When you’re pressed for time but don’t want to sacrifice quality or flavour, what do you do? It can be hard when you’re in a rush to make an informed decision, and all too often you’ll wind up with a disappointing and uninspired meal that can hardly even be qualified as food. Well, we at Centretown have decided to take the guesswork out of it! Here are the best quick bites in the area when you only have 45 minutes or less to eat.
1. Smash Daddy - 84 O'Connor St.
Ottawa’s smash hit smash burger food truck opened up a brick and mortar location, and you know the best spot in the city to do so was right smack in the heart of Centretown. These Oklahoma style smash burgers have brought new life to the already vibrant burger scene in Ottawa. If you’re not familiar with the term, an Oklahoma style smash burger are patties that are flattened to a crispy lacey edge, with onions pressed right into the patty for increased flavour. Smash Daddy also uses the highest quality grass fed beef, with a custom fat blend that was meticulously developed for the perfect burger. When paired with their signature sauce, house made pickles, and custom seasoning blend – Smash Daddy is everything you’re looking for in the perfect smash burger.
Feeling a little fancy? Don’t skip out on their luxurious wagyu daddy smash burgers. Finally, luxury is being made accessible.
In my personal and professional opinion, smash burgers are the best way to enjoy a burger, and Smash Daddy in Centretown is the best place to do it.
2. Gooney’s- 294 Albert St.
Venezuela. A land of beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and of course…amazing food. Unfortunately Venezuela sits at a cool 15 hour flight away.
Fortunately we have our own little slice of Venezuela right here in Centretown!
Gooney’s is a spot that has been serving up freshly made arepas, sandwiches, and more Latin American flavours since 2011. Their family friendly atmosphere, wonderful service, and passion for sharing culture through incredibly executed food has made them a staple in the city for over a decade.
Yet somehow, they still feel underrated and underknown to the average Ottawan.
When you take your first (or next) visit to Gooney’s you have to try an Arepa. These corn based flatbreads are stuffed with a variety of delicious fillings that provide a number of unique flavour combinations. Good for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Ottawa’s piece of Latin America is ready for you at any time of day.
3. Dosa and Curries - 114 Gloucester St.
As you can see, Centretown is a cultural wonderland. Flavours from cultures all around the world gather to provide you with an experience like no other and for this global quick bite, we’re headed to India.
Specifically the traditionally south Indian delight known as dosa.
Dosa is a crepe-like vessel made from things like lentils and rice, often stuffed with veg and proteins and served with traditional sauces and chutneys.
One of the most common (and delicious) types of dosa is Masala Dosa, a lightly crisp crepe filled with spicy potato and herbs. Masala Dosa is a great starting point for any new dosa lover, just make sure you bring your spicy food pants to the table.
4. Paninaro - 642 Somerset St.
3 things are certain in life. Death, taxes, and the deliciousness of a Paninaro Sandwich.
There is a term you may need to know when entering this establishment so let us here at Centretown break it down for you.
Schiacciata: An airy, crispy edged, Tuscan flatbread. Almost like the squished down version of a focaccia. This bread is something we haven’t seen used for any other sandwich in Ottawa, and it makes all the difference.
This speciality bread is stuffed to the brim with various varieties or meats, cheeses, veg, sauces, and other unique accoutrement like pistachio cream. Paninaro creates a one-of-a-kind sandwich experience that isn’t available anywhere else in the city of Ottawa, and our local food expert Jordan (Hi everyone) swears by this being the best sandwich in the city.
If you’re unfamiliar with the lore of Paninaro let us fill you in. What started as a small takeout window out of the back of 5:6:8 coffee, became a line up to get phenomenon. Eventually, the folks at Paninaro did so well that they took over the main space, creating an environment for sandwiches that includes alcoholic beverages, a patio, and even an arcade machine. This is not just the best sandwich in the city, but the best sandwich experience as well.
5. Meet Noodle - 160 Metcalfe St.
Now, on to a place that needs no introduction because it provides one in its name. Everyone, Meet Noodle.
Our culinary journey of quick bites in Centretown has officially taken us to China, where hand pulled noodles are not just a delicious meal, but an art form. A variety of saucy, soupy, and often spicy noodles are available to be discovered. The technique of hand pulling noodles is nothing short of an artistic masterpiece, and at Meet Noodle their years of expertise becomes quickly evident in every dish.
For less than $20 per plate you can enjoy any number of slurp-friendly dishes that will warm your heart and your soul time and time again.
Centretown pro-tip: Bring your first date here to see if they can hang. If they can’t get down in a bowl of warm saucy noods, they probably aren’t the one.
6. Falafel Scoop - 398 Kent St.
At last we have reached our final cultural destination. We have traveled to the Middle East for what is the self proclaimed most authentic, most fresh falafel in Canada.
Falafel Scoop is, at the very least, a fan favourite in Ottawa that just so happens to be a Centretown resident.
Fellow Centretown restaurant chef and owner Tarek Hassan of Gong Fu Bao and Cafe shouts Falafel Scoop out as his best budget bite in the city of Ottawa, and we at Centretown love to help you find fresh, high quality food at a budget friendly price.
In case the name didn’t give it away you will need to try a Falafel based dish here. Whether it is a wrap or platter is up to you, just make sure you indulge to your heart’s desire.
Forget around the world in 80 days. Here in Centretown we aim to take you around the world in under 45 minutes (per meal) and show you just how special a quick bite can be.
