Cheapest Groceries in Ottawa (2026): Store-by-Store Comparison
Ottawa has a diverse grocery market with stores from all three of Canada's major grocery chains — Loblaw, Sobeys (Empire), and Metro — plus specialty retailers like Farm Boy. We track a 50-item basket daily across all major Ottawa stores to find the cheapest option.
Ottawa's Grocery Store Rankings
Based on our daily tracking, here's the typical ranking in Ottawa (cheapest to most expensive):
- No Frills — Loblaw's discount banner, consistently cheapest
- FreshCo — Sobeys' discount banner, very competitive
- Food Basics — Metro's discount banner
- Real Canadian Superstore — Best value full-service store
- Giant Tiger — Discount general store with grocery section
- Metro — Full-service, mid-to-premium pricing
- Sobeys — Full-service, similar to Metro
- Loblaws — Premium Loblaw banner
- Farm Boy — Local specialty grocer, premium pricing
Check the live Ottawa rankings for today's exact prices.
Ottawa's Unique Advantages
Ottawa shoppers benefit from having all three discount banners available — No Frills, FreshCo, and Food Basics. Many Canadian cities only have one or two discount options. This competition keeps prices low across the board.
Ottawa also has access to Giant Tiger, a Canadian-owned discount retailer based in Ottawa that offers competitive grocery prices alongside general merchandise.
How Much Can You Save?
The price gap between the cheapest and most expensive store in Ottawa is typically $50-$80 per basket. Farm Boy, while beloved for its quality and local products, can cost 30-40% more than discount alternatives for the same essential items.
Switching from a premium store to a discount banner could save an Ottawa household $2,600-$4,000 per year on weekly grocery shopping.
What About Gatineau?
Federal public servants and other NCR residents who live on the Quebec side can access different stores. Quebec-based retailers like Maxi, Super C, IGA, and Provigo serve the Gatineau market. Maxi (Loblaw's Quebec discount banner) is typically even cheaper than No Frills due to Quebec's lower operating costs and aggressive competition.
Ottawa Grocery Shopping Tips
- Farm Boy for quality, No Frills for value — Many Ottawa families split their shopping: Farm Boy for specialty items and fresh prepared foods, No Frills for staples.
- Check Giant Tiger — Often overlooked for groceries, but their prices on pantry staples and household items are very competitive.
- Use PC Optimum at No Frills + Superstore — Stack the lowest base prices with loyalty points for maximum savings.
- Consider crossing to Gatineau — If you live near the Ottawa-Gatineau border, Maxi in Gatineau may offer even lower prices than Ottawa discount stores.
Check Today's Prices
Visit the live Ottawa grocery price comparison for today's exact rankings. Compare with nearby Montreal or other Ontario cities like Toronto.