Ottawa Food Tour: ByWard Market with 6 Local Tastings

Taste six dishes that tell Ottawa's story, from a park overlooking the river to the market stalls where locals actually eat.

This is a 3-hour guided food tour of Ottawa's ByWard Market neighborhood, where you taste six dishes chosen to show the city's food culture, from Canadian classics to modern creations. A local guide leads small groups or private parties through the historic district, stopping at working cafés, market stalls and heritage sites to meet chefs, taste their food, and hear the stories behind it. The tour starts at Rideau Canal with a Canadian pastry and sweeping city views, then moves into the market itself. You'll walk a fair amount and should wear comfortable shoes. The itinerary can shift based on what's open and available on the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Rideau Canal30m
2. ByWard Market2h

Explore Ottawa's ByWard Market flavors

• Begin tour with Canadian pastry
• Enjoy views of Ottawa riverfront
• Explore historic ByWard Market neighborhood
• Taste 6 local food specialties
• Meet local chefs and hear stories

The experience

You arrive with a free afternoon and no plan for lunch, or you're new to Ottawa and want to eat where the city actually eats, not where the guidebook points. This tour solves that by putting you in front of six dishes in three hours, each one chosen to show you something real about the place. You start at Rideau Canal with a Canadian pastry and views of the riverfront and city, then move into ByWard Market itself. The neighborhood that has anchored Ottawa since the beginning. A local guide walks you through, stopping at the places where chefs work and the market stalls where regulars shop, so you're tasting poutine, BeaverTail pastry, molasses-glazed duck, artisan cheese, maple syrup and a signature dish the guide reveals only on the tour.

The walking is real (you cover the market on foot and should wear shoes that let you move), but the pace is built around eating and talking, not rushing. You meet the people who make the food, hear why they chose their ingredients, and learn how the neighborhood's history shaped what Ottawa eats now. The guide speaks English and can work with dietary needs if you tell them in advance. Water is included, and the tour ends on a sweet note so you're not hungry after.

What’s included

• Six tastings including maple syrup, poutine, molasses-glazed duck, artisan cheese, a BeaverTail pastry, a seasonal sweet treat and a signature secret dish.
• water.
• a local English-speaking guide who shares stories about Ottawa's food culture and history.
• and access to working kitchens and market stalls where you meet the people who make the food.

Options for this experience

2 options

Ottawa Food Tour, PrivateGuide in English · 7 departure times: the first at 11:30, the last at 14:30Private Tour: Pick this option to upgrade to a Secret Food Tour Ottawa made just for you and your group!

Ottawa Food Tour for Small GroupsGuide in English · 11:00 and 11:30Choose this option to take part in our Ottawa Secret Food Tours as part of a small group of no more than 12 people!

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 11:00, the last at 14:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Secret Food Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the small group option if you want to meet other food travelers and share the experience. Pick the private tour if your group wants the guide's full attention and the flexibility to linger at stops that interest you most. Both routes cover the same six tastings and neighborhood, so the choice depends on whether you prefer company or privacy.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How much walking is involved on this Ottawa food tour?

The tour covers the ByWard Market neighborhood on foot over three hours, so you'll be moving between stops and through the market itself. Comfortable shoes are essential, and the operator notes this involves a fair amount of walking. The pace is steady but built around eating and meeting people, not speed.

What are the six tastings on the ByWard Market food tour?

The six tastings are a Canadian pastry at the start; classic poutine; molasses-glazed duck; artisan cheese from local producers; maple syrup; a seasonal sweet treat; and the tour's signature secret dish, which the guide reveals only during the experience.

Can I book this tour as a private group, or does it run as a small group only?

You can choose between a small group tour or a private tour at checkout. Both follow the same route and tastings, so the difference is whether you share the experience with other travelers or book the guide for your party alone.

What's included in the price, and what should I budget for separately?

The tour includes all six tastings, water, and the guide's stories and knowledge. Gratuities are not included, so you can tip the guide if you choose. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of this tour, so you'll meet the guide at the starting point.

Is this tour suitable for people with dietary restrictions or allergies?

The operator can accommodate dietary needs, but you must contact them in advance of the tour to arrange it. Let them know what you can and cannot eat so they can work with the restaurants and market vendors to make sure you get tastings that fit your requirements.

Where does the tour start, and how do I get there?

The tour begins at Rideau Canal, where you'll have your first tasting and views of the Ottawa riverfront. Public transportation options are available nearby, so you can reach the starting point by bus or other transit. The tour then moves into ByWard Market for the rest of the stops.