Ottawa Grocery Prices: Chicken Breast $9.99/kg at No Frills

Key Facts

• The cheapest staple grocery basket in Ottawa this week is $41.82 at No Frills (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, September 2026).
• Boneless, skinless chicken breast is available for $9.99/kg at No Frills, a 38% savings from its regular price (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, September 2026).
• A basket of 8 grocery staples costs $62.62 at Loblaws, which is nearly 50% more expensive than the same basket at No Frills (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, September 2026).
• Ottawa shoppers can find staple grocery baskets for 15.5% less than the Ontario provincial average by shopping at discount banners (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, September 2026).
• The best deal on cheese this week is Black Diamond Cheese (400g) for $4.99 at Metro, a 38% discount (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, September 2026).
• A 4L bag of milk in Ottawa ranges from $5.29 at No Frills and Walmart to $6.09 at Loblaws (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, September 2026).

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of current grocery prices across Ottawa, from discount banners like No Frills and Food Basics to conventional supermarkets such as Metro and Loblaws. We will compare the cost of a standard basket of essentials, highlight the best weekly deals, and offer data-driven strategies to help you reduce your grocery bill without compromising on quality. By leveraging price intelligence, you can navigate Ottawa's grocery landscape and ensure you are getting the best possible value on every shopping trip.

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Current Grocery Prices in Ottawa

For Ottawa shoppers, the key to saving money is understanding the price differences between discount and conventional grocery stores. Based on eezly's AI-powered price database, discount banners consistently offer the lowest prices on staple items. As of early September 2026, No Frills leads as the most budget-friendly option in Ottawa, with a basket of eight essential items totalling just $41.82. This is closely followed by Food Basics at $44.64 and Walmart at $44.95.

In contrast, conventional supermarkets like Metro and Loblaws carry a significant price premium for the same items. The identical basket of groceries costs $59.72 at Metro and climbs to $62.62 at Loblaws. This means you could pay nearly 50% more for the same core groceries at Loblaws compared to shopping at No Frills. This price gap underscores the importance of choosing your primary grocery store based on data, especially for routine pantry-stocking trips.

While conventional stores have higher everyday prices, they often feature aggressive sales on specific items to attract customers. For example, this week Metro offers Black Diamond cheese for $4.99, a 38% discount. Similarly, Loblaws has a 5-pack of avocados on sale for $3.99, a 43% savings. This illustrates a crucial strategy for Ottawa shoppers: purchase your core staples at a discount banner like No Frills, but keep an eye on flyers from Loblaws and Metro for specific loss-leader deals that can offer significant value.

Top Grocery Deals in Ottawa This Week

Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of September 2026

Store-by-Store Grocery Price Comparison for Ottawa

To provide a clear picture of the grocery landscape in Ottawa, we compared the price of a standard basket of eight staple items across five major banners: No Frills, Food Basics, Walmart, Metro, and Loblaws. The basket includes 1kg of chicken breast, 1lb of ground beef, a 4L bag of milk, a dozen eggs, a loaf of white bread, 1kg of bananas, a family-size box of Cheerios, and a 1kg jar of Kraft Peanut Butter. The results reveal a stark price hierarchy among Ottawa's grocers.

No Frills emerges as the undisputed price leader, with a total basket cost of $41.82. This is driven by aggressive pricing on key items like chicken breast ($9.99/kg) and milk ($5.29). Food Basics and Walmart are competitive in the discount space but fall slightly behind, with basket totals of $44.64 and $44.95, respectively. The major price jump occurs when moving to conventional stores. The same basket at Metro costs $59.72, and at Loblaws, it reaches $62.62. This $20.80 difference between No Frills and Loblaws for identical items highlights the significant savings potential for Ottawa residents who choose their store wisely.

Ottawa Grocery Basket Price Index (September 2026)

Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of September 2026

No Frills (e.g., 200 Rideau St)

No Frills solidifies its position as Ottawa's cheapest grocery option. With a basket total of $41.82, it significantly undercuts its competitors. The banner's strength lies in its consistently low prices on protein and dairy, which are often the most expensive items on a grocery list. The standout deal on chicken breast at $9.99/kg is a major driver of savings. If your top priority is minimizing your weekly grocery spending on essentials, making a No Frills location, such as the one on Rideau Street or Merivale Road, your primary store is the most effective strategy.

Food Basics (e.g., 251 McArthur Ave)

Food Basics is another strong contender in the discount grocery space in Ottawa, with a total basket cost of $44.64. It offers the best price this week on lean ground beef at $5.29/lb, making it an attractive destination if that's a staple in your household. While its overall basket price is slightly higher than No Frills, the difference is minimal. For shoppers in neighbourhoods like Vanier, where the McArthur Avenue location is a convenient option, Food Basics provides excellent value and is a reliable alternative for budget-conscious shopping.

