{"id":5871,"date":"2024-09-16T02:00:57","date_gmt":"2024-09-16T06:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/?p=5871"},"modified":"2025-01-29T09:59:16","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T14:59:16","slug":"the-history-of-restaurants-in-ottawa-where-did-residents-dine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/the-history-of-restaurants-in-ottawa-where-did-residents-dine-5871\/","title":{"rendered":"The History of Restaurants in Ottawa: Where Did Residents Dine?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Analyzing archival articles from the Citizen newspaper, it can be determined that in 1940, Ottawa had approximately 56 restaurants and caf\u00e9s, including 23 Chinese restaurants. At the time, the local population was around 108,000 residents. <a href=\"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/uk\/\">Ottawa One<\/a> explores the history of the city\u2019s restaurants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a6936a5316e3\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a6936a5316e3\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/the-history-of-restaurants-in-ottawa-where-did-residents-dine-5871\/#Features_of_Early_Restaurants\" >Features of Early Restaurants<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/the-history-of-restaurants-in-ottawa-where-did-residents-dine-5871\/#The_History_of_Notable_Openings\" >The History of Notable Openings<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/the-history-of-restaurants-in-ottawa-where-did-residents-dine-5871\/#Chinese_Restaurants\" >Chinese Restaurants<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/the-history-of-restaurants-in-ottawa-where-did-residents-dine-5871\/#Green_Valley_Restaurant\" >Green Valley Restaurant<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/the-history-of-restaurants-in-ottawa-where-did-residents-dine-5871\/#The_Empire\" >The Empire<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/the-history-of-restaurants-in-ottawa-where-did-residents-dine-5871\/#The_End_of_an_Era\" >The End of an Era<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Features_of_Early_Restaurants\"><\/span>Features of Early Restaurants<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Restaurants were a novelty in those days, sparking curiosity among Ottawa\u2019s residents. Some establishments operated as part of hotels or boarding houses, while others were built as extensions of saloons, blending into Ottawa\u2019s urban landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1921, the Citizen published an article titled The Evolution of Dining Halls. According to the article, Ottawa\u2019s first dining establishment was a house on Queen Street, founded in 1880 by Mrs. Sutton. However, other sources mention a tavern in the LeBreton Flats area, known as Mrs. Firth\u2019s Tavern, which opened in 1819 and remained in operation until the 1860s. Photographs of the tavern have been preserved in Library and Archives Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interestingly, in the same year (1819), another establishment called Andrew\u2019s Tavern opened near the St. Lawrence River, west of Brockville, Ontario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Citizen article also credited an early pioneer of the traditional dining hall: an old man named George Bulger, described as a strict and skilled chef. He was recognized by his distinct attire\u2014a linen shako (a type of hat) and apron\u2014which became the signature uniform of his profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond Ottawa\u2019s restaurant history, readers may also find it intriguing to learn about the local <a href=\"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/uk\/eternal-shho-kushtuvaly-u-restoranah-ottavy-ponad-stolittya-tomu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cuisine<\/a> enjoyed by residents in those days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxe7lfvbnzvfkw_fpinaw8mpji1qg2-dggoynncd36a8r6dnrsmibymqhmb3qrpgcbcnn112tmpsxiuuxcwklurrrjhibfkig583nczb3-v_a-skcwwowljvdhw4ciiliu5wdfwbkeygyiw7fhr9p2rxxeraebszggt.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_History_of_Notable_Openings\"><\/span>The History of Notable Openings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the earliest dining establishments was located on Metcalfe Street. In 1890, George Bulger opened a beanery where visitors could enjoy baked beans, eggs with bacon, and steak. Among his frequent customers were Members of Parliament, who would often stop by for a plate of beans after evening sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Five years later, in 1895, Charles A. B\u00e9lier opened a more upscale restaurant at the corner of Metcalfe and Albert Streets. B\u00e9lier was a visionary who sought to bring the charm of Parisian caf\u00e9s to Canada\u2019s capital. However, the Parisian influence failed to take root, and the establishment closed in 1903.