Ottawa’s Best Lunch Locations & Eats

I’m not sure about the rest of you, but I know where most of my money goes; no, not at clubs or on alcohol… nor paying for cable, BUT FOOD. I am convinced that at least 85% of my disposable income is spent by eating out, and the other 15% spent on Uber rides to get to restaurants. Like many of you, I have a demanding urge to binge on good eats at new locations as much as possible. While living in the capital region for the last 5 years, this has given me the opportunity to search across the city for good eats. You’ll discover my top 5 go-to locations for a delicious lunch listed below! If you want to discover more restaurants with delicious eats around the city of Ottawa, visit my friend’s Instagram page for all of Ottawa’s best restaurant’s and eats: Capital Tastes (@capitaltastes)

#1. Mati Ottawa

This attractive modern European crudo and charcoal restaurant is Located in Centretown West, on Preston Street. My favourite, Mati, is a great spot to enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner, with associated menus for the different time frames. The restaurant is typically busier during the evening throughout dinner hours and on. However, I come to Mati for their popular brunch menu that serves both sweet and salty eats, as well as brunch beverages such as mimosas and different caffeinated drinks of course. My top picks from their wide-ranging brunch menu consists of 1) The Maple Bacon Crunch: fried chicken, a poached egg, cured bacon and fois mayo on a grilled bun, with a side of breakfast hash. For all you trendy people out there, 2) Avocado Toast: thin sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes, feta, cilantro, spicy garlic aioli. 3) Prosciutto Bennie: cured prosciutto and poached eggs on an English muffin topped with delicious hollandaise and parsley, with a side of breakfast hash. 

#2. Bazille

I like to consider this next one my secret brunch spot… even though it’s located in Ottawa’s biggest and busiest mall, the Rideau Centre. Bazille is a pleasant and attractive bistro located on the upper level of Nordstrom. Open early to late, and the convenient downtown shopping centre location, this is a great spot to meet with friends for food and beverages, at any point throughout the day. Although their menu is fixed, it never disappoints. My top picks from their menu begins with 1) Bistro Club: sliced chicken breast, baby greens, bacon, tomato, avocado, green beans, with a garlic aioli on a toasted rustic bread, with a side of herbed French fries accompanied by their delicious Kalamata aioli… YUM! 2) Cilantro Lime Shrimp Salad: wild shrimp, mixed with baby greens, petite tomatoes, grilled corn, jack cheese, tortilla crisps with a cilantro lime vinaigrette. 3) Bazille Burger: a savory beef burger topped with sharp white cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion and peppercorn aioli on a toasted artisan bun, with a side of their fries and Kalamata aioli.

#3. Riviera

Next, I like to treat myself to a tasty lunch here, but only following recent pay cheques... as it is fairly pricey. This beautiful, modern restaurant and former bank has an attractive ambience with their open concept kitchen overlooking their dining room. This is a great spot to bring your partner out for lunch or dinner, and you are guaranteed exceptional customer service experience. The Sparks street restaurant makes weekly modifications to their menu in order to introduce the chef’s newest recipes. These lunch menus usually include pasta dishes, a seafood dish, a soup or salad dish, garnished toasts, burgers and sandwiches, along with an extensive wine list. My personal favourites are the Riv Burger and the Seafood Tower, usually only offered with the dinner menu. Take a look!

#4. Play food & wine

Another great spot for a delicious lunch is Play food & wine, located in the core of the city in the Byward Market on York street. Beside their savoury eats, the restaurant has quite the attractive setting with their open concept kitchen overlooking their dining room. Similarly, to Riviera, Play also changes their menu regularly, introducing new small-plates and market-driven cuisine using local products constantly. Their lunch menu also offers various savoury eats such as; cheeses, seafoods, pastas, and a large variety of wine and other beverages. My favourite at Play food & wine is the delicious Grilled Flat Iron Steak cooked medium-rare with sautéed mushrooms and a side of fries and an aioli dip.

#5. Fraser Café

My final, favourite brunch / lunch spot goes to Fraser Café, located across the bridge into Vanier on Springfield Rd. This is a great spot to grab a bite to eat for a lunch with family, friends or a partner, with a nice ambiance and great service. Although their staple items remain or are modified, special or seasonal items are added on a regular basis. When I’m at the restaurant during their Brunch, I recommend the Breakfast Sandwich, a tasty multigrain bread topped with a fried egg, smoked bacon, cheese, and tomato. And if I’m there during their lunch hours, I always suggest trying their House Burger, an artisan bun, beef patty, topped with cheddar, bacon, onion, tomato, pickle, mayo and greens, with a side of their delicious fries. And last, as a charcuterie addict, I also recommend their Ploughman’s Lunch which consists of cured meats, cheeses, pickles and bread.

Hopefully this will help avoid any arguments between you and your partner while trying to pick where to have lunch!

Thank you for reading!

Would you like more suggestions? Or do YOU have other restaurant favourites around the city? I’d love to try them out, let me know - Contact page