FANTASTIC FESTIVAL FOOD VENDORS

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Get ready to treat your tastebuds at this year’s races with a mouthwatering lineup of fantastic festival food vendors! Whether you're craving smoky, savory BBQ or looking to cool off with something sweet, we've got you covered. From comfort food classics to bold new bites, there’s something sizzling for everyone. So come hungry, explore the flavors, and discover your next festival food favorite!

TIM HORTONS: A Round of Applause (and a Round of Coffee) for Our Title Sponsor!

What keeps a team of rowers paddling in perfect unison? Training, teamwork… and let’s be honest, caffeine.

We are thrilled to raise our paddles (and coffee cups) in appreciation of our Title Sponsor and the Official Coffee of the festival, Tim Hortons, for fueling the energy and spirit of the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival!

A Canadian icon, Tim Hortons has been the heart and soul of community gatherings for generations—serving up steaming cups of coffee, delicious donuts, and a warm smile at every turn. Whether you're a bleary-eyed paddler showing up at dawn, a cheering fan on the sidelines, or a volunteer powering through their shift, Tim Hortons is here to help you rise and grind (beans and all).

They’ll be on-site throughout the festival, so you can grab your Double Double while soaking in the fun, and races. Think of it as the perfect pairing—dragon boats and a fresh brew. One powers you across the water, the other gets you out of bed in time to paddle.

From the very first race to crossing the finish line, Tim Hortons helps keep our festival community warm, energized, and ready for whatever the weekend brings. Their continued support means more than just great coffee; it means a stronger, more connected festival experience for everyone.

So come thirsty, come hungry, and come ready to celebrate with Tim Hortons at the helm—we’re proud to have them leading the way as our Title Sponsor!

 

BEAVERTAILS: A Truly Canadian Treat

No Canadian festival is complete without the warm, golden embrace of a BeaverTails®. A national treasure, this iconic indulgence takes fried dough to legendary levels with a mouthwatering array of toppings—from the classic cinnamon and sugar to decadent combinations like chocolate hazelnut, apple pie, or cookies and cream.

Originating in Ottawa in 1978, BeaverTails has become a beloved symbol of Canadian culinary creativity. Hand-stretched to resemble—you guessed it—a beaver’s tail, these sweet pastries are the ultimate festival fuel: portable, satisfying, and irresistibly delicious.

You’ll find BeaverTails at the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival, serving up their signature treats with a smile. Whether you're a long-time fan or a curious first-timer, one bite and you'll understand why Canadians and festival goers have been raving about this fried dough fantasy for decades.

No actual beavers were harmed in the making of these snacks—but your self-control might be.

 

ELZA'S GOURMET 🧀 Where Cheese Reigns Supreme ✨

If you follow your nose (and your heart) around Mooney’s Bay during the festival, chances are it’ll lead you straight to Elza’s Gourmet—the home of golden, crispy, fried halloumi dreams.

Specializing in their legendary fried halloumi cheese, Elza’s Gourmet is a family-run foodie oasis where everything on the menu is lovingly homemade—no shortcuts, no store-bought fillers, and absolutely no compromise on flavour. Every bite is a one-of-a-kind creation from Elza’s own recipe vault. We’re talking pure, delicious originality served hot and fresh.

But don’t let the cheese steal the entire spotlight—this stand is also a haven for those with dietary preferences and restrictions. With vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available, Elza’s ensures no one is left behind when it comes to satisfying street eats.

Whether you're a cheese connoisseur, a curious foodie, or someone who just wandered over because you saw a crowd and thought, “Hey, what smells so good?”—Elza’s Gourmet is the kind of spot that turns snackers into superfans.

Follow them on Instagram @elzasgourmet to preview the deliciousness, then come hungry and ready to fall in love, one crispy bite at a time.

 

FROZEN FLAMINGO🍦 The Coolest Treat on the Festival Grounds! 🦩

What’s pink, fabulous, and here to chill? It’s Frozen Flamingo, your go-to ice cream vendor at the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival!

Rolling in with flair and flavour, this charming ice cream truck is more than just a pretty face. Frozen Flamingo serves up a delightful lineup of hard ice cream treats that’ll make you feel like a kid again—whether you are one, have one in tow, or just act like one (they don't judge).

Their menu is stacked with frosty favourites, including:

• Classic cones and cups with scoops that pack a punch

• Creamy sundaes loaded with toppings

• Decadent banana splits that are as photogenic as they are delicious

• Dreamy milkshakes that could bring all the flamingos to the yard

• Refreshing slushies for when you need to cool down fast

• And a flock of fun, creative add-ons to take your treat from “yum” to “YAAAS!”

Whether you’re looking to beat the heat, treat the kids, or simply live your best sweet-toothed life, Frozen Flamingo has something magical for everyone.

So grab a spoon, a straw, or just your hands (napkins provided!), and find them by all the action for the ultimate in festival refreshment.

📍 Look for the Pink Flamingo – you can’t miss them!
📱 Follow their frozen fun at Frozen Flamingo Ottawa on Facebook

Frozen Flamingo – Serving up chill vibes and cool treats, one scoop at a time. 🦩🍨

 

THAI LANNA CUISINE 🇹🇭 Taste the Tradition with a Twist! 🇹🇭

Get ready to take your tastebuds on a first-class flight to Thailand—no passport required! Thai Lanna Cuisine, a beloved culinary gem that's been spicing up Ottawa and its neighbours for over 20 years, is serving up authentic Thai street food right here at the festival. And when we say authentic, we mean it. Thai Lanna has even been awarded by the Ministry of Commerce Thailand for staying true to the rich, irresistible flavours of Thai cuisine.