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That same year, another restaurant, Sherbrooke, opened at the intersection of O\u2019Connor and Slater Streets. It attracted notable ministers and politicians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One particularly unique establishment was the Boston Lunch on Sparks Street, which operated 24\/7, much like the round-the-clock Chinese restaurants in Ottawa\u2019s downtown core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By 1910, high-end dining establishments in Ottawa began to decline. This shift was largely attributed to the rise of department stores, which started allocating space on their upper floors for modern cafeterias equipped with better facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxccmghrfromp2cpymdfm6ipmtzslyi1svn8vtr3zkmvva0scin2jt6e9oigi0idrtvm-q3vhh9wiigvcdplxvmqs8vdhvocx5unpacsqf6cs-yatsw6_4_4ya1bj4xyz9m-fmutyqkeygyiw7fhr9p2rxxeraebszggt.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Chinese_Restaurants\"><\/span>Chinese Restaurants<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Citizen highlighted several Chinese restaurants in its coverage of Ottawa\u2019s dining scene. As residents began seeking new and unique dining experiences, improvised cafeterias no longer satisfied the needs of families and individual customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Notable Chinese restaurants included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Canada Chinese Lunch, which was the first to introduce private dining booths<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chinese Lunch, which opened in September 1904 on O\u2019Connor Street<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Kettledrum on Sparks Street, Ottawa\u2019s first tea room, founded by Miss Lindsay. This establishment catered to leisurely patrons willing to pay for a more refined dining experience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Chinese restaurateurs continuously observed market trends and often emulated Canadian restaurant practices. According to contemporary reports, these establishments were primarily frequented by women and, less commonly, by childless couples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Green_Valley_Restaurant\"><\/span>Green Valley Restaurant<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Historical photographs depict a family dining at Green Valley Restaurant in 1971, dressed in elegant attire to make an impression. This establishment holds a special place in Ottawa\u2019s restaurant history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1933, Waldorf Stewart moved to a remote, wooded area along the old Prescott Highway near Ottawa. Initially, he built a toy house for his daughter, which quickly became a popular attraction for tourists and visitors. Recognizing the opportunity, Stewart expanded his venture by constructing additional cottages, eventually establishing Green Valley Tourist Court. Weary travelers could rent these cottages for rest and relaxation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As his tourism business flourished, Stewart opened Green Valley Restaurant in 1947. Originally a modest eatery serving breakfast and dinner to cottage guests, the restaurant\u2019s reputation for high-quality food soon spread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To elevate the dining experience, Stewart hired a professional chef named Gustave, who had previously worked at Montreal\u2019s prestigious Engineer\u2019s Club. Under his guidance, Green Valley became one of Ottawa\u2019s premier dining destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The restaurant underwent three major expansions, eventually adding a souvenir shop called Then &amp; Now Store. Children adored the Mickey Mouse dessert\u2014an ice cream scoop with waffle ears and pistachio eyes. Many Ottawa residents fondly recall visiting the restaurant with their parents and grandparents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxc8y7jpm5mrpvtlehzfnt0sagpbtjkqwwxhqsav_imh3d-a4dgrayxmejdgwd4-sbes8t19_gtyssqayyapxwb3exan8sjfq46roclqlhjtjrek7jsy9uplb247lb9fafjwe6_rjwkeygyiw7fhr9p2rxxeraebszggt.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Empire\"><\/span>The Empire<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1956, Stewart expanded the restaurant further, adding a fine dining room called The Walnut Room. This section featured thick carpeting and walnut-paneled walls. At its peak, the restaurant employed 65 staff members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By 1995, Green Valley seemed frozen in time, retaining its 1955 aesthetic. Employees even wore the original uniforms from decades past. However, as new restaurants and trendy dining spots emerged in Ottawa, Green Valley faded into obscurity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2016, writer Andrew King reported that the restaurant had mysteriously burned down. The charred remains were later bulldozed, and the once-beloved dining establishment was replaced by an unremarkable parking lot at the corner of Prince of Wales Drive and Baseline Road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxeogvm3anv_g1qd8fw9wev2i3xqswqgg8k7v9zavsgnu1g1uiqz197xdlcywiurk1b8scfuisvgv1j7kzf5jwbgbaimt7nce8wixf90ykibpycljmtohgcg77wxsj_5fnyumlxgjakeygyiw7fhr9p2rxxeraebszggt.