By Simon Hopkins
Some of Ottawa’s best date night spots are located in Hintonburg and Westboro.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and there’s a date night option for everyone in Ottawa. Here is a list of how you can treat your significant other during the season of love.
Dinner & Drinks
There are dinner spots for all kinds of diners in Ottawa’s west side.
The Momo Spot is a hidden gem on Holland Avenue serving up Nepalese dumplings called momos. Hungry couples can treat themselves to steamed or fried momos with chicken, pork, or tofu.
Server Chanda Thapa told The Kitchissippi Times that their restaurant makes for a great date night.
“It’s the best place to go on a date,” she said. “The food here is so cozy, it brings you warmth,” Thapa said. She said she sees couples of all ages and generations sit in their homey dining room for a date night.
Those looking for a classic date night spot might choose Fratelli, an Italian restaurant in Westboro. The restaurant has been operating in Ottawa since the ‘90s and has hosted countless couples.
General manager Morgan Gould told the KT that their romantic dining room is often a first choice for people celebrating anniversaries. She said date nights were what they’re best known for. They are almost full for Valentine’s Day but are also open every other night that week. On Mondays, they serve half-priced bottles of wine.
At the northern tip of Little Italy is Pubwells, a cozy pub on Preston. Their busy little space feels like a happy bar mixed with the comfort of your living room. They have pub grub like fish and chips and a wide selection of craft beers. This year, Valentine’s Day is a Wednesday, so it falls on Pubwells’ half-priced wing night.
Activities & Adventure
Hintonburg Pottery, located near Wellington W and Holland Ave, is a great place to learn and get messy, according to the folks inside. The shop and studio sell beautiful pottery and offer classes and workshops year-round. On Valentine’s day, the shop will be offering two workshops.
“Spin the Wheel” will be an introductory lesson on using a pottery wheel. Couples can alternatively handmake mugs in the other lesson.
“You and your date will each make and decorate a cute Valentine’s Day mug,” said Lexi Anawati-Gingras, who works in the pottery shop. “[Hintonburg Pottery] is a great place to break the ice and have a fun experience with your date.”
Joanna Richardson is a potter in the studio and will teach some classes. She said that participants can expect to get messy! “Trying something new and being able to laugh makes for a good date,” she said.
They will run three classes of mug making and three of an introduction to the wheel between 10 am and 8:30 pm. Those interested can sign up on their website.
Lovers looking for a timeless date can check out West Park Bowling in Wellington Village. The alley, tucked behind a diner and a pub, features over a dozen five-pin lanes for affordable bowling. The bowling alley offers food and drink from both the pub and diner right to your lane.
Those with an adventurous touch might investigate LumberJaxe axe throwing located at the City Centre complex near the Bayview O-Train station.
“Our venue is a popular date night attraction,” said Ben Szaplonczay. The recently expanded space has 16 lanes for axe throwing.
Founder Kerry Moher told KT that because of the expanded venue, they can accommodate more couples or group parties of up to 125 people. Their date night special could be a popular choice for couples. The package includes axe throwing with coaching, two drinks and an appetizer for the couple.
The Orange Monkey is a classic stop in Ottawa for any couple. Their pool hall and billiards tables are located in the same plaza as LumberJaxe, just a few doors down.
Owner Brian Beauchamp said it makes for a great first date because it’s an activity where you can talk and laugh instead of sitting with awkward forced conversation.
“A lot of couples come in and tell us they’re celebrating an anniversary because they had a first date at The Orange Monkey,” Beauchamp said.