BEST OF OTTAWA: Breakfast

With 20-years writing about Ottawa life we think we have
a pretty good idea of the best of what this city has to offer.
In this new weekly summer series we’ll share it with you.
From our top picks of hotels, live music venues, local brews,
bands and more, check, share and discuss
#OLMBest every Monday!

Elgin Street Diner

Elgin Street Diner is known for being the local go-to for after-hours eats, but their breakfast is just as delicious at any time of day. Their milkshakes are decadent and you can replace your homefries with poutine. The award-winning restaurant is open 24/7 and delivers even in the wee hours of the night. Because sometimes you just want a grilled cheese on egg bread at 3:00 in the morning.

Baker Street Cafe

There’s a reason why you will often see line-ups out the door at Baker St. Café. Their all-day breakfast menu offers a plethora of delicious offerings, not the least of which is their incredibly popular (and huge) cinnamon buns. Not to be outdone by breakfast, their lunch menu is just as tasty with menu items like Monte Cristo sandwiches and bone-in ham, cheddar cheese, roasted chicken breast and a four-cheese blend stacked between three slices of French Toast. (From WestboroVillage.com)

Jak’s Kitchen

Jak’s Kitchen prides themselves on their philosophy of incorporating locally sourced organic ingredients. The menu is flexible and rotates with the seasons. The restaurant is well known for their “kitchen macs,” an open-topped fried egg sandwich on an English muffin or sourdough bread with various toppings ranging from pea meal to brie. Their spicy eggs and banana bread French toast are the stuff of legend.

Wilf and Ada’s

This adorable diner off of Bank Street makes most of their dishes from scratch. They’re open every day until 3 PM and their eggs may be some of the best in the city, whether in purgatory, a frittata or Florentine. The drinks are just as much of a drawing factor, either hot (dirty coconut chai or Mexican mocha) or cold (iced maple or hibiscus punch). But with good food comes lots of customers, so it’s always packed. The small space doesn’t accept reservations, so be prepared and arrive early.

The Scone Witch

With three locations (Elgin, Beechwood and Cyrville), the Scone Witch is one of the best places in the city to get an authentic afternoon tea experience. The staff is friendly and the vibe is cheery. Whether you take your scones sweet or savoury, you can get them with the traditional jam and cream or with a twist as a sandwich. They also feature seasonal flavours throughout the year (July’s special is peach). You can even buy bags of their frozen handmade scones to bake at home.

Sutherland Restaurant, Bar and Coffeehouse

New kid on the block Sutherland recently opened on Beechwood, but fast became a neighborhood favourite. The interior is simultaneously modern and cozy and the service is stellar. Try their international dishes, like Moroccan eggs or huevos rancheros, or one of their unique twists on classic favourites, such as smoked salmon pancakes or scones smothered in gravy and spicy bacon bits. They also offer a wide selection of beverages and fresh pastries.

The Wellington Diner

The Wellington Diner lives and breathes family and does everything they can to make sure that all of their customers feel as though they’re part of theirs. This focus on quality service and creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere has led to a high number of regulars. Add in top-notch food and you’re in for an all-around fun experience. The Neptune omelette with lobster is a definite must-try.

Flapjack’s Pancake Shack

The menu at Flapjack’s Pancake Shack is what breakfast dreams are made of. You can order your eggs benedict atop their famous pancakes (classic or oatmeal vegan) or indulge in a slice of banana Nutella french toast. They concoct genius fusions of breakfast and dessert, including brownie batter waffles. They also serve birthday cake milkshakes and pitchers of mimosas. If you’re one of those people that relies on your morning sugar hit, this is the spot for you.

Bobby’s Table

Bobby’s Table knows their breakfast. Order your eggs exactly how you like them, be that poached, fried, scrambled, drizzled with hollandaise or in a custom made-to-order omelet stuffed with lox, asparagus or Montreal style smoked meat. Top it off with a cinnamon bun on the side and a mug of their incredible coffee. They also make some mean home fries, but you can’t leave without tasting a slice of their famous sugar pie.

Bramasole

Home of the bram-slam, Bramasole is your classic traditional breakfast joint with prices that won’t break the bank. They make everything under the sun, from blueberry pancakes to bagels with cream cheese, making it a great place to take your kids. Other standouts include the breakfast club sandwich and the steak and eggs.