Budget
Rose's Cafe
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. For a somewhat higher-end buffet experience, try the East India Company Somerset, between Metcalfe and Elgin.
Pho Bo Ga
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. Another good source for ethnic foods is the stretch on Rideau between King Edward and the bridge to Vanier. You can find Middle Eastern, African and Asian food here.
Zak's
The best milk-shakes are found at Zak's, (http://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.
Elgin Street Diner
374 elgin street, downtown is a popular 24-hour diner. one of its specialties is the esd elgin street diner poutine though true quebecers should probably abstain. generally, poutine 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.
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 $5 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.
Hot Peppers
For a great Thai fusion, check out Hot Peppers on Somerset just off Kent. Be sure to try the coconut rice.
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.
Ahora on Dalhousie is a good little Mexican canteen. It serves up mains, zippy margaritas, and drinks imported from Mexico.
Midrange
Santé Restaurant
45 rideau st, (http://santerestaurant.com/). santã© at the corner of rideau and sussex, across from the rideau centre, is a cosmopolitan yet casual. itâs a delicate line to walk, but santã© restaurant does it with panache - offering exotic asian fusion and thai cuisine in a comfortably elegant setting.
da Sergio
338 preston street, is an owner operated authentic italian bistro with attention to detail in its appetizers, pasta, sauces and secondi. calamari are fresh and melt-in-your-mouth, and the carpaccio served simply with capers, olive oil and parmesan curls. they have a large patio with shade making it a good spot for a sunny summer afternoon or evening.
The Empire Grill
Clarence st, (http://empiregrill.com/). has a great patio in the summer and delicious food year-round. expect to pay about $25+ for an entree.
The Highlander Pub
The highlander pub in the byward market is a solid restaurant with good pub fare, and traditional scottish food, such as haggis. it is a good place also after a long day of sightseeing and you need a drink, with any spirit, wine or beer you can think of. it has a warm, friendly environment, with plenty of patio room. an average tab for a full meal for 2 should be about $40 cnd.
The Works
362 richmond road in westboro, 580 bank street in the glebe, 363 st. laurent boulevard in manor park, and various suburban locations, (http://worksburger.com/). hard to argue that these are not the best burgers around. the selection is top notch and toppings are bountiful. also served are delicious onion rings, milk shakes and cold beer, all in a funky industrial decor. expect to pay $12 for a burger with sides, and not to regret it.
Vineyards
In the byward market, (http://vineyards.ca/). an excellent restaurant with the widest selection of world beers and wines in ottawa.
Pub Italia
434 1/2 preston street near dow's lake and the experimental farm, (http://pubitalia.ca/). an irish/italian pub with hundreds of bottled beers listed in its "beer bible". noted for its intimate faux medieval/gothic dã©cor.
Major restaurant areas can be found on Elgin Street, on Bank Street in Centretown, on Bank Street in the Glebe, in Westboro and in the Byward Market, with entrees ranging from $12-$25. Similar restaurants can be found in major suburban shopping areas too.
Top end
E18hteen
(http://restaurant18.com/), located in the byward market at 18 york st., is an upscale, modern restaurant and bar located in a renovated 19th century heritage building. it is the place to see and be seen.
Beckta
(http://beckta.com/main.php), located downtown 226 nepean st., is an excellent modern restaurant with a variety of tastes centred around locally available foods. also features an extensive wine list.
Domus
(http://domuscafe.ca/), in the byward market at 85 murray st., is an outstanding restaurant with an award winning chef serving regional canadian cuisine. reservations at 613-241-6007.
Merlot
(http://merlotottawa.com), at the marriott hotel 100 kent st., has received glowing reviews for its cuisine and is ottawa's only revolving restaurant.
Perspectives Restaurant
(http://brookstreet.ca/din...), at the brookstreet hotel 525 legget drive, offers fine dining featuring a fusion of oriental flavours with top-quality regional ingredients.
Issac's 64 Hundred
(http://issacs.ca/), in west end 6400 hazeldean road, is a fine dining restaurant with a mediterranean flair.
Signatures
(http://lcbottawa.com/engl...), at le cordon bleu culinary institute 453 laurier ave. east, 613-236-2499, tues-sat: 5:30 p.m.â10, is a french restaurant with a five-diamond rating from caa/aaa that is considered among the very best in the city.
Ottawa has excellent options for fine dining if you feel like spending a bit extra. Budget C$150 for a three course dinner for two, including wine and gratuity.
Vegetarian and vegan
ZenKitchen
(http://zenkitchen.ca), 634 somerset st. w, is opened in mid-june 2009. named ottawa's best new restaurant in 2009, it is completely vegan, with full table service, a wine program and summer patio. they also offer vegetarian cooking lessons and special events like wine tastings. reservations can be made online at www.zenkitchen.ca.
Govinda's Restaurant
On somerset east just off the university of ottawa offers a simple vegan buffet for $5-$7. the best cheap eats in town. operated by isckon hare krishna movement. only open weekdays from 17:00 to 20:00
So Good Restaurant
On somerset 1.5 blocks west of bronson has a separate vegetarian menu dishes are also vegan unless stated and there are many choices . try anything "wu se" peanut sauce. dinners are about $10 entree and rice.
The Green Door
At 198 main st offers a vegetarian and vegan buffet and is the oldest vegetarian restaurant in ottawa. it offers private and communal tables. meals are priced by weight, and average around $12 for a full plate.
The Table
1230 wellington st in the westboro neighbourhood, also offers a vegetarian buffet with many vegan options. meals are priced by weight.