Ottawa's dining scene has no shortage of opinions — but when it comes to authoritative takes on where to eat, drink, and splurge in the capital, few voices carry more weight than Peter Hum's.
The Ottawa Citizen's longtime restaurant critic is opening up his inbox (and his expertise) for a live reader Q&A session today at noon, giving Ottawans a rare chance to ask their burning food questions directly.
Who Is Peter Hum?
If you've been reading the Ottawa Citizen's food section over the past decade-plus, you already know the name. Hum has been reviewing Ottawa restaurants with a sharp but fair eye for years, covering everything from hole-in-the-wall pho joints in Chinatown to splashy new openings in Westboro and Glebe. His reviews are known for being honest, well-researched, and genuinely useful — the kind you actually trust before dropping $100 on a dinner out.
He's covered the rise of Ottawa's cocktail bar scene, the explosion of international cuisine options across the city, and the painful pandemic years that reshaped local dining forever.
What to Ask
Not sure what to bring to the table? Here are a few angles worth considering:
- Hidden gems: Ottawa has no shortage of underrated spots that fly under the radar. If anyone knows them, it's Hum.
- Best value dining: With food costs climbing across the board, where can you still get a great meal without breaking the bank?
- New openings worth trying: What's opened recently that actually lives up to the hype?
- Neighbourhoods on the rise: Is Hintonburg still the hottest food strip in the city, or has somewhere else taken the crown?
- His all-time Ottawa favourites: Critics have personal picks too — this is a good moment to ask.
Why This Matters for Ottawa Foodies
Ottawa's restaurant industry has been through a lot. Rising food costs, labour shortages, and shifting dining habits post-pandemic have forced many beloved spots to close while new concepts scramble to fill the void. Having a critic who actively tracks these changes — and is willing to engage directly with readers — is genuinely valuable for anyone trying to navigate the city's evolving food landscape.
Sessions like this also give independent restaurant owners indirect signal about what diners care about, which can influence coverage and conversation around local dining culture.
How to Participate
Head to the Ottawa Citizen's website today at noon to catch the live session. Whether you've got a hot take you want validated, a neighbourhood you think is underrated, or you're just curious what a professional critic eats on his day off — today's your shot.
Ottawa's food scene deserves the conversation. Don't miss it.
Source: Ottawa Citizen via Google News Ottawa Food
