This was my first time visiting the Chimney Cake Shop on Bank Street, and I have to say it was a…read morepleasant surprise! I walked in not really knowing what to order or what to expect, but luckily I was the only customer at the time, so I had the chance to take it all in. * Service: The staff were friendly and helpful, which made the experience easy and welcoming. * Portion size: The cakes are huge! Honestly, I think a smaller size option would be great, but if you're hungry or sharing, the big portion works. * Texture & taste: Don't expect it to be like a BeaverTail--it's closer to the texture of a freshly cooled scone. The mix of crunchy outside, soft inside, and the added nuts made it really enjoyable. Overall, I'd definitely recommend trying it out if you're curious about chimney cakes. It's a fun treat, different from the usual Ottawa sweets, and worth experiencing at least once!

TL;DR/The Short Version: Ottawa has a chimney cakes store…read moreagain! The cakes are a little thin and not as fluffy as I like, but still good. The Long Version: I had chimney cakes for the first time in 2015 at the short-lived Chimney Cake Bake 'N' Roll store in Bayshore Mall. It was thick and fluffy and tasty. The one I recently had at Chimnies was a bit thinner and less fluffy, but still enjoyable. Chimnies recently opened up on Bank St. I went in November 2024 and the man working there told me they've been open for 2 months. I'm thrilled to have a chimney cake store in Ottawa again, as we had none after Chimney Cake Bake 'N' Roll closed down. Chimnies was having a BOGO (buy one get one free) deal in UberEats: $8.50 for a Biscoff Chimney Cake. I ordered this for pickup. My husband and I usually like to share our food, but thanks to this deal, we each had our own. He finished his, but I found a whole one a bit too much for me in one sitting, so I saved about a third of it for later. The Biscoff Chimney Cake had Biscoff cookie crumbs on the outside (Biscoff butter cookies with a hint of caramel) and a Biscoff spread on the inside. The man working there was courteous. It's takeout only. There is no seating inside. Street parking only. (204)

I can't believe it happened - the first place in Ottawa that serves rolled ice cream has finally…read moreopened! I rushed here as soon as I found out about it on Instagram and I am so happy I did! The flavours were somewhat limited when I went there so I decided to go with good old Strawberry Cheesecake which I absolutely loved. They made the ice cream rolls in front of me and used fresh strawberries for it. The person who made my ice cream was really nice and friendly and took care of my order right away. Overall, I had a really positive experience here and would recommend this place to anybody who is craving ice cream but also wants to try something different, or if you just love rolled ice cream! 5/5!

Came by on a hot day to get a gelato. This place isn't as awesome as the place downtown because it…read morefeels more like a commercial space but they have some decent gelato flavours. The person working the counter was awesome and provided a great recommendation as well as free samples. The gelato's aren't bad at all. Definitely better than ice cream!

I came in here one day because I kept seeing some Indian food sign out front yet it is a Gelato…read moreshop. Well was I ever pleasantly surprised. Yes, it is an ice cream / gelato shop but the guy does sell Indian food as well, go further back in the shop and it is all in the 2nd display case to the left of the cash. He has a selection of Chicken Biryani, samosas, some other stuff, and 2 types of soups to die for. My favourite is the lentil soup - wow! I will one day buy a gallon of that stuff and bring it home. I now go there every couple of weeks to get the Indian food he sells, it is great stuff!

