Ottawa’s love of shawarma on display with inaugural festival, record sandwich
The smell of garlic sauce and grilled meat filled York Street on June 7 as thousands gathered in the ByWard Market for Ottawa’s inaugural Shawarma Fest, a day-long celebration of one of the city’s most recognizable foods. Visitors lined up for shawarma wraps, watched live performances and cheered on a Guinness World Record attempt as organizers sought to cement Ottawa’s...
Ottawa’s first Brazilian bakery seeks to be a cultural hub
Ottawa has just gained its first Brazilian bakery. "That's Bananas" seeks to be a cultural hub serving authentic Brazilian food for Ottawa's Brazilian community.
Just Food is sprouting food sovereignty in Ottawa
Urban agriculture in Ottawa is building skills, strengthening communities, and reshaping local food systems beyond the grocery store.
Ottawa entrepreneurs test demand for New York-style bagels with pop-ups
Small business Baci's Bagels is bringing New-York inspired bagels into the capital city. The couple behind it talks about their plans and popular bagel pop-ups.
As coffee prices climb, Ottawa roaster works to keep cups affordable
Gord Fitzpatrick has had seen the spike in coffee prices first hand. “This is the highest the prices have been,” said the owner of Kafia International Coffee and master roaster. “It peaked around September or October and has dipped slightly, but still high.” Fitzpatrick imports “green bean” coffee, the unroasted crop bought from wholesalers that finds its way to local...
Now approved in Canada, controversial purple tomato set to debut in stores
A genetically modified purple tomato, developed by California-based Norfolk Healthy Produce, has been approved for sale in Canada and is expected in grocery stores in the coming months. The purple variety is a typical cherry-type tomato with extra anthocyanins, the natural pigment that also makes blueberries blue. The additional anthocyanins in the purple tomatoes are thanks to two genes from...
Eating local: Restaurants seek the perfect mix of social media presence and influencer content
Food businesses and influencers are using social media platforms to reach new customers.
Natural wine tempting drinkers looking for a healthier option
Natural wine is on the rise in Ottawa offering consumers healthier alternatives.
Meeting the public where they are, a fifth-generation Ottawa butcher shop thrives on social media
The Butchery in Ottawa gaining social media traction is a "big deal" says expert.
It’s mainly because of the meat: Rising prices are changing how Canadians shop
Rising prices for meat are shifting the choices presented to Canadian consumers.
Restaurant critic Peter Hum has an appetite for food, jazz, travel and family history
Capital Current introduces people who have had an impact on the city. Who is he? Peter Hum is the Ottawa Citizen’s restaurant critic. He will serve an eight-week stint as resident chef at 1 Elgin restaurant early in 2026. From Vienna to Peru, then from Hong Kong to mainland China, Hum is travelling this month, eating and writing about food along...
Kemptville nights: Goldwyn’s injects some new life into growing community
On Sept. 27, a country-style bar opened in Kemptville's downtown core.
Sharing plates and conversation: Revello Williamson fuels connection through food reviews
Learn more about an Ottawa-based food reviewer who spreads laughter and joy one review at a time.
Ottawa’s multicultural cuisines: How immigrant restaurants shape the city
Immigrant restaurants and cooking classes are redefining Ottawa’s culinary identity and that matters as intolerance rises.
Jessica Traina curates what Ottawa has to offer
Jessica Traina has turned a way to explore Ottawa into a career as an local content creator, sharing guides and tips with thousands of followers.
Trade war tactics: Outdoor markets highlight value of buying local
Ottawa Street Markets founder shares why buying Canadian is important during the U.S.- Canada trade war.
Growing food may soon be allowed alongside Ottawa roads if council approves
Ottawa residents may soon be able to grow food on city-owned property near roads, if a motion passed by the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee is adopted by full council. If the motion amending a bylaw is adopted, it would allow fixed planters placed half a metre away from the sidewalk and 1.5 meters away from the road on streets without...
One in four struggle to afford food: How Ottawa’s Parkdale Food Centre is managing demand
The Parkdale Food Centre is barely able to keep up with the demand as amid rising food prices.
Making ends ‘meat:’ How an Ottawa deli is managing rising costs
For Paolo Di Rienzo, slinging hearty sandwiches and homemade cannolis has been the name of the game for decades now. Di Rienzo’s Deli and Grocery, on the corner of Beech Street and Champagne Avenue in Little Italy, has been a staple for many since 1973. Despite being a fixture of the authentic eats in Ottawa for more than 50 years...
City Builder: Wendy Leung helping communities access surplus food with Foodsharing Ottawa
Who is she? Wendy Leung is the volunteer executive director of Foodsharing Ottawa. The organization collects surplus food from local businesses and distributes it to people in need. What is her background? Leung’s background combines biochemistry, regulatory affairs and public health, with experience in business development and digital services. “I love connecting the dots across various fields and using what...
The desert blooms: Old Hull residents welcome the first grocery store in 25 years
The neighbourhood of Old Hull now has it's first grocery store since 1999, and neighbourhood residents are pleased.
After 50 years in business, Mountain Orchards’ co-founder has no regrets
Mountain Orchard celebrates its 50th season this year. Co-owner Shelley Lyall tells Capital Current about the highs and lows of the last 50 years.
Dark Fork: Ottawa’s new dining experience ‘pulls out all your senses’
Dark Fork, Ottawa’s first dine-in-the-dark restaurant, invites customers to explore a unique experience.
