Eating With A Local: ByWard Market, Ottawa

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.