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• Eating out in Ottawa

Ottawa is filled with great places to eat. No matter what you’re in the mood for or how much you have in your wallet, you’ll be able to find somewhere to suit your tastes and budget. Throughout the city’s various neighbourhoods, you’ll find a fantastic selection of restaurants and cafés, coffeeshops and sandwich places.

However, one of the best places to go to find somewhere to eat is the ByWard Market area. In and around this hugely popular spot you’ll find restaurants serving all different types of cuisine including Mexican and more. If you’re in the mood for Asian food, make your way to the city’s Chinatown neighbourhood where you’ll find a fantastic collection of eateries serving top-notch food at incredibly affordable prices.

While you’re in Ottawa, we’d also recommend sampling some BeaverTails. Don’t worry; no animals are harmed in the making of these delicious treats. Instead, they’re made from fried dough stretched to look like a beaver’s tail. They’re traditionally served with sugar and cinnamon but you can get plenty of other toppings too, including chocolate and banana, plus lots more. Definitely something to try out while you’re in town; you’ll find them in ByWard Market and plenty of other locations.

No animals were harmed...

Something of an Ottawa institution, BeaverTails are made from fried dough stretched to look like a beaver's tail. Traditionally served covered in sugar and cinnamon, you can get plenty of other toppings too including chocolate sauce, bananas and lots more. Sold at a chain of pastry stands across Ottawa and beyond, the original location is in the ByWard Market.

Restaurants in Ottawa

• La Botega

  64 George Street, ByWard Market, Ottawa, Canada

  Inside this Italian food store you’ll find a counter making up some of the most delicious sandwiches in Ottawa. Fillings include all the usual suspects such as pastrami, cheese, salad and plenty more. There are a couple of tables outside where you can sit and eat, or you can just take your sandwich with you to nearby Major’s Hill Park.
  
  Open Mon-wed 9am-6pm, Thurs-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm.

• The Works

  580 Bank Street, The Glebe, Ottawa, Canada

  Big burgers are what you’ll find in abundance on the menu at this popular eatery. Drawing in crowds with its huge selection of toppings, sides and large portions, this is a comfy spot to enjoy a substantial meal. Sodas are served up in jugs, and the menu also features milkshakes, ice cream floats and more.
  
  Open daily 11am-10pm.

• Ahora

  307 Dalhousie, ByWard Market, Ottawa, Canada

  This basement level restaurant attracts a good crowd of locals who come to enjoy large portions of delicious Mexican food. Head up to the counter to order, choosing from a wide variety of dishes from enchiladas to nachos. Decorated with lots of colourful paint and fabrics, one of the coolest things about this place is the ‘salsa bar’, where you can fill up little containers with as much salsa as you can stomach.
  
  Open daily noon-10pm.

• Chez Lucien

  137 Murray Street, ByWard Market, Ottawa, Canada

  A local favourite, Chez Lucien is a laid-back bar that just happens to serve amazing food at very affordable prices. The menu features a good variety of dishes including steak, pasta, soups, sandwiches and burgers as well as snacks like chicken wings and a cheese plate.
  
  Open daily 11am-2am, food served 11am-midnight.