Walmart (e.g., 450 Terminal Ave)

Walmart's grocery section competes directly with discount banners, landing at a basket price of $44.95. Its pricing strategy focuses on being competitive on key value items. For instance, it matches No Frills' low price on a 4L bag of milk ($5.29) and offers the lowest price in the city for a dozen eggs ($3.47) and bananas ($1.57/kg). For shoppers who also need to purchase household goods, clothing, or electronics, the convenience of a single stop at a Walmart Supercentre like the one on Terminal Avenue can make it a compelling choice, even if the total food bill is marginally higher than at No Frills.

Metro (e.g., 754 Bank St)

Moving into the conventional supermarket category, Metro's prices reflect a different shopping experience, with a basket total of $59.72. While everyday prices on staples like chicken ($18.99/kg) and ground beef ($7.99/lb) are substantially higher than at discount stores, Metro often attracts shoppers with strong weekly flyer specials. The current deal on Black Diamond cheese for $4.99 is a prime example. Your best strategy for shopping at a Metro in the Glebe or other central neighbourhoods is to focus on these targeted sales while purchasing the bulk of your pantry staples elsewhere.

Loblaws (e.g., 2085 Carling Ave)

Loblaws sits at the highest end of the price spectrum in Ottawa, with our sample basket costing $62.62. This is over $20 more expensive than the same basket at No Frills. The premium is evident across most categories, from meat ($19.99/kg for chicken) to pantry items. However, like its sister-banner Metro, Loblaws leverages deep discounts on specific products to draw foot traffic. The 43% savings on avocados this week is a significant deal. For many, shopping at a Loblaws in areas like South Keys or Carlingwood is a choice of convenience, product selection (especially PC Organics and prepared foods), and store ambiance. To shop smartly here, you should combine a visit for specific sale items with a primary trip to a more affordable store for your basics.

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How Ottawa Grocery Prices Compare to the Ontario Average

When analyzing your household budget, it's useful to see how local prices stack up against the provincial average. According to eezly's data, the average cost for our standardized basket of eight grocery staples across all of Ontario is approximately $49.50 as of September 2026. This provincial average sits between the prices offered by discount banners and conventional supermarkets.

For Ottawa residents, this comparison is encouraging. By choosing to shop at a discount store like No Frills, your basket total of $41.82 comes in at 15.5% below the Ontario average. Even shopping at Food Basics ($44.64) or Walmart ($44.95) keeps your costs well below the provincial benchmark. This indicates that Ottawa has a competitive discount grocery market that allows savvy shoppers to achieve significant savings relative to other parts of the province.

Conversely, if you exclusively shop at conventional stores like Metro ($59.72) or Loblaws ($62.62) in Ottawa, you are paying a substantial premium—20% to 26% above the Ontario average. This data reinforces the financial benefit of a "hybrid" shopping strategy. By purchasing the majority of your weekly needs at a discount banner, you can ensure your spending is well below the provincial average, freeing up room in your budget for other necessities.

Money-Saving Tips for Ottawa Shoppers

Navigating Ottawa's grocery stores to find the best value requires more than just picking the cheapest banner. By implementing a few strategic habits, you can maximize your savings every week.

First, embrace a multi-store shopping strategy. As the data shows, no single store is the cheapest for every item. Your base shop for staples like milk, eggs, bread, and meat should be at a discount store like No Frills or Food Basics to lock in the lowest foundational cost. Then, scan the weekly flyers from Loblaws and Metro for "loss leaders"—deeply discounted items designed to get you in the door. Buying only those specific sale items, like the avocados at Loblaws or cheese at Metro, can yield significant savings without paying a premium on your entire basket.

Second, leverage technology to your advantage. Before you even leave the house, use a price comparison tool like the eezly deals page to see real-time prices for items on your list across all Ottawa stores. This eliminates guesswork and allows you to build a shopping plan based on concrete data. You can identify which store has the best price on chicken, which has a sale on cereal, and plan your route accordingly. This is far more effective than just picking a store and hoping for the best.

Third, consider creating an optimized meal plan. Meal planning is a powerful tool for reducing both food waste and impulse purchases. Using a service like eezly's AI meal planner can take this a step further by generating recipes based on what's currently on sale in Ottawa stores. This aligns your consumption directly with the week's best deals, ensuring you're not just buying things because they're cheap, but because they fit into a delicious and cost-effective plan for your household.

Finally, be mindful of "shrinkflation" and unit pricing. Always check the price per 100g or per unit, which is typically displayed on the shelf tag. A package might seem cheaper, but it could contain less product than a competing brand. Comparing unit prices is the only true way to know which option offers better value. Being a vigilant shopper and paying attention to these details can lead to substantial long-term savings.

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