Канады
380 Sussex Dr
552 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This gallery is stunning. Their permanent collections are fantastic with well curated visiting exhibitions throughout the year. Entrance is free on Thursday evenings! Visit: http://www.gallery.ca/en/

Getting Around

Although ostensibly a mall, the Rideau Centre is a hub for all major bus routes in Ottawa.
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Rideau Centre
589 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Although ostensibly a mall, the Rideau Centre is a hub for all major bus routes in Ottawa.

Essentials

This is my closest local grocer- everything you need 2 minutes from the house!
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Metro
50 Beechwood Ave.
150 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This is my closest local grocer- everything you need 2 minutes from the house!
Where to buy alcohol! The LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) has locations all over the city- this is closest to my place. They sell spirits, wines and beers. The location on Rideau Street has an extensive Vintages collection in a spacious lower level.
191 (рекомендации местных жителей)
LCBO
160 Elgin St
191 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Where to buy alcohol! The LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) has locations all over the city- this is closest to my place. They sell spirits, wines and beers. The location on Rideau Street has an extensive Vintages collection in a spacious lower level.
This is a little further afield from the house, but is quite a bit larger than Metro and also has a Wine Rack and pharmacy.
264 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Loblaws
64 Isabella St
264 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This is a little further afield from the house, but is quite a bit larger than Metro and also has a Wine Rack and pharmacy.
This is the closest gas station to the house. Reduce your stress by filling up early in the morning or later in the evening. It can get crazy!
18 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Shell
962 Merivale Rd
18 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This is the closest gas station to the house. Reduce your stress by filling up early in the morning or later in the evening. It can get crazy!
This is my *favourite* grocer- excellent produce, organics and fresh goods. Lots of in-house made products to rave about (soups etc)
64 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Farm Boy
830 Belfast Rd
64 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This is my *favourite* grocer- excellent produce, organics and fresh goods. Lots of in-house made products to rave about (soups etc)
The Nordik is an amazing spa set in the Chelsea woods. Very close to the city, but feels like a getaway. Entrance to the spa is on a first-come-first-served so if the facilities hit capacity, you will have to wait. *Trick* All massages include access to the baths so if you book an early massage you will be guaranteed entry for the rest of the day :)
312 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Nordik Spa-Nature | Chelsea
16 Chemin Nordik
312 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Nordik is an amazing spa set in the Chelsea woods. Very close to the city, but feels like a getaway. Entrance to the spa is on a first-come-first-served so if the facilities hit capacity, you will have to wait. *Trick* All massages include access to the baths so if you book an early massage you will be guaranteed entry for the rest of the day :)

Parks & Nature

Gatineau Park is HUGE. With over 156 km of hiking trails, and many points of entry you can cater your visit specifically to your needs. visit: http://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places-to-visit/gatineau-park
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Gatineau Park Welcome Area
Promenade de la Gatineau
174 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Gatineau Park is HUGE. With over 156 km of hiking trails, and many points of entry you can cater your visit specifically to your needs. visit: http://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places-to-visit/gatineau-park
With various access points all along our street, this park is your run/walk destination during your stay.
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Стэнли-парк
183 Stanley Ave
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With various access points all along our street, this park is your run/walk destination during your stay.
You can't beat a cold lake swim in the summer. There is paid parking onsite, with beaches in different spots. O'Brien Beach is lovely but my personal favorite - Blanchet Beach- is further down lake, and also the main entry point for my favorite hiking spot in Gatineau Park- Wolf Trail!
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Lac Meech
52 (рекомендации местных жителей)
You can't beat a cold lake swim in the summer. There is paid parking onsite, with beaches in different spots. O'Brien Beach is lovely but my personal favorite - Blanchet Beach- is further down lake, and also the main entry point for my favorite hiking spot in Gatineau Park- Wolf Trail!
This beach is still my local fave, despite moving out of this neighborhood a coupe years ago. Great sunsets, live music and a beach-side bar (kitschy and can be overpriced but worth securing your 'rent' at a table!)
34 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Westboro Beach
34 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This beach is still my local fave, despite moving out of this neighborhood a coupe years ago. Great sunsets, live music and a beach-side bar (kitschy and can be overpriced but worth securing your 'rent' at a table!)