When is the best time for dim sum in Ottawa?

Weekends from late morning are the classic time. Arrive before noon or after 1:30 to avoid the longest waits.

Is Chinatown close to Little Italy?

Yes. Preston Street is only a short walk from Somerset Street West.

Do Chinatown restaurants take cards?

Many do, but some small places prefer cash for small bills, so carry a little.

Are there vegetarian options in Chinatown?

Yes, but ask about stocks and sauces, which often contain meat or seafood.

Neighbourhood guide

Ottawa's Chinatown on Somerset Street: dim sum, pho, bakeries and groceries

Mosey · November 11, 2026 · 5 min read

Ottawa's Chinatown is on Somerset Street West, a few blocks west of the downtown core and beside Preston Street's Little Italy. It started as a small cluster of businesses and grew into a district of restaurants, bakeries, herbal shops and supermarkets serving the capital's Chinese, Vietnamese and wider East and Southeast Asian communities. It is a good-value place to eat, and a rewarding one for a food lover who likes to browse.

Where is Chinatown in Ottawa?

Somerset Street West, roughly between Bronson Avenue and Preston Street, is the main axis. Side streets and plazas hold more businesses. The area is flat and walkable, and buses run along Somerset and Bronson. Parking can be tight at lunch time on weekends, so take transit or walk if you can.

What should you eat in Chinatown?

Dim sum. The classic weekend meal, served in steamer baskets from late morning. Order several dishes to share. Common choices are shrimp dumplings, pork buns, turnip cake and rice noodle rolls.
Pho and Vietnamese food. Pho shops serve beef and chicken broth with rice noodles, and rice plates, vermicelli bowls and banh mi are good for a fast lunch.
Noodles, congee and roast meats. Barbecue pork, roast duck and wonton noodles are local staples.
Bakeries. Pineapple buns, egg tarts, coconut buns and milk tea are cheap, filling and portable.
Bubble tea. Several shops offer tea with toppings, and the queues are longest after school.

How does dim sum work?

At a traditional dim sum restaurant, carts may be wheeled between tables, or you may tick boxes on a paper menu. Pick several dishes, share them, and order more as you go. Tea is part of the meal, and it is a custom to refill the pot for others before yourself. Peak time is Saturday and Sunday from about 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and large tables may have a wait. Arrive early or after 1:30.

When is the best time to visit?

Weekends for dim sum, weekdays for quieter dining. Lunar New Year season brings extra activity, with sweets, lanterns and special menus. Hours differ from one business to the next, and a few restaurants close for an afternoon break, so check before you plan a late lunch.

What can you buy at the grocery stores?

Chinatown supermarkets are well stocked with fresh produce, noodles, sauces, frozen dumplings, fresh fish and tea. If you cook at home, ask the staff to help you find unfamiliar items. Many products have labels in several languages, so look for the English name or an ingredient list if you have an allergy.

Is it good for groups?

Yes. Dim sum and banquet-style restaurants have round tables and shared dishes, which suit a family or office group. Reserve a table for six or more, and ask if there is a minimum spend or a set menu.

What about dietary needs?

Vegetarian options exist, including tofu dishes, vegetable dumplings and Buddhist vegetarian menus, but you may need to ask, because stocks and sauces often contain meat or seafood. Shellfish and peanut allergies need a clear conversation with the staff.

How do you pay and tip?

Many small restaurants and bakeries accept cards, but some prefer cash for small bills, so carry a little. Ontario adds 13 percent HST to menu prices. At a sit-down restaurant, 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill is normal. At a bakery counter, no tip is expected.

How do you pair it with the rest of the neighbourhood?

Walk east to Preston Street for gelato or an espresso, or west to the Dow's Lake area for a stroll. In the evening, the street is quieter than on weekend days, but many restaurants stay open late.

What should you know about the grocery stores and herbal shops?

Alongside the restaurants, Chinatown has grocery stores and shops that sell tea, dried mushrooms, herbal remedies and kitchenware. Staff are usually happy to explain how to use an unfamiliar ingredient. A bag of dried shiitake, a jar of chili crisp or a bamboo steamer is an inexpensive way to take home something from the neighbourhood. If you buy fresh fish or live seafood, ask how it was kept and plan to get it into a fridge within the hour.

Where can you find a quick, cheap lunch?

A bakery counter, a banh mi shop or a noodle house with a lunch special is usually the best value. Many places have combos with a drink and a small side. For one person, a bowl of pho or a rice plate fills you up for lunch, and you can keep dinner light. Look at the menu on the wall first, and ask what comes with each dish.

If you try a dish that deserves a mention, Mosey is a simple place to rate it, which helps others find the best bowl of pho in town.

Common questions

Where is Chinatown in Ottawa?
It is on Somerset Street West, roughly between Bronson Avenue and Preston Street, west of downtown.
When is the best time for dim sum in Ottawa?
Weekends from late morning are the classic time. Arrive before noon or after 1:30 to avoid the longest waits.
Is Chinatown close to Little Italy?
Yes. Preston Street is only a short walk from Somerset Street West.
Do Chinatown restaurants take cards?
Many do, but some small places prefer cash for small bills, so carry a little.
Are there vegetarian options in Chinatown?
Yes, but ask about stocks and sauces, which often contain meat or seafood.