"Sir John A's Pub, Centretown. The go-to spot for afterwork drinks with your co-workers, Sir John A's offers one of the longest beer menus in Ottawa — local and imported, on tap or in a bottle. Whatever floats your boat, they have a brew for you. A comfortable atmosphere for solo-diners or large groups, you can't go wrong with Sir John A's tasty pub food and great beer — especially in the summer when their patio is open."

"Bread & Sons Bakery, Centretown. A cozy bakery/cafe with many sweet and savoury items, including deli sandwiches and pizza. Bread and Sons boasts an assortment of delicious homemade treats made with all locally-sourced ingredients. Whether you're on-the-go or just looking to sit back and relax, their breakfast sandwiches are a must have."

"Ragtime, Centretown. Walking into Ragtime is like entering an entirely different universe; a better, cooler one in which you’d catch a glimpse of Marilyn Monroe riding a unicorn. Tucked away on Flora Street just off Bank, this vintage clothing shop’s bright purple exterior shines brightly between rows of brick and brown siding. From colourful petticoats hanging from the ceiling, to rows of retro cowboy boots, the shop is brimming full with stuff as far as the eye can see. You’ll find clothing, costumes, jewellery, hats, scarves, and knick knacks galore. This is a truly one-of-a-kind place in Ottawa, not to be missed!"

"North & Navy, Centretown. North & Navy is a Northern Italian kitchen just off Bank St, whose food and wine selection is surpassed only by their great service. Their menu showcases unique takes on traditional Northern Italian cuisine, and their open kitchen proudly displays their dedication and attention to detail. If you’re looking for an intimate candle lit dinner, and an exceptional culinary experience, North & Navy is the place to go."

"Arlington Five, Centretown. Bright and buzzing with chatter, Arlington Five is a haven for Ottawa coffee drinkers. Located just off Bank Street, the café’s life-size outdoor ‘COFFEE’ sign gives no illusions as to what you’ll find inside: warm and luscious coffee that is skillfully prepared. The space is filled with local art, cozy seating, and aesthetically pleasing café-ware. Nibble on some homemade treats while you sit at the communal wood-table, or sip on a latté while gazing out their storefront window (great for people watching)."

"Red Apron, Centretown. When you enter Red Apron, you're greeted with the aromas of homemade pies, artisanal chocolates, and handmade soaps. It’s no wonder Ottawa has fallen in love with this little store. Bright and clean, this gourmet grocery offers the best in local and organic pre-made meals. One side of the space is lined with fridges and freezers full of meals sourced with the finest ingredients, while the opposite side boasts a café style set-up, great for grabbing a quick coffee, freshly-baked snack, or a light lunch from their daily menu. Need an ‘I was in Ottawa’ souvenir? You can also browse their selection of artisanal and locally made beauty, food, and kitchen products."

"Pour Boy, Centretown. Going to Pour Boy is like going to your friend's house: the vibe is super casual, you feel welcome, and you don't leave feeling broke. The food is affordable and the beverages even more so – key ingredients for a non-pretentious evening with good friends and strangers."

"Union 613, Centretown. There's a hidden Speakeasy downstairs behind a bookshelf – what else do you need to know? If you still need more convincing, Union 613 is a great little restaurant that puts a stylish and modern twist on old-timey southern charm, with its unique take on classic down-home dishes (try the fried chicken and grits!) and a rustic, intimate interior. They have a great selection of craft beers on tap, delicious food that's mostly locally sourced, and a super friendly staff. Communal seating, great tunes, and interesting art and decor make this a unique Ottawa dining experience, AND they serve food till 2am."

"Scrim's Florist, Centretown. An adorable family owned flower shop that has been a part of the local Ottawa business community for over 10 decades. In addition to the fresh, fragrant flowers displayed throughout the shop, they also have unique artwork displayed on the walls that the Scrim family has been handing down through generations. Just ask them! They'll be happy to tell you all about the meaningful token collection that they've been loyally building since they opened way back in 1874."

"House of Georgie, Centretown. Good if you're looking to grab something quick on the go or if you're hankering for a late-night after hours snack. Georgie's made a name for itself with it's poutine pizza. Pick a slice of your choice and have it smoothered in gravy — the real Canadian classic for adventurous tastebuds. Curious what this is like? Be sure to check it out."

"El Camino, Centretown. A local hotspot since it's opening, El Camino is always a lively place to be.Amazing tacos and other menu staples such as their homemade guacamole promise a tasty dining experience; the only challenge is to eat your taco in a graceful fashion. El Camino doesn't take reservations, so if you want to be sure of a table, make sure to get there right when they open."

"Common, Centretown. Located up on the second level, Common is a great, urban clothing boutique. While you certainly won't be able to buy anything with your spare pocket change, it has some great clothing pieces and accessories if you're looking to treat yourself to something new and edgy. Grab a coffee while you browse at Morning Owl's pop up cafe located right in the store (look for the orange fridge)."

