r/OttawaFood

I don’t know if you’ve been to Homers in Gatineau, and soon Homies in Heron Gate, but man on man, these might be the World Cup of donuts!!!

Fell down a rabbit hole on this, want a reality check from people who actually cook or run rooms.

We’ve got real pockets, Somerset, the shawarma obviously, strip malls, some incredible hole-in-the-walls, but it stays a scattered few: the good cheap stuff is either one rent hike from gone, or a truck that vanishes in October. Meanwhile the new “street food” spots open indoors at $18 with a cocktail list.

My amateur read: the indoor prices are mostly rent, and the reason we never get a cheap street-food scene like other cities is our winter kills the outdoor version before it can take root, so nothing ever gathers the cheap stuff into one warm place. It’s clearly not impossible here (the Toronto Asian food courts run all winter indoors and are some of the best value in the country).

So, genuinely: if you tried to run a truly cheap spot in this city, what kills you first, rent, staffing, the licensing setup, or something I’m not seeing?

I’m really craving stroopwafel, does anyone know a place that sells it I don’t even care if it’s fresh or not LOL

Does anyone know if Chamomile Desjardins is still attending the Ottawa farmers market?

Years ago I used to stock up on his amazing hot sauces before heading back to university. Would love to find them again.

Hi all!

I’m a 35 year old guy looking for foodie friends to try new restaurants with - maybe once a month or so on a weekend evening. 

Since having a kid I’ve found it harder to get out often, and most of my more adventurous eater pals have long since left for Toronto. I still get the occasional date night with my wife, but I miss trying the smaller, more unusual, and under-the-radar places around town. 

I’m especially interested in the kinds of spots featured by Eat the Strip. Ottawa is getting all these new cuisines and I want to try them out. A few places on my list are Yemen Gate (Alta Vista), Perfect Meat Bowl (Centretown), Tayanti (the market), Safia (vanier) etc. 

I live centrally and am happy to drive around the city, though probably not too far into the exurbs. 

I have never organized something like this before, but send me a DM if this sounds like your kind of thing. Ideally, it would be a low-key group of people who are curious and happy to try almost anything. 

EDIT:

Thanks so much to everyone who replied, I didn't expect so much interest!

To keep this manageable I am going to start with a table of six and try to make this a rotating thing rather than a one-off group. I'll choose the first dinner based on availability and restaurant interest, then make sure others get priority for future outings.

I will follow up once I have a plan.

Hoping to get a crew of moms together for a rare night outside of Orléans. Willing to venture towards west for a special night (Beechwood, downtown or towards Westboro). Of relevance, we have someone in our party who has an allergy so Asian cuisine isn't ideal.

What are some restaurants lately that have wowed you in terms of a nice dinner with fun cocktails?

Caveat, I've recently experienced the following restos so I'd like to try something new:

• Cocette (note: wasn't a huge fan)
• Supply & Demand (always a fan)
• Arlo (res upcoming for date night w/spouse)
• Buvette Daphnée
• North & Navy
• Gitanes

Stopped at Breadwinners Bakery and Sandwich on Montreal Road. Seems like a new spot.

The sandwiches are served on in house focaccia. The Chicken Caesar and the meatball sub, and both were excellent.

Sandwich, soup, and a drink ran me $20, but the sandwich is huge so it felt like a deal.

This one is good stop, and I expect it to become a well-known place in the area in time cuz it reminds me of Pananiro other than the sandwiches are a bit more hearty, with toppings like meatball, turkey melts, and the special today cheesy mushroom melt.

Check this spot out.

I’m obsessed with the el dorado bowl from mad radish, specifically because of the barbacoa beef.

It’s unlike any others I’ve tried, it has like a tang to it that’s so good. Does anyone have any idea how to recreate it or an idea or some of the ingredients. I’m assuming it has like apple cider vinegar or something that gives it the tang. Thanks in advance!!!

My partner recently moved here from Lyon, France, and while he loves the food here (especially corn syrup, lol) he's been missing French baking.

I'd love to get him a treat for his birthday that feels as close to home as possible. Can any French immigrants/expats/frequent tourists point me in the right direction? Any bakeries with sweets that are uniquely French?

It is located inside of the gas station and open 24/7

Wanna know people who create amazing food/restaurant content but don’t get enough attention! Let’s support the community

Dude's operating out of a shack behind the poutine place. These sandwiches are unreal. No picture because I ate them.

As the title, looking for a recommendation for a weekday lunch in the downtown area near parliament/city hall. Have looked on google, but other than Browns, I can’t seem to find anything else that would work.

Any cuisine would be fine, just has to be able to accommodate around 15 ppl.

Appreciate any suggestions thanks!

The key take-aways:

• "it is anticipated that it would cost Ottawa anywhere from $1-4 million to strike a three-year deal with Michelin"
• "If Ottawa and its tourism board decided the price tag is worth it, Michelin would spend the next one to three years sending anonymous inspectors to restaurants across the city to determine if any are worthy of stars."