ByWard Market

... memories .... When I lived and worked throughout Canada's Atlantic Provinces, Ottawa was almost like a second home to me during the 70's and 80's. I travelled / stayed there often, via business, and even more so for pleasure stays. I chose to stay at hotels offering rooms with kitchenettes. Which allowed me the option to shop during walks and stays, and dine back at my hotel. The Byward Market area was one of my favourite spots to walkabout, browse, and shop. And especially so during the summer and fall months, when it was so alive with street venders, and others featuring locally-grown fresh fruits and veggies. It was a good while ago, but a standout for me during these stays was a fish/seafood shop. I used to purchase squid there. Then on the way back to the hotel, catch a bottle of white wine, and some butter. Cooking the squid back at the hotel was fun, and made for several very fragrant, tasty, and much-enjoyed meals. Street vendor selections of farm-fresh offerings of fruits and veggies, were a delight to see during summer and early-fall stays. Their products not only contributed to meals, were often purchased and enjoyed 'in hand' and enjoyed during walkabouts. And before I forget, so were the several tasty 'beavertails' enjoyed, at any time of year, from a bakery there. (previously reviewed) My visits to the Byward Market, and area, were via day time browsing and shopping walkabouts. They were fun, interesting, and much-enjoyed.

This area of the city is a popular destination that you must see for sight seeing in Ottawa. There's a lot to see and do down here, and more Restaurants than you can possibly eat at in a month of Sundays! They also host special events down here. Certain streets are pedestrian only, where you will find crafters and fruit/vegetable vendors, people who sell honey and maple syrup, Beavertails, and seasonal items all sold at booths on the streets. This visit, I found a rare treasure: a bracelet with my name on it!! The Byward Market is coming up to a remarkable anniversary: in 2026, it will be 200 years old!! Found this snippet on the internet: "The ByWard Market is where Ottawa was born. Established by Lt-Col. John By in 1826, the ByWard Market is one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets. The legendary builder of the Rideau Canal; Lt-Col. By himself laid out the street plan of the Market, designating George and York Streets to be extra wide to accommodate the horse-drawn carriages that brought foodstuffs to the market every day." We seem to gravitate there at least once a year in the warmer months. It's also a terrific area for people watching!!

ByWard Market is apparently the most visited place in Ottawa. I ate here twice and it was very crowded both times. It is an outdoor shopping area that is similar to Seattle's Pike Place Market or San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. Though it is very touristy, the large variety of shops and restaurants makes this area worth a visit while one is in Ottawa. The shopping here is not just a bunch of tourist traps. Sure, there are the typical shops selling maple syrup, T shirts and souvenirs. But there are also many mom and pop run stalls and many ethnic cuisines offered. You can find Mexican, Japanese, Indian, Vietnamese, BBQ, and many more. And the food here is actually decently priced too.

This is one of the country's oldest and largest public markets, so of course it was on our must visit list. It is located in downtown Ottawa with many attractions minutes away, even on foot. We were visiting during winter months, so the market was quiet, but still we strolled thru indoor vendor's stalls, ordered some cookies and cappuccino @ Le Moulin De Provence bakery, tried hot apple cider @ BeaverTails.. Even in a winter months selection of souvenirs and service were very good. Great place to visit while in town!

Touristy area in downtown Ottawa. Great place to visit and explore. It is full of a variety of different eateries, shops, and unique spots to visit. One of those places where you can pretty much find anything you're looking for, from a bagel to a beavertail, to coffee, to pizza, to beer to fine dining, Byward Market has it all! We visited during Winterlude and they had a fun pop up lego experience, horse drawn carriage rides, wood carvers and a petting zoo. They seem to be a place where there is always something going on! If you're visiting Ottawa, do yourself a favor and take a walk around and explore this fun area! Don't forget the obligatory photo at the Ottawa sign!

