8 Amazing Ottawa Food Tours (2024 Guide)
Looking for the best Ottawa food tour?
I’ve got you covered!
If you are a foodie then you’ll know that one of the best things about exploring a new city is sampling the local cuisine, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to find the best food when you’re only just getting to know a new place.
Guided food tours are an awesome way to really sink your teeth into a destination (pun intended!) and get to know the local food scene whilst exploring the city.
Ottawa has some fantastic food tours to choose from. I live in Ottawa and love food tours and I’ve also taken food tours in tons of other destinations, so I know what makes for a good and tasty experience.
I’ve rounded up some of the best tours in Ottawa for food lovers – guaranteed to leave you hungry for more!
Let’s get stuck in!
My Top 3 Picks
#1 TOP PICK
#2 PICK
#3 PICK
1. Ottawa: Taste Of The ByWard Market Food Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2.5 hours | ✅ Book it!
This is one of the best Ottawa walking tours.
On this Ottawa food tour, You’ll get to explore Ottawa’s historic ByWard Market and its food scene.
ByWard Market is Ottawa’s number one tourist attraction. The market is full of amazing food vendors and a farmers’ market. It’s one of the best places to eat in Ottawa.
“Delicious food, animated guide, great experience. Highly recommended.” – A GetYourGuide Reviewer (Read more reviews)
During the tour of the market, you will learn about the history of the ByWard Market and enjoy a wide variety of local foods. You’ll even have the experience of meeting local chefs, producers, and food artisans. This is one of the best food experiences in Ottawa!
2. Pontiac Farm Tour: Day Trip From Ottawa And Gatineau
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 7 hours | ✅ Book it!
This tour is one of the more unique foodie Ottawa experiences. It’s great for those who want to try something a little different from the usual walking tours.
On this food tour, you’ll visit 4 farms throughout Ottawa Valley and the Pontiac region of the Outaouais.
“Absolutely fantastic and a great way to explore and enjoy the Pontiac region with friends. At every stop we learned something new from the family entrepreneurs. Lunch is provided and we sampled wines, cider, charcuterie and apple pie.” – Flevert (Read more reviews)
At the farms, you can enjoy some delicious honey, savor some of the best apple pie, and try some yak meat. You will also meet the passionate farmers responsible for all these fantastic products.
This is a great tour for families, the kids will love meeting the animals and the parents will enjoy sampling the products at a family-run cider mill!
Visiting a farm and learning exactly where some of Ottawa’s most delicious produce is made is a really fun experience and will make a nice change from just checking out the local restaurants.
3. Ottawa: Foods Of The World Exploration Game
⭐️ RATING: 3/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2.5 hours | ✅ Book it!
This is a fun self-guided Ottawa city tour and game.
You’ll need to solve the clues and complete the challenges in order to learn about 11 of Ottawa’s most interesting eateries. Each clue will take you somewhere new to eat and you’ll get to experience some of Ottawa’s best restaurants.
“I really enjoyed the variety of food I discovered. I managed to taste the Bakhlavas and they were great! It is best to do this on a bicycle as the walk is too long. Also, do it in the daytime or early when the restaurants are open in case you want to eat at one of them!” – Maya (Read more reviews)
The game can be paused as much as you want so you can take your time to complete the tour and even spread it out over a few days if you need to.
As this is a self-guided tour, I suggest combining it with a bike rental. That way you can easily get between the different stops. Plus, all the cycling will help you to work up an appetite!
If you find that you enjoy cycling through the city, there are plenty of Ottawa bike tours that you could also do.
🍔 Check Prices and Availability!
Wine And Cider Tours Ottawa
4. Full-Day Pontiac Wine & Cider Tour – Day Trip From Ottawa & Gatineau
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 7 hours | ✅ Book it!
This is one of the best food and wine tours in Ottawa!
On this full-day trip, you’ll visit four locations in the beautiful Pontiac region, three family-owned wineries, and a cider mill.
As well as the wine and cider tastings you’ll also get to eat lots of delicious local produce.
This tour includes lots of wine and cider tastings, food, your guide, and transportation from Ottawa.
“I would strongly recommend this tour to anyone. 10/10.” – Jamal_G (Read more reviews)
The guides are fantastic, not only will they provide you with lots of interesting facts but they will also keep you laughing all day!
This is a small group tour so you will get a more intimate and personal experience and you will likely make some new friends too.
5. Petite-Nation Wine & Cider Tour – Day Trip From Ottawa & Gatineau
⭐️ RATING: 4/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours | ✅ Book it!
