Food Crawl on Ice (Ottawa, ON)
Each winter, 7.8km of Ottawa’s Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site becomes the world’s largest skating rink: The Rideau Canal Skateway. The Skateway is immensely popular for both tourists and locals, many of whom use the canal as a method of commuting to work. The canal season is typically short – usually from mid-January to late February, although its opening and closing dates are weather dependent.
This tour not only provides the opportunity to skate the entire 7.8km but a chance to warm up with some classic Ottawa foods within walking distance in the various neighbourhoods surrounding the canal. You’ll venture into Old Ottawa East, Old Ottawa South, Little Italy, and the Glebe.
It will take you a decent amount of time to complete this tour due to the need to put on and off skates a few times and walk from the canal to various locations. As a result, the tour is recommended on a weekend or on a weekend afternoon/evening when you can get an early start. You will need a bag to carry your shoes/boots.
Ottawa is located on traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg People.
Tour Map
Rideau Canal Skateway with Parliament Hill on the left and the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on the right (Feb. 2021).The Start Line
Begin your skate crawl at the downtown end of the Rideau Canal at the 0.0 marker by the National Arts Centre. Put on your skates and head down the canal!
The downtown end of the Rideau Canal Skateway. Ottawa (Feb 2021).Keep an eye out on the left side of the canal for the Hazel exit. This is across from the Patterson Creek area, just before the 3.0km mark (if you reach Fifth Ave. you’ve gone too far.) Walk up Hazel Street away from the canal and turn left on Main Street.
Sula Wok
184 Main Street
11am-8pm Monday to Saturday
Closed Sunday
This family-owned restaurant which began as a food truck offers an “Asian Taste Adventure,” which includes Tibetan Momos, Asian Tacos and dumplings.
Head back to the canal and continue skating to the Bank Street South exit, just past the Bank Street bridge on the left (Old Ottawa South) side of the canal, at about the 4.0km mark. Walk a block down Bank Street to House of Targ.
Skating under the Bank Street Bridge (February 2020).House of Targ
1077 Bank Street (across from the Mayfair)
5-11pm Thursday, 5pm-2am Fri-Sat, Noon-2am Sunday
House of Targ is Ottawa’s premier destination for pierogis and pinball. The basement spot also welcomes live bands (note: entry may require cover at times).
Once you’ve had your pierogi and perhaps a round or two of pinball, make a short trek back to the canal.
We’re now skating to the Dows Lake exit, past the 6.0km mark. Cross Carling Avenue and walk up Preston Street about 400m. Turn left on Beech St.
DiRienzo’s Grocery
111 Beech Street
8:30am-5pm (Opens at 10am on weekends)
For the past 50 years. DiRienzo has provided Ottawa with some of the city’s best Italian sandwiches. Join the line and see why this spot is a true Ottawa institution. The sandwiches are large, so you may want to split one or alternatively, grab a cannoli or other dessert. You can grab a drink at one of the many establishments on Preston Street, the heart of Ottawa’s Little Italy, including Pub Italia or the Heart and Crown.
The Home Stretch
It’s now back to the Canal.
Follow the km markings to complete the Hartwell Locks loop (so you can officially say you’ve skated the entire 7.8km of the canal.)
Next, turn around and head back towards downtown. Our last stop takes us to the Bank Street North exit, just before the bridge on the left (Glebe) side of the canal, at around the 4.0km mark.
Skate-through art gallery under the Bank Street Bridge (Feb 2020).Walk north up Bank Street about 400 metres, passing TD Place Stadium to Kettlemans Bagel, which will be on your left, just past Holmwood Avenue.
Kettlemans Bagel Co.
912 Bank Street
Always open (24/7)
There’s nothing like a fresh sesame Montreal-style bagel right out of the wood-fired oven - warms the body, warms the soul.
Make the short walk back to the canal and put on your skates one more time for the final 4km. Of course - it wouldn’t be a skate crawl without Beavertails – fried dough with your choice of toppings; perhaps Ottawa’s most iconic food.
Beavertails
Various stands along the Rideau Canal during skating season
Hours depend on the weather
Beavertail and hot chocolate - the Ultimate Rideau Canal snack (January 2018)There’s no better place to eat a beavertail than skating on the canal in the shadow of the Parliament Buildings. Now that you’re finished your tour, grab a beavertail and hot chocolate at the skate-up location at the Rideau (0.0) end of the canal to complete your Rideau Canal experience and likely your first food crawl on ice!
Canal magic at sunrise (Feb 2021)Route Information
Tour Map
Distance: 13km (skating) + 2km (walking)
Start at downtown end of the canal (0.0 mark).
Skate down the canal to the Hazel exit (approx. 3.0km mark)
Walk up Hazel Street away from the canal and turn left on Main Street.
Sula Wok (184 Main Street)
Return to canal and continue skating to the Bank Street South exit (approx. 4.0km mark).
Walk a block down Bank Street.House of Targ (1077 Bank St.)
Return to canal and continue skating to the Dows Lake exit, (past the 6.0km mark.)
Cross Carling Avenue and walk up Preston Street about 800m. (just past the 417 underpass).DiRienzo' Grocery (111 Beech St.)
Return to canal and follow the km markings to the end point (7.8km) and then head back towards downtown to the Bank Street North exit.
Walk north up Bank Street about 400m., just past Holmwood Ave.Kettleman’s Bagel (912 Bank St.)
Return to canal and return to starting point downtown.
Beavertails (Rideau Canal at the National Arts Centre)