Ottawa Magazine

09/06/2023

It's been a pleasure, Ottawa. Twenty-five years of covering the capital — hard to believe it has come to an end but what fun we had!
Here, some fond memories from past contributors. We'd love to hear more! Let's take a trip down memory lane... before the website comes down at the end of June

As anyone who has spent time making magazines can attest, there is so much more to every page than the words and pictures that made the final cut. Here,

08/06/2023

The neon signage of Torta Boyz beckons guests from its perch amongst tightly packed houses on a residential stretch of Lebreton Street. It’s a casual

01/06/2023

Bright, serene, and luxurious. Just what a walk-in closet should be. (Plus cool chandeliers.)

This Gloucester home recently underwent a massive renovation. We focus on the work done by West of Main to the walk-in closet attached to the master

31/05/2023

Check out this ensuite! 😍

A luxurious his-and-hers bathroom offers space and serenity. We look at how the local design team at Gemstone Construction created contrasting yet

29/05/2023

For over ten years, our Spring issue has explored neighbourhoods and real estate trends. Beyond pretty homes and new parks, we have spoken with residents about what motivated them to move (or stay put). We've heard about traffic concerns, new donut shops, and other key elements that build community.

This year, we focused on downtown Ottawa. Following the protests of 2022 and the re-opening of Wellington Street, as well as the new work-from-home lifestyles, we wanted to ask the people who call downtown home: What's next? How can it be better?

Check out the series to hear some bright ideas -- big and small -- for making downtown a great place to live, work, and visit.

The way people move and work in the core is changing. In our Spring/Summer 2023 issue, we explore the possibilities by talking to industry leaders and

29/05/2023

The way people move and work in the core is changing. In our Spring/Summer 2023 issue, we explore the possibilities by talking to industry leaders and engaged residents about how to build a great downtown.

When trying to reimagine Ottawa, it’s helpful to look at other capitals, specifically those that share some common features. Here’s a look at how Ottawa stacks up against Canberra, the capital of Australia.

The way people move and work in the core is changing. In our Spring/Summer 2023 issue, we explore the possibilities by talking to industry leaders and

26/05/2023

"If we think positively, then surely we can turn this city around. So as I humbly trod toward middle age and gaze into my crystal ball for Ottawa in 2033, here’s what I foresee ..."

As part of our Future of Downtown series, filmmaker Amen Jafri dreams up a dynamic downtown culture, and gives some shout outs to those great things ie Canadian Museum of Nature TIMEKODE Digi60 Filmmakers' Festival

The way people move and work in the core is changing. In our Spring/Summer 2023 issue, we explore the possibilities by talking to industry leaders and

26/05/2023

We're rolling out our Future of Downtown package this weekend, and we're kicking it off with a question that cannot be ignored:
👉What's going to happen to all those vacant downtown offices?

The way people move and work in the core is changing. In our Spring/Summer 2023 issue, we explore the possibilities by talking to industry leaders and

19/05/2023

Experts agree that there’s a world of flavours — and benefits — that come with reduced alcohol consumption. Just don’t expect to pay less for mocktails.
Check out this story for more background on the low- and no-alcohol trend, as well as a recipe for a refreshing zero-proof drink

In January, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse and Addiction (CCSA) released Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health and set the world of beverage

17/05/2023

Is it time to start planning the weekend, please?

At street level, beneath the sprawling expanse that is Harmon’s Steakhouse on Elgin, you’ll find a moody and intimate wine bar. Abby’s, the latest

16/05/2023

“The schizophrenia world is a big tent. We know there are a lot of people out there that need help and are struggling to get it. We want to be approachable. We want to get people who traditionally struggled to access care.”

Simon Gardner visits the new Ozerdinc Grimes Family Regional Psychosis Clinic to find out how they are bringing new ideas to people living with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

“I just consider myself very lucky.” Jackie, a 60-year-old mother of two, is describing her experience at a new community mental health clinic opened by

12/05/2023

What a life! Hugh Fraser was born in Jamaica, grew up in Kingston, and competed in the Olympics. He went on to become a judge and has watched his sons play hockey at high levels.
Now he's tasked with fixing the reputation of Hockey Canada.
Read the Q&A with Adrian Harewood on our site now.

Hugh Fraser is not only a former Olympic sprinter who went on to become a judge and advise on anti-doping strategies, he is also a father who watched his

08/05/2023

Illustrations add a powerful element to a magazine. Check out these awesome creations by Algonquin students, published in our latest issue.

