Restaurant • Bar • Gathering Place
The Black Thorn has been a quiet corner of the ByWard Market since 1997. We are not trying to be the fanciest spot in Ottawa, and we are not chasing trends. What we are is a place where you can sit down, take a breath, and enjoy a meal that tastes like it was made by someone who cares.
Our kitchen works with what is fresh and what is in season. We do not overcomplicate things. A good steak should taste like a good steak. A salad should crunch. A soup should warm you from the inside out. That is our kind of cooking.
Behind the bar, we take the same approach. We pour a proper pint, we shake a mean martini, and we have a wine list that does not try to impress you with names you cannot pronounce. We just pick bottles that we actually like to drink ourselves.
The room itself is part of the experience. Old wood, soft light, and a fireplace that actually works. It is the kind of place where you can bring a date, bring your parents, or just bring a book and sit by the window. Nobody rushes you out the door.
We serve brunch on weekends because we believe in lazy mornings. Our eggs benedict has a loyal following, and our pancakes are the kind that make you forget about counting calories. Lunch is straightforward and satisfying. Dinner is when the place comes alive with conversation, clinking glasses, and the low hum of people having a good time.
If you are in a hurry, we get it. Grab a coffee and a pastry at the bar. If you have an evening to spare, settle in and let us take care of you. We have a courtyard out back for when the weather cooperates, and a cozy nook by the fireplace for when it does not.
We are open seven days a week. Monday through Thursday from 11am to 11pm. Friday and Saturday from 11am to midnight. Sunday from 10am to 10pm. We do brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm.
The ByWard Market has changed a lot over the years, but some things stay the same. Good food, good drink, and good company never go out of style. That is what we are about. That is what we have always been about.
We are not perfect, and we are okay with that. Sometimes we are busy and you might have to wait for a table. Sometimes we run out of the special. But we always try to make it right, and we always appreciate you walking through our door.
Come as you are. Stay as long as you like. And if you have never been here before, welcome. We have been waiting for you.
The Black Thorn is more than a restaurant. It is a place where stories are told, friendships are made, and memories are built over shared plates and poured glasses. We are proud to be part of this neighborhood, and we are grateful for every person who chooses to spend their time with us.
So whether you are a regular who knows your usual order or a first-timer who is not sure what to try, we are here for you. Ask us anything. We love talking about food, drinks, and the history of this old building.
Stop by for brunch, stay for the evening, or just pop in for a coffee and watch the market go by. We are open daily, and we save a table for you.
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