Best Ottawa Brunch; 10 Delicious Spots You Need To Try Now
There’s no better way to celebrate the weekend than with a feast with friends at one of Ottawa’s top brunch spots. From cozy and unassuming restaurants serving up inventive cuisine, to luxury brunches with bennies and bubbles, there is a brunch place to suit every taste and for every occasion.
Chesterfield’s Gastro Diner
Tucked into a tiny corner in Ottawa’s Wellington West neighbourhood, you’ll find one of the most popular and unique brunch restaurants in Ottawa, Chesterfield’s Gastro Diner. Enter the small cozy restaurant and be greeted with tastefully mismatched quirky furniture and decor, including chesterfields, as the seats for your table. Take your time scanning the delicious menu over a foamy cappuccino, then select from classic brunch fare, or opt for tasty dishes with unique twists. Some of the must-try items include the Jerk Benny, Bird’s nest, chicken and waffles, double blueberry pancakes and the very tasty and very Instagrammable Shakshuka Board. Add a side of jerk plantains with mango salsa, hot cauliflower poutine, chipotle mac and cheese, loaded avocado or roasted Brussel sprouts for the perfect brunch feast.
Art-Is-In Bakery
Known for some of the best artisan bread in the city, Art-Is-In Bakery is one of the best brunch spots in Ottawa, and a favourite of locals and visitors alike. Their hip dine-in café and seasonal outdoor patio are the perfect places to enjoy scrumptious foodie creations, and some seriously delicious pastries. Dive into their famous crispy pickle melt served on fresh baked dynamite loaf, the brunch burger topped with sunny side eggs, or a classic croque monsieur or croque madame. Their signature Kronut (also known as “O-towners”) is not to be missed, and their buttery croissants, decadent fruit tarts, chewy cookies, sticky cinnamon buns and specialty pastries will have you coming back for more.
Jax
Brunch lovers with a refined palette will want to head to the city’s Centretown neighbourhood to Jax. Tucked into an unassuming location on a busy main street, this cozy bistro is a popular secret among locals, and one of the Ottawa’s top brunch spots. Menu mainstays like Banana Bread French Toast, the smoked Salmon bagel, and eggs benny are complimented by their equally tantalizing daily specials and unique palette pleasing dishes like their breakfast hash; kale, fennel, cherry tomato, poached eggs, sesame seeds and chilies (add pork belly for the ultimate breakfast plate). Jax takes pride in sourcing farm-fresh ingredients from local suppliers, and you’ll know with every tasty plate you devour you’ll be helping to support local small businesses like Rideau Pines Farms, Bekings Eggs, Perth Pork, Cheslock Apiary Honey, Kettleman’s bagels, and Whalesbone seafood.
Andaz Hotel
With epic views of downtown Ottawa, Parliament Hill and the ByWard Market, the Andaz hotel’s rooftop lounge, Copper Spirits and Sights, is the perfect place to enjoy a luxury weekend brunch. Located on the 16th floor of one of the city’s top hotels, Copper Spirits and Sights is Ottawa’s tallest rooftop patio and the gathering place for Bubbles, Beats and Brunch events throughout the summer months. Enjoy an extensive charcuterie buffet, fresh baked pastries, homemade mini donuts, glorious fresh fruits platters, and a revolving selection of delicious small brunch bites. Sip a glass of bubbles or a specialty cocktail under the sky on their chic outdoor patio, all to the mix of cool beats spun by the in-house DJ. For Caesar lovers, their DIY Caesar bar is a must; extra spicy or stuffed to the brim with olives, make it your own.
The King Eddy
A go-to spot for brunch in Ottawa’s historic ByWard Market is the popular King Eddy Restaurant. Open seven days a week, and 24hrs/day Thursday through Sunday, the King Eddy is the place to go at any time of day to satisfy your all-day brunch cravings. Try their Northern Fried Chicken Benny (crispy fried chicken drizzled with country gravy), succulent sour cream pancakes piled high with whipped cream and strawberries, the fully loaded King Eddy omelet or the vegetarian King Portobello brunch plate. A relaxed and comfortable space, the King Eddy is kid-friendly with a full children’s menu, while thirsty parents can still enjoy a proper brunch while sipping on a mimosa, brunch Caesar or a Bailey & The Jets spiked coffee.
Wilf and Ada’s
If you’re lucky enough to get a table at this popular Ottawa brunch hot spot, it’ll be worth the wait. Wilf and Ada’s, with its exposed brick walls, open kitchen, and cozy, intimate feel, is the go-to spot for brunch in Ottawa’s Centretown neighbourhood. Known for their satisfying brunch comfort foods like the classic breakfast and buttermilk French toast, they also serve up unique creations like the Mariposa duck benny, and our favourite, the mouth-watering eggs in purgatory; poached eggs in homemade spicy sauce. Add a fresh juice, cup of java, or loosen up brunch with a bubbly mimosa, savoury Caesar or local craft beer.
Headquarters
Need a cut and a cappuccino? Then Headquarters is your spot. Located in the ByWard Market, this unique Ottawa brunch spot is part hair salon, part restaurant, allowing you to elevate your look, and your brunch game. Enjoy a unique cocktail while you get your ends trimmed, like their rosemary libertine, smoked pineapple express, or s’mores espresso martini, then head to the restaurant to enjoy their extensive menu of inventive cuisine. Must-try plates are their espresso cream cheese pancakes, ginger apple grilled cheese, rum cherries and waffles, truffle parmesan fries and brunch poutine. Headquarters’ wide variety of non-boozy drinks is also impressive with specialty coffees like the root beer maple latte, s’mores latte, burnt honey latte, wild berry beetroot latte or Hojicha latte. For a warm summer day try their hibiscus, matcha or rooibos lemonade or a icy cold ginger beer patio side.
The Third
A warm and inviting space to enjoy a brunch with friends, the Third is a mainstay on the Ottawa brunch scene. Located in the hip Hintonburg neighbourhood, this popular local restaurant is known for its relaxed and welcoming atmosphere and delicious food. With a small but mighty menu, their breakfast nachos, Mish Mash Hash, flattop burger, eggs benny, French toast and homemade scones are just some of the items that will keep you coming back for more. With a great selection of local brews, a pint is the perfect way to top off the perfect brunch date.
Gezzelig
Under the helm of Ottawa culinary guru Stephen Beckta, Gezzelig is an elegant, chic and cozy spot for brunch in Ottawa. Nestled in the heart of Westboro Village, the exquisitely decorated restaurant is located in a converted 1950’s bank building, with soaring ceilings and tons of natural light. Chow down on a fusion of flavours with menu items like espresso panna cotta, Gezellig huevos, mushrooms on toast, or banana bread French toast. Make it a boozy brunch with a, kir royale, mimosa, an aperol spritz or house made Caesar, or get your caffeine fix with a cup of java from local roaster Happy Goat Coffee.
Marzanine Restaurant
One of Ottawa’s newest and highly raved about brunch spots, is Marzanine. Specializing in Mediterranean inspired fare, the light airy restaurant decorated with splashes of Mediterranean azul contrasted against bright white, is a cozy peaceful place to enjoy a delicious brunch with friends. Choose from classics like eggs benny or avocado toast, or opt for their specialties like Shakshuka, crispy cheese cigars, Shish Tawook Club Sandwich, the Mediterranean omelet, beef kofta sandwich or Ashta Pancakes.
