Ottawa Guidebook by Breathe
Food scene
Housed in a 122-year-old building in the heart of Centretown, we proudly serve up the city’s most creative cocktails in our modern yet historical venue.
Upstairs, enjoy a hand-crafted libation from one of our talented mixologists, paired with fresh oysters served on the half-shell. Downstairs, our intimate dining experience awaits as the original exposed stone walls provide the backdrop to this iconic space. Contemplate the existential circumstances of life or simply dine with a group of friends in one of our cozy booths alongside another full-serve bar.
8 locals recommend
Rabbit Hole
208 Sparks St.Housed in a 122-year-old building in the heart of Centretown, we proudly serve up the city’s most creative cocktails in our modern yet historical venue.
Upstairs, enjoy a hand-crafted libation from one of our talented mixologists, paired with fresh oysters served on the half-shell. Downstairs, our intimate dining experience awaits as the original exposed stone walls provide the backdrop to this iconic space. Contemplate the existential circumstances of life or simply dine with a group of friends in one of our cozy booths alongside another full-serve bar.
La Bottega has become a local favourite. The store caters to gourmets and Italian nonnas from all over the city of Ottawa and beyond. Chefs from the city's finest restaurants and hotels can always be found shopping at La Bottega. You can also grab some sit-down meals. :)
64 locals recommend
La Bottega Nicastro, ByWard Market
64 George StLa Bottega has become a local favourite. The store caters to gourmets and Italian nonnas from all over the city of Ottawa and beyond. Chefs from the city's finest restaurants and hotels can always be found shopping at La Bottega. You can also grab some sit-down meals. :)
Head upstairs to Copper Spirits & Sights and take in a view like no other. Located on the 16th floor of the Andaz hotel, this premium lounge boasts the title of the city's tallest rooftop bar. Overlook copper-topped buildings while sipping a cocktail and experience Ottawa, elevated.
20 locals recommend
Copper Spirits and Sights
325 Dalhousie StHead upstairs to Copper Spirits & Sights and take in a view like no other. Located on the 16th floor of the Andaz hotel, this premium lounge boasts the title of the city's tallest rooftop bar. Overlook copper-topped buildings while sipping a cocktail and experience Ottawa, elevated.
Their weekly Fresh Meal service offers flexible options to suit your needs. Their Savvy Single Service allows you to stock you freezer with nutritious meals. The Retail Store carries fresh & frozen meals, fresh bread, fruit pies, cakes & much more! Everything they do is conscious of the environment and they ethically source all of their food AND packaging.
21 locals recommend
The Red Apron
410 Gladstone AveTheir weekly Fresh Meal service offers flexible options to suit your needs. Their Savvy Single Service allows you to stock you freezer with nutritious meals. The Retail Store carries fresh & frozen meals, fresh bread, fruit pies, cakes & much more! Everything they do is conscious of the environment and they ethically source all of their food AND packaging.
Sightseeing
Champlain Lookout, at the top of Eardley Escarpment on the Champlain Parkway, offers the best-known and most popular view in Gatineau Park.
51 locals recommend
Champlain Lookout
Promenade ChamplainChamplain Lookout, at the top of Eardley Escarpment on the Champlain Parkway, offers the best-known and most popular view in Gatineau Park.
Pink Lake is meromictic, meaning that its upper and lower layers of water never mix. Normally a lake’s water layers mix completely each year during the spring and fall, because of water density, water and air temperature, and the wind. The mixing of lake waters distributes nutrients and oxygen evenly throughout the lake.
Pink Lake’s waters do not mix, because it has a small surface and bowl-like shape, and is surrounded by steep cliffs that protect it from the wind. There is no oxygen in the deepest seven metres of the lake.
18 locals recommend
Pink Lake Trail
Promenade de la GatineauPink Lake is meromictic, meaning that its upper and lower layers of water never mix. Normally a lake’s water layers mix completely each year during the spring and fall, because of water density, water and air temperature, and the wind. The mixing of lake waters distributes nutrients and oxygen evenly throughout the lake.
Pink Lake’s waters do not mix, because it has a small surface and bowl-like shape, and is surrounded by steep cliffs that protect it from the wind. There is no oxygen in the deepest seven metres of the lake.
Lusk Cave is in the Philippe Lake area, about five kilometres from Parent Beach. It is an easy hike on trails that feature interpretation panels along the way. The 10-kilometre round trip takes about four hours.
In the cave itself, water levels can be as high as a metre or more. It is recommended that cave explorers bring an extra pair of shoes, flashlight and safety helmet. Sandals and rubber boots are not recommended footwear.
25 locals recommend
Lusk Cave
Trail 54Lusk Cave is in the Philippe Lake area, about five kilometres from Parent Beach. It is an easy hike on trails that feature interpretation panels along the way. The 10-kilometre round trip takes about four hours.
In the cave itself, water levels can be as high as a metre or more. It is recommended that cave explorers bring an extra pair of shoes, flashlight and safety helmet. Sandals and rubber boots are not recommended footwear.
Renting canoes, kayaks, peddle-boats, and paddle-boards at Dow's Lake is a great way to explore the canal all the way into downtown Ottawa.
191 locals recommend
Dows Lake
1001 Queen Elizabeth DrivewayRenting canoes, kayaks, peddle-boats, and paddle-boards at Dow's Lake is a great way to explore the canal all the way into downtown Ottawa.
Nestled in the picturesque village of Old Chelsea in the Outaouais on the outskirts of Gatineau Park, Nordik Spa-Nature positions itself as the largest spa in North America.
This relaxation and healing centre is mainly focused on thermotherapy and relaxation techniques from Scandinavian countries. It offers a multisensory experience in a surrounding natural setting and is aimed at contributing to the health and well-being of its guests.
312 locals recommend
Nordik Spa-Nature | Chelsea
16 Chemin NordikNestled in the picturesque village of Old Chelsea in the Outaouais on the outskirts of Gatineau Park, Nordik Spa-Nature positions itself as the largest spa in North America.
This relaxation and healing centre is mainly focused on thermotherapy and relaxation techniques from Scandinavian countries. It offers a multisensory experience in a surrounding natural setting and is aimed at contributing to the health and well-being of its guests.
Some of the best whitewater rafting in North America is right here on the Ottawa River!
Wilderness Tours
Some of the best whitewater rafting in North America is right here on the Ottawa River!
Neighbourhoods
The Glebe
Westboro
Home to Ottawa's elites, Rockcliffe Park is a gorgeous neighbourhood filled with mature trees, stunning homes and architecture and great cycling routes.
Rockcliffe Park and the Rockeries
Home to Ottawa's elites, Rockcliffe Park is a gorgeous neighbourhood filled with mature trees, stunning homes and architecture and great cycling routes.