After over 20 years writing about life in Ottawa, we think we have
a pretty good idea of the best of what this city has to offer.
In this weekly series, we’ll share our picks with you – our top hotels, live music venues, local brews,
bands and more. Check, share and discuss #OLMBest every week!
The Works – various locations
The Works is very much an Ottawa staple, at the forefront of high quality burgers in the city. Not only do we love them for their big, juicy burger patties, but their entire aesthetic is just so cool. Their generously sized burgers are served with a steak knife –so you can cut it in half for easier eating–and their drinks are served in glass measuring cups. We recommend any of their “Get Stuff’d” burgers because honestly, does it get any better than cheese oozing out of a juicy patty? With five locations across the city, there is no excuse to not drop by!
Burgers n’ Fries Forever – 329 Bank Street & 278 Dalhousie Street
Nothing goes together better than burgers and fries. Luckily for us, we can get the best of both from Burgers n’ Fries Forever! This burger joint, cutely nicknamed BFF, is all about fun and unique burgers that you will not find anywhere else. We recommend going for something really crazy off their “secret menu” like “The Hangover” – a beef-patty topped with a fried egg, cheddar cheese, onion ring, beef bacon, and ketchup. Don’t forget to grab a side serving of some of their delish, hand-cut fries as well!
Burgers & Shakes – 220 Kennevale Dr. & 5510 Limebank Rd.
This family-owned, old-fashioned burger joint shows that sometimes simple is best. With a menu consisting predominantly of fries, burgers and milkshakes, it is the perfect place to go when you are craving that perfect sweet and savoury combination. If you’re not big on red meat, they offer a killer haddock burger. Pair that with a vanilla shake and your set. Their roots are in Manotick, but they’ve recently opened a second location in Barrhaven.
The King Eddy – 45 Clarence St.
If you haven’t been to The King Eddy, you’re missing out! They have delicious beef burgers of course, but we highly recommend their mouth-watering “Northern Fried Chicken” sandwich. Unlike anything you can find anywhere else in Ottawa, their fried chicken is perfectly crispy and flavourful and a chicken burger is a nice treat if you’re not a huge beef fan. We can’t get enough of the chili mayo it’s served with!
Big Smoke Burger – Rideau Centre (50 Rideau St.)
Big Smoke Burger might be located in a food court, but that doesn’t mean it’s low-quality, fast food. Their burgers are substantial and made with top quality, often local, ingredients. If you need a pick-me-up after a long day of shopping through Rideau Centre, we recommend the signature “Big Smoke” burger paired with a side of their giant, crispy onion rings. Yum!
Bite Burger House – 108 Murray St. & 1675 Tenth Line Rd.
Bite Burger House is a gorgeous, upscale burger bar. Who says grabbing burgers can’t be a classy, stylish date night? With their freshly-baked brioche buns and focus on locally-sourced ingredients, everything on their menu is high-quality and flavourful. We recommend the “Pig Pen” burger – an 8 oz pork belly patty topped with smoked bacon and smoked gouda cheese. Besides their ByWard Market home, a second location recently opened in the Fallingbrook Shopping Centre for all you Orléans residents!
Prime Burger Bar – 780 Baseline Rd.
What do you get when you combine a burger bistro with a music cafe? Prime Burger Bar! This spot serves a wide variety of gourmet burgers, and not just beef. Substitute your beef patty for chicken, salmon and even lamb if you wish! Along with the decadent burgers, Prime Burger also hosts live bands every Saturday night – doesn’t get any better than good food and good music!
World Burger – 1651 Merivale Rd.
Don't think that just because you don't hang downtown, you can't get a good burger! World Burger is located in the suburbs of Nepean and is top notch. Their soft, chewy buns and unique flavour combinations are to die for. We recommend the appropriately named “Ottawa Burger” which is topped with sautéed mushrooms and onions, candied bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce and an incredible maple mayo.
South St. Burger – Bayshore Shopping Centre (100 Bayshore Dr. FC02)
South St. Burger is located in Bayshore Shopping Centre, so it’s the ideal spot to drop by after a long day of shopping. All their burgers are 100% angus beef, so you know you’re getting the good stuff. We recommend their “Nacho” burger – a thick angus patty topped with aged cheddar, lettuce, fresh tomato salsa, jalapeno sour cream and guacamole.
Baja Burger Shack – 100 Greenview Ave.
Do you love hitting up Britannia Beach during the summer? If so, you probably already know about this adorable tiki-themed burger joint is the perfect mid-swim lunch stop as its located right by the beach. The spot has a small, but delicious menu of burgers, shakes, beer, coolers and the atmosphere is to die for on a hot summer’s day in Ottawa. Catch them before they close for the fall and winter seasons!
Nothing compares to the taste of grilled meats. At home, elevate the taste of your meats by using an electric smoker. Electric smokers or indoor electric smokers come with an upgraded technology, which helps you to smoke your meat in a comfortable and stress-free manner. So get grilling, but first check out the best electric smokers!