Our guide to ByWard Market
The ByWard Market has so much to offer. If you're new to it, it can feel a little overwhelming to navigate. Here are our favourite spots and vendors that are well worth a visit.
About the market
The Market is one of the most popular tourist spots in the city, but is equally loved by locals. It's home to everything from an indoor and outdoor farmers market, to boutique shops and stalls, to cafes, patisseries, restaurants and bars. It's also a place to enjoy live music and special events year round.
The market was established in 1826 as a public market for farmers, vendors and craft merchants. Today it spans across an entire neighbourhood and includes indoor and outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment. It covers four city blocks along George Street, York Street, ByWard Street and William Street.
Take a tour
If you love to eat and explore, take a guided walking foodie tour to get the lowdown on the market and some of its best vendors. C’est Bon Gourmet Food Tours and Ottawa Tasting Tours are great options.
Shop until you drop
You have an insane number of shops and stalls to visit here. They're all worth a visit, so here are some that are particularly worth the trek:
Jewellery
If you're on the hunt for beautiful jewellery, A.J Horton Goldsmith or Disegno offer incredible creations.
Fashion
Workshop Studio & Boutique carries Canadian brands and their own creations and Chapeaux de Madeleine creates its own incredible hats.You'll find eco fashion at Adorit Boutique; Canadian fashion at Kaliyana; and ethical, fair-trade, international products at Quichua World Market.
Formal wear
Need something fancy to wear for an event? Visit Sukhoo Sukhoo Khooture for gowns and find suits, tuxedos, jackets and other menswear pieces at l’HEXAGONE.
Food and drink
You'll never go hungry at the market and there’s a ton of options for every meal here.
Breakfast
From indulgent pastries at the market's best patisseries like Le Moulin de Provence, to healthy smoothies at Pure Power Juice Bar, a morning visit is a great idea.
Lunch and Dinner
If you're visiting at lunch or dinner, you've got a ton of delicious options. 98 La La Noodles is a great place for Chinese noodles and Sidedoor offers upscale Asian-inspired fare. Social Restaurant + Lounge offers delicious modern French and Canadian cuisine. You can go gourmet at Restaurant e18hteen and Play Food & Wine. Or enjoy Middle-Eastern flavours at Fairouz Café. Or tuck into diner fare at Zak’s Diner. Whatever you're craving, there's a restaurant, vendor or cafe to visit here.
Dessert
If you feel like a sweet but simple dessert, a delicious gelato or sorbet at Amore Gelato, Piccolo Grande Artisan Gelateria or Mantovani 1946 will hit the spot. If you have more room, munch on a sweet BeaverTail pastry in its original location.
Drinks
Sip on pre-prohibition beverages at Lowertown Brewery, and creative cocktails at Atari. Get fancy at Joy on Sussex. Enjoy Irish hospitality at Heart & Crown pub.
There's so much to love at ByWard Market! We hope this mini guide inspires you to visit again and again.
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