What’s that? You don’t work downtown? Here are three great lunch options in Kanata

Lunch. The sole meal of the day where we working folk are able to break up our tasks. The time of day where we know that we’re entering the homestretch. Lunch is a time we all value and often it is too short. When you decide to spend your hard-earned money, you expect to have […]

Lunch. The sole meal of the day where we working folk are able to break up our tasks. The time of day where we know that we’re entering the homestretch. Lunch is a time we all value and often it is too short. When you decide to spend your hard-earned money, you expect to have a wonderful experience.  It has come to my attention that some of you work outside the core of the city and that you deserve to know about wonderful places to eat during your daily lunch hour. As a result of this discovery, I spent some time driving out to Kanata to discover a few of the best lunch spots in the area.  Without further ado, here is where you should be eating during your workday lunch break if you find yourself in Kanata.

Pesto's Deli

I think people would probably come for me in a not-so-friendly way if I didn’t include Kanata’s king of sandwiches.  Pesto’s Deli is an institution in Kanata. The small deli is a quintessentially Italian space, decorated head-to-toe in quintessentially Italian things. The offerings of various meats, cheeses and other delicacies are what drives this space. While being a deli is of course an admirable focus for Pesto’s, it’s the elite-level sandwiches that keep people lining up for daily lunches. From cold cuts to hot options, Pesto’s offers a variety of between-bread-bangers for you to enjoy. The sandwich list is familiarly unfamiliar. All of the options are recognizable by name, but executed at an especially heightened level that makes each bite feel like a new experience. Thankfully, the staff at Pesto’s work quite quickly. You won’t find yourself waiting long for your food, but I recommend allocating extra time for how long it may take you to make a decision. The variety of options lends itself to going with a friend and splitting a few different things, but for those of you forced to go on your own, these are the highlights that I’d recommend trying.

No. 19 - The BPC Original Porchetta

This sandwich is my No. 1 choice on the menu. Pesto’s is widely regarded for having the best porchetta in the city. Throw it on some soft, crusty bread and top it with a housemade salsa verde and some pickled onions … chef’s kiss! The porchetta has a proprietary seasoning that helps it stand out from the crowd. It’s one of those things that you just need to taste to understand. The salty star of the show is then balanced out by acid and freshness, which in my opinion are two keys to any great sandwich.

No. 20 - Little Italy Porchetta

Now here we have a classic case of “take our best thing and make it different.” The Little Italy Porchetta has the same great stack of delicious deli meat as the BPC, but instead of salsa verde you are given fried peppers and onions. This classic Italian pairing on a sandwich is nostalgic to me and reminds me of my Nonno. Whether it’s a sausage, veal cutlet or, of course, porchetta, the pairing of peppers and onions in olive oil is a delicious addition that cannot be overlooked. 

No. 22 - Chicken Cotoletta

Speaking of fried peppers and onions, let’s talk about adding them to a breaded chicken cutlet sandwich. Now we heat it up with some melted provolone cheese and we get another Pesto’s Deli winner. The highlight here really is the flavour and cook on the chicken. The juicy cutlet is seasoned to perfection and is a warm and comforting sandwich that acts as an ideal midday pick-me-up.

My Thai Village

I don’t care what anyone says, Thai food is a top-five lunch option during the work week. You are offered variety, big flavours, balanced meals and are more often than not left satisfied. The answer to Thai food for lunch in Kanata has to be My Thai Village.  I’m going to go out on a limb here to make a bold claim. The best curries in the world are not Indian, they’re not Caribbean, they are Thai. The balance of heat, sweetness, texture and, of course, rich bold flavours makes Thai curries one of the best culinary masterpieces that we can enjoy.  Whether your poison is red, green, yellow or even one of the specialty curries, My Thai Village has you covered.  The red beef curry was my most recent choice and when paired with the steamed coconut rice was exactly what I needed to get through the rest of my workday. Now what if you don’t want curry? Of course there are a number of options, but perhaps none greater than the classic Pad Thai. Pad Thai is an easy dish to make poorly, but when it’s done right it is a thing of beauty. My Thai Village does it right. Perfectly cooked noodles, a slightly sweet sauce and crunchy peanuts for texture are the highlights of the dish.  Whatever your flavour, My Thai Village creates a lunchtime experience that is ideal for dining in or taking out during your lunch hour and you will not be disappointed. 

Kanata Noodle House

Bold take, but it is never too hot for a bowl of pho. The comforting beefy goodness is a soul-satisfying bite that is good year-round. Kanata Noodle House is a reminder of that feeling.  If you eat pho often, you know there are certain things to look for. A clear, crisp broth that has a deep flavour from the hours of cooking. Thinly sliced beef that is tender when bitten into. A variety of fresh accoutrements throughout the bowl like thinly sliced onion and scallion.  All of these and more can be found in a bowl of pho at Kanata Noodle House. Each slurp off of your ceramic spoon is a reminder of why you made the decision to spend your lunch hour today happier than your lunch hour yesterday. Each pinch of rice noodles brought to your lips is an affirmation that you know what’s best on a Friday afternoon when your stomach is rumbling.  Of course, I know there will be a few naysayers out there that think the warm weather isn’t the right time for pho and for you I say – ok! There are a variety of other noodle and rice options available that might cool you off during your lunch endeavours.  Regardless of your choice, Kanata Noodle House is assuredly a great option for your workday lunch. Figuring out where to eat for lunch day in and day out is difficult enough. Now add the pressure of finding the right place to spend your money in a suburb like Kanata and it can feel almost overwhelming. While there are admittedly dozens of incredible options, these three are a great way to get you started on your Kanata lunch journey.  Happy eating! Jordan Pizzuti has been a local Ottawa food writer, content creator, and hospitality professional for over 10 years. Through his “best of” series, Jordan has cemented himself as an expert in Ottawa hospitality and nightlife. He continues to promote the Ottawa hospitality scene through his “Are We Having Fun Yet?” brand and his work with the Ottawa Business Journal.