Down on the farm: Despite serious concerns, Canadian agriculture remains surprisingly hopeful, survey shows
A new Angus Reid poll finds while farmers and the agriculture community have concerns about the sector, there is hope too.
Crumbl Nepean attracts a cookie-loving crowd on opening day
Crumbl Cookies, a dessert franchise that’s gone viral on social media for their unique weekly rotation of cookies, opened a brand-new store in Ottawa on Friday, and locals flocked to its doors for opening day.
Best before and maybe after: New initiative to show date on food isn’t necessarily best measure of food quality
Too Good To Go is launching the "Look-Smell-Taste" initiative in Canada to help reduce food waste.
Mission’s meals provide sustenance, lift spirits of thousands on Easter weekend
The Ottawa Mission served a record number of Easter meals recently, a reflection of the growing need in the Ottawa community.
Bittersweet: Retailers struggle to keep prices low as chocolate cost soars ahead of Easter
Retailers struggle to contain cost increases as the price of chocolate keeps rising.
Award-winning chefs cook up a storm at Canada’s Culinary Championship
The pressure was on as Canada’s Great Kitchen Party hosted the 2024 Canada Culinary Championship at Ottawa’s Shaw Centre Feb. 2-3. The contest featured 10 chefs from across the country who competed for the title of top chef of Canada after placing first in their respective regional competitions. Throughout the two-day event, contestants competed in a series of challenges to...
Inflation has restaurants struggling to pay the bills as costs rise and consumers watch their wallets
The restaurant industry is struggling with rising costs, narrow profit margins and cost-conscious customers.
The horror, the horror: Deadly Grounds Café and Curiosities offers a scarily warm welcome for fans of the genre
The Deadly Grounds Café and Curiosities is offering fans of the horror genre of films a chance to experience their passion with a warm cup of coffee.
As grocery prices continue to rise, this Ottawa Reddit user is helping people find deals
Nearly two-thirds of Canadians have substantially changed their grocery habits, according to a recent survey.
Public health data shows food service inspection failures are rising in Ottawa
Ottawa Public Health food inspection data has been showing an increase in food safety infractions throughout the city.
Microgreens trend is sprouting, but the tiny vegetables won’t solve the food crisis
Microgreens may be a more sustainable and popular option among farmers, but they cannot solve long term food security issues, expert says.
City builder: Devinder Chaudhary uses business success to give back to Ottawa
Ottawa businessman Devinder Chaudhary, owner of Aiana Restaurant Collective, partners with local charities to help the community.
Love it or mock it, the pumpkin spice latte defines fall for some coffee drinkers
As students enter midterm season, coffee has become a main form of energy for students, who are sleep-deprived and studying hard. Coffee shops are bustling and students are seen studying all over with coffee cups in hand.
Squashing food insecurity: After Halloween, local group says don’t throw out that pumpkin — donate it
With every approaching Halloween, many pumpkins will be bought, carved up for spooky jack-o-lanterns and swiftly discarded afterwards. Instead of throwing out your pumpkin on Nov. 1, environmental advocacy groups like Ottawa South Eco-Action Network recommend finding alternative uses for your gourd.
Carleton students vote on direct levy to fund campus support centre supplying food and other necessities to those in need
Carleton University is having a referendum to decide wether or not to impose a $2.98 levy on each student, per term, to help fund the university-based food bank.
Rising food prices prompt higher demand for Ottawa School Breakfast Program
The cost of food is not only impacting households, it has spurred a concerning increase in the use of Ottawa's school food program.
Byward Market restaurateurs struggling because of inflation, safety fears and fewer customers
Byword Market restaurateurs are battling inflation, seeing fewer customers and dealing with safety concerns.
City builder: ‘Chef Joe’ blazing a culinary trail in Ottawa
Chef Joe Thottungal is a culinary trailblazer who has treated Ottawa to a range of Indian food experiences.
Dairy farmer’s viral video sparks debate over milk quotas, supply management
An Ontario farmer's TikTok protest over milk quotas has sparked a debate about supply management in Canada.
As infamous Rideau McDonald’s closes, diners plan march to show their love
Infamous McDonald's on Rideau Street will close in April, prompting some residents to march in honours of the notorious eatery.
A passion — and patience — for bread-making rises out of pandemic doldrums
During a period of pandemic lockdown in 2020, I was at home like many others. Scrolling mindlessly through Instagram, I found a lot of posts from others in lockdown about their adventures in baking: sandwich bread, artisan break, sourdough bread, sourdough starter and much more. It was everywhere, and the bread looked like it came out of a bakery. It...
Chef escapes war in Ukraine, brings expert culinary creations to Ottawa café
Chef Nasser Saleh has brought his talents to Ottawa after fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Christmas dinner will be more expensive this year as food prices continue to rise
With rising costs in food, restaurants and shops selling Christmas meals in Ottawa have increased the price of their offerings this season.
The Rideau River is feeding one Syrian family’s Canadian dream
Omar Masri and his family are six of 1.3 million immigrants who came to Canada between 2016 and 2021. Now, they're working to make a life in their new home.
Beyond the bite: My foodie family helped heal my relationship with food
Capital Current's Rianna Lim describes how her family's love of food helped her with her mental health.
The 25th Hour: The Torta Boyz: A Pandemic Success Story
Unlike so many others, the Torta Boyz food truck flourished during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Focus: Farmers’ markets enliven Ottawa’s fall with colour, community
The residents of Ottawa vista farmers' markets to celebrate the bounty of the harvest.