ottawa farmers' market

Have been going here every Saturday for two years - the vendors are friendly and very proud of what they sell and so they should be - always fresh, locally produced produce and prepared foods available. You can make a whole dinner just by stopping at the few booths. Stop for a Berliner to go with your coffee at Art is In Bread for enjoying when your shopping is done. Kids and dogs are very welcome - even when crowded it's easy to maneuver.

Love this farmer's market. So many interesting vendors...plenty of fresh fruit and veggie vendors. This market is an authentic market..we enjoyed it ....

We decided to try this Farmers Market because parking can be difficult at the Byward Market. It is just off Bronson Ave across from Carleton University. We had not been here for about 2 years and boy has it grown! There was many fruit and veggie vendors, jewelry, goat cheese, preserves and sauces, meat, soaps, etc. plus an eating area offering various foods such as chinese, samosa's, breakfast, etc..... It was a wonderful experience! We had homemade fruit Popsicles and learned about various goat cheeses in the Ottawa area! There was even a Prince Edward County Winery there! Art is In Bakery has a tent there .... OMG you have to buy the cheese and jalapeño baguette, as it is sooo fresh and you will return every weekend to buy something at this bakery stand! We will definitely be back next weekend!

Just a few blocks from Parliament Hill is an oasis of yummy! From the BEST homemade ice cream and sorbet to Irish Bars and beer.Many products from the farm and are labeled with the green sign!

Despite the relocation of the Market to Brewer Park while the city continues to build Landsdowne 2.0 - it's still a fantastic regional market. Quality vendors who genuinely care about the products they raise, grow, build, craft, butcher and haul to market weekly. A great selection of prepared food and drink vendors are always on hand to boost lagging energy or fill empty stomachs before vendors and visitors dive back into the market. I find it impossible NOT to come away with delicious meats and produce every time I visit. A great spot for locals and visitors alike.

The produce is absolutely beautiful!! Almost too pretty to eat! Everything I saw looked as if it were part of a movie set. I had to touch it to be sure it was real.

It is much cleaner and organized than many other open markets in the US or Europe. Very nice quality food and vendors. Worth a trip.

A tremendously diverse array of fresh produce, artisanal crafts, prepared foods and people. We wish for more organic (not just lip service organic) but seeing all of these seasonal veggies on display invigorates our menu choices for the year. We took home lots of certified organic veggies and an Xposed Cake (not sure if that's the correct spelling?). We wish the market continued just so we could get more of these cakes!The market isn't picturesque but the vendors, their wares and market goers help to distract the eye from parking lots and busy city streets. For us this market is a must!

Nice little market in the heart of the city. Perfect on a sunny day and for just strolling around. Lots of eateries around if you plan on spending any length of time.

What a wonderful experience, great food, it took us a couple of hours to walk around, we love the market so much. Lots of great food and things to buy.

Wonderful atmosphere, makes for a great individual activity to walk the market, sit under a tree and read, or do yoga. Or, a great family activity, bring the kids and there is ample running and playing space in the Brewer Park.If you yearn to support locally grown agriculture, this is the market for you. Buy plants and grow your own seasonal food. Make your statement about food security issues in Ottawa by growing your own food!This market has wonderful veggies, fruit, plants, breads!!! baked goodies, jams, honey, artisan products, cheese, meats, all locally made, gluten-free baked goods, homemade candy treats and cookies, vendors selling hot meals, and so much more!My all-time favourite vendor is EcosTerre an Ethiopian booth that sells the best banana loaf, date loaf, lemon loaf, cinnamon roll loaf that I have even eaten in my life!Great value for your dollar.With the selection of over 100 vendors you are sure to find food to take home from this organic market. If it makes it home with you as you might just be tempted to eat it en route to your home!Enjoy!And, good on you for supporting local farmers!

I am interested in seeing a comparative guide to these types of farmers markets. Should certain consumer reports people be involved in evaluating these places? Be careful about paying prices that are too high in places for regular favorites. Negotiate for a lower price. Byward Market located in central downtown Ottawa is some what better for various reasons. But do not dismiss this place for it comes close to doing what so many of us would like to see commercial grocery stores do. If you need a reason to not ever buy food at one of those gas stations that claim to sell food here it is. Speaking with the people who grew, packaged and carried the produce to the market is worth while in itself. It is like going to summer camp. In a way this visit for me was like going to a self service store. Would it be possible to purchase herbs that have medicinal value at these markets? A walking tour of the city might not bring you to this area but it might be good for you to take a long walk to get there. Selecting food here might not be as glamorous as shopping at your favorite commercial food store. Yet you should visit this place if does not take you out of your principal pathway for seeing the city. I am not always sure that these farmers market places are the best way to save money and get the best of fresh vegetables. There are definite advantage of going there. I am not sure if the modern large commercial food stores are getting close enough to doing this type of selling or packaging of vegetables and other produce to making these outdoor market resemble an antique store, but I do ask questions about cleanliness. I enjoy talking with the people who grow the products. Unusual vegetables and produce are plentiful often. The proximity of food courts makes me suspicious. This market should not be the principal reason for coming to Ottawa. Additional seating would be welcome. There should be places to sit down without having to purchase and eat something. First hand experience was good for me as I was pleased to see such a place. Unique goods baked by artisans made me come back. I often wonder if the produce on sale represents the best of farm production in this part of Ontario as if a sample of vegetables which I purchased represents the best of food available in Ontario for this season. This should be part of a picnic center. While many extra things not to be consumed are available, I hesitate to approve turning this type of market into a one-stop food store. It should be limited to selling food. Quantities sometimes - especially of berries - need to be available in smaller amounts. Do not make the mistake of buying a larger bulk quantity just to be seen carrying away far too much more than what you can safely transport home. There were samples of cider and unique baked goods Clean samples of vegetables should be available for visitors to taste. Fruit juice with authentic 100% juice content should be available. It would be wise to convert this market to a TGIF place. I do not know if these places can offer me exotic foreign fruits and vegetables. What is grown on the farm limits what can be offered for sale at the market. In many respects these farmers markets serve the needs of many less than totally affluent people. So they do have redeeming social values. I do recommend a visit to this farmers market. It is important for the farmers that you buy something instead of just browsing. For the farmers to carry back to their farm what was not purchased at the out door market is a defeat for them. Give them reason to bring back more stuff next time. Ask about bulk purchases ordered in advance. Ask about catering for large banquets. Lower prices might be available at the end of the day. This is how these enterprises can work better for you. I did want to make a comparison with the St. Lawrence market located in downtown Toronto but I did not pursue that invitation too far. For sure there are moments of serious shopping here.

The Ottawa Farmers' Market is Nothing exciting if you have been to European Markets! But markets are always fun. I wouldn't make a special trip. Go to the Byward Market in downtown Ottawa instead.

lots of fresh produce and it is in the heart of the city downtown ottawa. there is lots to do in the area with great dining and nightlife after your done. hotels are close by as is the prime ministers house and capital building. the market is great to pick up a few snacks along the way.

Great place for unique baked goods, fresh veggies, cider, potted plants, and some crafts and jewellery etc. There's a food court of sorts where you can get breakfast and lunch fare. There isn't much seating, though. There's often some kind of activity or entertainment for kids. Prices for the produce are generally good. Lots of free parking. A nice place to stroll, but it can get crowded during summer vacation.