Ottawa’s premier downtown shopping destination — 20 million visitors annually, connected to the LRT, and steps from Parliament Hill

CF Rideau Centre is Ottawa’s undisputed retail flagship — the largest mall in the National Capital Region at 897,000 square feet across three levels, welcoming over 20 million visitors annually and housing approximately 180 specialty stores and services. Owned by Cadillac Fairview and connected directly to the O-Train Confederation Line at Rideau Station, it occupies one of downtown Ottawa’s most enviable positions: steps from the ByWard Market, the Rideau Canal, and within walking distance of Parliament Hill. The mall underwent a major $360-million renovation that brought premium Canadian retailer Simons, Apple, Uniqlo, Aesop, Anthropologie, and a spectacular 35,000 sq ft dining hall to its roster. Other anchor tenants include Hudson’s Bay, Sport Chek, H&M, and Zara, whose Ottawa flagship spans over 2,700 square metres. The ground-floor food court serves dishes from around the globe with seating for 850 customers, while an in-mall Farm Boy grocery adds everyday convenience. The mall is also connected via an enclosed walkway to the Westin Ottawa hotel and the Ottawa Convention Centre — making it genuinely possible to arrive by train, shop, eat, and check in without ever stepping outside.

► After your Rideau Centre visit, explore Ottawa’s best restaurants nearby — Ottawa’s Top 10 Restaurants →

Ottawa’s second-largest mall — free parking for 8 million visitors a year, Ottawa’s best food court, and a Tiffany & Co.

Bayshore Shopping Centre is Ottawa’s second-largest mall and, for many locals, the preferred shopping destination precisely because of what Rideau Centre lacks: free parking. Approximately 8 million shoppers visit Bayshore annually, drawn by its 190+ stores across three levels in the Nepean district of west Ottawa. The tenant mix is exceptional: Sephora, Apple, Aritzia, Zara, H&M, Lululemon, Victoria’s Secret, Banana Republic, Winners/HomeSense, Old Navy, and a Walmart Supercentre all operate here, as does Tiffany & Co. — one of only two Ottawa locations. A recent major investment brought 77 new leasing transactions totalling over 431,000 square feet of new retail, making Bayshore one of the fastest-growing malls in the region. Clément, Ottawa’s largest baby and children’s store at 16,000+ square feet, is exclusively at Bayshore, making it the top family-shopping destination in the city. The food court is consistently praised as the best in Ottawa for its variety and quality of options. The Bayshore Transitway Station sits directly beside the mall with express bus connections to the entire city.

Ottawa’s best outlet destination — Coach for $88, Ralph Lauren, Nike Factory, Saks Off Fifth, and designer deals off Hwy 417

Tanger Outlets Ottawa is the capital’s premier destination for brand-name shopping at outlet prices — a sprawling 340,000 sq ft open-air village in Kanata, located directly off Highway 417 at Palladium Drive, approximately 20 minutes from downtown. The outlet format means genuine factory-direct savings: shoppers regularly report Coach handbags at $88 (regular $350+), excellent deals at Polo Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Nike Factory Store, Saks Off Fifth, Under Armour, Levi’s, Adidas, Lululemon, Kate Spade, Tommy Hilfiger, Gap Factory, and over 80 additional stores. Tanger also hosts unique-to-Ottawa brands including Roots outlet and a range of Canadian-focused retailers. The outdoor village format — open-air walkways between clusters of stores — is excellent in summer and fall, though Ottawa winters make it less appealing from December to March. Amenities include a children’s play area, outdoor fire pit seating, a Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, BeaverTails, and a transit bus stop. The TangerClub loyalty programme offers additional discounts and exclusive access. Visitors consistently praise the cleanliness, organization, and genuine deal availability.

► Heading to Kanata for shopping? Discover Ottawa’s best cafés — Ottawa’s Top 10 Cafés →

Ottawa’s most iconic shopping experience — Indigenous artisans, local boutiques, farmers’ market vendors, and some of Canada’s most beloved food stalls

ByWard Market is Ottawa’s oldest and most beloved shopping and dining district — not a mall in the conventional sense, but a four-block retail neighbourhood that has been the commercial heart of the capital since 1826 and remains essential for anyone who wants to experience Ottawa’s authentic character. The market building itself houses fresh produce vendors, artisan food stalls, flower sellers, and specialty Canadian food products year-round. The surrounding blocks are dense with independent boutiques, art galleries, restaurant patios, and specialty stores that form a genuinely unique shopping ecosystem. Adaawewigamig, the first Indigenous-owned store in the ByWard Market, offers authentic First Nations artwork and jewellery. Paper Papier is the largest retailer of fine writing instruments in Ottawa. Canada Four Corners specialises in Canadian gifts, artwork, and souvenirs. The original BeaverTails location, which has been frying its famous pastries here since 1978, is a national pilgrimage. Destination Ontario calls ByWard Market one of Canada’s finest shopping districts, and with 4.6 stars across 15,000+ Google reviews it remains the highest-rated shopping destination in the city.

