Brunch is one of my favourite reasons to dine out. I love meeting for friends and catching up over a great breakfast. Here’s the guide I’ve been using to eat my way through Ottawa brunch. I’ve divided it by neighbourhood to make it easy to find the next one to try. I’ve also marked some of my favourites that you need to try 🙂
I suggest going early or try to make a reservation ahead of time to avoid lineups! Enjoy 🙂
Ottawa Brunch on Elgin Street
The Manx Pub
The Manx, a legendary basement gem tucked away on Elgin Street, is a masterclass in cozy, no-fuss, comforting brunch. It’s tight, intimate, and feels like a neighbourhood secret. If you’re lucky, you’ll get the guy who loves to share jokes.
- The Vibe: hole in the wall neighbourhood staple
- Must-Try Dish: The Manx BLT with their famous mashed potatoes and homemade hot sauce.
- Know Before You Go: No reservations. Lines form down the stairs on weekends, so arrive before 10 AM
Elgin St Diner
An Ottawa institution with a classic diner and retro booth. They offer burnch 24/7 so you can visit whenever the craving hits whether it is 2:00 AM or 2:00 PM.
- The Vibe: classic diner with generous portions
- Must-Try Dish: The Hangover Breakfast or their famous poutine.
- Know Before You Go: Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Perfect for a casual, no-nonsense recovery meal.
Other Elgin Brunch Spots:
- Wisetown Cafe (cafe but also has a breakfast menu)
- Brown’s Social House
- Manor Lounge: brunch and then do an escape room
- Zak’s Diner
- Lieutenant’s Pump
- Sconewitch: famous for their sweet and savoury scones
Ottawa Brunch in the Glebe/Lansdowne
The Rowan
The Rowan is colourful, eye-catching inside, with a wonderful brunch menu. Every time I visit, it hits the spot.
- The Vibe: Upscale neighbourhood bistro with beautiful decor.
- Must-Try Dish: The Rowan Bennie with maple pork.
- Know Before You Go: They take reservations in advance.
Local Lansdowne
This laid back brunch spot is a great spot to meet with friends, enjoy some breakfast cocktails and play some of their games like bocce ball. Try the braised beef and bacon hash.
Cantina Gia
Cantina Gia is a modern and beautiful restaurant that transitions seamlessly into an Italian comfort brunch on weekends.
- The Vibe: Cozy, modern, and effortlessly chic
- Must-Try Dish: The porchetta eggs benedict with crackling, or the smoked trout rosti
- Know Before You Go: They accept reservations
Eddy’s Diner
This brunch in Ottawa is a neighbourhood staple for those who want old-school diner pricing and classic plates. Eddy’s Diner offers:
- The Vibe: Friendly, retro, and family-oriented.
- Must-Try Dish: The Montreal Bennie featuring savory smoked meat.
- Know Before You Go: Serves classic breakfast items all week long at great price points.
The Belmont
A cherished Old Ottawa South neighborhood hideaway that opens its doors on weekends for an incredible, deeply creative, small-plate-inspired brunch menu.
- The Vibe: Intimate, dimly lit, and trendy with an exceptionally friendly local neighborhood heartbeat.
- Must-Try Dish: Their rotating menu features
- Know Before You Go: they take reservations
More Brunch spots in the Glebe:
- Craft Beer Market
- Kettleman’s, an Ottawa staple serving up Montreal-style bagels in a casual setting. Get a bagelwich or bagel and cream cheese
- Cacao 70
Ottawa Brunch in Centretown
Wilf & Ada’s
Wilf & Ada’s is a quintessential scratch-made neighbourhood diner that specializes in brunch. Everything from their hot sauce to their jam is made in-house, making it a permanent fixture on local best-of lists.
- The Vibe: small vibes scratch kitchen
- Best For: the best eggs benedict in the city with their
- Know Before You Go: They do not take weekend reservations and the wait can be long. Put your name on the list and head next door to their sister cafe, Arlington 5, for a coffee while you wait. They offer brunch all week long.
