It might be known as a sleepy government town, or the “City that Fun Forgot” in a few scathing (and in our opinion, incorrect!) news articles, but Ottawa is anything but its reputation for being boring. In reality, those who really know Ottawa have insider access to one of the most vibrant, exciting, and welcoming communities around.
Ottawa is truly a big city with a small-town vibe, making it the ideal location for your next business venture.
Here are 5 reasons why you should open a restaurant in Ottawa.
Before you dig into this post, are you thinking about opening a restaurant? Before you do, download our Ultimate Guide to Buying a Restaurant for everything you need to know.
1. Ottawa Has a Stable Economy
It probably won’t surprise you much to hear that Ottawa does not have the most diverse economy in the country. Compared to other cities across Canada, Ottawa’s economy is known for being a little more singular, yet stable.
As the hub of our federal government, Ottawa’s largest employer (unsurprisingly) is the government. However, the tech industry is also booming in Ottawa with the Kanata North Tech Park being the largest technology park in Canada.
In general, Ottawa has a high median household income, with many residents holding high-paying government or tech jobs. Income equality is also fairly evenly distributed in Ottawa compared to other cities, with much of the population consisting of well-educated, highly skilled individuals.
As a result, there are a lot of hungry people with money to spend on dining out.
2. Ottawa Tourism is Thriving
As our nation’s capital, Ottawa is an incredibly historic, beautiful city. This makes it a popular destination for tourism year-round. From summer events like RBC Bluesfest and the Canadian Tulip Festival to winter activities like Winterlude, Ottawa hosts many world-class events throughout the year that draw significant attention from travellers.
3. The Food Scene is Booming
In the past few years, the food scene in Ottawa has exploded, putting Ottawa front-and-centre in the minds of many people as a leading foodie city in Canada. With local restaurants winning acclaim from national publications and organizations like enRoute Magazine and the Taste Canada Awards, chefs in Ottawa are getting noticed.
Ottawa is known for its diverse food scene, with new restaurants opening all the time, there’s everything from fine dining at places like the iconic Beckta, or hip spots like Supply and Demand, Citizen, and Cantina Gia.
Franchises are also big in Ottawa, and everyone seems to have their absolute favourite spot to grab quick shawarma or a hot slice of pizza.
Thinking about opening a restaurant outside Toronto? Here are some of our other top picks for places in Ontario to open a restaurant:
- 10 Places to Open an Eatery In (Besides Toronto)
- 4 Reasons to Open an Eatery in the Tri-Cities Area
- 5 Reasons to Open a Restaurant in Kingston
4. Don’t Forget the Brewery Scene
In addition to having a booming local restaurant scene, Ottawa is also home to some excellent breweries. With ample space in industrial areas like Kanata, Gloucester, Ottawa South, and surrounding small National Capital Region towns like Metcalfe, Carp, and Kemptville, there are many opportunities to open a large brewery space at a great price. It’s no surprise that great breweries like Dominion City, Bicycle Craft Brewing, and Ridge Rock Brewing Company call Ottawa home.
5. The City is Diverse (Even if the Economy Isn’t)
The National Capital Region is sprawling and expansive, and, as a result, there is a wide variety of properties available at any price point in any area. Whether you’d like to capture a smaller market with cheaper rent in one of the outlying areas or you’re willing to pay more to be right in the middle of the action in the iconic ByWard Market, there’s a micro-neighbourhood and price point that can work for you. Some of the trendiest neighbourhoods in Ottawa for opening a restaurant include The Glebe, Westboro, and Wellington West, with many other up-and-coming neighbourhoods showing promise for an exciting food scene.
Industrial areas like Kanata, Gloucester, Ottawa South, and the Trainyards are also ideal for franchises, quick bites, breweries, coffee shops, and more. No matter the type of business you’re dreaming of opening, there’s a location in Ottawa that’s right for you.
6. The City Supports Small Businesses
Although Ottawa is known more for its government and tech industries, the city is very friendly to small business owners and entrepreneurs. A lot of people here have “side hustles” and choose to chase their small business dreams. The City itself offers numerous programs and grants for small businesses while organizations like Invest Ottawa provide resources, networking opportunities, and workshops for small business owners at every stage of their career.
Wondering how to get started with your own small restaurant business? Here are some resources to help:
- 5 Ways for a Small Business in Toronto to Save Money
- What’s the Difference Between Residential and Commercial Real Estate Transactions?
- Is Now the Right Time to Invest in a Real Estate Business
- Dreaming of Opening a Brewpub? Here are 4 Things You Need to Know
7. The Foodie Community is Active
The Ottawa food scene truly fosters a tight-knit, supportive community. With numerous local influencers consistently promoting the best places to eat and drink in the city, and with local restaurants supporting each other during the pandemic, the sense of connection and community in the Ottawa restaurant industry is strong. Many restaurants and food businesses in the area support great local causes like Mealshare, the Ottawa Food Bank, and the Parkdale Food Centre to name a few. With so many options to give back and to become more active and involved in the community, the Ottawa food scene is more than an industry, it’s a family and a lifestyle.
If you’re passionate about opening a restaurant in a vibrant city with a small-town feel and numerous business opportunities, Ottawa might be just the place for you. Learn more about opening a business in Ottawa. Reach out to us today to get started.