"Book Bazaar, Centretown. Tucked on the corner of Frank and Bank, this quaint used bookstore is a must visit for bargain booklovers. It's easy to get lost amongst the rows of tall bookshelves, stocked full with new arrivals and well-loved classics. Most of the books are in amazing condition and are half of what you'd pay for a new copy. They also have an extensive collection of second-hand sheet music for the more musically inclined."

"Bridgehead, Centretown. An Ottawa institution with multiple locations throughout the city, Bridgehead has been sourcing fair-trade, organic coffee and tea from small farmers for almost 20 years. This café franchise is super passionate about their coffee and does all their own roasting. And that care and conscientiousness extends to their food, too. All ingredients are locally sourced and everything is made from scratch, including their delicious breads. Gluten-free and vegan options aplenty. Overall, a great spot for breakfast, lunch, and snacks in their comfy, relaxed spaces. It also makes a great interim-office for your new start-up."

"boogie + birdie, Centretown. This charming boutique on Elgin has an eclectic mix of jewelry, housewares, toys, decor, and artwork made by the best local artists and craftmakers in the Ottawa region. If you're searching for the perfect gift, Boogie and Birdie is a one stop destination. Just make sure to give Momo — the resident bow-tie wearing pug — a scratch behind the ears when you go!"

"Escape Manor, Hintonburg by PLOTNONPLOT. A novel use of a few hours, Escape Manor offers Ottawa’s favourite escape room puzzles to those looking to challenge themselves in aim of joining the elite winner’s circle. Armed with a narrative and voluntarily locked in a room, groups work as a team (or don’t) to get our before the time’s up! To add to the suspension of disbelief, Escape Manor is even exploring the idea of using multiple locations for single experiences - integrating Hintonburg into the mise-en-scène.It’s best to book in advance, though they’ve been known to accept some lucky walk-ins!"

"Maker House Co., Hintonburg by PLOTNONPLOT. A pop-up made permanent, Maker House combines the spirit of Ottawa’s maker scene with an outlet for display, sales, and promotion of over 90 artisans. The shop aims to weave narratives with the wares, discuss the makers behind the production, and support the local businesses that feed into the thriving community. Ranging in scale from meticulously crafted jewelry to artwork and furniture, Maker House provides a nice alternative to that Peace-Tower snow globe…unless you’re into that sort of thing."

"Tooth and Nail, Hintonburg by PLOTNONPLOT. Attention to craft is easily perceived and appreciated during a visit to this Irving Street corner hangout. Tooth and Nail features its brewery processes in plain sight and connection to its decidedly spartan, but welcoming brew pub. Locals keep the evening operations colourful and bustling while testing the passionately procured variations on the staple product. Come for a pint, try a selection of samplers, or just pop in to their retail beer store for something to savour in the environment of your choosing."

"Meat Press, Hintonburg by PLOTNONPLOT. This little corner sandwich joint has the power to pull you in with an outdoor menu displaying a short list of succulent offerings. Foraging local suppliers and slanting towards the lovely richness of the French-Canadian sensibility, this shop sensitively assembles its masterpieces, compliments them with equally considered sides, and finishes the meal with house-made sodas. Nothing beats taking in the streetscape while sitting on the curb with a hearty sandwich.Go before noon if you have your heart set on something specific that you’ve seen online, it’s popular."

"Ministry of Coffee and Social Affairs, Hintonburg by PLOTNONPLOT. If you want a good latte on Wellington, this is the place. Friendly staff serve up excellent versions of all the coffee-shop requisites. A new roaster is featured weekly, with a good selection of beans to try or take home. Early visitors will be able to grab one of Ministry’s tasty breakfast sandwiches, lunchers can choose from their sandwich menu, and late-nighters can supplement their wine or beer with a range of snacks - all fresh daily. A good range of atmosphere over the course of the day that’s great for passing-through or setting up camp."

"Happy Goat Coffee Company, Hintonburg by PLOTNONPLOT. This Hintonburg roastery exemplifies a ritual that cares about community: carefully selected beans produced by small-scale farmers from around the world roasted on-site twice weekly. And you can smell when it’s happening - those guided by the lovely aroma, off the beaten path will mix in with a steady stream of regulars. This hangout hosts shows and events and now offers local brews to keep Hintonburg happy late into the evening."

"blumenstudio, Hintonburg by PLOTNONPLOT. Tucked off the western fringe of Hintonburg is the most charming floral studio in Ottawa. Beyond its clean but unassuming exterior is a lush and colourful showcase for carefully selected plants and vessels with a generous space set aside for hanging out - drinking good coffee (beans featured monthly), indulging in a pastry (by locals Bread by Us), or a bowl of cereal - perfect for contemplating the temporal beauty of the flowers that surround. The talented proprietor creates imaginative combinations, confidently structured to provide truly harmonious arrangements to suit your price point. Monthly classes available to spread the love."

"Beyond The Pale, Hintonburg by PLOTNONPLOT. This pioneering Hintonburg brewery has established a reputation far beyond the boundaries of this neighbourhood. As the operation necessarily expands due to popular demand and city-wide distribution, it still welcomes and services the needs of a steady stream of walk-ins. It is the local go-to for a variety of growlers year-round, with their Pink Fuzz drawing in even the most skeptical beer aficionados."

