In an effort to find the best eats around the globe, I’m connecting with food-loving locals and putting my stomach in their hands. Follow along as I challenge them to take me to five of their fave spots for my Eating With A Local series. The only criteria? Good food. The kind you want to share with friends.
Local Glutton (LG): Julia. Ottawa resident and local influencer. Once devoured a camel burger in Dubai and was pleasantly surprised by the taste. Her love of food was sparked by her dad, an amazing cook who likes to push boundaries and try new things. She hates mushrooms, but can’t live without avocados. Her culinary hero is Jamie Oliver.
Our Food Hop Around ByWard Market:
1. The Cupcake Lounge
What do you love about this place?
Julia (LG): They have the best cupcakes in Ottawa hands down. I love their variety and that they have new flavours each day of the week.
My Two Cents: These gourmet, all natural cupcakes are baked daily and have no artificial flavours, preservatives or trans fats. But what I love most about this place is the range of flavours: from maple cinnamon and butterscotch bourbon to apple dulce de leche and ginger lemon.
Who would you bring here?
Julia (LG): A friend or my boyfriend. It’s a great place to catch up or go on a little date. Or grab a box to go and share with friends at home!
My Two Cents: Anybody and everybody! It’s that good.
If you could only order one dish/item what would it be?
Julia (LG): The cookie dough cupcake.
My Two Cents: The coconut cupcake: classic Madagascar bourbon vanilla cake topped with toasted coconut and cream cheese frosting. Yum!
2. La Bottega
What do you love about this place?
Julia (LG): It reminds me of a classic European grocery store. They have some great items available.
My Two Cents: A fifth generation family business, La Bottega has gained a loyal following in Ottawa over the years with their high quality Italian deli meats and cheeses, range of gourmet products and friendly service. There is a warm energy in the store — like walking into nonna’s pantry. Head to the very back for tasty sandwiches!
Who would you bring here?
Julia (LG): I’d go here with friends to grab things to make dinner or a coffee and sandwich to go!
My Two Cents: Friends who can appreciate a good deli sandwich or who love to cook. This grocer does not compromise on quality (likely the reason they’ve been in business since 1972) so the ingredients are top-notch.
If you could only order one dish/item what would it be?
Julia (LG): Their sandwiches are amazing. They’re a great size and price and will easily last me two meals.
My Two Cents: An Italian sandwich made with focaccia bread, provolone cheese, Genoa salami, spicy eggplant, tomatoes, lettuce, hot peppers and mustard.
3. Planet Coffee
What do you love about this place?
Julia (LG): The location in the ByWard Market courtyard.
My Two Cents: The independent coffee shop has a great local vibe, excellent coffee and always smells amazing (their baked goods are freshly made onsite).
Who would you bring here?
Julia (LG): I head there to catch up with a friend or alone to get some work done.
My Two Cents: I’d bring bring my hubby for a date in the courtyard.
If you could only order one dish/item what would it be?
Julia (LG): I always switch it up, but probably order a cappuccino the most.
My Two Cents: Maple latte with a cookie or lemon bar!
4. BeaverTails
What do you love about this place?
Julia (LG): I like that they’re set up right on the canal in the winter and can satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.
My Two Cents: It doesn’t get any more Canadian than this! BeaverTails have been sold at the ByWard Market since 1980. I’m addicted to the iconic pastry and make sure to stuff my face with a few during every visit.
Who would you bring here?
Julia (LG): I always bring my friends from out of town. They love BeaverTails and love trying different flavours when they visit.
My Two Cents: I’d like to bring my little nephew and niece here one day when they visit Canada. I think a trip to the capital just isn’t complete without a bite.
If you could only order one dish/item what would it be?
Julia (LG): I love the new salted caramel flavour!
My Two Cents: I’m a classic chocolate hazelnut kinda gal.
5. Copper Spirits & Sights (Andaz Ottawa)
What do you love about this place?
Julia (LG): The atmosphere and stunning panoramic view of Ottawa. You can sit inside in the colder months or enjoy their patio in the warmer months.
My Two Cents: It’s alllll about the views here — the best in the city. Regardless of the season, I’d recommend hopping on the patio and taking in an epic sunset. We sat out there all bundled up and loved every minute.
Who would you bring here?
Julia (LG): I would go here on a date or a catch up with friends.
My Two Cents: There’s definitely something romantic about this rooftop so I’d head here with hubster for pre-dinz cocktails. And a night or two at the beaut hotel is also a must in my opinion (click here to check out our weekend itinerary).
If you could only order one dish/item what would it be?