Wine tasting in Ottawa is one of the best things to do here and one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon.
On this full-day wine and cider tour around Petite-Nation, you’ll visit 10 different wineries, bakeries, cafes, and cider mills. You will also be treated to a delicious locally sourced lunch from an excellent non-profit cafe.
“Just WOW!! Nice organization, great tastings, good meal and attentive guide!!! I recommend to everyone without hesitation” – Melanie S. (Read more reviews)
The tour is limited to only 14 travelers, so you’ll get a fun, small-group experience and will likely make some new friends too.
All the transport is provided so you won’t have to worry about finding a designated driver!
6. Outaouais Craft Beer Tour – From Ottawa & Gatineau
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5 hours | ✅ Book it!
This craft beer tour will help you to discover Gatineau’s ever-growing craft beer scene. Gatineau has many fantastic microbreweries, each offering something unique.
“What a fun experience and best buck for your money!” – A TripAdvisor Reviewer (Read more reviews)
You’ll get to sample 13 tastings of beer from across 4 different locations, and you’ll also get some amazing poutine and beer from one of the most well-known beer institutions in Gatineau, the Bistro L’Autre Oeil.
Overall, this is a really fun tour. The guides are knowledgeable and really passionate about craft beer – plus you get unlimited snacks throughout the tour!
7. City Beers: Bus Tour Of Ottawa Breweries
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours | ✅ Book it!
This is a popular and fun bus tour that will take you to three or four local Ottawa craft breweries.
You’ll be transported around Ottawa by bus and your guide will make sure that you are thoroughly entertained in between stops!
“Great tour and good customer service.” – avklevens2019 (Read more reviews)
One thing I like about this tour is that you get given tasting note cards, so you can track your tastings. Perfect for helping you to remember your favorite beers so that you can try them again in the future.
The breweries are very interesting and you will learn all about the behind-the-scenes workings and manufacturing of beer.
Overall, this is a great tour for anyone who wants a fun day out with a few drinks thrown in!
🍔 Check Prices and Availability!
Ottawa Cooking Classes
8. C’est Bon Cooking
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: hours | ✅ Book it!
This isn’t a food tour but it is a great experience for foodies in Ottawa.
Taking a cooking class is a fantastic way to really immerse yourself in the culinary scene of any new destination. Ottawa has many great cooking classes to choose from.
“We’ve visited C’Est Bon three times. Each time Chef George has surpassed himself with new and interesting recipes. The experience has always been educational, entertaining, delicious and wrapped in a healty dose of humour. ” – Ms. H (Read more reviews)
C’est Bon Cooking offers all kinds of cooking classes, from helping you to learn basic knife skills to teaching you how to make gourmet food and Ottawa food specials. There’s even an Inuit cuisine class where you can learn some indigenous recipes.
What Food Is Ottawa Known For?
Canada’s capital city has many famous and tasty dishes, but you may be wondering what is its signature dish.
Shawarma is one food item that is often associated with the city. Ottawa is even known as being the ‘shawarma capital of Canada’. Sometimes it seems like there are more shawarma stands and restaurants than there are grocery stores!
Another firm Ottawa favorite is the Beaver Tail, a yummy deep-fried doughy pastry that is often topped with chocolate and other sweet treats.
Beaver tails have been an Ottawa staple for over 40 years. Chomping down on a beaver tail in Ottawa is a quintessential Canadian experience.
Ottawa is also a great place to sample other Canadian treats such as poutine, ice cream, and
FAQs
What Food Is Ottawa Famous For?
Ottawa is famous for many delicious and unique foods. One of the most famous is the BeaverTails pastry, a flat, fried dough dessert topped with a variety of sweet toppings. Another famous Ottawa food is Poutine, a classic Canadian dish consisting of French fries topped with cheese and gravy.
Can You Drink Alcohol In Ottawa?
Yes, you can drink alcohol in Ottawa, provided that you are over the legal drinking age. The legal drinking age in Canada is 19. There are plenty of wineries within easy reach of Ottawa and a growing craft beer scene. Remember to drink responsibly and always use a designated driver.
Why Should I Go On A Food Tour?
You should go on a food tour because it is a great way to discover new foods, flavors, and local cuisine. Food tours allow you to experience a destination through its cuisine, history, and culture in a fun way. You can sample some of the best dishes, as well as learn about the history and traditions behind the food.
What Happens On A Food Tour?
What happens on a food tour is that you get a guided experience that takes you to some of the best restaurants and food vendors in the city. The guide will explain the history and traditions behind the food and you’ll get a chance to sample some of the local delicacies.
