Craving some tasty treats while you enjoy the colourful fall foliage or go apple and pumpkin picking in Canada’s capital? The harvest season inspires local foodie spots to get creative with their brews, baked goods, frozen treats, hot chocolates and boozy warm beverages. Here are some delicious fall treats you can sink your teeth into this autumn in Ottawa.
Fall flavours on tap
Tap into Ottawa’s beer scene for unique seasonal brews. Many craft breweries feature fall-themed beers that you can try in person at the breweries, or in restaurants and bars all over town.
If you love pumpkin beer, you’re in luck. Try Big Rig Brewery’s Tales From the Patch spiced pumpkin porter (in their new glow-in-the-dark cans!), Mill St. Brew Pub’s Nightmare on Mill Street, or Clocktower’s The Pumpkin ale. Not a fan of pumpkin beer? Among the many other options, you’ll find Kichesippi Beer Co.’s Fest-marzen and Nita Beer Company’s Ginger of Sussex brewed with ginger and spices.
For a refreshing, gluten-free alternative, apple cider is a winner. Visit family-run Saunders Farm or select retail outlets to try their Saunders Cider, including their seasonal Pie-Faced Hard Cider. Cheers!
Sweet treats
It’s easy to indulge your sweet tooth in the fall by munching on a BeaverTail, the original Ottawa pastry treat. Try their apple pie version, which is topped with apple pie filling (including apple slices), caramel sauce and crunchy crumble.
Bakeries around town offer harvest-flavoured items, like the pumpkin spice scones at SconeWitch, or delicious doughnuts and other creations with a seasonal twist at places like SuzyQ, Art-Is-In and Maverick’s.
For cute cookies (think pumpkins and maple leaves decorated with colourful icing), visit the bakery Moulin de Provence in the ByWard Market area. Fall-themed cakes of all sizes are available at specialty spots like The Cupcake Lounge, The Cake Shop, ThimbleCakes. Many bakeries also offer DIY decorating kits with fall and Halloween themes which are fun for kids!
Cold treats are just as delicious when the weather’s cool. Try some of Ottawa’s best ice cream (and other frozen treats) for refreshing ice cream, gelato, sorbet, frozen yogurt, and ice cream alternatives made with yummy seasonal ingredients.
Warm beverages
Cozy up with a toasty mug of goodness from local coffee roasters such as Ottawa-based chain Bridgehead. They serve pumpkin spice lattes, warm apple cider (sourced from local farm Hall’s), and even a chai-der (half chai tea, half apple cider).
Nothing compares to European-style, rich hot chocolate made with quality ingredients. Some of Ottawa’s best can be found at Stella Luna (bakery and gelato shops), Quelque Chose Pâtisserie (macarons, crêpes and more), and Art-Is-In Bakery (full menu). To enjoy real hot cocoa at home, get prepared mixes, chocolate bombs and much more from local chocolatiers such as Stubbe Chocolates and Alicja Confections.
When you need a decadent warm cocktail, head to the Hintonburg Public House in the Wellington West area or Working Title in the Sandy Hill neighbourhood for classics like hot toddies and hot buttered rums. Or consider a large selection of spiked hot drinks including ciders, tea and coffees at Lieutenant’s Pump on Elgin Street.