"Art-Is-In Bakery, Hintonburg by PLOTNONPLOT. This anchor in the City Centre complex offers the most coveted bread in town. The industrial exterior gives way to a bustling bakery that boasts a mass of ludicrously good, meticulously crafted creations by Art Is In’s classically trained pastry chef. It’s a highly sought-after brunch location, so get there early - it’s well worth it and keeps calling to your stomach long after you’ve left."

"Cat's Fish and Chips, Vanier Beechwood by Eva Bee. There's the craziest vibe on this patio. You would swear you were somewhere on the East Coast of Canada. Their lovely patio has a canopy of grape vine leaves, comfy picnic tables and a solid Fish and Chips menu. Definitely get the calamari. While not exclusively gluten-free, they are fully aware of food intolerances and cater to most."

"Kelly's Barber + Beauty, Vanier Beechwood by Eva Bee. A clean, modern and professional hair salon. Kelly's Barber + Beauty set up shop in its new location late 2015 and has a wide range of services. They even have a Monday special for $37 - cut, wash and blow dry! It's great that they also have professional barber services - men can treat themselves here, too!"

"Bread and Roses Bakery, Vanier Beechwood by Eva Bee. This bakery has been around for years. It has an eclectic selection of bread and bun basics as well as cookies, cakes and pastries. They offer a great frozen foods section and locally made pickles, gluten free bread, roasted coffee beans too. Come to sit and enjoy a drink and sandwich or a coffee on their small patio. Live music on Saturdays at 10am!"

"Full Cycle, Vanier Beechwood by Eva Bee. Fully stocked high end bicycles, clothes and parts with an in-store maintenance service. If you buy a bicycle from here you get free maintenance for that bike for life! Pretty incredible. Everything here is high quality and their staff is extremely knowledgeable."

"Arturo's, Vanier Beechwood by Eva Bee. Homey nourishing Italian-Canadian food at your disposal including crisp delicious pizzas. This is a great place for weekend brunches and they cater to dietary restrictions if you know anyone with 'em."

"Beechwood Cemetery, Vanier Beechwood by Eva Bee. This is the National Cemetery of Canada and is run on a non-for-profit basis. There are truly breathtaking gardens, flower beds and distinct areas for families, ethnicity and military. This cemetery boasts 160 acres of impeccably maintained property. Truly peaceful and humbling."

"Nature's Buzz, Vanier Beechwood by Eva Bee. A small organic produce, meat and health food store. This is a favourite stop for healthy specialty foods. They have friendly service and unique products like different types of locally sourced seafood and organic charcuterie. Like any well stocked store, this is a great place to pick up dietary friendly ingredients and locally made artisanal products"

"Clothes Encounters Of A Second Time, Vanier Beechwood by Eva Bee. Unleash your inner fashionista! Unassuming at first glance, this consignment store is full of treasures from top designers. This place has everything from tracksuits to hand bags to high class formal ware. They change their collection often, so there will always be a treat in store. On the higher end of things, so shop wisely!"

"Art House Custom Framing, Vanier Beechwood by Eva Bee. Art House is a one stop shop for all your poster and framing needs. Custom frames are at your disposal with personally guided and curated work from their in house specialist."

"Jacobsons Gourmet Concepts, Vanier Beechwood by Eva Bee. This is for your inner foodie and cheese aficionado. With over 50 cheeses, fresh cut by the gram, you can find exactly what you need for your dinner party or grilled cheese sandwich. Pick up some fresh baked bread, truffles or cakes as well as pickles, gourmet rice, cookbooks, chutney’s, pates, takeaway meals – you name it!"

"Vanier Museoparc, Vanier Beechwood by Eva Bee. This gem has a two week sugar shack festival every April but is available all year round for rent. Bring your family and go for a small hike and play in the park right next door. Grab a book from the quaint library next door or bring your dog here and bring them for a walk down Writers Way. There is a outdoor winter skating rink here and a community centre."

"Bobby's Table, Vanier Beechwood by Eva Bee. Sometimes a diner breakfast does you good, doesn’t it? This place has been a Vanier institution for years providing daily breakfast specials starting at $4.99! Daily lunch specials include smoked meat sandwiches with house-made pickles, smoked meat pasta sauce and spaghetti and house-made carrot cake. Don’t forget the cherry coke!"

"Red Door Provisions, Vanier Beechwood by Eva Bee. Cute, homey and whimsical! This café provides delicious espresso and drip coffee brewed from fresh beans from Pilot Coffee Roasters from Toronto. Come in for fresh daily soups and salads, in-house baked goods (pop-tarts, anyone?) and a variety of grilled cheese sandwiches on locally made sourdough bread. Local Beer and Ontario wines available, too!"

"Muckleston & Brockwell, Vanier Beechwood by Eva Bee. Passionate butchers who curate their cuts from small local farms. Custom orders abound, lovely wooden interior and all the BBQ fixings you could need for your meal including fresh pastas, BBQ rubs, house smoked meat and local produce. Everything is super fresh and extremely high quality. Their passion for good food is infectious!"