Discover the beauty and charm of Ottawa with the help of these tours!
Is there any better way to explore a new city than over delicious meals and surrounded by great people? Ottawa is a vibrant city filled with important political history and rich in culture. Take part of a walking tour to make sure you don’t miss out on the iconic Parliament Hill, impressive Victorian architecture and the refreshing parks lining Rideau Canal. Or if you fancy yourself a foodie, indulge in these Ottawa food tours that will fill your stomach and your heart.
While you’re in the area, maybe you want to check out Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal next? Or, make your way down to Boston and Chicago and join a food tour!
Ottawa Food Tours
The best way to get to know a city is, of course, by eating your way through it!
1. Local Ottawa Food Tours
Don’t be fooled! Small town does not mean small taste. Local Ottawa Food Tours will take you on an enchanting culinary exploration of the ByWard Market neighborhood. Take it slow and embark on one of their walking tours where you’ll experience the innovation and charm of the local food scene. As we walk through this bustling neighborhood, you will indulge in iconic Canadian favorites such as warm, sugary Beavertails, rich poutine topped with squeaky cheese curds, and velvety local maple syrups. You will also taste molasses-glazed duck, sample artisanal cheeses, and bite into a renowned sandwich layered with bold flavors. To finish, another sweet treat will bring our journey full circle. Click here to learn more
2. Brew Donkey Craft Beer Tours
Feeling thirsty? Brew Donkey is the only craft brewery tour company in Ottawa and has a variety of activities to satisfy everyone’s palette. Whether you’re interested in the East or West End breweries, want to play with friends at an axe throwing range or escape room, or want to learn about the history and production of cannabis while sipping on a cool one, Brew Donkey has got you covered. Known for their hospitable guides and detailed organization, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride. Click here for more information.
3. Secret Food Tours: Ottawa
The Secret Food Tour in Ottawa offers a delicious journey through the historic ByWard Market, the city’s culinary hub since 1826. On this tour, visitors explore the hidden corners and hear fascinating stories while stopping at beloved local spots, including Ottawa’s oldest tavern.
Guests taste Canadian favorites such as poutine, Beavertails, and maple syrup, plus artisanal cheeses, molasses-glazed duck, and a local favorite sandwich. The tour ends on a sweet note, perfectly wrapping up a flavorful walk through one of Ottawa’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Click here to see more.
4. C’est Bon Cooking Gourmet Tours
Offering both culinary walking tours as well as cooking classes, you know you can trust C’est Bon Cooking to deliver only the best quality food. Not only for tourists, C’est Bon Cooking Gourmet Tours is excellent for the Ottawa local searching to discover – or rediscover – the culinary wonders of their city. Indulge in their Chocolate Lover’s Tour or experience the Taste of Wellington Village Tour, a vegetarian’s delight!
5. Experience Food
With four different levels of tours (Gourmet, Premium, Tasting and Express/Youth), Experience Food shows their foodies the best of Ottawa while also giving a taste of the Gatineau restaurant scene. Relax and enjoy their laid-back street food Gourmet tours. If you’re looking for an elevated experience, partake in one of their Premium tours to bask in top-shelf and exclusive products.
6. Culinary Adventure Co.
Offering culinary food tours across the country, Culinary Adventure Co. know what’s up. Focusing on local shopkeepers, chefs and artisans, fall in love with our Canadian capital’s welcoming charm. Join their Made In Canada Food Tour to learn about iconic Canadian meals and treats, or if you’re a local, to remind yourself of our nation’s finest. Click here to learn more.
7. La Vida Local
Discover one of Ontario’s brightest new industries: Wine! From whisky to mead to cider to vodkow, La Vida Local will take you on a journey to finest vineyards, distilleries and cideries in the Ottawa Valley. Learn the production processes from the pros themselves, and indulge in only the best locally made craft spirits. There’s no better way to enjoy good company than over good food and wine in the countryside. For a full list of their tours, visit their website here.
Walking and Biking Tours
With so much to experience such as the sights, history, nature & waterfalls, public art, hip neighbourhoods, and local lifestyle, a walking or bike tour is a sure-fire way to ensure you’re seeing the most you can while still keeping active. Breathe in the fresh air and let the breeze blow through your hair as you discover one of Canada’s most important cities.
8. Fitz Tours
Fitz Tours offers daily bike tours exploring worthwhile areas such as Downtown, Canadian Parliament, Rockcliffe Park, Byward Market, and The Glebe. Accompanied by one of their knowledgeable and charismatic guides, you’ll experience Ottawa like never before. With two different tours, choose between The Essentials or Hoods and Hidden Gems, and if you can’t decide (we can’t blame you!), you can always combine the two and get the best of both worlds! Visit their website here for more details.
9. Ottawa Walking Tours
Explore the city with one of Ottawa Walking Tours’ experienced guides to learn all about the capital’s famous streets and sights, and Canada’s political history and icons. Also, the Ottawa experts will show you charming parts of the city that tourists often overlook. But that’s not all, Ottawa Walking Tours offers a Free walking tour! This two-hour tour will fly by as you dive into rich history and learn the ways of the locals.
Important to note that these tours take place every weekend during the summer season (May to November). Click here to get more information and consult their schedule.
10. Tour Guys
Tour Guys boast guides coming from all different walks of life but equally passionate for travel and sharing, so you know you are getting a truly unique experience and perspective on the city. Focusing on smaller group tours, take part in a more intimate outing discovering Ottawa’s best kept secrets with their Urban Adventures Tour. It doesn’t stop there, the Tour Guys cater to everyone’s needs, offering Adult Tours, Tours for Families and Individuals and even customize larger tours for school activities and private events. To visit their website and learn more, click here.
11. Ottawa Free Tours
Ottawa Free Tours has been the go-to free walking tour of the downtown area since 2015! After having given themselves the goal of making history fun, they have succeeded in sharing Canada’s colourful history and enticing culture to all those who have partaken in their tours. Their guides are full of personality, and being avid travellers themselves know exactly what fellow tourists would like to see and learn about. Also, if you participate in their Ottawa After Dark Tour you will see a lesser known but equally fascinating side of the city, not to mention the light show that illuminates Parliament Hill during summer nights.
12. Heritage Ottawa
Heritage Ottawa is an organization that focuses on the historical preservation of Ottawa’s architecture and sites. Don’t think they’re stuck in past however, their true motivation is to inform and create a better future for us all! Their walking tours will take you into Ottawa’s most fascinating and historically rich neighbourhoods. Here you can explore sides of Ottawa that are off the beaten path. This makes Heritage Ottawa’s tours perfect for travellers visiting for the first time as well as Ottawa residents searching to learn more about their home. Also, the price is very affordable at 5$ for members and 10$ for non-members. Visit their website here to learn more.
Travelling further? Or looking for the perfect weekend getaway? Have a look at some of our tours offered in other exciting Canadian cities nearby:
