Best Food Trucks in Ottawa

Ottawa's food truck scene runs deep — from decades-old poutine trucks to TikTok-viral smash burger spots. Most operate seasonally (spring through fall), so check social media before heading out. Here are 8 food trucks worth tracking down.

1. Smash Daddy — The Viral Burger Truck

Smash Daddy started as a food truck and blew up on TikTok, growing into four locations across Ottawa. The concept is Wagyu and AAA Canadian grass-fed beef, smashed on the grill, with beef tallow double-fried fries. All meat is Halal certified.

Featured in Ottawa Citizen, CTV, CBC, and Ottawa Life Magazine. The original food truck energy lives on even as they've expanded — order at the window, grab your burger, no pretension.

What to order: Wagyu Smash Burger, Oklahoma Smash Burger, Beef Tallow Fries.

Good to know: Four locations — Little Italy (Preston St), Centretown (O'Connor St), Bell's Corners (Robertson Rd), ByWard Market (Clarence St). Halal certified.

Neighbourhood: Multiple locations

2. Golden Fries — The Award Winner

Golden Fries has won "Ottawa's Best Food Truck" and "Ottawa's Best Poutine" six years running (2020-2025). Operating from Orleans since 2009, they've earned the reputation with fresh-cut fries and gourmet poutine that goes well beyond the basics.

Three trucks allow them to serve festivals and events across the city. DoorDash delivery is available from the Orleans home base.

What to order: Bacon Ranch Supreme Poutine, Chicken Poutine, Cheese Crunch Burger.

Good to know: Orleans location. DoorDash delivery available. Sun-Thu 11am-7pm, Fri-Sat 11am-8pm.

Neighbourhood: Orleans

3. Falafel On Wheels — The Perfect Score

Falafel On Wheels holds a perfect 5.0 Google rating — rare for any restaurant, let alone a food truck. Ottawa's first fresh homemade falafel truck serves generous portions on Montreal Road with traditional accompaniments.

Seasonal operation means they close for winter and reopen in spring. Catering is available for groups of 20+ with 48 hours notice.

What to order: Falafel Sandwich, Falafel Platter, Fattoush Salad, Hummus.

Good to know: Seasonal (spring to fall). Mon-Fri 11:30am-6:30pm, Sat 11:30am-4:30pm. Closed Sunday.

Neighbourhood: Gloucester (Montreal Road)

4. Jerk On Wheels — The Caribbean Heat

Jerk On Wheels won Ottawa's Best Caribbean Food in 2022 and 2023. Every item on the menu features their signature jerk sauce and spices — chicken, wings, tacos, poutine, all with Caribbean heat.

Tuesday's $3 taco special is the best deal in town for jerk food. The truck on Merivale Road draws a steady lunch crowd.

What to order: Jerk Chicken Tacos (Tue $3), Jerk Wings, Jerk Chicken Poutine.

Good to know: Merivale Road location. Tuesday $3 taco special. Closes early on weekdays.

Neighbourhood: Nepean (Merivale Road)

5. Thailicious — The Stittsville Thai

Thailicious has been serving authentic Thai food from Stittsville Main Street since 2016. The focused menu covers Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, and stir-fry dishes — all available with chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu. Outdoor seating is a bonus.

What to order: Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, Pad Kaprao, Crispylicious Spring Rolls.

Good to know: Mon-Sat 11am-7pm. Outdoor seating available. Stittsville location.

Neighbourhood: Stittsville

6. Ad Mare Seafood Truck — The Catch of the Day

Ad Mare Seafood Truck operates out of Kichesippi Brewery on Robertson Road — gourmet seafood paired with craft beer. The menu changes daily, so you never know exactly what you'll get, but fish & chips, lobster rolls, and seafood tacos are regulars.

Seasonal operation (spring to fall). Follow @ad_mare on Instagram for daily specials and opening dates.

What to order: Fish & Chips, Lobster Roll, Fish/Shrimp Tacos, Clam Chowder.

Good to know: Seasonal. At Kichesippi Brewery (Robertson Rd). Daily menu changes — check Instagram.

Neighbourhood: Bell's Corners area

7. Lou Fast Food — The Parliament Hill Legend

Lou Fast Food has been feeding downtown Ottawa since 1987 — nearly 40 years near Parliament Hill. This family-run truck does classic poutine with multi-layered cheese curds and gravy, plus hot dogs and burgers.

Weekday lunch only (11am-2pm), so plan accordingly. This is the kind of food truck that defines the Ottawa lunch break.

What to order: Classic Poutine, Hot Dogs, Sausages.

Good to know: Weekday lunch only (Mon-Fri 11am-2pm). Kent & Slater / Queen & Metcalfe.

Neighbourhood: Downtown (near Parliament Hill)

8. The Original Souvlaki — The Greek Star

The Original Souvlaki in Stittsville has near-perfect ratings everywhere — Google 4.8, Facebook 5.0, TripAdvisor 5.0. The Greek food truck serves authentic souvlaki with most menu items available gluten-free (pita excluded).

The souvlaki chicken poutine — cheese curds plus feta — is a creative Canadian-Greek fusion highlight. Seasonal operation runs spring through late October.

What to order: Chicken Souvlaki, Souvlaki Chicken Poutine (curds + feta), Platter.

Good to know: Seasonal (spring to late October). Most items gluten-free. Stittsville Main St.

Neighbourhood: Stittsville

The Quick Comparison

Tips

• Check social media first — Most food trucks post daily hours on Instagram or Facebook. Weather and season affect schedules.
• Many are seasonal — Falafel On Wheels, Ad Mare, and The Original Souvlaki close for winter. Spring reopening dates vary.
• For downtown lunch — Lou Fast Food (Kent & Slater) is the classic weekday option.
• For Halal — Smash Daddy is Halal certified across all locations.
• For the west end — Ad Mare (Bell's Corners), Thailicious and The Original Souvlaki (Stittsville).
• For Orleans — Golden Fries with DoorDash delivery.
• Best deal — Jerk On Wheels Tuesday $3 tacos.