Ottawa takes its weekend brunch seriously, and the list below was put together from public restaurant listings, Google and Yelp reviews, and coverage from local food sites. It spans scratch-made diners, a heritage bakery west of the city, and a few sit-down spots known for their weekend-only menus.
1. Wilf & Ada's
Area: Centretown, 510 Bank Street
Wilf & Ada's is a small, walk-in-only scratch diner that has become one of the most talked-about brunch spots in Centretown, with hundreds of reviews across Yelp and Tripadvisor. Regulars point to the house-smoked bacon, fresh-squeezed juices, and creative eggs Benedict variations, all made in an open kitchen. It suits people who don't mind a short wait for a plate built from scratch rather than a freezer.
2. Chesterfield's Gastro Diner
Area: Wellington West, 1300 Wellington Street W
Chesterfield's has built a following in Wellington West for elevated, health-conscious brunch fare, including Jamaican-inspired bennies that set it apart from a standard diner menu. It's a no-reservations spot open Wednesday through Monday, drawing a steady weekend crowd from the surrounding Hintonburg strip. Best for anyone looking for a brunch menu with a bit more spice and personality than the usual eggs-and-toast lineup.
3. Cocotte Bistro
Area: Downtown, 123 Metcalfe Street
Rating: 4.4 on Google
Cocotte Bistro brings a French bistro sensibility to brunch, with a modern dining room downtown and a menu of refined, French-leaning plates. Reviewers consistently call out the warm but professional service and the polish of the presentation, making it a pick for a brunch that feels closer to a proper sit-down meal. It suits a special-occasion crowd more than a quick weekend bite.
4. Gezellig
Area: Westboro, 337 Richmond Road
Rating: 4.6 on Google
Gezellig operates out of a converted 1950s bank building in Westboro, and the name, Dutch for a sense of warmth and togetherness, shows up in both the room and the service. It's a seasonal, hospitality-driven kitchen known for family-friendly weekend brunch alongside weekday lunch and dinner. Good for a relaxed but slightly upscale brunch in a distinctive space.
5. The Belmont
Area: Old Ottawa South, 1169 Bank Street
The Belmont runs a dedicated weekend brunch menu Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Turkish eggs and huevos rancheros among the dishes reviewers mention most. It's a neighbourhood spot in Old Ottawa South that also does dinner service later in the day. Suits locals looking for a laid-back brunch without straying far from the Glebe-Old Ottawa South strip.
6. Richmond Village Bakehouse
Area: Richmond, 3468 McBean Street
Rating: 4.9 on Google
Set inside a restored heritage home in the village of Richmond on Ottawa's west end, this bakehouse pairs cakes and pastries with soups, chili, and pasta in a cozy, antique-furnished dining room. Reviewers regularly single out owners Paul and Karen for warm, personal hospitality. It's worth the drive out of the core for anyone who wants a small-town bakery feel with their brunch.
7. EVOO Greek Kitchen
Area: Little Italy, 438 Preston Street
EVOO Greek Kitchen brings a Greek twist to brunch in a stylish dining room on Preston Street, with a menu reviewers describe as interesting and reasonably priced for the portions. It draws a strong weekend turnout on top of its regular Greek-focused dinner service. A solid pick for anyone who wants brunch with a Mediterranean angle instead of the usual North American diner format.
8. The Rowan
Area: The Glebe, 915 Bank Street
The Rowan is a Modern British restaurant in the Glebe that runs brunch Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the Rowan Bennie, topped with maple pork, mentioned frequently by reviewers as a standout. The room has a colourful, welcoming feel that pairs with a menu that leans into British comfort-food touches. Good for brunch-goers who want something a little different from the standard eggs Benedict.
9. Cantina Gia
Area: The Glebe, 749 Bank Street
Rating: 4.1 on Google
Cantina Gia serves an Italian-leaning weekend brunch in the Glebe, with sour cream pancakes and smoked salmon eggs Benedict drawing particular praise, alongside homemade pastas on the regular menu. Reviews are mixed on service pace at busy times, but the food itself gets consistently strong marks. Best for brunch-goers who also want an excuse to come back for Italian dinner later.
10. Grounded Kitchen, Coffee & Bar
Area: Downtown (Gloucester Street) and Carling Avenue, two locations
Rating: 4.6 on Google · Since: 2010
Grounded has been running on a made-from-scratch, third-wave-coffee philosophy since 2010, with an in-house smoker that shows up in its BBQ-leaning brunch dishes. It now has two locations, downtown on Gloucester Street and on Carling Avenue, and reviewers consistently point to the quality of the food and the staff's evident care for it. A solid choice for anyone who wants brunch, good coffee, and a cocktail option all from one kitchen.
How We Built This List
This list was compiled from public restaurant directories, Google and Yelp review data, and local Ottawa food coverage, not from ottown staff visits or tastings. Nobody on the ottown team has personally tested or rated these menus. It is not a paid placement, and no business on this list is affiliated with ottown or its operator. Last reviewed in August 2026.
Sources: OpenTable's Best Brunch Restaurants in Ottawa, along with individual restaurant listings on Google, Yelp, and Tripadvisor.