Amore Gelato is located in the same store as The Crazy Moose of Ottawa. This gelato place is on the…read moreleft when you first walk into the store. After learning that the latter only accepted cash, I checked out Amore Gelato. There was a bit of a lineup, so I knew that it was a good sign. There was a mom in front of me with her kids. We had a nice chat after she specifically said to her kids that they'd get exactly one scoop of ice cream. "We can't have them go on a sugar high and crash," I said, smiling. "Exactly. I'm getting two scoops, though" she said, laughing. This joint offers options for everyone. You can get a variety of gelato flavours that are made fresh every day. Gelato has dairy in it. If you're like me and want a dairy-free option, sorbetto is a nice alternative. I had overheard the conversation between the woman behind the counter and a couple about to pay for their treats: "Is it cash only?" the woman asked. "No, that's the Crazy Moose. We accept all cards and cash," the female staffer said. One word: yes! This same female staffer helped me out with my order. I got the following sorbetto flavours in a cup: - Guava - Lychee I paid with a credit card. I also tipped, thankful that I could use plastic to pay. I thanked her and left with my frozen dessert. There were a handful of little tables with chairs inside the store, but they were all taken. Instead, I went out in the hot weather and found outdoor seating. Luckily, there is a rather large tree that provided a lot of shade. There was also a breeze, so I wasn't sweating buckets. I loved my sorbetto. The guava and lychee were reminiscent of having Vitasoy as a kid. I loved these flavours. They were captured perfectly in the sorbetto, which wasn't all that sweet. The sorbetto scoops were refreshing and enjoyable to consume on a hot July afternoon. There were pigeons that looked like they were innocently befriending me. They were actually waiting for me to make a klutzy move. If I had dropped my sorbetto, they'd feast. They never got any of mine. I finished all of it. So good! It was nice to people-watch as I had my sorbetto. If you have the time to stop and enjoy things in ByWard Market, come here for a scoop of yumminess and savour it. It's a great place. I'd return in a heartbeat. (310)

This place centrally located in Byward Market was the perfect treat to cool off in the Ottawa heat…read more My friend and I were overwhelmed by the options and asked the worker for his recommendations. especially since there were no samples offered. He recommended the mint chocolate, passion fruit and stracciatella. Since I was feeling something more refreshing, we had the passion fruit! It was super tasty and had the right level of tartness (not overly sweetened or artificial), and had a smooth consistency. While it was a bit pricy at $6.25 for a scoop. I'd definitely go back and try some of their other flavours since the quality was quite good

The Short Version: Bubble tea meets yogurt. So delicious!…read more The Long Version: Hi Yogurt is a Canadian company that sells yogurt drinks, bubble tea-style. They've been around since 2021 but their first Ottawa store just opened in September 2025. I stumbled across them while looking on Google Maps for new businesses in town. I popped by during their soft opening (September 12, 2025) and they had 3 specials going on: buy one get one half-price, buy 2 get 1 free, or get $2 off a single drink. Since I was only getting one drink, I opted for the $2 off, but the other 2 offers are a better deal. I got the Oat Cereal Yogurt ($6.99) and added Matcha Mochi for an additional $0.69. With the special my drink was only $5.68. I initially wanted to get no added sugar, but the cashier cautioned against it because she said it would be really sour, so I opted for the second lowest sugar amount which is 30% (the other options are half, regular and extra). I am glad that I did because 30% was the perfect amount of sweetness for my tastes. I agree that no sugar would have been too sour. I think if I had ordered a drink with fruit in it like mango or berries, no sugar would have been fine, but the oats are not sweetened and the mochi is not that sweet either. The yogurt was thick, rich and tart. It was so good. The oats gave it a nice chew and the mochi had a fun silky texture (note that the mochi is like liquid mochi in bubble tea drinks and not chewy mochi pieces like in Bingsoo or toppings found at those frozen yogurt places). I thoroughly enjoyed my drink and looking forward to returning to try their other drinks. Service was courteous and helpful. The decor is bright and cheery. There's a stuffed llama in the store. There's a bit of seating on high stools but it's mostly a takeout place. Street parking only. Review #180 (2025)

delicious healthy alternative to milk tea, you can also add protein for those who go after a…read moreworkout, i highly recommend the matcha baked cold brew especially early afternoon to wake you up.

My rideshare was right around the corner and I had a few minutes to spare. So I thought why not I…read moreshould get Menchie's since it 9 degrees outside. I had the pistachio, Oreo and cheesecake. The only flavor that tasted valid was the pistachio. The two others lacked flavor. The owner was kind and greeted me. They have an "okay" selection of frozen yogurt. Wide variety of toppings: candy, warm syrup, sprinkles, chocolate, candies and fruit. I forgot how expensive these type of places . The friend of the owner put her fingers in the strawberries which was a turn off. Plus there are many signs all over that say to use the tongs.

It is a really nice place for summer, when you are craving for ice cream but want something lighter…read morein calories. While the variety for frozen yoghurt flavours at this place is moderate, the variety for toppings is sooo great - from salty pretzels to sweet mochi. The price is calculated per grams of product you get so you can adjust as you like - which is great for people like me that can almost never finish their food. I would give a higher rating if the service was more friendly because the guy who was at cash was rude and seemingly didn't liked that we dined it (he wouldn't stop staring at me and my friend so we just decided to eat outside). It was a while ago so I hope if I go there next time I will get better customer service.

