Bank Street

Ottawa’s eclectic strip

An iconic street and (at 70 km) the city’s longest, Bank Street and Ottawa are synonymous. A street that changes its vibe as it transitions from the city’s buzzing downtown through its various residential and mixed used neighbourhoods, it’s where the early 20th Century city meets today’s world in an eclectic assortment of uses, styles, and flavours. And for exactly these reasons, Bank Street, and its surrounding area, has beckoned Urban Capital as its kind of place. A street loaded with all kinds of possibilities, and a place – and neighbourhood – where you can live and build a life.

BANK STREET HOT SPOTS

Queen St. Fare is Ottawa’s first and only food hall with a burgeoning live music scene. Visitors can choose from various vendors that offer ethnically-diverse food, craft beer, and hand-crafted cocktails. Its most notable vendor is Mercadito, which offers Mexican street food with a local flare and is prepared by Top Chef Canada winner, René Rodriguez. Queen St. Fare also provides comfortable, indoor and outdoor seating that includes communal tables, booths, half booths, and bar stools. 

North & Navy is a Northern Italian restaurant, inspired by the bacari of Venice. Its menu incorporates Eastern Ontario and Northeast Italy climates and offers classic dishes made with seasonal seafood and vegetables. The restaurant has been nominated for a “Best New Restaurant” award and is widely known as a favourite among locals, dignitaries, and even celebrities.

J:unique Kitchen is one of the few restaurants in Ottawa that offers an authentic, Vancouver-style sushi experience. Owner and chef, James Park, is credited with elevating the city’s food scene. With nearly 10 years of experience working in Vancouver, Park perfectly delivers the famous and melt-in-your-mouth pressed and aburi sushi.

Gongfu Bao started as a small food cart that has taken over a prime corner spot in the Centretown neighborhood. They specialize in handcrafted, mouthwatering, and fluffy baos that are described as being the best executed, the most balanced, and the most thoughtful in Ottawa. While critics and locals particularly enjoy their fried chicken bao, they also equally crave their vegan options and side dishes.

Fauna. Ranked as one of Canada’s top 100 restaurants, Fauna is a rustic farm-to-table restaurant. Its menu focuses on serving New Canadian cuisine that represents Canada’s multiculturalism. Guests can enjoy small and full-sized plates carefully crafted with ingredients sourced from local farms and vendors.

The Whalesbone is widely recognized as one of the best seafood restaurants in Ottawa. Its menu offers 100% sustainable seafood and freshly shucked oysters. A few of its most popular dishes include the lobster roll, fish and chips, and hanger steak. Its rustic and wooden interior design adds to its welcoming and cozy atmosphere — making it the perfect place to unwind with family or friends.

The Canadian Museum of Nature is home to the best collection of natural history items in the country. It’s famously known for its public exhibitions and galleries that feature original collections and iconic mammals — offering the perfect balance between learning and fun for all. It also maintains an outdoor space that welcomes all to enjoy their benches and parks among different species of trees and plants. 

Moo Shu Ice Cream makes use of predominantly Asian flavours to offer a unique selection of ice cream — many of which are not found anywhere else in Ottawa. These rare and iconic flavours include Hong Kong milk tea, Vietnamese coffee, Tangzhong milk bread, shiso chip, and black sesame. Aside from the shop’s creative flavours, customers can also enjoy delightful vegan options and scratch-made cones.

Arlington Five is a dual coffee shop and event space. It’s widely known for serving some of the best coffee in Ottawa and is filled with members of the city’s creative community. Inside, portraits, pop art prints, and paintings crowd the walls. Outside, guests can enjoy
Arlington’s outdoor patio surrounded by murals designed by the city’s best artists.