Westboro is what happens when a neighbourhood figures out exactly what it wants to be and commits to it fully. Stretching along Richmond Road west of downtown, it combines the outdoor-living ethos of a mountain town with the culinary sophistication of a proper urban neighbourhood — all anchored by a beach on the Ottawa River that gives it something no other Ottawa neighbourhood has.
The Character
Westboro runs on independent businesses. There are almost no chain restaurants or stores of note here — the neighbourhood is defined by its boutiques, roasters, breweries, and restaurants, almost all of which are owner-operated. This gives it a cohesion that feels earned rather than designed.
The population skews active and outdoorsy, which makes sense given that the main street empties directly toward Westboro Beach and the Ottawa River parkways.
Eating and Drinking
Westboro has become one of Ottawa's best-fed neighbourhoods. The concentration of quality restaurants on Richmond Road and the side streets is remarkable for an area this size.
Highlights: Fratelli (Italian, community institution), Beyond the Pale Brewing (taproom and food, neighbourhood anchor), ZenKitchen (vegetarian/vegan, genuinely exceptional), a cluster of excellent brunch spots including Bennett's and the Bridgehead on Richmond, and an ever-rotating cast of newer arrivals that the neighbourhood absorbs and supports remarkably well.
Westboro Beach
The beach on the Ottawa River is the neighbourhood's secret weapon. It's a proper sandy beach (small but real), with a wading area popular with families and a view across the river toward Gatineau Park. In summer, it's one of Ottawa's best urban escapes — bring a blanket, watch the paddleboarders, and remember that you're ten minutes from Parliament Hill.
Outdoor Gear
MEC (Mountain Equipment Company) has its Ottawa flagship in Westboro. It anchors an outdoor-retail ecosystem that also includes specialty running stores, ski shops, and cycling retailers. If you're planning any outdoor adventure in or near Ottawa, Westboro is where you come to gear up.
Shopping
The boutique shopping on Richmond Road is some of Ottawa's most interesting — independent clothing shops, design stores, bookshops, and specialty food retailers. It's the kind of street where you keep stumbling into things you didn't know you wanted.
Getting There
Westboro is well-served by O-Train (the Pimisi and Bayview stations connect via bike path) and multiple bus routes. Richmond Road is also accessible by cycling paths from downtown along the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway — one of Ottawa's best urban rides.
