Ottawa’s Chinatown

Chinatown was officially named in 2005, and was previously known as Somerset Heights. It is home to many businesses of all types of Asian cultures, including Vietnamese, Korean, and Thai. The archway at the entrance of Chinatown was built in 2010.

Chinatown does not have a specific population as it is mostly a commercial area. It sits amongst Centretown and Little Italy. There is a high concentration of Asian businesses including grocery stores, restaurants, travel agencies, and more.

There are a few schools in the Chinatown area and surrounding areas. These include:

• Cambridge St Community Public School

• Centennial Public School

• The Chinese Language & Culture Academy

• Elgin Street Public School

• Glashan Public School

• Richard Pfaff Alternate Program

Chinatown is a small area, but offers a variety of assistance programs and community enrichment opportunities.

A full list of Chinatown Community Centres and Community Enrichment Programs:

• Dalhousie Community Centre

  • 755 Somerset

• Somerset West Community Health Centre

  • 55 Eccles

• Chinese Christian Church of Ottawa

  • 116 Empress

• Nanny Goat Hill Community Garden

  • 6 Doyers

• Ottawa Chinese Alliance Church

  • 22 Eccles

• Ottawa Community Foundation

  • 62 Mott St

• St Lukes Table

  • 760 Somerset W

• Centretown Community Garden Project

  • 455 Lisgar

• Tungsavvingat Inuit (Community Centre)

  • 604 Laurier

Chinatown is not a considerably pet friendly neighbourhood. There are plenty of people in the surrounding area who do have pets regardless, as well as pet stores and dog parks outside of this neighbourhood but close by.

Here are some options nearby:

Pet Stores

Healthy Pets HQ

• 420 Bank St

Pet Circus

• 274 Bank St

Vets

VCA Canada Pretoria Animal Hospital

• 16 Pretoria Ave

Centretown Veterinary Hospital

• 955 Somerset St W

Dog-Friendly Parks

• McNabb Dog Park

• Jack Purcell Park

• Primrose Dog Park

• Plouffe Park

• Tech Wall Dog Park

Centretown is kid-friendly! There Chinatown is a relatively unsafe neighbourhood in the evenings. That being said, there are plenty of schools, daycare centres, and parks in the area. Children in the area should be well supervised!

In the Centretown area (right beside Chinatown), for example, there are plenty of parks and community centres for children. Along some of the major streets near Chinatown like Elgin and Bank street there are plenty of summer and fall festivals for children to enjoy.

Head down the street to the Glebe for plenty of parks and things to do as well!

There are plenty of locally owned stores in Chinatown, especially for Asian goods not found in other stores in the Ottawa area! Check out Hoang Lan Jewellery, the Kowloon Market, Oriental Charm, Kim Thanh Jewellery, Lim Bangkok Grocery, and plenty of others all own Somerset St W.

The major landmark in Chinatown is the Chinatown Royal Gateway - the gated entrance that marks the beginning of Chinatown. Also worth checking out is some of the amazing artwork, and even the themed garbage cans!

One of the highlights of the Chinatown area is the grocery - there are so many options, and so many are locally owned and operated!

Kowloon Market

• 712 Somerest W

Lim Bangkok Grocery

• 794 Somerset W

Manphong Supermarket

• 775 Somerset W

Hung Phat Grocery

• 139 Rochester

Saigon Meats and Vegetables

• 777 Somerset W

Phuoc Loi

• 797 Somerset W

Shiraz Food Market

• 725 Somerset W

Little Latin America

• 764 Somerset W

For nightlife, most Chinatown residents will head down to Centretown’s Bank and Elgin street, or up to Little Italy’s Preston street.

There are plenty of restaurants in this area, including a ton of authentic Asian cuisine! All along Somerset St W will be your ‘Chinatown’ restaurants, but you can also head into Little Italy or Centretown for an even bigger selection!

Chinatown is home to a great variety of types of houses - from condos to townhomes to fully detached homes. The average home along the street is above a local business or a semi-detached home.

Chaudiere Park

• 63 Elm

Primrose Park

• 179 Primrose

Swift Park

• Upper Lorne Pl

Dalhousie Community Centre Park

• 131 Upper Lorne Pl

McNabb Park

• 180 Percy

Dundonald Park

• 516 Somerset W