This ice cream shop is the same owners as Beachcombers, it's delicious and always unique. I'm…read morealways thrilled when my husband invites me on a date that begins here and then moves on to whatever else. The service is fast, the staff are friendly.

Great Place Awesome Gelato…read more Service is great. Friendly staff. Very clean restaurant. Love the atmosphere!!!

Personally, Stella Luna is a bit overrated for me. The hype just isn't matching the price point,…read moreand I expected a lot more considering their reputation. I tried the chocolate cake and the icing just didn't hit the way it should've for a shop that's so well-known, it looked great but the flavour wasn't what I was hoping for. I also tried their cannoli. It wasn't bad at all, but there's definitely room for improvement. The filling was decent, but I found myself wanting a bit more richness and that classic creamy punch you usually get from a great cannoli. The shell had a nice crunch, but overall it just didn't wow me the way I expected. The place itself is cute and the display looks amazing, but for the price, I thought the desserts would stand out more. I'd maybe give it another chance, but it wasn't the mind-blowing experience everyone talks about.

4 stars out of 5: I…read moreventured to check out the newest cafe in area. Had their croissant omelette with generous chips & bacon . But wondered why this omelette was just bacon & scrambled eggs in a croissant . (Suggestion: For the price $$, perhaps a slice of cheese & maybe some arugula or other greens would make this meal more delish & colour.) I appreciated the spear pickle, having breakfast for lunch & the off Rideau canal view.

Color me surprised and delighted to find this Bistro on my walk along the canal today…read more I saw a sign for ice cream but continued on my walk. After, I circled back and stopped to use their washroom. (It's clean!) Then I stepped inside. The first thing I saw was a display case with many delicious-looking pastries. I asked about one (the opéra): what it was and how much it cost. Prices aren't listed for all (or most) items on the menu, but the person on the other side of the counter was very friendly and helpful. The bistro has a long list of beverages, and you can order the coffee beverages iced as well. Myself, I ordered an iced mocha and a small cup of moosetracks ice cream (my favourite). I think the coffee needed more ice, but the ice cream was creamy and delicious. The patio is really nice. It is right on the canal, clean, and quiet (even with plenty of folks seated). It is set between the paved path and the water, separated by a row of raised flower beds. Most tables have umbrellas--lowered today due to the wind. It is a wonderfully comfortable space. Amenities also include a napkin dispenser, an aesthetically subtle trash/recycling box, and two water bowls for dogs. All in all, I am so happy I found this little stop on my walk. It is also right off of Queen Elizabeth Driveway, and there are both steps and a sloped paved path that makes the bistro easily accessible. It's pricy, but the ambience and scenery make it worth it.

TL;DR/The Short Version: Italian bakery with huge and…read moredelicious Sfogliatella! Beautiful interior, would be great for a date. The Long Version: I love Sfogliatella! They are my favourite Italian pastry. So I had to try it at the newly opened Dolci Sapori. They just opened in August 2024 in the space where the short-lived Pho Bo Le was (it was the Asia Pacific restaurant before that, and where Hung Sum relocated to before it closed for good). They've really converted the space into a beautiful cafe. They had lots of pastries and sandwiches too. However, I had my heart set on the sfogliatella, so that's what I got. It was $4.80. The outside was flaky and crispy and the filling was rich and creamy. It was fantastic! And it was a good size too. My husband and I shared it and it was the perfect snack. Service was courteous. They were fairly busy. Most of the tables were full. I am thrilled to have this new bakery in the neighbourhood. We walked there, but I think there might be limited parking at the west side of the bakery (previous businesses had a few spots there reserved for their customers). Otherwise, there's street parking. (163)

Sweet Perfection in Little Italy! Francesca and her team were so warm and welcoming, che squadra…read morefantastica! Everything looked irresistible. We tried the tiramisu cup, raspberry gelato, and pistachio affogato, each one fresh, rich but light, and flavorful. The pistachio affogato? AMAZING! A must-try if you're in Ottawa! You won't regret stepping into this shop that wraps you in warmth and welcome from the moment you walk through the door. I cannot wait to return to try more!