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_End_of_an_Era\"><\/span>The End of an Era<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2019, the oldest Chinese restaurant in Brockville closed its doors after nearly 90 years in business. Established in 1930, the New York Restaurant had served politicians, writers, and local residents for generations. According to the Brockville Museum, notable patrons included hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, author Pierre Berton, and former U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On Christmas Eve 2019, the restaurant served its final customers. Owners Alice and Louie Young expressed mixed emotions, stating that they missed their family and grown children. The couple had taken over the restaurant in 2005, and while the decision to close was bittersweet, they felt it was time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The original founders, Leap and Agnes Lor, had six children (one son and five daughters). Initially, New York Restaurant served only North American cuisine, as it was believed that customers wouldn\u2019t embrace authentic Chinese dishes. However, in the late 1930s and early 1940s, the Lors took a risk by introducing Chinese specialties, including chop suey\u2014one of the first Chinese dishes tasted by Ottawa residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the Lor family, the restaurant was a continuation of their entrepreneurial legacy: the first generation had opened a laundry business, while the second ventured into the restaurant industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In interviews, former customers emphasized the unique sense of community in small-town dining. In such establishments, patrons weren\u2019t just customers\u2014they were family. Perhaps this is why the closure of New York Restaurant was particularly difficult for Ottawa residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxcyyphln6wnjiovj1zidqahiefvagnrboysae6ahx1qu7alpnqty8tqfkf5rvewesia0efjjs2ixrrs-o3ufvtfktpknyxwf8drbz0rapi45haahg04b3i8t2tsrt3gkojxbh6mpwkeygyiw7fhr9p2rxxeraebszggt.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Thus, the history of Ottawa\u2019s restaurants is a blend of nostalgia, innovation, and change. Some establishments survive only in archival photographs, others live on in the memories of past visitors, while some have vanished without a trace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sources<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ottawacitizen.com\/news\/local-news\/that-was-then-a-brief-history-of-dining-out-in-ottawa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ottawa Citizen<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/ottawa\/archives-historical-chef-food-restaurant-ottawa-1.5441795\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CBC News \u2013 Ottawa Restaurant Archives<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/ottawa\/new-york-restaurant-chinese-closes-christmas-eve-1.5402526\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CBC News \u2013 Closing of New York Restaurant<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ottawarewind.com\/2016\/09\/07\/past-the-green-valley\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ottawa Rewind \u2013 Green Valley<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Analyzing archival articles from the Citizen newspaper, it can be determined that in 1940, Ottawa had approximately 56 restaurants and caf\u00e9s, including 23 Chinese restaurants. At the time, the local population was around 108,000 residents. Ottawa One explores the history of the city\u2019s restaurants. Features of Early Restaurants Restaurants were a novelty in those days, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":469,"featured_media":5872,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1164],"tags":[3263,3265,3266,3267,3272,3081,3261,3268,3273,3262,3269,3271,3260,3270,3264],"moimportance":[78,81],"motype":[],"moformat":[90],"class_list":{"0":"post-5871","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business","8":"tag-archive-photos-of-delicious-places-to-eat-in-ottawa","9":"tag-chinese-restaurants","10":"tag-downtown-ottawa-restaurants","11":"tag-end-of-history","12":"tag-evolution-of-the-dining-room","13":"tag-family-business","14":"tag-first-restaurants","15":"tag-green-valley-empire","16":"tag-green-valley-tourist-courtyard","17":"tag-history-of-brockvilles-oldest-chinese-restaurant","18":"tag-history-of-ottawa-restaurants","19":"tag-past-cafes","20":"tag-past-restaurant-reviews","21":"tag-restaurant-features","22":"tag-taverns","23":"moimportance-golovna-novina","24":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatori","25":"moformat-spisok-korotka"},"modified_by":"Katya Koshevaya","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5871","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/469"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5871"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5871\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5890,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5871\/revisions\/5890"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5871"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5871"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5871"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=5871"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=5871"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=5871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}