What makes a great barber shop?
Do you have a go-to barber shop? How do you feel when you walk in? How about after you leave with a fresh haircut?
Any good barber should know how to make anyone feel comfortable in their chair, but so much of the haircut experience comes down to the details of the shop. What does it look like? How is it decorated? Is there music playing?
The best barber shops go beyond just making customers feel at ease. They curate every part of the experience to help you enjoy yourself the whole time you’re there. They create a safe space where you can feel uniquely confident.
How we picked these shops
The Ottawa barbering community is full of great people and nice places to get a haircut, so you might wonder how we narrowed it down to just 3 shops.
First, we tried to pick shops in different parts of the city. Ottawa has unique places all over, but many Ottawans just stick to their own neighbourhoods. It felt important to showcase different parts of the city and encourage people to explore.
We also picked shops where we know there’s a high standard for barbery skills. We wanted to be sure that if you visit any of these shops on our recommendation, you’ll come out looking your absolute best.
Finally, you’ve probably heard us say this before, but we believe a good haircut should be a relaxing experience. For this reason, we picked shops where the owners, staff, and general vibes put us at ease and made us feel welcome.
So, without further ado—in no particular order—here are the 3 best Ottawa barber shops in 2024:
The Lions Mane Barber Shop
1459 Ogilvie Rd Unit 3
Whether you’re looking for an escape from your daily grind, or a relaxing place to get the whole family looking their best—the Lion’s Mane Barber Shop is the down-to-earth, calming oasis you need.
The unassuming shop is tucked into a strip mall at a busy intersection in Ottawa’s east end. The big open space inside still manages to feel intimate thanks to a thoughtful mix of warm paint colours, subtle nods to co-owner Larry’s Ghanaian heritage, modern pendant lighting, and exposed industrial details.
The owners, married couple Larry and Elise, opened the shop at the beginning of the pandemic, shortly after the birth of their daughter. They’ve since become a thriving business and hub within the community.
It’s a really good sign when a barber shop can retain their staff long-term. Most of the tight-knit team at the Lion’s Mane have been with them since the beginning. It doesn’t hurt that they’re some of the most talented barbers in the city either.
The warm welcome, strong community vibes, and comfortable yet luxurious atmosphere make the Lion’s Mane one of Ottawa’s best barber shops.
The Foxhole Barber + Shop
1206 Wellington St.
Across town on Wellington West, just before Westboro, the Foxhole is one of Ottawa’s most unique storefronts. In addition to top-notch barbery services, The Foxhole has a curated selection of high-end menswear.
From the moment you walk in, it’s clear that brothers Milan and Luca have incredible taste and attention to detail. The subtle incense smell, the few pieces of mid-century furniture, and even the volume of the music set just over the gentle hum of clippers make the minimalist shop feel intentional and inviting.
The brothers cite their father’s interest in style and fashion as an inspiration, and the boom of lifestyle stores as the spark that made this fashion-forward dream space a reality. Having multiple revenue streams is just smart business owners making the most of their small space.
If you’re looking for somewhere in Ottawa to explore your fashionable side and come out looking your best, there’s no better place than the Foxhole.
The Perry Lane
749 Principale St, Casselman, ON
Ottawa is close to some very interesting smaller rural communities. Less than 40 minutes east of downtown Ottawa, Joseph Perry, owner of The Perry Lane Barbershop is putting Casselman on the map.
The walls of the shop are beautifully adorned with black and white photographs, hand-painted signs, and a careful selection of interesting objects framing the barber chairs. Everywhere you look, there’s something cool to look at and a story that goes with it.
Joe also makes some of the best espresso in town, meticulously weighing grounds and microadjusting settings until it’s just right. It’s clear he’s built a strong reputation for the shop because clientele come from all over the Ottawa valley to get their hair cut at The Perry Lane.
Again, the welcoming atmosphere, interesting space, and skillful barbering make the Perry Lane one of Ottawa’s best barber shops.
The best barber shop is the one that’s best for you
If you’re still with us, thanks for reading this far. As you can probably tell, each of these shops brings something unique to the Ottawa barber shop scene, but they all focus on delivering a great experience.
The way to find the best barber shop for you is to try some out until you find one you like. You can try us out, too, by booking an appointment[a].
P.S. If you’re an Ottawa barber shop and want to be featured in our content in the future, please reach out to us on Instagram!