Late night grub for famished night owls in Ottawa
It’s midnight and you’ve just worked up a fierce appetite after dancing the night away; or perhaps you’ve just finished work and need something to tide you over until breakfast. Whether you’re working the graveyard shift or out for a night on the town, here are Ottawa’s best picks for late night grub to fill the hunger gap.
OZ Kafe
10A York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5S6An Ottawa favourite on the Elgin strip Oz Café serves a refreshingly unique take on traditional pub fare. Try the wonton nachos topped with smoked duck, pickled red onion and cilantro, or revel in the refreshing papaya salad with daikon, candied cashews, mint and ox jerky. You can eat the night away until 2am.
Lieutenant's Pump
361 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1M7When it’s last call and you’re looking for comfort food, make your way to the Pump for a pint and pound of wings. This popular British-style pub has topped up its late-night food menu with vegetarian and lighter fare such as a hummus and green goddess platter — all the better when you’re saving room for a final shared sip of that Pilsner pitcher.
Union Local 613
315 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K2P 0J8Looking for a late night joint with character and class? Visit Union Local 613. More than a restaurant or bar, Union is a community hub where well-planned communal seating draws locals go to congregate and converse. The place offers beer classes in the summer, and themed drink nights such as Working Women’s Wednesday, complete with itemized manifestos: “Reduced drink prices are in solidarity with our sisters who work just as hard, if not more so than men and get paid less.” This is the right place to party with a purpose.
Smoke's Poutinerie
407 Dalhousie St, Ottawa, ON K1N 9K4A deluxe rendition of one of Quebec’s most adored snack foods, Smoke’s Poutinerie’s poutines meet all the cheesy, greasy standards for a quick late night snack between bar and bed. On a base of hand-cut, yellow-fleshed fries, Quebec curds and homemade gravy, you can request toppings such as pulled pork and Philly cheesesteak. For vegetarians, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions and baby green peas can top this sinfully delicious midnight nosh.
Jinseiraman
300 Laurier Ave W, Ottawa, ON K1A 1E4What is it about post-pub pizza? There’s some ineffably attractive combination that makes night owls flock to pizzerias. Until modern science can give us concrete answers, let the mystery be, and know that Pizza Shark is the absolute best late night slice in town. From Italian to Mexican, Hawaiian to Canadian, its pizza pies have it covered. Go for the Shark special (pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, olives, bacon and tomatoes) and get a second pizza, for free. Two for one pizza: need I say more?
El Camino
380 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1N1A new kid on the Elgin block, El Camino has received a warm welcome for its talk-of-the-town tacos. If spicy grilled albacore tuna, scallop ceviche and tequila cocktails make your tummy rumble, head to El Camino where you can chow down on authentic Mexican fare until 2 am.
Elgin Street Diner
374 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1N1Conveniently open 24/7, you never have to look at your watch (or phone!) when choosing to chow down at the infamous Elgin Street Diner. This late-night haven is ideal for satisfying standards if you’re in the mood for a clubhouse, burger and fries, chicken Caesar wrap or merely a milkshake. Or, if you and your friends want to skip the Sunday morning breakfast lines, why not start early (or really, really late) on those scrambled eggs and sausages with a classic diner breakfast.
Kettlemans Bagel
912 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON K1S 3W6Bagels might not be first thought when you’re out gallivanting at night looking to re-fuel, but they definitely are the best thought when you go to Kettleman’s Bagel. Wood-oven baked, melt-in-your-mouth, Montreal-style bagels are served 24/7 at this Bank Street bakery. Eat one in it’s classic simplicity with butter, or go for smoked salmon and cream cheese.
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