Meh Very touristy Lot of hit and miss (restaurants and bars). Too much panhandling and construction

Most of my trips to Ottawa have resulted in my staying downtown. In November 2015, I shook things up and stayed in ByWard Market and loved it. I have had a soft spot for this touristy area. Sure, getting maple syrup and souvenirs becomes a tourist trap here. I still love it. I like strolling around to grab a baked good at Moulin de Provence. It's great grabbing a cheap bite to eat at a stand that sells hot dogs, fries, and hamburgers. I love visiting my favourite tea place, Tea Store, for all things looseleaf. I enjoy visiting the first Giant Tiger. My recent trip to the area was on Canada Day and the day after. There are new Ottawa letters that made it fun to pose next to. I saw proud Canadians strut their pride for this country all over ByWard Market. I managed to find a guy riding a unicycle and setting a stick that he had in his hand on fire. It was a memorable day and vacation. There are tons of restaurants in this area. I have a soft spot for The Brig, but enjoyed breaking my almost decade-long drought by having a fine time at The Keg. Whether local or a chain, the food has been yummy. (239)

Boy what a pleasant surprise. I was expecting this to be another hyped up tourist trap (similar to the city that claims to be the center of the world) but this whole area has a nice positive vibe to it. Apart from the main market I liked the open and inviting feel one gets when visiting this area. Sure you get you hits and misses but the way they have this spot setup I feel this is definitely a must visit place if you are in O town. I would suggest you explore the nearby options to get the spot that meets your expectations.

Fun area downtown! Definitely a little touristy but that is half the fun and you can buy souvenirs. So many great places to eat all in close proximity, which makes it easy to pop around and try different things! ByWard really has something for everyone food wise, even the pickiest of eaters. I'm not sure how often this happens but there was a fun street market with tons of sellers when I went and it was a fun experience I didn't have some of my past visits. The only downside I'd say is parking! There is a good amount of parking but it will fill up fast and if you parked on the road it can be challenging to get out. If you're not a fan I'd say park in the garage and just take the extra minute or two to walk to the heart of the market.

Byward market is a great place to stroll around and appreciate the local produce and restaurant's of Ottawa. As you walk the streets you see a beautiful array of fruits and veggies for sale, delicious baked goods and beaucoup amounts of sweet and savory goods. This open air farmers market has many restaurants and eateries that should satisfy any palate. There are boutiques and specialty stores. The area is pretty easy to navigate and every place I had the pleasure of dining in or out was always a pleasant experience. There were at least 2 major hotels in the market area and other B&B places. In that regard you can stay at these establishments and literally be right in the market. The Rideau center which is a huge shopping complex is located next to the Byward market as well. So in the hot summer months you can cool off and do some shopping indoors. You definitely have to visit this place when you're in the Ottawa area.

A great place to hang out and try out a variety of food across the restaurants. In terms of food, it is one of the most happening areas in the downtown Ottawa. We tried a couple of places like Peace Garden Vegetarian, Maverick's Donut Co, and Pure Power Juice Bar and pretty much all the three were great or really good. We did go to Cupcake Lounge but they were out of vegan options. In front of a couple of shops, on the other side of the pedestrian paths, there are also open seating options since most of the shops, unless restaurants, do not have an inside seating option. There is a paid parking with the entrance right at the intersection of Parent Avenue and Clarence Street, which can be easily full on a busy day with some space available on the open terrace. For foodies, this place shouldn't be missed for sure!!

This review is for the Byward Market area in general. I have also reviewed the "Byward Market Square" under a different listing, which is a little shopping mall/farmer's market which is the heart of the Byward Market. The Byward Market area is no doubt a touristy area with souvenir shops galore, hotels and overpriced restaurants. However, it's still a nice place to hang out as a local. Like I mentioned earlier, the Byward Market Square is the centre of the Byward Market and is a great place to grab a quick meal or during warmer weather to buy some fresh fruits and vegetables at the outdoor stands. Surrounding the Square there are some larger restaurants and cute boutique shops, both independents and big chains. Ottawa's only Fluevog store and only Crocs store is in the Byward Market. Other reviewers have mentioned that there are many panhandlers in this area. This is true, as there are several shelters and missions in this area. On the outer edges of the Byward Market you may also see some used needles or drug paraphernalia. There are needle hunters out and about trying to keep our streets safe from such hazards (thank you for your work!), but sometimes they don't get there in time to remove them. I am mentioning these things to paint an accurate picture of the area, but please don't let this deter you from visiting the area. I am out in the Byward Market regularly. I love the little quirky boutiques there like Adorit and Frou Frou. And despite being a local (now) I do still indulge in the occasional Beaver Tail (no, it's not a real beaver's tail, it's a pastry similar to funnel cakes or "elephant's ears" that they sell at carnivals).

