Updated: 2026
If you look up things to do in Ottawa, ByWard Market is almost guaranteed to come up.
And with good reason.
Located in the heart of downtown Ottawa, ByWard Market is one of those places where you can happily wander around without much of a plan. There is food everywhere, independent shops and boutiques to poke your nose into, market stalls selling everything from produce to flowers, souvenirs and baked goods, restaurants, cafés and plenty of people-watching.
For someone who likes to eat and wander rather than follow a rigid sightseeing schedule, it was exactly my kind of place.
And if you’re visiting Ottawa in 2026, there is even more reason to put it on your itinerary. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the founding of Bytown, the settlement that became Ottawa. The ByWard Market itself will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2027, so the neighbourhood is currently in the middle of a major period of celebration and revitalisation.
ByWard Market – what’s special?
ByWard Market is one of Ottawa’s oldest and best-known neighbourhoods.
The market was established way back in 1827 by Lieutenant-Colonel John By, which, by itself, makes it pretty extraordinary! It os one of Canada’s oldest public markets. Today, the district has grown far beyond the market building itself and is home to hundreds of businesses, such as restaurants, cafés, retailers, galleries, artisans and food businesses.
The historic market building at 55 ByWard Market Square is still at the heart of the district. The present building dates from 1928 and is actually the fifth market building to occupy the site. The City of Ottawa describes it as the only surviving market building in the city.
But don’t make the mistake of thinking that visiting ByWard Market means walking into one building, looking around and leaving. The surrounding streets are a huge part of the experience, too.
Where Should You Eat at ByWard Market
One of the biggest reasons to visit ByWard Market is, quite simply, the food. I do love my food, and with such a variety of multicultural choices, I didn’t have to look very far to find something delicious.
Like I mentioned, the district has hundreds of businesses, with restaurants, cafés, food shops and market vendors spread throughout the neighbourhood. But there is one thing you absolutely have to try.
Eat a BeaverTail and Try Poutine
A BeaverTail is a flat piece of dough that is stretched, deep-fried and covered with toppings. Think crispy, warm and gloriously indulgent.
There are all sorts of topping combinations, including cinnamon sugar, maple and chocolate. I went for Nutella and banana, obviously. It was the most sinful of the lot and, quite possibly, the food highlight of my entire trip. BeaverTails- Queues de Castor (Byward Market) is at 69 George Street in the market district, and this particular food recommendation has survived the passage of time rather nicely.
The Ottawa connection is particularly appropriate because the first BeaverTails stand opened at ByWard Market in 1978. When I visited, I was also told that Barack Obama had stopped at the ByWard Market outlet for a BeaverTail during his visit to Ottawa, which probably explained why there were photographs of him everywhere.
There were even stores selling cookies named after him. That’s the dream, eh?
ALSO! You can’t really spend time walking around without eventually encountering poutine. French fries, cheese curds and gravy. That’s it. Three ingredients, and somehow Canada turned them into one of its most famous comfort foods.
One place I couldn’t go to was a French bakery called Le Moulin de Provence that has been part of ByWard Market since 1998 and became particularly famous after Barack Obama visited Ottawa in 2009. They sell the maple-leaf-shaped shortbread cookies associated with that visit. Check it out.
Wander Through the Market
The market isn’t just about restaurants. During the warmer months, vendors spill out around the historic market area, selling fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, specialty foods, crafts and souvenirs. And there is something wonderfully satisfying about wandering through a market without necessarily having anything specific to buy. You can browse the stalls, stop for something to eat, pick up a few souvenirs and then wander off down another street because something caught your eye.
That, to me, is the whole point of a market.
The New Vendor Village in 2026
If you’re visiting now, there is something new to look out for that obviously wasn’t part of my original experience.
In 2026, the ByWard Market District Authority launched a new Vendor Village on George Street, bringing together a rotating selection of local vendors, artisans, makers, florists and small businesses. It operates Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., giving visitors another reason to wander beyond the historic market building.
The initiative is part of the wider effort to draw people deeper into the neighbourhood rather than having everyone congregate around the same few streets. I approve! One of the best things about ByWard Market has always been the fact that you can keep wandering and keep finding something else.
Go Shopping
There are plenty of independent shops, boutiques, galleries and specialty retailers scattered through the ByWard Market district. You’ll find jewellery, artwork, souvenirs, food, homeware and all manner of things you didn’t know you needed until you saw them. I wouldn’t come here with a strict shopping list. It’s much more fun to wander around and see what catches your eye.
And if you’re looking for Canadian souvenirs, this is a particularly convenient place to browse because you can combine shopping with lunch, sightseeing and a BeaverTail without having to cross the city.
Get the Obligatory Ottawa Sign Photo
There’s an Ottawa sign at ByWard Market that’s practically begging to be photographed. That’s all!
Don’t Just Stick to the Market Building
This is probably my biggest tip. ByWard Market is a neighbourhood, not just a building. Walk through the surrounding streets and you’ll find historic architecture, restaurants, cafés, independent businesses, galleries, patios and little corners that are easy to miss if you rush through.
The district is also close to several of Ottawa’s major attractions, including Parliament Hill, the National Gallery of Canada, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, Major’s Hill Park and the Rideau Canal. That makes it particularly easy to combine with other sightseeing. You could easily spend the morning around Parliament Hill, walk towards the market for lunch and spend the afternoon wandering around ByWard Market.
