14 Ottawa Restaurants to Experience

The vibrant and historic ByWard Market, also known as “The Market” to locals, is a unique walkable neighbourhood featuring some of the best food and nightlife in Ottawa. Conveniently located in the downtown core, the ByWard Market is filled with an unmatched diversity of restaurants, with an abundant patios in summer, offering something for everyone.

For date night, check out Courtyard, aptly named after the charming outdoor courtyard it’s tucked away in. For a stunning view of the night sky, then you have to check out the Andaz Hotel’s Copper Spirits and Sights restaurant, which boasts a lively rooftop patio overlooking the market and Parliament Hill. For a special night out, consider Starling, which features an innovative rotating menu of both food and drink. Where else can you dine in a bird cage booth? Celebrating something special? Look no further than J’TM, an incredible dining experience that turns into the go-to spot to dance on Fridays and Saturdays. If you like to “play” with your food, head to Play Food & Wine.   

There’s no end to the unique dining experiences you can have in Ottawa’s ByWard Market. With restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, bars, food and artisan markets (on the weekends), there’s something for everyone.

High-end, creative Canadian cuisine and cocktails served against the impressive backdrop of a heritage bank building, located on pedestrian Sparks Street.

Riviera’s stylish and refined space, just steps from Parliament Hill, is a feast for the eyes with its soaring 25-foot ceilings, luxe art deco vibes and breathtaking 80-foot brass bar. The menu is equally decadent, featuring fresh takes on classic upscale fare, updated regularly to showcase the best local ingredients. Be sure to peruse the extensive cocktail list for the perfect complement to your meal.

Dinner is served at Riviera Monday to Saturday evenings and reservations are recommended! Come see why Riviera was voted as one of Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants and one of the 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in Canada by OpenTable.

La Terrasse is a charming patio restaurant located at the iconic Fairmont Château Laurier, right next to the Ottawa River with outstanding views of nearby Parliament Hill. This hidden gem will provide you with one of the most stunning dining experiences in Canada’s capital city!

All year round, you can also experience Zoe’s, found inside the iconic Fairmont Château Laurier. Named after Sir Wilfred Laurier’s wife, Lady Zoe, this contemporary chic bar serves up a captivating experience including high tea.

Ottawa’s Little Italy is a vibrant neighbourhood centered around Preston Street. You’ll find trendy restaurants, cafes and shops that reflect the area’s Italian heritage. Little Italy is also home to a number of festivals and events throughout the year, including Italian Week Festival and the Tulip Festival. Here, you’ll find not only the most incredible Italian food, but food from all over the world.

Indulge in a perfect piece of za at Roberto’s Pizzeria, awaken your tastebuds at EVOO Greek Kitchen, pick a beer from the infamous “beer bible” at Pub Italia, be transported to Thailand at the Green Papaya and find your perfect sushi roll at Kuidaore.

Take your Little Italy experience up a notch and get your meal to-go. Located at the end of Preston Street is Dow’s Lake, a body of water surrounded by green space, including the Arboretum. Have a picnic or rent a canoe and eat your food on the water!

This stunning restaurant can be found in Ottawa’s Little Italy neighbourhood. Known for its Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, Mati offers a range of delicious raw and charcoal-cooked seafood dishes. The menu includes a variety of small plates and sharing platters, as well as a selection of mains that showcase the restaurant's commitment to bold flavors and creative presentation. Mati is known for their artisanal cocktails and wine list. The interior of the restaurant is trendy and upscale, with modern and minimalist décor that creates an elevated atmosphere.

Prepare yourself for a completely unique dining experience in Ottawa! Tavern at the Gallery is exactly that, a tavern located within the charming courtyard at the National Gallery of Canada. Enjoy the fine arts and appetizers for an uplifting experience. Sip on craft beer, cocktails, or wine, and indulge in woodfired pizzas, bowls and more. Be sure to add this enchanting patio to your Ottawa trip itinerary during the warmer months!