This isn’t just food—it’s an experience. Their signature Mango Salad is so fresh, it might just wink at you. The Pad Thai noodles are a crowd favourite, and their red, green, and yellow curries? Let’s just say if “winning” had a flavour, this would be it.

Every dish is crafted with care, served with a smile, and plated to perfection—even when it’s in a takeout container. Whether you're gluten-free, vegetarian, or just plain hungry, there's something for everyone on the menu. Dairy-free and gluten-free options? Check. Vegetarian delights? Absolutely. Carnivore-approved? Oh yes.

And this isn’t your typical restaurant setting. For the festival, Thai Lanna brings the vibrant street food energy of Bangkok to the heart of the festival. It’s fast, it’s flavourful, and it’s full of personality—just like us.

So whether you're refueling after a race or just here for the food, make your way to Thai Lanna Cuisine and grab a dish—or five. Your tastebuds will thank you.

🌶️ Pro tip: Try the curry. Just be ready to fall in love.

 

SPRING CHIPS 🥔✨ Out-of-This-World Potatoes with a Twist!

Potatoes may have been the first vegetable grown in space—but trust us, you won’t need a rocket ship to get your hands on these orbit-worthy snacks. Introducing Spring Chips, the whimsical food vendor bringing spiral-fried joy to the shores of Mooney’s Bay at this year’s Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival!

Born in the heart of Ottawa’s iconic ByWard Market, Spring Chips takes the humble Canadian potato and spins it—literally—into something spectacular. Twisted, crispy, golden, and full of flavour, these snacks are not only fresh and fun, but locally sourced and made with love. Each batch is crafted from Canadian-grown potatoes and cooked fresh on-site for that perfect crunch in every bite.

What makes them even more irresistible? Their galaxy of specialty seasonings! Whether you’re craving something savoury, spicy, or sweet, Spring Chips has a flavour for every kind of festival foodie. Think classic with a twist, and then some.

So, while the boats are racing on the water, let your tastebuds race with excitement too. Come find Spring Chips on the festival grounds, and treat yourself to a snack that's down to earth—but tastes out of this world.

Follow the fun on Instagram: @springchips_official Because life’s too short for boring potatoes. 🥔✨

LISANA 🌶️ Where Global Flavours Take the Lead! 🍛🍁

This year at the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival, there’s more than just paddling power making waves—Lisana Catering is serving up an unforgettable blend of Sri Lankan, Canadian, and Indian cuisine that’s as bold as a dragon boat sprint to the finish line.

Known for their vibrant spices, soulful recipes, and warm hospitality, Lisana brings together the best of South Asian tradition and Canadian comfort food with flavour combinations that’ll have your taste buds cheering. From fiery curries to fusion favourites, every dish is a celebration of culture, community, and good food done right.

👨‍🍳 What’s Cooking at Lisana:

• Traditional Sri Lankan dishes with deep, rich spices

• Indian-inspired street food with a Canadian twist

• Fresh, colourful meals that taste like home—wherever you’re from

• Crowd favourites that pair perfectly with festival vibes (and a napkin or two)

Whether you’re racing, spectating, or just strolling Mooney’s Bay in search of something delicious, Lisana Catering is your must-stop destination. They’re not just feeding hungry crowds—they’re bringing people together, one plate at a time.

😄 Bonus: The team at Lisana is as friendly as their food is flavourful. Expect smiles, spice, and servings generous enough to share (though we totally understand if you don’t).

📍 Catch them all weekend long at Mooney’s Bay—and follow Lisana Catering on Facebook to see what deliciousness they’re stirring up next.

XING FU TANG🧋

Xing Fu Tang Ottawa is proud to serve Taiwan’s #1 rated boba milk tea right here in the capital, and they’re popping up at the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival! As the first and only Xing Fu Tang location in Ottawa, they’re on a mission to share authentic Taiwanese bubble tea — and a whole lot of joy — one cup at a time.

What makes them special? We're glad you asked:

• 🍬 Fresh Ingredients: No powdered nonsense here. We’re talking real flavours, real quality.

• 🍡 Handcrafted Boba: Their chewy, caramelized brown sugar pearls are made in-house, fresh every single hour — because your taste buds deserve the best.

• 🔥 Cooked to Order: Yes, the boba is cooked fresh just for you — because patience is a virtue, especially when it tastes this good.

• 🏠 Xing Fu Tang literally means “House of Happiness”, and they take that seriously (but not too seriously — they’re still slinging boba with smiles).

Whether you’re paddling your heart out or just cheering from the shore, come treat yourself to a moment of sweet, sippable happiness. We promise — one sip and you’ll see why Taiwan calls this the best.

Follow their bubble tea adventures (and get major drink inspo) on Instagram: 📸 @xingfutang_ottawa

See you at the festival — and don’t be surprised if you keep coming back for more. After all, happiness is hard to resist.

DOMINO'S PIZZA 🍕

What started as a single store in 1960 has grown into one of the largest and most recognized pizza chains in the world—Domino’s Pizza! From humble beginnings to global fame, Domino’s has stayed true to one simple mission: serve up high-quality, piping hot pizza that satisfies every cheesy craving.

And now, they’re bringing that same delicious dedication to the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival!

As the official pizza of the festival, Domino’s will be on-site serving up their famous slices—hot, fresh, and ready to fuel your dragon boat spirit. Whether you're a paddler, a cheerleader, or just here for the fun (and food), there's nothing like a cheesy, perfectly baked slice to keep you going.

Made with top-notch ingredients, Domino’s isn’t just fast—it’s full of flavour. So when your stomach starts growling louder than the drummers on the boats, you’ll know exactly where to go.

🍕 Craving starts here → dominos.ca

Swing by the Domino’s booth during the festival—we promise your tastebuds will thank you (and possibly do a victory dance).