Best Burgers in Ottawa

Ottawa doesn't get enough credit for its burger scene. There are no shortage of spots doing it right — grinding their own beef, cutting their own fries, and putting real thought into what goes between the buns.

Here are 5 places that have earned their reputation. No chains, no gimmicks. Just good burgers.

1. Chez Lucien — The One That's Been Here Forever

Chez Lucien doesn't need to try hard. It's been on the corner of Murray and Dalhousie in the ByWard Market for over 30 years, and the formula hasn't changed: a solid burger, a cold beer, and a room that feels like it's been broken in just right.

What to order: The Lucien Burger — cheddar, bacon, and house-made red onion jam. Simple, and better than it has any right to be.

The vibe: Dimly lit, live music most nights, patio in summer. Walk-in only.

Price: $$

2. The King Eddy — Ground Fresh, Every Day

The King Eddy takes their beef seriously. A proprietary blend, never frozen, ground fresh in-house every morning with no added seasoning or preservatives. The result is a burger that tastes like actual beef — which sounds obvious until you realize how rare that is.

What to order: The King Eddy double cheeseburger. Cheddar cheese, King Eddy sauce, lettuce, tomato, red onion, dill pickle. Beef that needs nothing else.

The vibe: Classic diner in the Market. Also does a solid brunch and surprisingly good cocktails. Open 364 days a year.

Price: $$

3. Burgers n' Fries Forever (BFF) — The Smash Burger Spot

BFF on Bank Street is all about the smash. Patties are hand-formed and pressed on a screaming hot griddle, giving them that crispy, lacy edge that smash burger fans chase. The fries are hand-cut and double-fried. The dipping sauces are made in-house.

What to order: The American — caramelized onions, ketchup, mustard, pickles, cheddar. Or try the Aloo Tikki if you want something different.

The vibe: Counter service, fast turnaround. Good for a quick lunch. 100% halal, veggie, vegan, and gluten-free options available.

Price: $$

4. Gburger — The Chef's Burger

Gburger spent a decade on Elgin Street before moving to Wellington West in 2024. The approach is different from most burger spots — chef-driven recipes, Ontario beef from local farms ground fresh daily, and toppings that go beyond the usual suspects.

What to order: Whatever the seasonal special is. The classic is reliable, but the rotating chef burgers are where Gburger earns its reputation.

The vibe: Casual but elevated. Order at the counter and grab a seat. The new Wellington West space is bigger and more comfortable than the old Elgin spot.

Price: $$

5. All Out Burger — The One That Keeps Growing

All Out Burger started on Gladstone Avenue and now has four locations across Ottawa. The appeal is simple: solid smash burgers, loaded poutines, and prices that feel fair. It's not fancy, and it doesn't need to be.

What to order: The Smashed Burger — two patties, cheese, pickles, grilled onions, All Out sauce. Add the All Out Poutine with St. Albert cheese curds.

The vibe: Fast, casual, takeout-friendly. The kind of spot you order from when you want a good burger without thinking too hard about it.

Price: $

The Quick Comparison

Tips

• Weekday lunch is the best time to avoid lines at all of these spots
• Chez Lucien is walk-in only and the space is small — go early or go late
• The King Eddy takes reservations for brunch but not always for dinner
• BFF and All Out are your best bets for delivery
• Gburger is the move if you want to sit down and make an evening of it