El Camino

Top choice in Ottawa


With a hip industrial aesthetic underscored by Day of the Dead references, El Camino is either praised as Ottawa's taco joint of the hour or derided as overpriced. Come for chorizo and crispy fish tacos, eaten at benches or taken out, and cocktails ($13) such as the sweet and spicy El Fuego – and book ahead.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Ottawa attractions

1. Canadian Museum of Nature

0.12 MILES

This imposing baronial building houses one of the world's best natural history collections, which the vast museum brings to life with modern and…

2. Rideau Canal

0.71 MILES

In 2007, this National Historic Site became Canada's 14th location to be named a World Heritage site, and it remains one of the country's eight cultural…

3. Senate of Canada

0.82 MILES

As part of the ongoing renovations on Parliament Hill, the Senate has permanently moved across the street into Ottawa's old train station. Tours last…

4. Parliament Hill

0.92 MILES

Vast, yawning archways, copper-topped turrets and Gothic-Revival gargoyles dominate the facade of the stunning lime-and-sandstone parliament buildings…

5. Bytown Museum

0.97 MILES

Descend the stairs alongside the Ottawa Locks on Wellington St to find the Bytown Museum, sitting at the last lock before the artificial canal plunges…

6. Ottawa Locks

1.02 MILES

The series of steep, step-like locks between the Château Laurier and Parliament Hill marks the north end of the 200km Rideau Canal, which flows all the…

7. Laurier House National Historic Site

1.03 MILES

This copper-roofed Victorian home built in 1878 was the residence of two notable prime ministers: Wilfrid Laurier and the eccentric Mackenzie King. The…

8. Supreme Court of Canada

1.04 MILES

This intimidating structure strikes an intriguing architectural balance between its modern concrete shell and its traditional copper roof. Visitors can…