From morning espresso to late-night Negronis, a former café evolves into an Italian-American restaurant reshaping an overlooked corner of Parkdale.
Bodega
121 Parkdale Ave
Open Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 11P PM
Saturday from 10 AM to 11 PM
Sunday from 10 AM to 3 PM
Tunney’s Pasture and Mechanicsville have never been synonymous with destination dining. The skyline here is defined by brutalist towers, their concrete facades offering little in the way of welcome, let alone the suggestion of a memorable meal. For years, this part of Ottawa has been a culinary void. The southern end of Parkdale Avenue, which divides Tunney’s Pasture from Mechanicsville, has long functioned as little more than a thoroughfare for commuters moving between the parkway and the highway.
Yet in the past seven years, Parkdale Avenue has transformed. Since 2019, we’ve seen Drip House, Hearbreakers, and Sharple open. While the usual concerns about gentrification linger, the influx of new condominium projects has carved out space for independent businesses to establish themselves at street level. Drip House’s second outpost was among the first to seize this opportunity, opening on the ground floor of The Dale at 121 Parkdale Avenue.
Late last summer, a post on Drip House’s Instagram signalled something new: “BODEGA by DRIPHOUSE… coming soon”. The café at The Dale would be transformed into a New York bodega-inspired establishment.
Bodega opened its doors on September 9th, introducing itself as a restaurant and wine bar with a focus on Italian-American casual fare. During the day, drip and specialty coffees are the main draw. As evening falls, wine and cocktails become the centre of attention.
Bodega’s interior design strays far from the signature “Drip House” look but is just as memorable. One of the design standouts at Bodega is the under-counter espresso machine, one of the very few in Ottawa.
The back bar, well-stocked with quality spirits and liqueurs, is framed in dark wood slats forming an alcove. Beautiful walnut stools tuck neatly under the bar, while small square tables line the walls. Exposed ceilings and ductwork introduce an industrial feel, offset by warm woods and soft curves drawn from mid-century and Scandinavian references. The result feels mature, refined and designed for memorable conversations.
The transformation was overseen by owner Rey Martin, whose decision to evolve the location mirrors a larger shift towards cafe-bar hybrids, establishments that accommodate guests throughout the day.
During the day, the room draws a broad cross-section of Mechanicsville. Government workers, in for a quick coffee and breakfast to-go. Students with laptops. Older regulars meeting up for coffee. Families passing through. As the day progresses, breakfast meetings slide into afternoon laptops and after-work drinks turn into dinner. At sunset, candles flicker against the stone bar countertop, and the crowd skews more toward the dining crowd. Friday and Saturday nights fill quickly, and reservations are advisable.
Since opening, the bar has been staffed by skilled and knowledgeable professionals. On my first few visits, Ottawa food writer and hospitality professional Jordan Pizzuti was behind the stick. A reliable observer of the city’s food and beverage landscape, he was part of the opening team and helped shape the restaurant’s wine program. On subsequent visits, the bar was in the hands of the versatile Matt Kyazze.
The cocktail program features seven cocktails (17-18$) and four mocktails (16$). The menu features a list of favourites with a twist: Bodega’s New York Sour, Drip House Espresso Martini, Bodega Spritz, as well as a few signature drinks. The bar at Bodega employs carefully selected quality spirits, aperatifs, digestifs, and liqueurs, including Ontario-made “Beaver’s Dram Whiskey” , “Persian Empire Coffee Liqueur”, and products from Ottawa-based SFR Distillery. The most popular Italian cocktail, the Negroni, does not feature on the menu but can be made upon request. The 16$ mocktails lean more into Italian flavours with the Faux-Groni, Amaretto Zero Sour and the Novara Spritz.
Suntory Julep (18$): Built on Japanese whisky with lemon, mint, and ginger-honey syrup, this riff on a classic Mint Julep is served in a stainless-steel julep cup packed with freshly crushed ice. Watching the bartender hammer the ice in a Lewis bag to craft this drink adds to the experience. On the nose are mint oils. On the palate, the whisky is present, and the lemon adds brightness. The ginger-honey syrup remains in the background, adding but a whisp of heat.
Bodega NY Sour (18$): This is a perfectly crafted NY Sour. A quality whisky with a smooth finish is employed, negating the need for egg whites. A light, fruity red wine float lets the whisky shine. A measured amount of simple syrup enhances the overall flavour, while the lemon juice adds a tartness.
The Marg (18$): Their margarita lands squarely in the center of the style spectrum. Tequila is present, acidity is firm, and sweetness is perfectly measured.
Spicy Margarita (18$): This cocktail introduces heat with control, enough to register without overwhelming.
Off-menu requests are met with ease, as the bartenders are comfortable moving into classic and neo-classic territory. For example, a Penicillin (18$) can be made with their in-house honey-ginger syrup.
Pesto cavatelli (17$): This dish is assertively herbal, the pesto sauce coating each piece generously. Fougasse crumbs add occasional crunch, breaking the richness without distraction.
Bodega burger (19$): Their double-patty smash burger is both familiar and satisfying. The flavour recalls a Big Mac more than a steakhouse burger. The fries are excellent: crisp, fluffy and properly seasoned.
Bodega’s greatest competitive advantage is its operating model. Open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday, and opening later on the weekend, it occupies a rare position in Ottawa: a well-designed restaurant open from dawn till dusk with a cohesive food and beverage program at accessible pricing. That combination remains exceptionally uncommon in this city.
The restaurant succeeds as an all-day address. It’s equally suited to a straightforward meal with a great coffee (or wine) as it is to lingering at the bar over properly executed cocktails. Elegant and priced with restraint, Bodega pairs a well-rounded Italian-American menu with a capable team. Among 2025 openings, it stands as one of my personal favourites.