Julia (LG): Jehiel Collins, a fun take on Tom Collins that includes Dillon’s Rose Gin, Tanqueray, earl grey-basil reduction, raspberry shrub and soda.
My Two Cents: I like the Colombo cocktail — Pluck lavender earl grey tea infused Ungava gin, St. Germain, Teapot Bitters and edible flower.
Our accommodations, meals and activities to Ottawa were complimentary as part of a press trip to the city. As always, all reviews and opinions are entirely my own. A huge thanks to Attractions Ontario and Ottawa Tourism for partnering with us. Head here to read more about our trip to the capital.
26 Comments
Doreen Pendgracs
April 26, 2017 at 5:27 pmI love Ottawa! Have enjoyed the Cupcake Lounge, la Bottega, and the Beaver Tails. All good! Didn’t make it to the Andaz, but did see where it was. Next time!
Solmaz
April 26, 2017 at 7:06 pmYou hit up some fab spots Doreen! I’m sure some chocolate treats were also had 🙂
Helen
April 26, 2017 at 7:32 pmIt’s always best to get a local’s perspective! I’ve bookmarked this for when I visit Ottawa myself. Thanks Solmaz. 🙂
Solmaz
April 27, 2017 at 1:37 pmIt really is! I hope you enjoy all the spots Helen!!
Lapinayviajera
April 26, 2017 at 7:32 pmI’ve never been to Canada but it’s definitely on my bucket list. This is exactly what I’m looking for when I visit a new city, true local experience of food and drinks!
Solmaz
April 27, 2017 at 1:41 pmI hope you visit us in Canada soon — our beaut capital Ottawa, is a must.
Julie
April 26, 2017 at 10:00 pmGreat tips! I love trips centered around food so all these places sound so delicious! I want to try Beaver Tails, been noticing it on all the posts on Ottawa!
Solmaz
April 27, 2017 at 1:42 pmomg they are amaaaaaze. hope you do one day!
Ketki
April 27, 2017 at 2:43 amI love the concept of your series: Eating with a local. Enjoyed looking at all the photos and reading the conversation.
Solmaz
April 27, 2017 at 2:42 pmThanks so much! It’s my fave series — allows me to get out of my comfort zone and connect with a stranger living in the city/country I’m visiting. And it’s a tasty mission 🙂
Marvi
April 27, 2017 at 3:39 amYou’re post made me want to try them out! I definitely love cupcakes and would like to try the Cupcake Lounge 😀
Solmaz
April 27, 2017 at 2:43 pmThe cupcake lounge had some of the best cupcakes I’ve ever had!!
Anisa
April 27, 2017 at 7:36 amI have never been to Ottawa. So nice you had a local to show you some of the great food. It all looks so delicious.
Solmaz
April 28, 2017 at 9:22 amIt WAS delish — she had some fab recos!
Dariel
April 27, 2017 at 8:04 amAmazing photos that make me wish I was there right now to gobble up a few of those cupcakes and sweet pastries!
Solmaz
April 28, 2017 at 9:24 amThank you!
Anna Hammerschmidt
April 27, 2017 at 7:13 pmThis looks so good! I loved the byward market while I was in Ottawa! Yet somehow, I never tried the beavertails, looks like I will have to go back!
Solmaz
April 28, 2017 at 9:25 amYes, you MUST go back for BeaverTails!!
you.theworld.wandering
April 27, 2017 at 9:40 pmGreat post and great pics! I love the sound of the cupcake long, I’m always a sucker for sweets! I also love the sound of Beaver tails and their iconic pastries!
Solmaz
April 28, 2017 at 9:39 amThanks so much! You def need to visit Ottawa and try all the sweets.
Jean
April 27, 2017 at 9:42 pmYou had my attention at cupcake lounge. I’m in! What a fun way to spend a day.
Solmaz
April 28, 2017 at 9:41 amSuch a great way to see the city. I love meeting up with locals and seeing a destination through their eyes.
Ryan Biddulph
April 30, 2017 at 2:48 amThe coconut cupcake sounds divine Solmaz 😉 Ya had me at cream cheese LOL.
Ryan
Solmaz
May 3, 2017 at 11:35 amIt was soooo good. I wish they shipped to my condo!!
Carolin
May 4, 2017 at 10:31 amThanks for this post, Solmaz. As a foodie I love to experience new places through my taste buds, I will bookmark this for when I go to Canada and visit Ottawa!
Solmaz
May 4, 2017 at 2:13 pmOoh we have something in common: FOOD! Hope you get a chance to taste your way through their food scene soon!