It's a meeting spot. Steps away from parliament hill across the street from Rideau mall.

We came here on a Tuesday morning to check out the shops and walk around the market. We notice that a lot of shops were not open at 10 a.m., but they seem to be more open at 12 pm. There were some shops that had jewelry and a lot of the grocery options were very affordable so we bought some to just eat fresh. They have the small eatery in the middle which has a bunch of very affordable restaurants, and we ate at this Moroccan place which had pretty good food. They also have beavertails in this location in a small pouf and these are also very good. Overall the market is a really nice way to spend some time during the day and do some shopping for souvenirs.

Located in what I believe to be the center of town, Byward Market offers a variety of dining, drinking, shopping, and living spaces. For dining, the market has you covered from breakfast to dinner. There are a ton of bars/clubs for late night/adult activities. It host fancy, one in a kind, boutiques and upscale living quarters. You are a block from embassys and a few over from Parliament. Moreover, the area is adjacent to so much culture and Canadian history. What I also really like are the local merchants coming out to sell their goods. Such a variety of unique merchants adds to the charm of the wonderful place. Definitely worth, many visits.

I stumbled upon ByWard Market when I walked outside of the Rideau Centre mall. It is an indoor market area with different restaurants and shops. Most of the shops are Canadian souvenir type shops. This area is pretty touristy. The shops inside include Indian food, noodles, two boba spots, Mexican food, a chocolate shop, and a few others. This is one of Canada's oldest public markets. It's named after the Englishman John By who founded Ottawa. It's open 9-5PM. I parked at the mall parking lot (ended up costing $19) but they do have a closer parking lot across from ByWard Market. The inside of the market has a hanging art installation that looks like cartoon butchers and food workers. This area is very popping and busy. It is definitely a must-see if you are a newcomer to Ottawa.

As more and more US cities seem to have outdoor markets, I was excited to check out ByWard Market in Ottawa. There are lots of different vendors within the market and many freestanding vendors as well. You can get any maple product you want, along with a nice lunch or a beavertail at the market. I live in a neighborhood with a giant market in DC, and this was a much smaller version that what I am used to. It's not worth a trip out of your way, but if you are staying in downtown Ottawa it is a cool stop for lunch or some Canadian souvenirs.

ByWard Market located in Downtown Ottawa is a very cool place to hangout. You can buy souvenirs and get some good food. Parking lots available

There is SO much to see and do in the Byward Market. Whether you're looking for some fresh produce or some artisanal treats, or a patio lunch or night at the bar, the Byward Market caters to people or all ages and walks of life. It doesn't matter if you're a tourist or an exploring local, there's always something new to see, eat, or do. It's super walkable and there are lots of parking options (free street parking on weekends) and you can often find street performers here, too! If you've never stopped by, you should definitely add it to your list of things to do, regardless of the season.

Everything you might expect from a farmers market. As well as some street performances. I enjoyed the walk about.

Byward Market area is touristy but at least you can send visitors here to wander around a little. There's farm produces, local handicrafts, bakeries, pubs, restaurants and more. On a cool cool fall afternoon weekday, nothing much was there. Luckily there are quite a few places that one can grab some craft beers from the local breweries. Not a bad place to stroll around on a sunny day for sure.

This place is ALWAYS full especially on holiday weekends where it seems everyone shows up in Ottawa. Tons of food specialty shops, restaurants, bakeries, farmer's market and bars. It's easy to get carried away with the options here. Since I have a cousin who lives in Ottawa not far from ByWard Market, we usually show up here to buy pastries, some Indian take-out food, get some wine at bring everything back home. Parking is a nightmare so you're better off exploring on foot, don't get carried away with the tourist traps (like the Obama cookies) and you'll be fine.