Ottawa’s colourful Chinatown can be found on Somerset Street, lined with a variety of unique shops, restaurants and markets. While walking Chinatown, you can experience a range of authentic Chinese cuisine, from dim sum and dumplings to hot pot and bubble tea under the stunning Royal Arch. If you’re craving Chinese food, you must try So Good Restaurant, it really is so good! Looking for Vietnamese? Look no further than Pho-Bo-Ga La. Find the best Korean food at Korean House. Obsessed with Bubble Tea? Check out Honey Boba!

Join fabulous food tours, creative cooking classes and experience the many flavours of Ottawa while learning about local food producers and artisans.

C’est Bon’s guided food tours are an exciting way to sample delicious dishes from diverse local restaurants and food producers while exploring Ottawa’s unique neighbourhoods. Join this culinary experience, on foot or by bike, while exploring the historic ByWard Market. C’est Bon also offers a self-guided food tour and exploratory game, if you prefer to explore on your own. C’est Bon Ottawa provides inspiring foodie experiences in English, French and select other languages.

Options include learning to cook like a chef, mastering culinary basics and exploring the cuisines of the world. You can also book virtual cook-along classes for private groups.

Enjoy seasonal dishes drawn from the cuisines of India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia in this elegant restaurant located just east of downtown Ottawa.

Dhruvees is named after Dhruva, the Indian word for the North Star, and its menu reflects this, offering a variety of Indian rice dishes like biryani and pulao, as well as meats and fish cooked in a tandoor, or clay oven. There are also a few Indonesian, Malay and Sri Lankan dishes and an afternoon tea service for two, featuring loose-leaf tea and a variety of snacks.

The space is bright and welcoming, filled with warm colours and vibrant art. Its location less than three kilometres from Parliament Hill in the New Edinburgh/Beechwood Village area is urban but relaxed, with a lively street-facing patio and free parking behind the building.

Located in the heart of downtown within the National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin offers a fine dining experience with a sophisticated atmosphere and an impressive view of the city skyline and Rideau Canal. Crafting high quality meals with artistry and the best in local and nationally sourced ingredients, 1 Elgin provides an elegant space to experience exceptional Canadian and Indigenous cuisine before a performance or as a refreshing interlude during the workday for lunch.

Savour modern authentic French cuisine at this charming downtown bistro, centrally located in the heart of Ottawa’s business and tourist district.

At Cocotte Bistro, you will delight in the flavours of France in a spacious open-concept dining room inspired by the decor of French bistros. The geometric black-and-white tiles, impressive marble bar and rich green velvet banquettes set the stage for a refined dining experience featuring locally sourced fresh ingredients and seasonal creations. Look for the signature dishes served “en cocotte.”

Breakfast, lunch, happy hour, dinner or a weekend brunch – any time is a good time at Cocotte Bistro.

With an authentic open kitchen, you can enjoy an interactive culinary experience at Perch – one of Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants of 2023. Located in Ottawa’s Little Italy neighbourhood, you’ll be dazzled by the impressive wine list and a menu inspired by seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. With a focus on seafood and fresh flavours, popular dishes include lobster risotto, seared scallops and grilled octopus.

Perch is a must-try restaurant when coming to Canada’s capital city.

Pure Kitchen is a local scratch kitchen serving vegan and vegetarian fare from comfort food to health-conscious plates. In addition to delicious savoury or sweet food, they offer a smoothie and cold-pressed organic juice bar, serve Ontario beer and wine and curate a cocktail menu that uses local distillers. Espresso and coffee is farm-gate, certified organic and fair trade. Pure Kitchen is a community engaged, sustainably focused and an allergen-friendly oasis.

Craving authentic tacos or a funky cocktail? La Bonita is a charming Mexican restaurant located in the trendy Wellington West neighbourhood. The menu features traditional Mexican dishes such as tacos, burritos and enchiladas, made with fresh and flavourful ingredients. With its colourful décor, lively ambiance and margaritas, which come in a variety of flavours and are made with high-quality tequila, you’ll be transported straight to Mexico!