You guys know how much I love markets. I already showed you Toronto’s, Nantes, and Montréal’s local markets but for some reason, I had never really taken pictures at the Byward Market in Ottawa.
The Byward Market is somewhat of a fixture in Ottawa. It is located downtown, close to the Rideau neighborhood, between Sussex and Rideau St. There is a main market building (very similar to Kensington Market in Toronto or to The Forks in Winnipeg), surrounded by an open-air market on George, York, ByWard and William Streets.
I don’t care much for the marking building which is a bit of a tourist trap. The small restaurants inside are always packed but quite overpriced—imagine a fancy-looking mall food court. The area around the building is nice though. First, it is the city’s premier bar district. There are tons of restaurants to choose from, ranging from the touristy Hard Rock Café to smaller gems like the Ahora, a Mexican canteen. There is always something going on and buskers are quite inventive here.
But what I like best is the farmers’ market, which operate almost year-round. I don’t eat much meat but I need my vegetables and I could easily survive on that alone. Prices are quite good and the products are fresher than at the supermarket. Besides, most are locally grown… and they look good!
I love the 53 years! For some reason I dislike the markets in Paris, it always feel like such a rip off that I prefer going to my supermarket.
I love those tomatoes sold in wooden punnets.
They’re so rare in England these days.
What you normally see these days are plastic punnets.
I love markets as well. There are an increasing number here, in Ireland, but some can be quite deceiving as they are too small and often over-priced.
I went to the By-Ward market when I was in Ottawa in June and bought some delicious raspberries at half the price because it was time for them to wrap it up. I remember always going to Talensac in Nantes around lunch time and always getting fantastic offers, something that does not seem to happen in Ireland, not yet anyway.
Is the market on during the winter as well? What local veg would they have then?
Most women prefer to do shopping in malls. You’re different 😛
I love farmer markets too. Your photos inspired me to shoot some photos from the market too! So colorful~ 🙂
Wow, those tomatoes are so fresh, I would want to just grab some olive oil, fresh basil, and mozzarella!
Pears… and plums! Yummy!
I love American markets, somehow it just look so neat and clean 🙂