One of the local gems of Ottawa! ByWard Market is a small area consisting of roughly 2 blocks of local street vendors. Located central in Downtown Ottawa, it's right beside the Rideau Centre mall. There are paid street parking spots nearby. The vendors consist of art, handmade clothes, plants, maple syrup products, and a whole wide range of food products from snacks, bakeries to lunches and dinners. ByWard market is a vibrant area, and a main attraction site for tourists! For visitors of Ottawa, Byward Market should not be missed!

What a quaint little place to hang out and enjoy Ottawa at its finest. An eclectic mix of shops and restaurants and all sorts of fun things! I enjoyed eating my first beaver tail which was amazing! Just enjoyed the location, shopping and views. Next time I'm spending more time there

Now called ByWard Café! I had a hard time finding "Café 55" and it took me a few minutes to realize I had found it. Same looking Pesto Tomato Linguine Salad still exists as someone else's photo. Decor has changed slightly tho. Anyway I had the Pesto Brie Panini and it was pretty tasty! I definitely wanted the Pesto salad too but decided that would be too much Pesto in one sitting. I didn't watch the coffee get made. Just ordered a regular coffee but it didn't look like a drip.. had a tiny layer of foam so must have came out of a machine, but nonetheless was pretty good too! Just thought it was curious. I'd say this is a solid lunch choice if you work close by! Nothing screamed "omg this is the best ... I've ever had!!!", but I enjoyed everything I ordered. Service was great, prices reasonable

This restaurant is located on the main streets of the market place. The coffee and hot coffee cups are very large. It is an open restaurant and you can see people walking outside the restaurant. You can eat healthy or all kinds of bread, mainly bagels. But what they must change is the music that is awful, not noisy but not nice.

This is *the* spot to be in Ottawa. It's like Bourbon Street in N'awlins, Union Square in San Francisco, or Times Square in New York. Ok, well, it's not like the last one. But you get what I mean. This is where you'll find *all* the best restaurants, bars, clubs, shopping, etc, -- in all of Ottawa -- in just a few block radius. Out-of-towners should take a walk around here - it's definitely a good representation of Canada for several reasons: besides being about two blocks from Parliament, you can buy Canadian clothing at Roots, buy maple syrup from the market vendors or souvenir shops, get some poutine from Smoke's, a BeaverTail for dessert, and order a Crown Royal or Molson's Canadian at any number of bars, eh?! Gotta love all the action and excitement here, late into the nights, too. It can get expensive, but on par with good restaurants in any other major metropolitan area. Parking is a downside, but there are several pay-garages in the area. I would avoid the super-sketchy bus terminal area at the Rideau Centre...

Loved this place! Easy access via bus or hop on hop off tour. Lots of desserts & even gluten free desserts!!! Also got my beaver tails here. I tried the original which is cinnamon & sugar, but I liked the strawberry cheesecake better. Almost every stand accepts card

This area is fun! There so much to do and see and always something going on the actual market closes a little early but the restaurants and bars around it stay open pretty late Cool place to stay is the courtyard Marriott downtown right in the middle of it all

Like most markets, this one is packed with restaurants. Not a whole lot of shops selling local staples or souvenirs, but at least there are plenty of places to eat. The biggest drawback to this market is the hours. It seems everything is closed by 6 or 7 PM regardless of the day of the week. Even the farmers' market was shutting down on a Sunday by 5:00. I guess that's normal, but I don't know how the restaurants survive only on a lunch crowd.

I always find treats and treasures in the market. I go to people watch, buy hand made items, and try new foods. The market building does need to be cleaned better, as well as the restaurants.

