Weekends are for brunching in Ottawa’s ByWard Market
Happen onto the bustling ByWard Market on any given weekend and you’ll marvel at the vast amount of brunch options available to you. But, don’t just stare in awe. Check out these ByWard Market restaurants for some of the best brunch in the city.
Benny's Bistro
119 Murray St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5M5Tucked away behind a French bakery in the ByWard Market is one of Ottawa’s best-kept secrets. Benny’s Bistro is an upscale neighbourhood restaurant that serves gourmet brunch every weekend from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Their signature salmon gravlax is served with warm lemon, caper and fingerling potato salad, informata olive tapenade and a sunny side egg.
Somewhere Dine Bar
110 Murray St, Main, Ottawa, ON K1N 5M6Known for their meats, Murray Street Charcuterie is a purely Canadian restaurant with a menu made up entirely of fresh local ingredients. They serve brunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every weekend. Be sure to try the Go Belly Up, which consists of their braised smoked bacon, maple glaze, creamy corn polenta, Niagara cherry jam and a sunny side egg.
The Red Lion Public House
47 Clarence St, Ottawa, ON K1N 9K1Empire Grill is an urban eatery that serves brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Start small with their Ottawa valley gazpacho (a lemon basil crème fraîche) before tackling their brunch board for two. It consists of a croissant cheese melt with scrambled eggs, French toast, bacon, sausage and mushroom on toast, crispy beef nibs and a fruit cup.
The Black Tomato
11 George St, Ottawa, ON K1N 8W5The food is freshly sourced from local Ottawa farmers. The atmosphere is friendly and inviting, with a beautiful patio in the ByWard Market’s cobblestone courtyard. The Black Tomato serves an interesting mix of dishes for brunch every weekend until 3 p.m. Their grilled flank steak is topped with caramelized onions, Brie cheese and horseradish mayo, and is served with a baguette from The French Baker.
Black Thorn Cafe
15 Clarence St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5P4The Black Thorn has something for everyone. You can’t go wrong with either their farmer’s breakfast (three eggs of any style, three strips of bacon, three sausages, fried baby potatoes and multigrain toast) or their Black Thorn pizza (tomato sauce, prosciutto, mozzarella, Grana Padano cheese and fresh basil). Plus, every item on their brunch menu is served with a healthy four-ounce smoothie.
Courtyard Restaurant
21 George St, Ottawa, ON K1N 8W5Aptly named, Courtyard Restaurant is located in the cobblestone courtyard of the ByWard Market. Stop by this stone heritage building during the summer for their outdoor patio, live classical music and their courtyard eggs benny, which uses eggs from grain-fed, locally raised, roam-free chicken. Brunch is served 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every weekend.
Fatboys Southern Smokehouse
34 Murray St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5M4Famous for their mouthwatering barbecue, Fatboys is a ByWard Market hot spot. Southern hospitality at its finest, Sunday’s are for live Southern and gospel music and an all-you-can-eat buffet for brunch. Have your fill of southern fried chicken and waffles, smoked bacon mac and cheese, barbecue pork hash browns and maple baked hotcakes.
Tucker's Market Place
Ottawa Tucker’s Marketplace is a genuine buffet restaurant, with an authentic neighbourhood feel. Everything here is made from scratch, using only the freshest of ingredients available. Choose from omelettes to order, fresh baked croissants, muffins, French toast, waffles and a cheese board for brunch every weekend.
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