Going to the gym, eating better, finally tidying up that office space…The endless list of New Year’s resolutions that we struggle to commit to and end up leaving behind by February grows every year. So we at Centretown are here to provide you with a list of things to do that are actually worth committing to now that 2026 is upon us!
Some of Ottawa’s best restaurants and bars reside in our humble little borough, and it’s about time you experienced them first hand.
Gitanes - 361 Elgin St
Located in a tucked away corner on Elgin street near Gladstone is one of Centretown’s answers for “top Ottawa restaurants”.
A love letter to the city’s patrons who have an affectionate attitude towards all things delicious. From wine, to cocktails, to an outstanding food menu that continues to flip classics on their heads and deliver them in new and delicious ways, ladies, gentlemen, and folks of all identities…I give you Gitanes.
Gitanes is the perfect marriage of high quality ingredients and technique coming together to create familiar dishes in unfamiliar ways. From staple items like the bone marrow french onion soup and crab spaghetti, to their Chef’s Table tasting menu that gives diners a journey through the creativity of the back of house team – Gitanes continues to wow its guests year after year.
It should not be understated that while the product at Gitanes is excellent, what really makes it special is the staff. This restaurant is the definition of “the right people in the right places”. The careful curation of positions at Gitanes means that no matter your fancy, there is someone who can guide you down a pleasurable path for your night out. GM’d by one of Ottawa’s most respected sommeliers (yes, we do have INCREDIBLE sommeliers in this city), Bernard Joseph Lemoyne and the staff at Gitanes can curate experiences for everything from date night, to birthdays, to mid-week pick me up.
This is at the TOP of our New Year’s resolution list.
Good Neighbour - 399 Elgin St
Everyone needs one of these, and I’m not just talking about when a Statefarm commercial is running. Good Neighbour is the newest venture from the team that brought you Standard Luxury Tavern, Elgin Street Beer Project, and of course Stay Gold Detroit Style Pizza. This elevated neighbourhood joint has a focus on, well, just that…being the coolest spot in the hood to hangout. From cocktails, to beer, to wine – Good Neighbour has carefully curated an experience that can bring in everyone from the family down the street, to the post shift industry crowd, to the hockey pre game bev, to the afterwork happy hour crew. The summer time showed us that the Good Neighbour patio is worth the hype, but the newly renovated former St Louis has done just as good a job inside as they did outside. A comfortable space for a one on one date night or a private party, they truly know what it means to be a good neighbour.
East India Company - 210 Somerset St W
I don’t know about you, mystery reader, but one of my goals for 2026 was to live a life full of flavour and variety. That is where East India Company comes in.
Known for their daily rotating Indian food buffets, Easy India company offers dinners an elevated feel to buffet style dining.
Each dish is packed full of flavour and expertly prepared. It’s hard to describe your first experience walking into East India Company, but the smells speak for themselves. As you enter the unassuming building – you will be created with the perfume of spices, sauces, and specialty dishes that India is known for. It’s a tantelizing experience to say the least.
Once you’ve checked this one off your bucket list I am certain you will be asking yourself how you can replicate this feeling at home! Luckily, on January 27th, East India Company will be holding a cooking class right here in Centretown!
J:Unique - 381 Cooper St
Every neighbourhood needs a go-to sushi spot, and if your goal in 2026 is to actually enjoy eating more protein, then a go-to sushi spot is what you need too!
For us, that is J:Unique.
This is a no-frills, no fuss, no ifs, ands, or buts about it kind of place that has been bringing some of Ottawa’s best Japanese cuisine for the last 3 years.
When you walk into J:Unique, you know exactly what to expect. Fresh ingredients and big flavours. The concept began as a way to bring Vancouver style Japanese food to Canada’s capital, and has since evolved into an Ottawa staple in its own right. Don’t skip on the pressed sushi while you’re crossing this one off your resolution list! It’ll keep you coming back all year long.
New Year’s resolutions can be hard to stick to. Life gets in the way and our motivation can waver. But when the payoff for staying committed is as good as this one, I have a feeling that you’ll find a way to see it through.
With love from Centretown.
Author: Jordan Pizzuti
Date: January 20, 2026
