The best restaurants Ottawa

A tex tex of the most traditional savoureuses and a menu of sandwiches, burgers, pasta, barbecue, fish, etc. For those who wish to spend a quiet or romantic evening, we invite you to reconsider your choice.

A must see on the map of Ottawa's trendy restaurants, with a beautiful room open to the kitchen where the cooks are busy. The decoration, rather refined, is adorned with mirrors of all sizes, beautiful leather benches and wooden furniture. Simple and effective! We recommend without hesitation the oyster platter, the beef tartar or the tasty homemade fresh pasta every day (classes are even given to learn how to make pasta). Definitely a place to be discovered outside the tourist areas.

An indispensable address for lovers of authentic Italian dishes. The map is so attractive that we recommend all the dishes! During the beautiful season, enjoy the large Terrace directly on the Rideau Canal.

An excellent address for lovers of Chinese cuisine and dim sum. Its varied menu allows you to combine one or more dishes. If you are several, menus for 2, 3, 4 or 6 people will save you.

If your culinary experience encompasses much more than the content of the plate, if you need to excite other senses than taste and smell, then you will need to reconsider your sense of priorities. Because behind this unattractive building is one of the best French restaurants in the city. The kitchen is very refined and courteous service. A classic address in Ottawa.

The brainchild of Stephen Beckta, who is also at the helm of Beckta Dining & Wine and Gezellig, Play Food & Wine offers a slate of small dishes with a penchant for cheeses and charcuterie. The inspiration in the kitchen is undeniably European, but everything is concocted with very Canadian products, whenever possible. To accompany these little delights, a very extensive wine list completes the experience (a nice selection of wines by the glass), and for each dish, a wine is suggested for the pairing.

Established in 2019 just a stone's throw from Parliament, Aiana is a high-flying address under the leadership of chef Raghav Chaudhary. And this is not his first try, as he has worked in renowned restaurants in San Francisco and Europe. Here, he draws inspiration from Nordic, European and West Coast cuisines, all with a distinctly Canadian twist in a "farm-to-table" spirit. For those who can afford it, the 10-course menu is a must, and it's worth the extra cost for the wine pairing.

At the junction of Little Italy and Chinatown is this little gem of an Italian restaurant. Opened in 2022 by Cesare Agostini and his sister Nina, it immerses us in a retro pizzeria atmosphere with a decor that combines cool and kitsch: wooden walls, old Italian posters, dishes from another era, fake fur on the back bench, etc. The main reason to come is for the thin-crust pizzas made with the freshest ingredients. The rest of the menu is also worth a visit, not to mention the bar with its tasty cocktails.

Nestled in a lovely house in Wellington Village, Stofa is the gourmet address of Chef Jason Sawision, who has worked at such high-profile restaurants as Atelier (Ottawa) and Canoe (Toronto), and won gold at the Canadian Culinary Championships in 2012 and 2016. Here, he offers a constantly changing five-course menu that draws from a variety of culinary traditions. Canadian products are in the spotlight, especially game, with ingredients from all over the world sprinkled in.

First and foremost is the superb design of the place. Nestled in one of Ottawa's oldest buildings, the York on William, the restaurant has a decidedly Mid-Century decor. Starlings adorn the walls, a table is set in a semi-open birdcage... When you know that starling means starling, you understand better the concept. The cuisine is from the market, evolving with the seasons and the arrivals. The brunch is also worth the detour, especially for its plate of fried chicken and waffles. And the cocktails are to be discovered absolutely!

The Divino Wine Bar is distinguished by its excellent choice of wines, its delicious Italian hors d'oeuvre, of course, and its dishes that vary according to the seasons and the arrivals. The curious will explore the wine and cooking area where a wine tasting area, or even better, will take some courses on Italian cuisine with assortment of wines. Even language courses are available!

Owned by chef Marc Doiron and his wife Jennifer Wojcik, this Ottawa foodie spot is a hot gastro-pub in the capital. The Italian-inspired cuisine is an ode to flavour, simple and comforting, but always evolving. Whether it's for a meal or an aperitif, Town is definitely an address to put in your notebook. To top it off, they also have a second restaurant, Citizen, which offers small dishes in the same line, wines and cocktails.

An Italian gourmet grocery store founded by the Nicastro brothers in 1972, today's Bottega has set up shop in the ByWard Market and has been going full steam ahead ever since. They offer a wide range of high quality products, both imported and homemade. For a quick bite to eat, the shop offers several dishes to eat on site (soups, salads, pasta, pizzas, hot sandwiches), accompanied by a glass of wine or an Italian beer. Take-out sandwiches are also available and are prepared according to your tastes, from bread to toppings.

Located in Old Ottawa South, Belmont is known for its creative cuisine and house cocktails. It offers small dishes such as raw tuna, gruyere and mushroom fondue, piri-piri chicken or beef tataki, and larger dishes to share with friends called "Family Style". The weekend brunch is also very popular and for the big appetites, we recommend the "Full Belmont" which, as its name suggests, will fill you up. Also worth a visit is The Cameron, another of the group's restaurants located nearby.

Here is an address where you will find everything you need: a very nice selection of local beers (often renewed), a menu with classic pub dishes but also more audacious ones. With its long wooden bar and large windows, this Hintonburg pub is very cozy. Come for a tasty brunch on the weekends or a night out with friends during the week. You'll be able to take the temperature of this hipsterizing neighborhood.

Already the decor sets the tone: the antique mixes with the urban and industrial look, in what was once a cozy little house. The most curious will go behind the fake library to discover the floor below where their other restaurant, Jabberwocky, is located. On the menu, the foodies all agree: it's creative and well-cooked, with a nice proportion of local and sustainable products. Also a perfect place for a happy hour or to finish the evening by sipping one of the many cocktails concocted on the spot. We'll be back!

Stephen Beckta is one of the country's most recognized restaurateurs and is also the head of Play Food & Wine and Gezellig, both located in the capital. Beckta's, under the guidance of Chef Katie Ardington and her team, is a common award winner and with good reason. Its table offers a foray into creative cuisine with a good dose of local and even organic products. To fully savor it, opt for the tasting menu. Bonus: a great location in the historic 1875 Grant House.

Le Luxe offers bistro and steakhouse style cuisine in the heart of the Byward Market. We come here especially for the excellent grilled meats for which the house is known, such as filet mignon, sirloin steak and Wagyu imperial beef. For many, we recommend the steaks to share, which vary in weight from 43 to 48 ounces and come with your choice of potatoes and sauce (the price goes with it!). The menu is sure to inspire you. Weekend brunch worth the detour and a nice wine list to boot.