Ottawa’s third-largest mall with 195 stores — a massive transit hub, 3,942 free parking stalls, and 13 million visits a year

St. Laurent Centre is Ottawa’s third-largest mall by total space — 878,560 sq ft across three levels in east Ottawa, hosting 195 stores and services and drawing 13 million customer visits annually (with the average shopper visiting an impressive seven times per month). Located at the corner of St. Laurent Boulevard and Coventry Road, the mall has direct access from the Queensway and an extensive OC Transpo transit hub on-site, making it one of the most accessible shopping centres in the city. Anchor tenants include Walmart, GoodLife Fitness, and a second-run cinema, while the tenant mix spans fashion, health, dining, and professional services. The mall is particularly well-regarded in the east Ottawa community for its completeness — dental clinics, a career college, office space, and a comprehensive food court mean that residents can accomplish a genuinely diverse range of errands in a single visit. Morguard REIT has applied for expansion approval that would make St. Laurent the 10th largest mall in Canada.

Ottawa’s premier open-air power centre — 750,000 sq ft, 150 retailers, a massive Farm Boy, and the best bridal wear in the city

Ottawa TrainYards is Ottawa’s largest open-air retail power centre — a 110-acre, 750,000 sq ft shopping complex off Industrial Avenue in south-central Ottawa that houses over 150 of North America’s leading retailers, services, and restaurants. Despite the name, there are no longer any trains here — but there is an exceptional concentration of big-box and specialty stores that makes it one of the most productive single-stop shopping destinations in the region. The anchor stores include a massive Farm Boy location, praised for its quality fresh produce and expansive prepared food hot bar, alongside Walmart, LCBO, Sport Chek, Canadian Tire, HomeSense, Chapters Indigo, and Urban Barn. TrainYards is also Ottawa’s preeminent bridal district, with multiple wedding dress boutiques and formalwear retailers clustered in the complex. The range extends from sportswear to outdoor furniture, from electronics to pet supplies — making TrainYards genuinely useful for any errand-intensive shopping day. Centrally located with ample free parking.

Ottawa’s oldest and most community-beloved mall — 100+ stores on one level, Loblaws, Canadian Tire, and a clean, safe, friendly atmosphere since 1956

Carlingwood Shopping Centre holds the distinction of being Ottawa’s oldest shopping mall, opened in 1956 as one of the city’s first major retail centres. Located in the Carlingwood neighbourhood of west Ottawa on Carling Avenue, it has served generations of families with over 100 stores and services on a convenient single-level layout that is widely praised for ease of navigation. The mall’s core anchors are a large Loblaws grocery and Canadian Tire, making it a practical one-stop destination for everyday needs alongside fashion, beauty, and specialty shopping. Regularly cited for its clean, safe, and friendly atmosphere, Carlingwood is particularly popular with senior shoppers and families who appreciate its less hectic pace compared to the larger downtown malls. The mall hosts seasonal events throughout the year, including community fundraisers, holiday activities, and vendor markets. Free parking with an OC Transpo bus stop make it easily accessible from across west Ottawa.

► Enjoy a great morning before shopping in west Ottawa — Ottawa’s Top 10 Breakfast & Brunch →

Ottawa’s bilingual east-end mall — LRT connected, 3,800 free parking stalls, H&M, Sport Chek, and Quebec-origin chains you won’t find elsewhere in Ontario

Place d’Orléans Shopping Centre is Ottawa’s gateway to its francophone east-end community, a 740,000 sq ft enclosed mall in Orléans with approximately 132 stores and services serving one of the fastest-growing suburban communities in the National Capital Region. The mall is directly connected to the Place d’Orléans O-Train station on Line 1, with 3,800 complimentary parking stalls for those arriving by car. Current anchors include Sport Chek, H&M, Bath & Body Works, Dollarama, GoodLife Fitness, Mark’s, and a Farm Boy grocery. What makes Place d’Orléans genuinely distinctive is its bilingual character: Québec-origin chains like Marie-Claire, Claire-France, and Sushi Shop that are rare in Ontario malls are represented here, reflecting the strong francophone demographic of the surrounding community. A Service Canada passport office, CMHC, and RCMP offices operate within the mall, making it one of Ottawa’s most functionally diverse centres. Families particularly appreciate the stroller-accessible underground parking, excellent nursing rooms near the former Hudson’s Bay space, and the relaxed pace of the shopping environment.

