The best bars and cafés Ottawa

The ambition of Dave Longbottom, owner of this microbrewery open since 2017, is to share his experience as a great traveler and beer lover. In this former garage converted into a bar, he offers a nice variety of house beers such as his Northeast IPA, his dry-hopped sour beer or his Imperial Stout (a store corner allows you to fill up to take away). There is also a gourmet menu with perogies, duck confit, pan-fried cod, etc., all topped off with delicious desserts such as the white chocolate cheesecake.

Open since 2012, this microbrewery has carved out a nice place for itself in the capital's brewing landscape. A large tasting room, flanked by a magnificent and enormous mural, is attached to the brewing facilities to allow guests to taste the house vintages. To top it all off, the place also offers a menu for those who are hungry, starting with all sorts of succulent meats smoked on site. Want to bring back a souvenir? The store sells the beers, but also the Beyond the Pale merchandise.

In January 2012, Mill Street Brewpub, already present in Toronto, moved to Ottawa, along the Ottawa River, in the historic Thompson-Perkins & Bronson mill mill. There are about artisanales beer on site, including special editions, only available in this branch. Visit of the brewery offered every day and shop on site.

When the mercury rises, a seasonal bar sets up shop in the hidden courtyard of the Museum of Fine Arts. For a drink with friends or loved ones, this is clearly the place to go! The bar is also known for its gourmet menu including poke bowls, oysters, charcuterie boards, tartars and delicious pizzas. Bonus: live entertainment and two other bars, Tavern on the Falls (Ottawa River Falls) and Tavern on the Hill (Major's Hill Park).

The Ministry of Coffee and Social Affairs is a trendy coffee shop in the Hintonburg neighborhood that is also trendy. It's one of those beautiful industrial-chic places that many other coffee shops are adopting. Its coffees are sourced from the best roasters in the area, the country and even around the world. We also love its hot chocolate with Nutella... a delight! Three other locations in Ottawa and two affiliated locations in Qatar.

Open since early January 2020, this trendy address stands in drastic contrast to the Chinatown businesses around, Spark Beer is a small craft brewery that loves hops and surette, but not only. To accompany our pint, the house offers tasty pizzas prepared with regional products like cheeses from St. Albert or sausages from Valley Sausage Co. In addition, there is a program of events such as the Happy Hour Drag, vinyl nights, etc. An address often crowded with people, that's a good sign!

Occupying the former premises of a South-East Asian grocery store (we are here in the heart of Chinatown), Corner Peach is a trendy spot to have a drink and eat well. At noon, they serve small gourmet plates, before giving way to the bar in the middle of the afternoon with some snacks on the slate. In the evening, one comes here to have a drink or to savor a delicious local cuisine. You should also discover its gourmet store that sells homemade products such as sauces, dips, prepared dishes, sweets, etc.

If beer is not your cup of tea, you'll have to pass. Otherwise, you're in heaven. While there are about 20 beers available at the pumps, the majority of which are from Ontario, the bottle menu is quite impressive. The beers are classified by style, including an amazing selection of lambics. If you don't find what you're looking for here, there's no way around it. In addition, there is a very nice selection of natural wines and a menu that includes cheeses and charcuterie and seasonal dishes that are reminiscent of Mediterranean cuisine.

Two friends with a passion for coffee started this micro-coffee shop in the Glebe district where the first branch is still located (801 Bank Street). There, as in their downtown location, everything is centered around coffee, its origin, its quality but also the respect of its small producers. In a pretty white and uncluttered room, you can choose to taste your coffee immediately or buy it in beans or ground for home. Several sweets are also available to accompany your coffee.