ByWard Market in 2026: A Neighbourhood in Transition
There is another reason the market feels particularly interesting right now.
Ottawa is actively working on a major revitalisation of the ByWard Market district.
In March 2026, Ottawa City Council unanimously approved a new revitalisation framework focused on creating a stronger destination market, improving safety and wellbeing, creating more welcoming routes into the district and transforming the public realm over the longer term.
So if you visited ByWard Market years ago and return now, don’t be surprised if some things look different. The goal is to preserve what makes the neighbourhood distinctive while making it more welcoming and easier to explore. With the market approaching its own 200th anniversary in 2027, there is a particularly interesting sense of history and change happening simultaneously.
When Is the Best Time to Visit ByWard Market?
If you want to experience the outdoor market at its liveliest, May through October is the best bet.
The current market information lists the outdoor public market on York Street from Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., from May through October and on holidays. The new Vendor Village on George Street follows the same Wednesday-to-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. schedule.
The indoor Heritage Hall operates year-round. Current summer hours are:
- Sunday–Wednesday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Thursday–Saturday: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Winter hours are currently listed as 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily. Come during the day if you want the market experience. Come in the evening if you’re more interested in food, drinks and atmosphere.
The surrounding businesses have their own opening hours, so if there’s a particular restaurant or shop you want to visit, check it separately before heading out.
What About Winter?
Don’t assume ByWard Market shuts down once the weather turns cold. The district operates year-round, and the market authority also runs a ByWard Winter Market from November into early January, when the area takes on a more festive winter atmosphere.
Winter also gives you an opportunity to combine the market with Ottawa’s other cold-weather attractions.
Just dress appropriately. This is Canada, after all.
How to Get to ByWard Market
ByWard Market is right in the centre of Ottawa and is easy to reach by foot, bicycle, public transport or car. If you’re already exploring Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal or the National Gallery, I’d walk. That’s partly because it’s practical, but mostly because walking gives you the chance to see the streets and businesses between the attractions.
If you’re driving, there are parking options in and around the district. The ByWard Market District Authority currently says there are more than 3,100 parking spaces within the district and more than 8,000 in the surrounding area.
The City is also changing parking arrangements as part of the 2026 revitalisation work, so check current parking information rather than relying on an old travel guide.
How Much Time Do You Need at ByWard Market?
I’d say give yourself at least two to three hours. That gives you enough time to eat, wander through the market, browse the shops and explore some of the surrounding streets without feeling like you’re racing through it.
If you’re a serious foodie or shopper, you could easily spend longer. And if you’re combining it with Parliament Hill, the National Gallery or the Rideau Canal, ByWard Market fits neatly into a full day exploring central Ottawa.
My ByWard Market Experience
What I loved about ByWard Market wasn’t one particular shop or attraction. It was the atmosphere in general.
ByWard Market felt like the sort of place where you could arrive with absolutely no plan and somehow spend half a day there. There were people everywhere, food smells drifting through the streets, vendors selling everything from produce to souvenirs and an eclectic mix of old buildings, shops and restaurants. And then there was the food.
The BeaverTail alone was worth the stop. I also loved the fact that the market felt genuinely multicultural. You could wander from one kind of food to another without having to travel across the city.
That is what I remember most about ByWard Market: it felt alive. Not polished to within an inch of its life. It didn’t feel like a tourist attraction where everyone is standing in the same spot taking the same photograph. It felt more like a neighbourhood where people were eating, shopping, working, wandering and getting on with their day.
Before I visited, I’d read a few reviews online mentioning pushy panhandlers and pickpockets around the Market. I went in a little wary because of it, but honestly, I didn’t encounter a single issue – no aggressive panhandling, nothing that made me uneasy. That’s not to say it never happens, cities are cities, but it wasn’t the experience I had, and I’d rather tell you that plainly than let old reviews scare you off a genuinely great neighbourhood.
My Tips for Visiting ByWard Market
Go hungry. There is far too much food here to arrive after a large breakfast and pretend you’re going to resist everything.
Try a BeaverTail. Yes, it’s touristy. No, I don’t care. Mine was delicious.
Explore beyond the market building. The surrounding streets are an important part of the ByWard Market experience.
Check the current market hours. Outdoor vendors are seasonal, and individual businesses have their own hours. The current 2026 public-market schedule is worth checking before you go.
Look for the new Vendor Village. If you’re visiting from May onward in 2026, the George Street Vendor Village is one of the newer additions to the district.
Bring a camera. There is plenty to photograph, from market stalls and historic architecture to colourful shopfronts and street activity.
Wear comfortable shoes. You will walk more than you think.
Don’t rush. ByWard Market isn’t an attraction you need to conquer in 30 minutes. Wander. Eat. Browse. People-watch.
Is ByWard Market Worth Visiting?
Absolutely. If you’re visiting Ottawa for the first time, ByWard Market is one of those places I’d put on the itinerary not because there is one spectacular monument you absolutely have to see, but because it gives you a feel for the city.
And if you’re visiting in 2026, you’re arriving at a particularly interesting moment in the market’s history, with Ottawa celebrating 200 years of Bytown, a new Vendor Village bringing fresh energy to the district and a major revitalisation programme underway ahead of ByWard Market’s own bicentennial in 2027.
Leave some room in your schedule for aimless wandering. Sometimes that’s the best way to experience a city. Here are some Christmas markets in Toronto that a shopaholic and grocery-store-tourist would enjoy!
