Here’s how to spend a great day shopping and dining in the Glebe

Have you ever wondered where the name “the Glebe” came from … or why it’s not simply “Glebe”?

It turns out that the land on which the leafy central neighbourhood now stands was once a “clergy reserve” for St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Centretown. A clergy reserve, also known as a “glebe,” was a piece of property a church could use to generate money. When the British government gave the “glebe” to St. Andrew’s in 1837, the land lay beyond the city’s boundary and was largely rural. 

That began changing in the late 1800s, when a fairground was set up at what’s now Lansdowne Park, the city limits were extended south to the Rideau Canal, and Ottawa’s first electric streetcars connected the former farmland to Centretown. 

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But enough history! You’re probably wondering what you can see and do in the Glebe today. The short answer is, “A lot.”

Starting a weekend visit with brunch is a great idea. If you head to Irene’s Pub (885 Bank St.), you can sometimes enjoy live music with your bacon and eggs; check the pub’s website for its jam-packed music schedule and consider returning in the evening. The Lansdowne Park location of Sunset Grill (100 Marché Way) is another busy brunch spot; try the California Benedict, which adds avocado to the popular poached-egg dish.

Speaking of Lansdowne: Before planning any day trip to the Glebe, do a quick online search to find out what events are happening in the park that day — to avoid crowds or join the fun, depending on your preference. Major upcoming events include multiple Ottawa 67’s hockey games; concerts by Foreigner (Oct. 28) and the Beaches (Nov. 5); the weekly Ottawa Farmers’ Market (Sundays); the 613Flea market (multiple dates); and the Signatures Handmade Market (Oct. 23-26).

The markets at Lansdowne are just the beginning of your shopping choices. For upscale women’s clothes, try Escape (703 Bank St.), which stocks Canadian lines such as Tribal and Lisette L, along with international brands like Orientique. Stylish guys can shop for hats, gloves, belts and ties at Mickle Macks Haberdashery (835 Bank St.), while trendy tots can find footwear and accessories at Shoe + Shoe (802 Bank St.).

Keen home chefs might want to drop into J.D. Adam Kitchen Company (795 Bank St.) for quality cookware, home linens and cookbooks, as well as Knifewear (800 Bank St.) for everything from paring knives to cleavers. You can pick up fancy oils and vinegars at The Unrefined Olive (151A Second Ave.), Italian meats and cheeses at Il Negozio Nicastro (792 Bank St.) and custom cuts at the Glebe Meat Market (869 Bank St.).

Looking for a gift? You’ll find several excellent jewellers in the Glebe, including Davidson’s Jewellers (790 Bank St.) and Magpie Jewellery (799 Bank St.). The neighbourhood is also home to not one but two cigar shops: Havana Castle (841 Bank St.) and Cigarman Lansdowne (900 Exhibition Way). If those options are too bougie for you, head to Octopus Books (116 Third Ave.) for some progressive/radical reading material. And to wrap up your finds, check out the gorgeous papers and cards at The Papery (850 Bank St.).

Whew, that’s a lot of shopping! By this point, you’ll likely be craving dinner. And when it comes to independent restaurants, the Glebe once again offers an embarrassment of riches. Among my favourites are the elegant La Strada Ristorante (697 Bank St.) and The St. Rita (753 Bank St.) for Italian fare; the steak frites and wide-ranging wine list at 107 Fourth Avenue Wine Bar and Café (107 Fourth Ave.); and the ever-changing gastropub menu at The Rowan (915 Bank St.). And if small plates are your style, Erling’s Variety (225 Strathcona Ave.) is the place to go.

Award-winning Ottawa travel writer Laura Byrne Paquet shares her sightseeing tips for eastern Ontario and beyond on her website, Ottawa Road Trips.