Best Cheap Eats in Ottawa

Eating well in Ottawa doesn't have to cost $30+. The city has an underrated cheap eats scene — $4 Lebanese flatbreads baked fresh in front of you, $4.50 Jamaican patties, $5 lunches that support a social mission, bao buns for under $11, and a pub where nothing on the menu costs more than $13.

These are the best places to eat in Ottawa for under $15.

The Best Cheap Eats in Ottawa

The Third — Nothing Over $13

The Third in Hintonburg is a neighbourhood pub in a converted laundromat where the most expensive thing on the menu is $13. Breakfast Nachos, Grilled Cheese with Beef Brisket, Fish & Chips, burgers — all under $13, and the quality is well above what the price suggests. Beer is cheap too.

It's the most-recommended budget restaurant on Ottawa Reddit, and once you eat here, you'll understand why.

Price: Everything under $13
Best for: Brunch, lunch, dinner — any meal
Address: 1017 Wellington St W, Hintonburg
Hours: Tue–Fri 11:30 AM–12 AM, Sat 9 AM–12 AM, Sun 9 AM–10 PM

Gongfu Bao — Bao Buns Under $11

Gongfu Bao on Bank Street has been Ottawa's bao specialist since 2012. Steamed buns stuffed with braised beef brisket, Berkshire pork, fried chicken, or red-braised tofu — all for $5–$11. The bao are made fresh, the fillings are substantial, and two buns make a full meal.

Halal and vegan options available. Counter service with seating.

Price: $5–$11 per bao
Best for: Quick lunch, late afternoon snack
Address: 365 Bank Street, Centretown
Hours: Wed–Fri 11 AM–2 PM & 4–10 PM, Sat 11 AM–2 PM & 4–10 PM

Aladdin Bakery — $4 Lebanese Flatbreads

Aladdin Bakery on St Laurent Boulevard bakes za'atar manakeesh and meat pies fresh throughout the day — $4 each. That might be the cheapest hot meal in Ottawa. The Lebanese flatbreads come out of the oven crispy and fragrant, and most items on the menu are under $10.

Open from 7 AM, so it works for breakfast too. Second location on Carling Avenue.

Price: $4–$8
Best for: Breakfast, quick takeout
Address: 1020 St Laurent Blvd (also 1801 Carling Ave)
Hours: Mon–Fri 7 AM–8 PM, Sat 7 AM–7 PM, Sun 7 AM–5 PM

Run2Patty — $4.50 Jamaican Patties

Run2Patty is a Jamaican takeout counter in Carlington serving flaky, spiced patties for $4.50 — jerk chicken, oxtail, beef, veggie. The Mac & Cheese topped with Jerk Chicken ($14) is a meal and a half. Halal certified.

Ottawa doesn't have many Jamaican food spots, and this one delivers authentic flavours at prices that feel like a gift.

Price: Patties $4.50, platters $14–$15
Best for: Takeout lunch, trying Jamaican food
Address: 1224 Shillington Ave, Carlington
Hours: Mon–Fri 11 AM–8 PM, Sat 2–8 PM

Chef Ric's — $5 Lunch with a Mission

Chef Ric's on Rideau Street serves daily-changing lunches for $5–$8 — soup, sandwiches, mains, all made from scratch with healthy, home-style cooking. It's run by The Ottawa Mission as a culinary training program, so every meal supports people getting back on their feet.

The $5 lunch special might be the best deal for a sit-down meal anywhere in Ottawa.

Price: $5–$8
Best for: Weekday lunch, meaningful spending
Address: 384 Rideau Street
Hours: Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–6 PM, Sat 8 AM–2 PM

Honourable Mentions

These are already covered in other guides but deserve a shout-out for value:

Banh Mi My Hang — $5–$6 Vietnamese sandwiches in Chinatown. Cash only. See our Vietnamese food guide →
Peace Garden — Filling vegetarian meals under $15 in the ByWard Market. See our vegan guide →

Price Comparison

Restaurant	Cheapest Item	Full Meal	Cuisine	Service
Aladdin Bakery	$4 manakeesh	$4–$8	Lebanese	Takeout
Run2Patty	$4.50 patty	$4.50–$14	Jamaican	Takeout
Chef Ric's	$5 lunch	$5–$8	Canadian	Counter
Banh Mi My Hang	$5 banh mi	$5–$8	Vietnamese	Takeout
Gongfu Bao	$5 bao	$5–$11	Chinese	Counter
Peace Garden	~$10 thali	$10–$15	Vegetarian	Sit-down
The Third	$10 burger	$10–$13	Pub food	Sit-down

Tips for Eating Cheap in Ottawa

Chinatown is your friend: Somerset Street and Booth Street have some of the cheapest food in the city — banh mi, pho, dim sum, and more for under $15
Bring cash: Banh Mi My Hang and some Chinatown spots are cash only
Weekday lunch specials: Many Ottawa restaurants offer lunch deals that are significantly cheaper than dinner
Free museum + cheap lunch combo: Hit the Ingenium museums for free at 4–5 PM, then grab cheap eats nearby
Check hours carefully: Budget spots often have limited hours. Chef Ric's closes at 6 PM, Gongfu Bao is closed Sun–Tue, Run2Patty is closed Sundays

FAQ

Where are the cheapest places to eat in Ottawa?

The cheapest meals in Ottawa include Aladdin Bakery ($4 za'atar manakeesh), Run2Patty ($4.50 Jamaican patties), Banh Mi My Hang ($5-6 Vietnamese sandwiches), and Chef Ric's ($5 daily lunch specials). All serve filling meals for under $10.

Where can I eat for under $15 in Ottawa?

The Third in Hintonburg has no item over $13 on the menu. Gongfu Bao serves bao buns for $5-11. Aladdin Bakery has Lebanese flatbreads for $4. Chef Ric's serves lunch for $5-8. All five spots serve quality food well under $15.

What is the best value restaurant in Ottawa?

The Third in Hintonburg is widely considered the best value — every item on the menu is under $13, including burgers, fish and chips, and grilled cheese with brisket. For takeout, Aladdin Bakery's $4 manakeesh and Run2Patty's $4.50 patties are hard to beat.

Where can I get cheap lunch in downtown Ottawa?

Chef Ric's at 384 Rideau Street serves daily lunch specials for $5-8. Gongfu Bao at 365 Bank Street has bao buns for $5-11. Peace Garden at 47 Clarence Street serves vegetarian meals under $15. Banh Mi My Hang in Chinatown has sandwiches for $5-6.