At Black Food, we believe the best way to experience a new city is to explore the local food scene beyond the tourist favorites. While Ottawa may be known for its delicious beaver tails and stuffed shawarmas, it’s also the perfect city for a black food adventure. Here’s how to spend the weekend eating your way through Ottawa’s best Black restaurants and shops while enjoying some local favorites along the way.
Explore Byward Market
You can’t visit Ottawa without stopping at the city’s favorite Byward Market. A stay on Andaz OttawaThe modern hotel at the Hyatt puts you in the heart of Byward’s vibrant community. The Andaz’s comfortable beds, modern design and convenient location make it the perfect base for the foodie ready to visit. At Byward Market you’ll find local artisans, fresh baked goods and some of the best maple treats in the state, but deep dives give you a chance to experience some of the best black-owned businesses here.
This unique cafe, restaurant and hair salon in Byward Market is the only place I’ve ever been to where you can grab great food and get your hair done. Lounge guests have easy access to pampering spiced lattes and a glass screen separating the lounge area ensures the food is free from the hustle and bustle of the busy lounge. HQ’s all-day brunch includes a variety of comfort foods and brunch classics. My favorites include HQ’s signature root beer, maple home fries, and fried chicken. The trendy setting, delicious food and great music make this a fun stop on your Ottawa trip.
Afrotexture Shop has a unique selection of handmade items from black businesses based in Ottawa. At Afrotexture you’ll find hidden gems from Canadian creatives like beautiful Ankara print clothing, handmade accessories, black children’s books and of course some fun gourmet finds. My personal favorites from Afrotexture are the Premium Shea Butters, the sustainably sourced Eight 50 Coffee, and the Triple Bacchanale Caribbean Sauce. Skip the usual antiques and try something new from Afrotexture to bring a piece of Ottawa home.
Tantalize your taste buds with an island-inspired brunch! Tucked away in the Wayward Market, Bess is a tropical setting with plenty of lush decor and creative take on Caribbean classics. Try the oxtail breakfast bowl and creamy Jamaican banana porridge for brunch or Bess’ famous jerk chicken and rum cocktails for dinner.
Discover the flavors of Africa and the Caribbean
If you’ve never had East African food before, now is the perfect time to try it! D’Afrique offers home style Ethiopian cuisine in a cozy environment. The flavorful stew is served on a large plate of spongy flatbread meant to be eaten with your hands and shared with friends. I recommend the East African spiced stir fry combo of vegan and beef. Rich stews, spiced tea and coffee ceremonies are the perfect hearty recipes to enjoy on a winter getaway.
YKO is home to some of Ottawa’s best bbq chicken, so every weekend you’ll find longtime locals eager for YKO’s fire-smoked chicken. Packed with traditional West African spices and both flavor and heat, the popular chicken combo comes with traditional rice, cabbage and dry fried plantains. These sides pair perfectly with YKO’s Spicy BBQ Chicken and make the excellent combination well worth the wait. For a real treat, add a bottle of YKO’s bissap, a spicy hibiscus sweet tea, to complete your meal.
Located in Orleans, Tipicle’s is a cozy Haitian restaurant worth the drive from downtown. Try the riz djon djon, a flavor packed black rice dish with special Haitian dried mushrooms, or the tipiclise fried fish with pickles, a super spicy pickle slaw. You can’t leave without tasting banana fritters, crispy twice fried plantains also served with pickles. One bite and you’ll be transported to the islands.
Enjoy local favorites
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind experience and are ready to splurge, Atelier’s 44-course meal is the ultimate culinary stop on your Ottawa tour. This award-winning restaurant offers a twist on Canadian cuisine and encourages diners to think and play with food while dining. Chef Marc Lapointe takes familiar flavors and completely mixes textures and presentations for a unique culinary adventure, such as the sweet addition of lavender cotton candy and the surprisingly sweet tomato soup cake. The best part of the experience is the wine pairing by Zambian-born sommelier, Bernard Joseph Lemoine. It offers a wide selection of perfectly paired wines, with the team guiding you through an informative and entertaining list of each pairing. While this might not be a typical stop on a black food tour, I encourage foodies to step out of their comfort zone and enjoy Atelier Cuisine!
Local favorite Le Moulin de Provence, based in Bayward Market, has served the Ottawa community with many delicious desserts and bakeries for the past two decades. Maple leaf shaped Obama cookies deserve their popularity and are absolutely delicious! Grab some cookies for the road – these are perfect for snacking.
This post is sponsored by Destination Ontario. The views and opinions expressed in this article, however, are from Black Food.
