We'll be in Ottawa next weekend (May 26-28)and will be staying at the Quality Inn downtown. Being big hockey fans, we're excited to be in town with the hometown team in the Stanley Cup.
Could anyone recommend some fun, lively bars/pubs to watch the game(s) at?
Also, just looking for some breakfast/lunch/dinner recommendations as well. Nothing fancy. We like italian, brew pubs, pizza, chinese, etc.
Thanks and go Senators!

The Byward Market is chock full of Irish and Scottish pubs, as well as many other places to eat. We also were recommended a very good Chineese place on the far edge of the market area - sorry I can't remember it's name. Ottawa's little Italy (Preston Street) has several good Italian places, although the neighborhood doesn't have the charm of Italian neighborhoods in most big cities. We ate at La Roma, and it was very, very good.

I second the suggestion of Byward Market. We were at the Aulde Dubliner one night and they had the game on there. There's also Don Cherry's bar at 290 Rideau St. (corner of King Edward).

We ate at La Roma last night. Aside from the calamari (too chewy), the meal was very good. There's also Anna, a Thai restaurant on Holland St. that serves excellent Thai food. Domus Cafe on Murray St. is kind of casual upscale - innovative cuisine using local ingredients. Patty Boland's is an Irish pub on Clarence where they have Irish specialities. That would also be a good place to watch the game.

The Market's a great place with good restaurants and bars and is a short walk from your hotel, but if you want to be where it's happening during the Cup Final, go to Elgin Street, the "Sens Mile". It's about a 15 minute walk away and there are lots of bars and casual restaurants where you can watch the games with other Sens fans.

Preston Street would be a good place to go during the World Cup if Italy is playing. In my opinion, there are better Italian restaurants there than La Roma.

This story about the celebrations on Saturday will give you an idea of what to expect on Elgin Street.

http://tinyurl.com/2pwbp3

However, no matter where you go in Ottawa or in Gatineau there will be places to watch the game and cheer the Sens on. Even the National Arts Centre has TV sets in the lobbies for patrons to catch up on the game at the intermissions.

Enjoy your visit, and GO SENS GO!!!

On rereading my previous post, I realize that it might seem that I was disparaging the two recommendations for La Roma. La Roma really is quite a good restaurant, but I simply have other favourites, which may or may not be better. In fact, it would be hard to get a bad Italian meal on Preston Street. Even the meatball sandwiches at the Preston are great (and if you are on Preston Street, there's no better place to watch the game.)

For the best pizza go to The Colonnade Restaurant.(Metcalfe near Gilmour)

Thanks everyone! I'll bring your tips along. We'll definately have to check out Don Cherry's bar - what would Hockey Night in Canada be without his fabulous wardrobe LOL!
Keep the tips coming!

Just wanted to give you a little trip report - thanks to those who helped out!
We stayed at the Quality Hotel on Rideau. Good hotel. Room was clean and big. There was a 24 hour supermarket across the street (loeb) and a beer/wine/booze store. The first afternoon/night (Saturday) was beautiful and we walked around Byward Market. We ended up eating at a seafood restaurant (go figure!) and had an OK meal. I can't remember it's name but it was in Byward Market. We then hit Chapters Book Store (I love bookstores) and then headed back to our hotel. Had a beer & desert in Don Cherry's which was right in the hotel.
Sunday the weather was not optimal, but that was OK. We had breakfast at Cora's (yum) and then headed to the Parliment for a tour which was fascinating. We also went up the Peace Tower which has really nice views. WE had lunch in Byward Market - can't remember the name, but it was a buffet style place. Food was good, but a big expensive I thought. For dinner we went to PJ Pagodas (or something along those lines) in Byward Market and I had an excellent beef dish.
We got up early on Monday and headed out of the City as we wanted to make a few stops on the way back to Vermont.
I was bummed that the hockey didnt start until Monday - would have loved to watch the game there. The City's enthusiasm for the Sens was certaily catching! Hopefully they can dig themselves out the hole they are in now. Go Sens!
Thanks again everyone. We'll be back.

Glad you had a great time! The seafood place is most likely The First Market Restaurant on York St. The buffet is probably Tucker's Marketplace and the last restaurant is T.J. Pagoda's. It's good to hear a review about it because we've been a bit hesitant to try it.

It's true that the Sens fever in the city is catching. We'll see how long it lasts after the game tomorrow night...

My now fiance - btw we got engaged in Ottawa! - did not like his dish at TJ Pagodas. He had the Pad Thai-he thought it was very bland and tasteless. I had Hoisen beef and thought it was good. Nice flavor, good portion. Yes, the fish market was the place, except we ate upstairs at the more casual part of the restaurant, and Tucker's it was. I probalby wouldnt go back to Tucker's. It was OK, and for $16.99 I could have had a better meal elsewhere.