I'm a big coffee guy and when I saw numerous cafes in downtown Ottawa during my one week business trip, I was so excited to head over to ByWard Market to try Cafe 55 given the high ratings on yelp and it didn't disappoint! I came to this cafe on a weekday after dinner, and was surprised they were still open at 8pm given the store hours on yelp indicated it should be closed by then. But it worked to my benefits!! The server was super friendly and was very attentive and as I approached the counter, she gave me a sincere simile and asked for my order. Having just ate a big meal, I only had a cup of their Latte. I ordered a regular Latte and was very happy with it. The bitterness of the coffee was perfect, it wasn't too bitter but it also didn't taste too "sugary" like the popular coffee chains. Only regret I had is I couldn't come here during the day to enjoy the scenery and have a sandwich or a piece of cake along with the delicious latte. If i'm ever in Ottawa again, I will definitely make an effort to come here during the day to sit down and relax with some food and drinks this cafe offers.

ByWard Market is one of, if not the, most popular areas in Ottawa. Its incredibly charming and appeals to people of all ages, with a plethora of restaurants and cafes, specialty food stores, farmer's market produce, arts and crafts, clothing, accessories, jewelry, bars and nightclubs, street performers, and live music and entertainment. It's right downtown and extremely convenient. Everything is fairly concentrated in this area, so you don't have to walk too far to get anywhere you want to go. There's always something to see or do here, regardless of the time of year. There are even a few 24-hour diners and restaurants that are extra popular amongst night owls and those coming from the bars. Both tourists and residents love this area, myself included, especially because there's always something new or different to see depending on when you go. You don't have to spend a fortune, either, or you can if you please. They have many different restaurants and shops to suit both your individual taste and budget. If you haven't been to this area yet, you're seriously missing out!

Great coffee and great service! I met with a friend here before touring art galleries and we had great coffee! Sandwiches are pressed and thin, perfect for having a side of one of their fabulous salads. Beer is even served here to the side of the coffee bar. The atmosphere is great, just the kind of place to go for lunch with the girls. In the summertime when the market is at it's busiest, this is a great place to take a break from shopping. Very friendly service. This is a busy spot. Or you could have a coffee here after grabbing some ethnic food at one of the several restaurants also located in the Byward Market building. It's not hard to be tempted by something here!

Byward market is an interesting area to walk around. There are a lot of restaurants to choose from here. One thing I haven't seen much in my home city is that here they have one restaurant on top of another. For example there will be a North American seafood restaurant on the main floor and then a Japanese restaurant on top. I don't see that much in Toronto. Anyway besides the restaurants there are also the sidewalk vendors selling a variety of things. Some sell produce, others sell jewelry, scarves, clothes, artwork, etc. It's a great place for tourists go hang out, eat food & soak up some atmosphere.

What's a trip to Ottawa without going to the Byward Market? There is a huge variety of stores and restaurants here, so there is something for everyone. There are stands selling maple syrup and jewelry, and sometimes there are performances. The farmer's market is small but offers good quality fresh produce. You can probably walk around the entire area within about half an hour.

It was literally -15 degrees during our visit for New Years weekend. It was nice to have an indoor venue to check out and little shops and restaurants close by. The Market is similar to Boston's Fanual Hall but about 1/4 the size. Beautiful bakery with an abundance of sweets and Canadian delicacies to choose from. Definitely something to check out. Not spectacular, but interesting. And you must must must try a Beavertail while you are there!

I love our Byward market for so many reasons: the little boutique shops, the summer market stalls, the food! I love the bakery thats always working, particularly when they open the garage door to the kitchen in the summer - such an amazing smell when out late at night...to the wee hours of the morning. I also like the vibe of Ottawa nightlife which brings entertainment and joy without anything sketchy. It's also a very beautiful place to wander without sending a dime. The current Canada 150 display also has a lot to share about our Nation, so it's worth a quick stop - it has a couple photo opportunities to boot!

Parking can be a pain, but it is free on sundays. This area is full of street vendors, along with shops and restaurants. It's bit of a tourist trap, but probably the most fun in the city. Walking around and people watching is a lot of fun. Many of the shops are a bit overpriced.

This place has some solid coffee, though slightly more expensive than most places. It's a great choice compared to some of the other chains in the market. The patio is awesome to relax at in the summer and all types of people walk by. I haven't had a chance to try any of the food here but the staff has been friendly to me the couple of times I've been by.