Jax
I think Jax is one of the best brunches in Ottawa. A darling, independently owned neighborhood bistro that punches way above its weight class with a hyper-focused, scratch-made breakfast menu.
- The Vibe: Deeply cozy, intimate, and warm with an upscale neighborhood feel.
- Must-Try Dish: The Don Fran Eggs Benny or their weekly rotating sandwich specials.
- Know Before You Go: It is a very small, limited-seating space, so I recommend arriving early to grab a table
Mazarine
This brunch in Ottawa is an intimate spot opened by two local sisters, bringing incredible, fresh Mediterranean flavours to the Centretown morning scene. Here’s what you need to know about Mazarine:
- The Vibe: Bright, minimalist, and deeply welcoming.
- Must-Try Dish: The fluffy gingerbread pancakes or their Shakshuka.
- Know Before You Go: Open 6 days a week and closed on Mondays. Seating is limited, so it is best suited for smaller groups of 2 to 4 people.
Cocotte Bistro
Located inside the gorgeous Metcalfe Hotel downtown, Cocotte Bistro offers high-end Parisian charm. It is easily one of the most beautiful dining rooms in the city core.
- The Vibe: Elegant, bright, and beautifully designed modern Parisian bistro with a gorgeous marble bar.
- Must-Try Dish: The decadent French Omelet with gruyère, chives, and caramelized onion potatoes, or Croque Madame.
- Know Before You Go: Served Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations are highly recommended.
More Brunch in Centretown options:
- Yolks, a popular West Coast chain
- Prohbition Public House
Ottawa Brunch in Little Italy
EVOO Greek Kitchen
One of my absolute top recommendations in the entire city. The service at EVOO Greek Kitchen is always great, and they start you off with complimentary croissants and fresh fruit.
- The Vibe: Upscale, bright, and lively Mediterranean escape.
- Must-Try Dish: The spicy baked feta. It is easily one of the best, most unique brunch dishes in Ottawa.
- Know Before You Go: Highly recommend making a reservation in advance. Great for groups. Brunch is on the weekends
Duke’s
This gem has quicly made it to my list of top brunches in Ottawa. They have transformed a cozy little house on Adeline Street into a stunning, retro-inspired morning destination. Their crispy potatoes are something I dream of.
- The Vibe: Quaint, nostalgic, and incredibly welcoming retro diner-bistro hybrid.
- Must-Try Dish: The Mish Mash Hash loaded with turkey, pork, fresh veggies, and over-easy eggs, or their elite crispy hashbrowns
- Know Before You Go: they offer brunch all week. Seating is limited but they take reservations in advance
Mati
Sister of EVOO Greek Kitchen so you know it’s going to be good! Mati offers a high-end, Mediterranean-inspired Sunday brunch
- The Vibe: Moody, high-end, and fashionable.
- Must-Try Dish: The charcoal-grilled steak and eggs or their fresh veggie benedict.
- Know Before You Go: Brunch is available Sunday. Reservations are highly recommended. Excellent cocktail list.
Art is in Bakery
Art is in Bakery feels like a mix between a Parisian bakery and a hip New York café.
- The Vibe: Industrial-chic, bustling
- Must-Try Dish: The Croque Monsieur or their loaded breakfast sandwiches on freshly baked bread. You also need to try a pastry like their cronut
- Know Before You Go: Line up to order at the counter, then find a seat. It gets busy, but the line moves fast.
Ottawa Brunch in the ByWard Market
Starling
Nestled inside one of Ottawa’s oldest historic buildings dating back to 1875, Starling pairs historic architecture with stunning modern, bird-cage-inspired decor.
- The Vibe: Highly aesthetic, chic, and perfect for photos.
- Must-Try Dish: The Shakshuka skillet or their signature Potato Rosti.
- Know Before You Go: Excellent for a girls’ brunch or a romantic morning out.
Clarendon Tavern
Tucked beautifully into the historic cobblestone ByWard Market Courtyard, Clarendon Tavern offers a beautiful patio oasis in the summer and cozy interio in winter.
