Edible Ottawa

The Graveyard Shift

• Photo by Brendan Burden

  Elgin Street Diner in the wee hours of the morning because, as the sign says, it's open 24 hours.

• Maciej Ostapinski jokes about his nine-to-five job delivering fresh beans and baked goods for Bridgehead Coffee's morning rush...

• ...except that it's in reverse — he works 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

• Nathan Ayegran starts knocking out dozens upon dozens of bagels at the Ottawa Bagelshop and Deli, with Ro Bin Ngwa, top left, starting at 4 a.m. to get a 3-hour jump on the store's opening.

• Fresh Ottawa Bagel Shop bagels.

• Poutine for breakfast anyone?

• After the bar rush and before the end of his shift at 7 a.m., Myles Bell says the Elgin Street Diner is "eerily quiet," giving him a chance to set up for the next crew and a new day.