Good coffee, salads, sandwiches and service. Free Wi Fi and good place for people watching. This morning, I had a triple shot Cappuccino with a biscotti side to start the day off. Cafe 55 is located in 55 ByWard Market Square. Outstanding shops, all kinds of ethnic food, pastries and a wonderful candy shop adjacent to cafe 55 for those with a sweet tooth.

This place is awesome! I was here with my school group on a trip to Ottawa and we were given a short time to choose a place to have lunch. Many of my friends resorted to having fast food (really? A trip to Ottawa and you have McDonalds?), but I decided to take my chances with Cafe 55 with a couple of other friends. ee were welcomed with amazing service and a clean and warm-feeling environment that I enjoyed very much. The food was very good (I recommend the potato linguini for the salad) and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Cafe 55. We were given a short time to have dinner and we took a risk, but it was a risk that I was glad to have taken.

I have been to a lot of Markets, this was worth the visit for sure with a great district and shopping area surrounding it. I heard it is busier in the summertime and more streets expand, but enjoyed the cool vibe, culture, and the old buildings which make up Byward. This is located right in the heart of the downtown and near the Parliament and other great areas in Ottawa.

A cute little cafe with excellent coffee and great tasting sandwiches! The day staff are quiet, but nice nonetheless. The girl working in the evening was super friendly and easy to talk to. Today I bought the croissant with turkey, tomato and lettuce with Dijon mustard. The Dijon mustard was very spicy, so be warned! Highly recommend this place as a quick lunch stop! I'll be back

The lattes are spectacular! We went early morning on New Year's Day. Pretty much the only place open. But I am glad we stumbled here, the coffee was amazing and smooth. They had nice healthy sandwiches and salads too, I would go back for a quick bite if I'm in the market.

Yes, it is touristy, but that is what this place is suppose to be! If you are a first timer to Ottawa then this place is a must see. The restaurants and bars here are so high in number that you can find a cuisine from most any part of the world up in this piece. While I was here, there was a sudden heavy downpour of rain that went on for 25 minutes before letting up, sending outdoor merchants scrambling to keep their stuff from getting soaked, I got it all on video and I wish I could show it to you here because it was an incredible sight. Lightning, thunder with all of the attention grabbing trimmings, BOOM!! There was a brave middle-aged street performer that was playing "Singing In The Rain" with a piccolo hooked up to a battery operated PA system for the first 10 minutes until he finally gave in and ran for cover with the rest of us. Still, he got my respect as he stood out in that downpour a lot longer then anybody else did. Add to that, there are Pubs and Cantinas a plenty to wet your whistle. If you come to Ottawa for travel and leisure and do not come here you're probably a monk.

I have been to Ottawa a few times, so this time I had to visit the Byward Market. Restaurants, pubs, souvenir shops, everything interesting can be found in this marketplace. If you visit, be sure to stop by Beavertails and partake in the local decadence. You will not be disappointed.

Honestly, this is a place for tourists. There is nothing here that can't be found elsewhere in Ottawa. However, it contains some very good restaurants and entertainment. It can be a place for rough folks but the city is working on that. It's not overly dangerous, but don't be flashing your moneyclip around! It is adjacent to some very nice spots (NAC, Rideau Centre, Chateau Laurier etc). It is also near Major's Hill Park, which holds some amazing festivals and events. All within walking distance. In the winter it is pretty dull, but thats because of our climate. Still the boutiques and stores are there and there is a restaurant to suit everyones taste and price.

Filled with a selection of bars, restaurants, shops, and a farmers market, this is the busiest area in town. It's a great place for an afternoon stroll on a warm Sunday afternoon. Take a peek at the various things sold in the farmer's market (Although beware that some things are definitely overpriced or sold elsewhere for less). There's a wide variety of restaurants to choose from. Everything from Asian, to mexican, to italian, to poutine, to the famous Beavertail stand. Not to mention the wide variety of pubs and bars that line the streets. I definitely recommend at least walking through this spectacular area of downtown Ottawa. I have to mention that yeah of course there's a lot of tourists in the area, but if you look past all the tourists, you can definitely find some buzz-worthy hotspots!