A Riverside Drive community staple since 1954 — Walmart, LCBO, Dollarama, and a major OC Transpo bus station right at the entrance

Billings Bridge Shopping Centre has served the south Ottawa Riverside area since 1954, making it one of the oldest continuously operating shopping centres in the National Capital Region. At 460,000 sq ft across two floors with 85 stores and services, it provides reliable community-focused retail anchored by Walmart on the ground level and Dollarama on the upper food court floor, alongside LCBO, Rexall, Your Independent Grocer, and Booster Juice. A large OC Transpo bus station connects directly to the mall entrance, making it one of Ottawa’s most transit-accessible shopping centres outside of those with LRT connections. Billings Bridge is particularly valued by south Ottawa residents for stores and services that have become difficult to find elsewhere, and reviewers consistently praise the beauty salons, health services, and grocery options that make it genuinely functional for weekly errands. The food court design, featuring a distinctive architectural entrance, is considered one of the better-designed in Ottawa’s community mall landscape.

A historic pedestrian-only boulevard adjacent to Parliament Hill — public art, heritage architecture, Canadian-made gifts, and open-air dining

Sparks Street holds the distinction of being North America’s first pedestrian-only shopping street, converted from a standard traffic thoroughfare in 1967 and running one block from Parliament Hill through Ottawa’s historic business district. While it evolved unevenly over the decades, Sparks Street has been reinvigorated as a destination for Canadian-made and Indigenous gifts, artisan jewellery, specialty retail, and open-air dining. True Bijoux offers Canadian-designed contemporary and vintage jewellery. Canada Four Corners specialises in Indigenous sculptures, dreamcatchers, carvings, moccasins, and maple products. NORML is Ottawa’s celebrated streetwear and sneaker boutique. The street also hosts the Stolen Goods cocktail bar, the Rabbit Hole speakeasy, and some of Ottawa’s best after-shopping dinner options. The pedestrian format makes it Ottawa’s most pleasant summer and fall shopping environment, with public art installations throughout and a close proximity to the Parliament Hill grounds that makes it easy to combine shopping with sightseeing.

► After Sparks Street, discover the best bars & lounges nearby — Ottawa’s Best Bars & Lounges →

What is the best shopping mall in Ottawa?

CF Rideau Centre is Ottawa’s largest and most prestigious mall, with 180+ stores, direct LRT access, and luxury tenants including Apple, Simons, Uniqlo, and Aesop. For a more relaxed experience with free parking, Bayshore Shopping Centre is consistently rated the favourite among local shoppers — it offers over 190 stores, Ottawa’s best food court, and a Tiffany & Co. For budget-conscious shoppers, Tanger Outlets Ottawa in Kanata delivers genuine designer discounts at Coach, Nike, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and 80+ other brand-name stores.

Where can I find outlet shopping near Ottawa?

Tanger Outlets Ottawa at 8555 Campeau Drive in Kanata is the only dedicated outlet mall in the Ottawa area, with 80+ brand-name factory stores offering 20 to 70 percent off retail prices. The mall is located directly off Highway 417 at Palladium Drive, approximately 20 minutes from downtown Ottawa, and is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 AM to 9 PM. Popular deals are regularly found at Coach, Michael Kors, Saks Off Fifth, Nike, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Levi’s, and Lululemon. Winter visits can be less comfortable due to the open-air format, but summer and fall shopping days are particularly pleasant.

Which Ottawa malls are connected to the LRT?

Three Ottawa malls connect directly to the O-Train Confederation Line (Line 1): CF Rideau Centre connects via Rideau Station at the mall’s south entrance, St. Laurent Centre has an OC Transpo bus hub directly on-site (the St. Laurent LRT station is within walking distance), and Place d’Orléans connects directly to Place d’Orléans Station. Bayshore and Carlingwood are served by frequent express bus routes. For completely car-free shopping, the CF Rideau Centre is the easiest option — arrive at Rideau Station and step directly into the mall.

What makes the ByWard Market different from a regular shopping mall?

ByWard Market is Ottawa’s historic open-air market district — a four-block neighbourhood that has operated since 1826 and functions as a combination of farmers’ market, independent boutiques, artisan food producers, and restaurant district rather than a conventional enclosed mall. It is the place in Ottawa for Indigenous-made products, genuine Canadian crafts, local maple products, and unique specialty finds that national chain stores do not carry. The market building hosts fresh produce vendors and artisan food stalls year-round, while the surrounding blocks offer a diverse mix of independent retailers. With 4.6 Google stars across 15,000+ reviews, ByWard Market is Ottawa’s highest-rated shopping destination.

Which malls in Ottawa have the most free parking?

Free parking is available at most Ottawa malls outside the downtown core. St. Laurent Centre has 3,942 free parking stalls — one of the largest free parking facilities of any mall in the region. Place d’Orléans offers 3,800 complimentary stalls. Tanger Outlets Ottawa and Ottawa TrainYards both offer generous free parking directly beside stores. Bayshore Shopping Centre and Carlingwood also have free parking. The only Ottawa shopping destinations where parking is paid or limited are CF Rideau Centre (underground paid parking) and the ByWard Market street areas (metered parking).