Westboro is where Ottawa’s food-obsessed people tend to live, and the restaurant scene on Richmond Road reflects that. It’s the city’s best neighbourhood for brunch, has Ottawa’s strongest ramen scene, and is home to a cluster of independent restaurants doing genuinely ambitious things.
Brunch in Westboro
Westboro is the brunch capital of Ottawa and there’s really no debate about it. The neighbourhood has more per-capita brunch spots than anywhere else in the city, and the competition is fierce enough that quality stays high. Go early (before 9:30am) or late (after 1pm) to avoid the wait. Most Westboro brunch spots don’t take reservations for small parties.
Ramen and Japanese Food
Koichi Ramen West has become one of the most-discussed ramen spots in the entire city. The tonkotsu is rich and properly made. Westboro has become the default destination for Ottawa ramen fans, and the cluster of Japanese-adjacent restaurants in the neighbourhood keeps growing.
Independent Restaurants Worth Knowing
Beyond the obvious brunch spots and ramen joints, Westboro has a collection of independent restaurants doing interesting food across cuisines. The neighbourhood skews toward owner-operated spots over chains, which is part of what makes it feel different from other Ottawa commercial strips. Give yourself two hours and just walk the strip — you’ll find more than a few places worth adding to your regular rotation.
Westboro for a Night Out
Westboro is less of a nightlife destination than ByWard Market, but it has some excellent spots for a low-key evening. The bar scene here is neighbourhood-bar energy — comfortable, not trying too hard. For a date night or small group dinner, Westboro is actually one of the better Ottawa neighbourhoods because you can almost always get a table without a reservation.