Eating in Ottawa: Budget

Full Ottawa Travel Guide »    Ottawa Interactive Map »    Print This Article »

Ottawa probably has more schwarma (kebab and fixings in pita bread) restaurants than any other place on Earth and most of them will serve up a great shawarma for around $5. Their busy times are typically weekdays at lunch-hour, and on weekends after the bars close. The Market and Elgin St. both have several restaurants to choose from - the best in Ottawa being Maroush Lebanese food - known locally as "the Shawarma nazi", which has a place on Elgin street and one on Rideau street just outside the Byward market. The usual range of diners, bagel shops and fast food restaurants can be found in shopping areas throughout the city.

You will also find "chip wagons" or "chip trucks" parked in various locations around the city at lunch time. They serve hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, pogos (deep fried, breaded hot dogs on a stick), chips (french fries) and poutine (french fries covered with cheddar cheese curd and gravy - very popular in Quebec and eastern Ontario).

• Budapest Delicatessen, Byward Market. An institution in Ottawa for as long as most people can remember, Budapest Deli is in the mold of the classic pan-European grocery: white tile walls, 15 kinds of mustard, homemade pickles and sausages in abundance, friendly Polish lady behind the counter. It is most famous for the great sandwich counter, which features classic European cold meat sandwiches (salami, pastrami, smoked turkey, cooked ham) on a fresh roll or kaiser bun, with all the fixings you expect: saurkraut, hot and regular mustad, onion, olive and hot peppers. All sandwiches come in a very generous standard size for 2.99-3.99or if you're feeling up to it, you can pay an extra dollar or so and get yours "mega" sized. This option will often result in not eating for the rest of the day. Hungarians are more than welcome! :)

• DiRienzo's Deli, Beech Street (just west of Preston Street). This little deli tucked away in Little Italy, a secret known to many locals, is famous for the best and freshest deli sandwiches in the city for $4 (taxes included). During the week the lineup can stretch outside the packed little store, but they are arguably the fastest sandwich makers anywhere so don't worry about a long wait. There is also another newer location run by the family at Meadowlands Drive and Fisher Avenue.

• Elgin Street Diner (374 Elgin Street, downtown) is a popular 24-hour diner. One of its specialties is the ESD (Elgin Street Diner) Poutine. Generally, poutine (the unofficial national dish of Quebec) is French fries, served with cheese curds and gravy on top; they have several versions including the addition of caramelized onions and bacon, Montreal smoked meat, Philly steak, a four cheese blend or Chili. The substitution of mashed potatoes fried with onions and seasoning (called their home fries), or onion rings instead of regular French fries is also an option. Expect the adventure to set you back $6-8 depending on toppings. The diner's hamburgers/cheeseburgers are significantly better than typical fast food fare, and breakfast is served 24/7 365 days a year with no exception.

• For the best non-Canadian eats, head down Somerset street (West) near Bronson to the heart of Chinatown. Here you have a choice of places for Vietnamese, Thai, Cantonese, etc. Vietamese soup-houses, Pho Bo Ga and Pho Bo Ga La, are well-rated. The Yangtze Restaurant and Chu Shing Restaurant (across the street from it) are large box Chinese restaurants popular with Ottawa's Chinese clientele. The Jadeland Restaurant is a small popular Chinese restaurant set in a converted house and has been well reviewed for its tasty dishes and low prices.

• For a great Thai fusion, check out Hot Peppers on Somerset (just off Kent). Be sure to try the coconut rice.

• For Indian, there is Rose's Cafe (in the Market and one on Gladstone), but also try Curries (Gloucester and O'Connor, between Bank and Elgin near the business district). Or Moni Mahal on Laurier Street (business district, near Parliament Hill) for a large buffet with tons of vegetarian and vegan options (well labeled).

• The best milk-shakes are found at Zak's, www.zaksdiner.com a 24-hour diner in the Byward Market. They're really good, made with ice-cream, and for the $5.50 they cost you get a large glass full plus the shaker with what didn't fit in the glass. Other dishes are quite good, with a "more calories for your money" attitude (as illustrated by the massive amount of milkshake served), which is nicely honest about fast food; however it may seem a bit expensive as some of the burgers are in excess of $12. Late on week-end nights (2 - 3AM) it's packed as people go for their after-bar poutine.

• Vanier, 2 km (1 mile)
• Billings Bridge, 5 km (3 miles)
• Beacon Heights, 6 km (3 miles)
• Rideauview, 7 km (4 miles)
• Uplands, 11 km (7 miles)

• www.zaksdiner.com