- The Vibe: Quaint and rustic indoor dining room that opens up into one of the dreamiest, greenery-filled stone patios in the capital during summer (one of Ottawa’s best patios)
- Must-Try Dish: Classic eggs benedict variations paired with their beautifully crafted house brunch cocktails.
- Know Before You Go: brunch is available on weeeknds and they take reservations
Metropolitan Brasserie
Step out of Ottawa and straight into Paris at this Ottawa brunch. This gorgeous brasserie handles French classics beautifully and boasts one of the nicest spots in the market. Metropolitan Brasserie offers:
- The Vibe: Authentic Parisian brasserie with a beautiful summer patio.
- Must-Try Dish: The stuffed French toast.
- Know Before You Go: Great for a relaxed, upscale morning with a mimosa in hand. They take reservations.
Luxe
Known for steaks and burgers, Luxe also has plenty of great reasons to visit for brunch. Try their breakfast sandwich.
King Eddy
Breakfast by day, burger-joint by night. Enjoy diner vibes and a comfort menu at King Eddy.
- The Vibe: Fast-paced, bustling, and friendly retro-modern burger joint.
- Must-Try Dish: The Northern Fried Benny featuring their incredible fried chicken, or a stack of their fluffy diner pancakes.
- Know Before You Go: Exceptionally family-friendly with a fantastic casual patio. Walk-ins are the norm here.
More ByWard Market brunch spots:
- Sharple Waffle
- Chez Lucien
- Benny’s Bistro
- Ratatouille Bistro
- Zak’s Diner
Ottawa Brunch in Westboro
gezellig
From the same acclaimed hospitality group behind Beckta, Gezellig means cozy atmosphere shared with loved ones in Dutch, and the experience matches the name perfectly. This is the perfect brunch if you want to indulge and can’t decide between sweet or savoury.
- The Vibe: Airy, sophisticated, and split-level dining room.
- Must-Try Dish: Their famous multi-course prix fixe brunch menu
- Know Before You Go: Perfect for a slow, luxurious weekend celebration. Reservations recommended.
Ottawa Brunch in Wellington West
Chesterfields Gastro Diner
One of my favourite brunch spots in Ottawa. Chesterfields Gastro Diner specializes in brunch and you can’t go wrong with anything on their menu. I also love that you can pick multiple sides with your order. I usually get their special of the day because their creations are so unique. If it’s your first time going, you need to get one of their eggs Benedict (especially if they have a version on special)
- The Vibe: Quirky, alternative, and community-driven.
- Must-Try Dish: Any of their daily benedict specials paired with your choice of custom sides.
- Know Before You Go: they offer brunch all week long and don’t take reservations but you can put your name down
Lexington
This smokehouse and bar offer their own creative takes on brunch classics. I love their seoul chicken and waffles!
Lexington Smokehouse & Bar
Enjoy a southern-style brunch in Ottawa at Lexington Smokehouse. I’ve been a few times and their brunch is always delicious.
- The Vibe: Trendy, industrial-chic smokehouse with a great neighborhood energy.
- Must-Try Dish: The Seoul Chicken and waffles featuring perfectly fried chicken and a sweet, spicy glaze.
- Know Before You Go: brunch is available weekends and they take reservations.
Hintonburg Public House
A neighbourhood staple that infuses traditional pub comfort into their weekend morning menu. I feel like its still a bit off the radar so great place to go for a last minute brunch in Ottawa. Hintonburg Public House offers:
- The Vibe: Warm, artistic, and community-focused pub.
- Must-Try Dish: The Smokie and Eggs plate.
- Know Before You Go: Great craft beer list if you like a midday pint with your eggs.
The Third
An absolute treasure for anyone looking for great food at a good price. It is famously one of the most affordable brunch in Ottawa but still offers a great menu and good portion sizes.
- The Vibe: Laid-back, unpretentious, neighbourhood pub vibe.
- Must-Try Dish: The classic eggs benedict or traditional French toast.
- Know Before You Go:
Ottawa Brunch in Vanier/Beechwood
Beechwood Diner
A spectacular recent addition to the Beechwood strip, elevating the classic diner experience with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients and scratch-made execution. They offer generous portions and incredible prices. This is one of the most affordable brunches in Ottawa.
