When you’re making your way through one of Ottawa’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, it can be overwhelming to decide where to go, what to do, and especially where you want to eat! Many tourists and visitors to our wonderful neighbourhood are dying for a guide on how to spend a day in Centretown – a way to decide where to go if you only have 24 hours.
Well we here at the BIA heard you, and have a brand new guide on how to spend 24 hours in our beloved Centretown. Spoiler alert – come hungry.
Centretown is one of Ottawa’s most choice-heavy areas of the city for a good breakfast/brunch. It has a variety of options that provide for the tastebuds of the global audience. Last year, we told you about Mazarine – a quaint mediterranean brunch spot. This year let’s talk about a classic.
Jax has been a staple in our community since 2017. The corner spot at 479 Bronson has been serving up their takes on brunch classics to Ottawan’s for nearly a decade. Their commitment to fresh ingredients and doing what they love has become evident not only through their longevity, but through the way they make their guests feel day in and day out. Bronson street can be TOUGH. It’s just out of reach of the busy Bank and Elgin streets, and doesn’t garner the same foot traffic as the neighbouring Chinatown – but Jax continues to be a destination worth going out of your way for any time you need a good brunch.
After brunch, you’re going to want to try one of Centretown’s MANY coffee shops. Lucky for you – this list will have more than one.
Last year we spoke about Arlington 5 – arguably Centretown’s most iconic coffee shop. Today, we talk about Undergrounds – arguably Ottawa’s most underrated coffee shop. Undergrounds specializes in balancing high level delivery on classic coffees, and unique options like their ube cloud and black sesame lattes. The team at underground have perfected the art of creativity meets coffee making. There is a level of artistry that goes into everything they do. If you don’t believe me (the writer of this article) go check out our friend and Centretown Ambassador Revello’s page (@reviewsbyrevello) where he has touched many-a-time on his feelings about Underground.
I believe the Europeans have nailed it when making lunch the slowest, longest, and most important meal of the day. Taking 2-3 hours to unwind with your people over an incredible meal sounds like what we all need in the middle of our day. That then poses the question for all of us – Where is the Siesta?
This time around we’re going to veer from our traditional “quick sandwich” lunch (shouts out to our friends at Paninaro and Subito), and opt for something we can sit down and revel in.
The Manx is what a Gastro Pub was intended to be. An underground, causal but lively place – that elevates the quality of traditional pub fare. They’ve been stealing the hearts of Ottawan’s for many years, and for good reason. This is an Ottawa staple – and a must visit for your 24 hour stay.
Of course Centretown is LOADED with dinner spots, but 2026 is the year of Euro Summer. We’ve loaded up on our delicious lunch at the Manx, and now we’re looking for a place to have great drinks in a fun atmosphere, where we can share a few small bites when we get peckish towards the end of the night.
I’ve decided to give a couple of options for this category, as there is so much to choose from and not everyone loves seafood as much as we do.
Le Poisson Bleu is one of Ottawa’s most innovative restaurants. Their dinner program features fish cookery and butchery that you won’t find anywhere else. As a result, they’ve also perfected the small plate-cocktail-wine bar vibe. Sitting at an LPB bar seat with some oysters and one of the Chef’s choice plates of cured fish, alongside an admittedly underrated cocktail is one of the finer things you can do in the whole of Ottawa.
It’s important to note that when I say cured fish – I don’t just mean lox or gravlax, I mean swordfish sausages, tuna belly bacon, and trout prosciutto. Things that we’ve seldom seen anywhere let alone our beloved Centretown.
Quickly becoming known as one of the best patios in Ottawa – this sister bar to the Standard and Elgin Street Beer Project often gets overlooked as a place to enjoy a bite. I say – overlook no more! There is a surprising amount of care and quality that goes into the Good Neighbour food menu, making it the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail, glass of wine (the list is actually really solid), and a snack while you watch a busy Elgin street come alive for the night.
You just had a wonderful night in Centretown, and had a beautiful sleep. You wake up ready to head off, but not before a quick coffee and bite for breakfast. You want the best of both worlds in one – so where do you go?
Hugo Cafe is the answer to your prayers! Widely regarded as having some of the best pastries in the city, the delicious food options don’t stop there. When paired with their carefully curated coffee bean selection, they have an excellent set of options between their classic and specialty drinks. Hugo Cafe is the sister spot of both Hugo Tacos and Social Thai – clearly this group knows what they’re doing.
24 hours is not nearly enough to explore all our beautiful Centretown has to offer, but this guide will get you started and on the right track to experiencing one of Ottawa’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.
With love,
Centretown
Author: Jordan Pizzuti
Date: July 7, 2026