Every spring, Ottawa Magazine features the work of student illustrators at Algonquin College. The magazine’s art director, Jeff Eustace, collaborates with

07/05/2023

For the past few years, we have worked with Carleton University Journalism Society to publish articles by young journalists. This time around we could not offer a spot in our print edition, but we loved this inspirational story by Pippa Norman about another Carleton student — a marathon swimmer with cerebral palsy who is now on staff at the university.

The turbulent waters of Lake Ontario nipped at Jenna Lambert’s skin. It had been 28 hours since the 15-year-old jumped into the lake at Baird Point, New

02/05/2023

Good beer, good bread, made right here, with raw materials produced from within 100 km of Ottawa. This defines truly local food.

Before the days when air freight brought mangoes, strawberries, and avocados to our stores year-round, and before a globalized food system raised our

01/05/2023

“What we wanted was to build a home that happened to be accessible as opposed to building an accessible home"

Find out how one family designed an accessible home with modern flair -- and a suite for the grandparents.

When this family started the process of building their dream home, they set out to marry accessibility and beauty in unique and subtle ways. The couple’s

29/04/2023

The Final Issue. That's right, Ottawa Magazine is folding, and not in the usual way one might fold a magazine into a knapsack or suitcase. After 25 years of covering with thoughtful, entertaining, and relevant journalism (not to mention gorgeous award-winning photography), we are closing the book. In this special commemorative farewell edition, we not only continue our legacy of exploring current topics -- we also interview past publishers, editors, and freelancers about favourite assignments and poignant memories.
Ran out of room for tags so here's a shout out to two people who brought Ottawa Mag to new heights: +
Ottawa Magazine always aimed for excellent, and ethical, journalism, and it has been an honour to serve the people of the city.
Find it on newsstands and in mailboxes this week. Back issues available - DM for details
Highlights include:
Lasting Impacts - Reflecting on 25 years
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The Q&A - Adrian Harewood with head Hugh Fraser
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The Future of Downtown - Housing, hotels, high rises, and what residents want
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Winds of Change - How the city is preparing for big storms
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Food & Drink - Torta Boyz, Abby's, and more

28/04/2023

The little chalet near the entrance to Hendrick Farm has seen a number of restaurants come and go over the years. Hopefully, Le Petit Bar à Vin is here to stay.

The little chalet near the entrance to Hendrick Farm has seen a number of restaurants come and go over the years. Hopefully, Le Petit Bar à Vin is here to

27/04/2023

"When I was studying architecture, these were the buildings my classmates and I loved to hate. We thought they were boring and decried them as embodiments of corporate values and government malaise. But now I deeply appreciate them."
In this opinion piece from our 2023 Interiors edition, Martin Tite of GRC Architects shares his love for downtown Ottawa office buildings -- and how they can be reimagined for the future.

When I was a kid, CTV aired a show called Here Come the Seventies. It was thrilling — and not just because the opening credits featured the n**e backside

26/04/2023

This 12-foot-wide house with a crumbling foundation was reinvented with playfulness and practicality by 25:8 Architecture + Urban Design

The narrow roads of Hintonburg are lined with good intentions gone amiss. It’s easy to say you’ll renovate an old house, but when serious problems jack up

25/04/2023

This one small move can reduce financial losses, stop the spread of sickness, and reestablish our local food scene, argues Jessica Carpinone of Bread By Us

In 2012, I was working at a well-respected restaurant in the ByWard Market when I saw my kitchen colleague suddenly leave the line. It was not unusual for

24/04/2023

For 20 years, Dean Ottawa has been working as an addictions counsellor and mental health worker in his community of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation.

21/04/2023

Hidden behind the double front doors of an 1880s ByWard Market red-brick townhouse is a modern gem. With plenty of natural light, generous proportions, an

19/04/2023

One Last Time: The Random Desires of Sarah Brown

What we love, where to find it, and sometimes why — Sarah Brown's regular roundup of coveted locally made goods Elder Statesman All that’s old is new

18/04/2023

With more than 360 new homes, Parkside at Arcadia brings buyers a variety of incredible housing options—including the very exciting and innovative new Metro Towns, designed to provide flexibility and a low-maintenance, carefree condo lifestyle. Parkside at Arcadia launches April 29.