- The Vibe: an easy-going, modern neighborhood diner.
- Must-Try Dish: three cheese omelette or pancakes
- Know Before You Go: no reservations so go early
More Vanier Brunch spots:
- Anina’s
Brunch in Nepean
Grounded
A brilliant scratch kitchen and coffee house that serves up fantastic morning classics. Grounded has an in-house smoker so you’ll get a lot of specialty offerings where brunch meets bbq.
- The Vibe: Urban, rustic, and relaxed.
- Must-Try Dish: try their big tex breakfast bowl
- Know Before You Go: They take reservations. There’s parking on-site that the restaurant can validate
Ottawa Brunch in Barrhaven
Eggstatic
This place totally caught me by suprised. Not only is their food delicious by they had a large menu full of items to choose from. You’ll find middle eastern inspired dishes and brunch classics. Eggstatic specializes in brunch and offers:
- The Vibe: modern location with every brunch item you’re craving
- Must-Try Dish: make sure to get the muhamara and fried halloumi sticks as a starter
- Know Before You Go: they offer brunch all week long and take reservations
- Price: $$
Cafe Cristal
A beautiful instagram-worthy cafe that blends classic French romance with elegant design. Cafe Cristal offers:
- The Vibe: High-end boutique elegance that is incredibly photogenic and stylish.
- Must-Try Dish: Their specialty sweet or savoury morning crepes paired with a premium loose-leaf tea latte.
- Know Before You Go: An absolute favorite for catching up with friends or planning a morning date. No heavy pub plates here—think elegant café dining.
Brunch to try in Chinatown
The Vanitea
Enjoy high tea and brunch all at once. They also have $15 bottomless mimosas. Try the peaches and cream french toast.
Ottawa Brunch in Kanata
Tirweka
A flavourful Middle Eastern breakfast experience that stands out for its incredible authenticity and beautiful design. Tirweka offers:
- The Vibe: Warm, beautifully decorated, and highly inviting space.
- Must-Try Dish: Their traditional shareable breakfast platters paired with authentic Turkish coffee.
- Know Before You Go: Perfect for group dining and sharing multiple plates.
Ottawa Brunch in Carp
Alice’s Cafe
This brunch in Ottawa is tucked away in Carp right across from the farmers’ market, it serves up incredible community energy and fantastic scratch-made food. In the warmer month’s you can enjoy brunch on their patio. Alice’s Cafe offers:
- The Vibe: Cozy, rustic village cafe that is incredibly welcoming and pet-friendly on the patio.
- Must-Try Dish: The breakfast wrap with avocado and crisp hash browns.
- Know Before You Go: Open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Perfect pairing for a weekend drive. Find more ideas while you’re in Carp in this guide.
Stittsville Brunch
NeXT
If you want an absolute powerhouse culinary event, this is the destination. Chef Michael Blackie delivers an incredible multi-course experiential journey at NeXT. I love that a lot of their menu is inspired by world cuisine.
- The Vibe: Upscale, modern, and high-end culinary
- Must-Try Dish: Their fixed blind brunch sharing menu, which features 10 distinct dishes presented across 5 beautiful courses.
- Know Before You Go: Offered on Sundays. Requires a minimum of 2 guests to share the experience. Booking well in advance is essential.
Orleans Brunch
Caffe Latte Cino
A lovely east-end sanctuary that covers everything from sweet morning treats to excellent espresso creations. Caffe Latte Cino offers:
- The Vibe: Cozy, relaxed neighbourhood cafe.
- Must-Try Dish: Their specialized breakfast crepes and freshly baked morning pastries.
- Know Before You Go: Boasts a massive selection of premium coffees and teas to customize your morning.
Is there a spot you would add to the list? Comment below 🙂
Find more things to do in Ottawa here.
Julia started Little Miss Ottawa as a way to explore her hometown as a traveller would. She’s always planning her next adventure, whether it’s local or abroad. You’ll find her exploring with her camera in hand. She hopes Little Miss Ottawa helps bring you on new and fun adventures. Happy exploring :)
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