Hotels near ByWard Market

Founded in 1826 by Lieutenant-Colonel John By while he was building the Rideau Canal, ByWard Market is one of Canada's oldest continuously operating public markets and the district around it holds more than 600 businesses. Entry costs nothing. The indoor Heritage Hall runs seven days a week, 363 days a year, and the outdoor farmers' and vendor market runs daily from May to October, roughly 09:00 to 17:00 and weather-dependent. Restaurants and bars run far later.

Two caveats that matter. The outdoor market, which is the actual reason to come, is seasonal: arrive in February and you get an indoor hall and a restaurant district rather than a market. And Ottawa City Council approved a ByWard Market redevelopment plan in March 2026, so expect construction and public-realm disruption over the next few years, with the exact 2026 hoardings unclear. The bar strip also has a well-documented evening rowdiness problem, and the BeaverTails queue is long enough to reconsider your life choices.

Pro Tip: Come for breakfast rather than dinner. The market is at its working best between 08:00 and 10:00, the produce stalls are fully set up, the restaurants are calm, and Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica is five minutes away. Note that the cathedral's Sussex Drive front entrances have been closed for renovation since 30 April 2026, so use the side doors on St Patrick Street.