Little Italy Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Little Italy featuring signage, café scenes and a city
Little Italy which includes street scenes, signage and outdoor art
Little Italy showing street scenes, a bar and outdoor eating
Little Italy which includes street scenes and signage
Little Italy featuring interior views, signage and art

Find authentic Italian restaurants, lavish street festivals and a century-old Catholic church in this historic immigrant neighbourhood in Ottawa’s southwest.

Enjoy a romantic evening over a plate of linguini in Ottawa’s Little Italy. Settled by Italian immigrants in the early 1900s, this neighbourhood features an assortment of old, family-owned restaurants and is a celebration of Italian heritage. Visit during June, Ontario’s Italian Heritage Month, to experience the area at its most lively.

Start out at St. Anthony’s Church. Due to a curve in the street below it, the church’s copper steeple is visible from several blocks away. Established in 1913, the church has long been a meeting place for the neighbourhood’s Italian community. Tour the inside to see the fresco paintings on the curved ceiling and the ornate stained-glass windows. Cross the street to Piazza Dante, which features a splash fountain where kids can play during the summer.

Head over to Preston Street for lunch or dinner. While no original restaurants remain from Little Italy’s early days, you can find many authentic eateries that have been in the neighbourhood for decades. Splurge on dinner at the luxurious Giovanni’s or head to La Roma for a more affordable meal.

During the first week of June, the area hosts Italian Week, a spirited celebration of Italian food and culture. Every night, Preston Street is closed to traffic, allowing restaurants to spill out onto the pavement. Musicians and dancers perform along the streets and chefs vie for your business. Join in the procession to St. Anthony’s Church or attend Assaggi Night to sample a variety of traditional Italian foods.

See the iconic arch entrance to Little Italy on Preston Street with its simple red sign located in the middle of a metal arch, which reads “Little Italy” in cursive. Find another entrance further south on Preston Street and admire the whimsical sculptures entitled Bambini, which depict a soccer team through the eyes of a child.

Little Italy is located west of downtown Ottawa and south of the Canadian War Museum. It is easily accessible by bus.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Little Italy Hotel Deals

Hôtel Chateauneuf Gatineau—Ottawa

Hôtel Chateauneuf Gatineau—Ottawa

3.5 out of 5
2 Montcalm Street, Gatineau, QC
The price is AU$128 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
AU$128
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Gatineau. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Byward Market ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,129 reviews)
"Very nice hotel, clean staff is friendly and helpful."

Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025

Hôtel Chateauneuf Gatineau—Ottawa
Fairmont Chateau Laurier

Fairmont Chateau Laurier

4.5 out of 5
1 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON
The price is AU$254 per night from 14 Nov to 15 Nov
AU$254
14 Nov - 15 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Ottawa. Enjoy 3 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,842 reviews)
"Clean room, the cafe in the hotel is lovely!"

Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025

Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Lord Elgin Hotel

Lord Elgin Hotel

4 out of 5
100 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$276 per night from 31 Oct to 1 Nov
AU$276
31 Oct - 1 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Ottawa. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,489 reviews)
"Staff were incredibly helpful with our requests — hotel is right downtown close to Byward Market and Parliament — would definitely stay there again !"

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

Lord Elgin Hotel
Ottawa Embassy Hotel

Ottawa Embassy Hotel

3.5 out of 5
25 Cartier St, Ottawa, ON
The price is AU$205 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$205
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Ottawa. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,112 reviews)
"Friendly staff, great area & easy parking."

Reviewed on 15 Oct 2025

Ottawa Embassy Hotel
Les Suites Hotel Ottawa

Les Suites Hotel Ottawa

4 out of 5
130 Besserer St, Ottawa, ON
The price is AU$241 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
AU$241
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Ottawa. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (5,104 reviews)
"We stayed in a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom suite. It had been updated and was comfortable, convenient and clean. Les Suites is in a very good downtown location close to many restaurant, ByWard Market and other sites to visit."

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

Les Suites Hotel Ottawa
The Business Inn

The Business Inn

2.5 out of 5
180 MacLaren Street, Ottawa, ON
The price is AU$175 per night from 29 Oct to 30 Oct
AU$175
29 Oct - 30 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Ottawa. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (7,949 reviews)
"Will stay again."

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2025

The Business Inn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Little Italy

Little Italy which includes street scenes and signage

Centretown West

Even though there aren't top sights in Centretown West, you can explore the larger area and take in top sights like Canadian War Museum. Jump on the metro at Carling Station to see more of the city.

Centretown West
Ottawa featuring snow

Centretown

4.5/5(8 area reviews)

Known for its abundant dining options and interesting museums, there's plenty to explore in Centretown. Top attractions like Elgin Street and Canadian Museum of Nature are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Parliament Station or Lyon Station to see more of the city.

Centretown
Ottawa which includes snow, a bridge and a cascade

Glebe

You'll enjoy the live music and monuments in Glebe. You might want to make time for a stop at TD Place Stadium or Rideau Canal.

Glebe
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum showing a park

Civic Hospital - Experimental Farm - Central Park

While you're in Civic Hospital - Experimental Farm - Central Park, take in top sights like Rideau Canal and jump on the metro at Carling Station to see more of the city.

Civic Hospital - Experimental Farm - Central Park
Canadian Museum of History showing modern architecture and skyline

Hull

5/5(2 area reviews)

Hull is a destination visitors seek out for its interesting museums, casinos and stunning river views. You might want to check out attractions like Canadian Museum of History or Casino du Lac Leamy while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Hull
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Old Ottawa East

While in Old Ottawa East, you'll enjoy the sporting events. Catch the metro at Lees Station to see top sights like Rideau Canal while you're in the area.

Old Ottawa East


Little Italy Travel Guide

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