Do You Tip On Food Tours?
Yes, It is customary to tip on food tours, although it is not required. Generally, a good rule of thumb when tipping is 15-20%, depending on the quality of service. This amount should be adjusted accordingly, depending on how satisfied you were with the tour guide and their services.
What Is Ontario’s Signature Food?
Ontario has many signature foods including Maple syrup, Beaver tails (fried dough coated with butter and of a range of toppings), and Pickerel fish. Maple syrup is one of Ontario’s most iconic foods, produced using the sap of maple trees during the early spring months and used in everything from pancakes to cocktails.
Final Thoughts
Ottawa is a great city for food lovers, offering delicious local delicacies and unique flavors.
Taking a food tour in Ottawa is an excellent way to get the most out of your visit, as you can explore the culinary scene with knowledgeable guides who will introduce you to some of the best restaurants and vendors in town.
Whether it’s sampling Beavertail pastries or learning about indigenous recipes, there are plenty of things to do that make taking a food tour worthwhile.
I love food tours and always try to take one whenever I get the opportunity. Food tours are such a great way to get to know a city and satisfy your taste buds!
So if you want to experience all that Ottawa has to offer when it comes to its amazing cuisine, from exploring the ByWard market to visiting farms or taking a tour around a family-run winery, don’t hesitate to book yourself on an Ottawa food tour!
If you’re still hungry after your food tour then you can check out the best brunch spots in Ottawa or book yourself onto an Ottawa wine tour.
More fun things to do in Ottawa
- 60 Epic Things to Do in Ottawa in Summer (Local’s Guide)
- 25 Best Beaches in Ottawa From a Local!
- 35 Best Restaurants in Ottawa Ontario From a Local
- 35 Best Things to Do in Ottawa, Ontario (Local’s Guide)
- 33 Best Brunch Spots in Ottawa by Neighbourhood (Local’s Guide)
- Best Places to See Tulips in Ottawa at the Canadian Tulip Festival
- 8 Best Places to See Christmas Lights in Ottawa and Get in the Festive Spirit
- 17 Wonderfully Fun Things to Do in Ottawa in Winter
- 47 Best Hiking and Walking Trails in Ottawa (Including Dog Friendly Hikes)
- 15 Best Places to Go Apple Picking in Ottawa
- Ottawa Zipline Experience: Why You Need to Zipline Between Provinces!
- Chateau Laurier High Tea Experience
- 17 Best Museums in Ottawa to Visit (Local’s Guide)
- 16 Best Indoor Ottawa Activities for Rainy Days
- Ottawa Trip Budget Calculator to Plan Your Dream Trip
- 7 Best Ottawa White Water Rafting Tours
- Hop On Hop Off Ottawa: Local Guide to Seeing Ottawa in 1 Day
- 33 Best Gluten-free Restaurants in Ottawa From a Celiac
- 29 Best Things To Do in Ottawa in the Fall
Ottawa Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy Ottawa travel insurance?
100% YES! — There’s a misconception that Canada has “free healthcare” for everyone. Nope! Only Canadians. So you’ll need to get travel insurance to visit Ottawa. I recommend this one.
💧Can you drink the tap water in Ottawa?
Yes – ish — While you can technically drink the tap water in Ottawa, as a local I don’t recommend it. Old hotels especially can have some nasty things in their pipes. Instead, get a filtered water bottle. (Read more)
🚙💨 Do I need to rent a car in Ottawa?
Yes — Renting a car in Ottawa is one of the best ways to get around! You’ll be able to see more of the city and beyond, like the epic hiking trails. I recommend Discover Cars for the cheapest rates possible.
📲 Do I need to know French in Ottawa?
Nope! — The primary language of Ottawa is English. While French is also spoken and on some signs, you can easily get by without knowing any French. (Read more)
🏩 What’s the best way to book my Ottawa accommodations?
For Ottawa hotels, Booking is the best site. If you’re considering an Ottawa Airbnb, don’t forget to also check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb. My #1 hotel recommendation in Ottawa is the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy Ottawa flights?
For finding cheap Ottawa flights, I recommend Skyscanner. You can even set a price alert to find out when flights are on sale.
🎫 Do I need a Visa for Ottawa?
Likely Not — U.S. and most European Passport holders don’t need a Visa to visit Canada.
📍 Where is Ottawa? And what’s nearby?
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, located in Ontario. It’s right on the border of Quebec. It’s about 2 hours from Mont Tremblant, 3 hours from Montreal, or 5 hours from Toronto. You can take a road trip to get to other places or fly.
