Preston Street, Ottawa's Little Italy: where to eat and what to order

Preston Street runs north and south just west of downtown Ottawa, and for generations it has been the centre of the city's Italian community. The street is short, walkable and packed with restaurants, bakeries, delis and cafés, and it sits beside Chinatown on Somerset Street, so the two neighbourhoods can be combined in a single outing. It is a good place to eat when you want a proper sit-down dinner without leaving the downtown core.

Where is Little Italy in Ottawa?

Preston Street runs roughly from Albert Street south toward Carling Avenue, beside Dow's Lake and the Queensway. A green, white and red arch marks the neighbourhood. The Bayview rail station and several bus routes serve the area, and it is a short taxi or cycle ride from the Parliament Hill area.

What kind of food is on Preston Street?

Most of the street leans Italian, with variety within that:

• Sit-down restaurants. Pasta, wood-fired pizza, grilled fish and veal are the staples. Portions are generous, and dishes are often made for sharing.
• Cafés and bakeries. Espresso, cornetti, biscotti, cannoli and other pastries.
• Delis and food shops. Imported pasta, olive oil, cheese and cured meats, handy for a picnic or a gift.
• Gelato. Summer evenings bring queues.
• Beyond Italian. A few restaurants serve other cuisines, and some newer places mix traditions.

When should you go?

Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest and the best time to feel the street at its liveliest. Sunday is a good day for a long family lunch. For quieter dining, choose a weekday evening. In June the neighbourhood hosts an Italian festival with a street party, and the street fills with visitors. Check dates and closures each year.

Do you need a reservation?

On a weekend, yes. Many of the larger rooms take bookings, and groups of six or more should call ahead. Walk-ins are possible at off-peak hours, especially at the bar. If you book, read the cancellation terms. Some restaurants ask for a card, especially for larger tables.

Is it good for groups and celebrations?

Yes. Many restaurants have large tables, private rooms or set menus, and the long, shared style of Italian meals suits a birthday or a family dinner. Say what the occasion is when you book, and ask whether there is a minimum spend or a fixed menu for a group.

What about dietary needs?

Italian menus offer plenty of vegetarian dishes, and many kitchens can adapt for gluten-free diets with notice. For allergies, tell the server before you order and ask how the kitchen handles cross-contact.

How do you pay and tip?

Prices are shown before tax. Ontario adds 13 percent HST, and at a sit-down restaurant a tip of 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill is normal. At a café counter, a tip is optional.

How do you make a day of it?

Start with an espresso and a pastry, walk to Dow's Lake for views of the water, return for lunch, and spend the afternoon browsing a deli and the Chinatown shops along Somerset. Come back for dinner when the street lights up. In winter, the Rideau Canal skateway, when it opens, is close, and a warm bowl of pasta afterwards is hard to beat.

How do you order a long Italian meal?

A traditional meal runs in courses: a small starter, a pasta or risotto, a main of fish or meat, then dessert and coffee. You do not have to order every course. Many diners share a starter, order a pasta each and skip the main, which is perfectly normal. Ask the server what is made in the house that day, and whether the portions are meant for sharing. If you are with a group, order a few dishes for the middle of the table and pass them around. Espresso comes after dessert, not with it.

What should you know about accessibility and parking?

Older buildings on the street may have steps or narrow doors, so call ahead if you use a wheelchair or a walker and ask which entrance is step-free. Street parking is limited and metered, and evening spaces fill quickly. A rail or bus ride, or a short cycle from downtown, avoids the problem.

Mosey is built around dishes, not just venues, so a great plate of gnocchi gets noticed for being great. If you eat well on Preston Street, a rating helps the next person decide.

More guides to read next:

• Ottawa neighbourhood food guide: Chinatown, Little Italy, Wellington West and Elgin Street
• Ottawa's Chinatown on Somerset Street: dim sum, pho, bakeries and groceries
• ByWard Market in Ottawa: the market hall, the stalls and what to eat

More in the Canadian food guides and the ranked lists of places.