For over 65 years, Minto Communities has become one of Ottawa’s most renowned and trusted builders. From the layout of the community to the design of

29/03/2023

Ray Tang is an alchemist. Lucky for Ottawa, he’s also one of three owners of Stolen Goods, a new and exciting addition to the city’s cocktail scene. Yvonne Langen talks to the ambitious bartender about unique concoctions — and what his place can offer

Tucked into an unsuspecting nook on Sparks Street near Metcalfe, you’ll find a sexy and austere 21-seat cocktail bar that may remind you of award-winning

28/03/2023

It's hard to believe we're still talking about the Phoenix Problem, but in case you missed it, here's our 2017 story

Stories of federal workers losing their homes and wiping out their savings because of the Phoenix pay system are now legendary in this city. Thousands

26/03/2023

Ben Barry is the Dean of Fashion at the Parsons School of Design in New York City, one of the most distinguished fashion schools in the world. And it all started in Ottawa.
Adrian Harewood talks with Ben Barry about starting a business at 14, studying fashion at Cambridge University, and the Ottawa advantage.

Ben Barry is the Dean of Fashion at the Parsons School of Design in New York City, one of the most distinguished fashion schools in the world. And it all

19/03/2023

Isabelle and Pietro Borracci purchased their Carlingwood West home in 2008, and for over 10 years it served them well as a rental investment. But they

15/03/2023

What a birthday!
Ottawa Magazine was founded in 1998 to document the people, ideas, and forces shaping the city. Over the decades, the publication covered the nation's capital as a way of helping readers get the most out of living here. We won many National Magazine Awards, and fostered creativity across the city through tasteful journalism and photography. Through it all, we've had a blast serving our dynamic and devoted community of readers.

So it is with a heavy heart that we announce that following the upcoming spring issue, we will be pausing our print publication of Ottawa Magazine. As our media company changes course, driven by market forces and shifting consumption habits, we want to reflect on the positive: We have loved every minute and every great story. From stunning interior design features to restaurant coverage and thoughtful, original articles about timely municipal and societal topics, Ottawa Magazine has been a space to engage, celebrate, and provoke important discussions.

In our next issue, along with our regular content covering city issues, homes, and food, we will be highlighting memorable moments along the way — interactions that represent how Ottawa Magazine interpreted the evolving city over the past 25 years.

We thank our stellar writers, photographers and illustrators, as well as the businesses and partners who invested in Ottawa Magazine with us. As a group of storytellers, we have aimed to inspire the ambition that would shape the future of our city. We hope we've done you justice and look forward to new opportunities to connect in the future.

15/03/2023

A custom Manotick home fosters family connectivity through playful spaces and perfect views

Behind a half wall, a walkway leads around one side of this modern bungalow into a cozy lanai and a secluded courtyard. There, you spot not only the main

13/03/2023

Something magical happens when a new family moves into an old house. Walls move and disappear, old paint is sanded away and new aesthetics transform tired

08/03/2023

In 1989, Norman Barwin, a respected Ottawa fertility doctor, helped Aviva Coopersmith's mother get pregnant with donated s***m. Decades later, it was discovered that Barwin was secretly inseminating patients with s***m that he had no right to use, including his own.
Here, Coopersmith writes about finally learning the truth about her biological father

In 1989, my mother, Penina Coopersmith, decided to get pregnant. Forty years old and chronically single, she’d always wanted a baby, but had never had a

02/03/2023

Aurelio Quian Lopez is the new chef at Spritz, the restaurant that opened in November 2021 with Canada’s Top Chef winner René Rodriguez at the helm. Many

01/03/2023

It may be the first day of March, but it still feels like a good time to cozy up in style

During these last few years, we’ve had the opportunity to slow down and redefine what our homes mean to us. Homes are our safe haven from the outside

26/02/2023

Who says has to be all white?mccurdy_homedesigns has crafted a beautiful home in Ashton for her family -- a more 'moody' take on the traditional farmhouse with lovely details throughout.
Read the full story by on our site now
Photos by My Roots and Hearts

When the opportunity to buy land and build in their Ashton community came up in 2019, the Elyse McCurdy and her husband Tom saw the chance to propel her

21/02/2023

Where to Eat Now: Coconut Lagoon
In May 2020, Joe Thottungal’s restaurant burned to the ground. Like everyone else in the industry, he was already struggling as he navigated the lockdowns. This was a devastating blow.

Two years and three months later, Coconut Lagoon has risen from the ashes. From the look of full houses and the hubbub of happy diners, people love the re-incarnation.

Read the full review by on our site now
Photography by