Looking for the best Ottawa restaurants? Well, you’re in the right place!
Don’t have time to read this? Fret not, I recommend visiting The Belmont and Sidedoor.
Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, has long been known as a multicultural metropolis with thousands of restaurants taking inspiration from different countries in the world.
To make it less tricky and time-consuming for all the hungry foodies here, we’ve come up with a list of the 14 best Ottawa restaurants that you should never miss.
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14. Gitanes
How to get to France in under 10 minutes? Head to Gitanes, where French luxury meets full-on food romance. This spot seduces with dim lighting, velvet vibes, and a menu that nails the classics.
Order the French Onion Soup—gruyère blanketing deep, savoury broth, served with bone marrow for extra drama. Then fall in love with their Steak Frites, balanced with a sharp, zingy sauce.
Still hungry? The Roast Duck with cherry agrodolce hits all the rich-tangy notes you want in a main. Decadent, dramatic, and definitely worth the splurge.
What to order: French Onion Soup, Steak Frites, Roast Duck, Scallop Crudo, Foie Sundae, Seafood Platter
Address: 361 Elgin St Unit #6, Ottawa, ON K2P 1M7
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13. Stofa Restaurant
Stofa is a cozy favourite for top-notch Canadian dining in Ottawa. Expect creative, locally inspired dishes that feel both comforting and refined.
It’s a weekend hotspot, so booking ahead is smart. You can go all in with a 5-course seasonal tasting menu or pick your own lineup with the 3-course Table d’Hôte.
The Mushroom Chowder en Croute is rich, earthy, and wrapped in pastry like a present. Their soufflé, currently a pomegranate beauty with orange blossom sorbet and pistachio, is the kind of dessert that lives rent-free in your head for days.
What to order: Mushroom Chowder en Croute, Souffle
Address: 1356 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 3C3
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12. Chez Lucien
Weekend plans? Head to Chez Lucien, where rustic charm meets burgers that hit hard. It’s a local favorite for juicy bites, cold beer, and the occasional live jazz set.
The signature Chez Lucien Burger is loaded with bacon, mushrooms, cream cheese, and good vibes. Sandwich fan? Try the Grilled Chicken with sun-dried tomato and goat cheese.
Their Brunch Poutine has crispy fries, melty curds, rich gravy, and a fried egg sealing the deal. Perfect for lazy afternoons or casual nights with friends.
What to order: Chez Lucien Burger, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Brunch Poutine, Frida and Diego Burger
Address: 137 Murray St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5M7
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11. Fauna
Looking for a stylish Centretown spot? Fauna fuses French, Italian, Korean, Malaysian, and Japanese influences into bold, globally inspired plates, served in a sleek brick-and-glass setting.
The Lobster Bisque is rich with crème fraîche, herb oil, and focaccia croutons adding texture and freshness. The 1/2 Dozen Raw Oysters come chilled with a tangy apple-champagne mignonette and a fiery ghost pepper hot sauce.
Still got room? The Tiramisu Affogato layers almond cake, vanilla ice cream, espresso, hazelnuts, and a splash of Frangelico—warm, cold, crunchy, boozy, and utterly unforgettable.
What to order: Soft Shell Crab, 1/2 Dozen Raw Oysters
Address: 425 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1Y7
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10. Sansotei Ramen
Craving ramen? Sansotei is Ottawa’s go-to for authentic Tonkotsu and bold noodle bowls that hit just right.
This cozy downtown spot keeps it real with rich pork broth, bouncy noodles, chashu pork belly, and that perfect silky egg.
For something bold, the Tonkotsu Black adds roasted garlic punch to that creamy base. If you’re a fan of spicy food, the Spicy Tan Tan Ramen brings creamy spice and stir-fried pork with Sichuan bean sauce for a kick.
With 11 ramen options and plenty of sides, you’re bound to find your favorite bowl fast.
What to order: Tonkotsu Ramen, Tonkotsu Black, Spicy Tan Tan Ramen, Shoyu Ramen, Negi Shoga Gyoza
Address: 153 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5N7
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9. Play Food & Wine
In the heart of Byward Market, Play Food & Wine brings serious flavour to its modern open-concept space with seasonal small plates, rotating wines, and cheese pairings.
Their small-plate format means you can sample more, stress less. Slide into a kitchen bar seat, sip a glass of red, and watch the magic happen.
Try the Le Coprin Mushrooms, earthy and rich. or the perfectly Seared Scallops that melt like butter.
End strong with the Horchata Crème Brûlée: creamy, spiced, and finished with that iconic crack.
What to order: Le Coprin Mushrooms, Seared Scallops, Horchata Creme Brulee
Address: 1 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5S7
8. Mati
Since 2017, Mati has been one of Ottawa’s buzziest Greek-Mediterranean spots, known for its raw seafood and charcoal-grilled meats.
Inside, it’s all white quartz, walnut, and gold accents—modern and moody in the best way.
The double-decker Seafood Tower is a spread of east coast oysters, lobster tail, shrimp, tacos, and enough mignonette to make your eyes roll back.
For the main event, the 50oz wet-aged tomahawk arrives smokey, juicy, and glistening with herb butter and chimi demi-glaze. It’s primal, it’s luxurious, and it’s absolutely unforgettable.
What to order: Seafood Tower, 50oz Wet Aged AAA Canadian Angus Beef-Tomahawk, Roasted Truffle Chicken, Gnocchi, Tuna Tartare
Address: 428 Preston St, Ottawa, ON K1S 4N2
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7. Brassica
Brassica is a cozy Canadian bistro known for bold, seasonal flavors that spotlight local ingredients.
Come for the intimate atmosphere that’s especially romantic at night, and stay for the standout dishes. The Herbed Stuffed Chicken and Pork Belly combo delivers juicy, savory bites. The Roasted Duck Breast? Crisp skin, tender meat, and pure comfort.
For a meatless star, go for the Butternut Squash Wellington, a personal favorite made with tofu and veggies. It’s earthy, hearty, and anything but boring.
What to order: Herbed Stuffed Chicken and Pork Belly, Roasted Duck Breast, Butternut Squash Wellington
Address: 309 Richmond Rd, Ottawa, ON K1Z 6X6
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6. Aroma Meze
How to enjoy Greek food with style? Drop by Aroma Meze and you will find your answer!
Beyond staples like saganaki and spanakopitakia, there are creative twists like pulled lamb tacos and moshari ginger.
The Eggplant Roulade is where creamy feta and spinach are wrapped in eggplant and topped with balsamic glaze—it’s light, cheesy, and satisfying.
Smoked Salmon Crisps offer delicate balance, while the smoky octapodaki brings bold, herbaceous heat.
The Kotopulo Avgolemono features juicy chicken meatballs in a silky lemon sauce that gets better with every bite.
What to order: Eggplant Roulade, Smoked Salmon Crisps, Octapodaki, Kotopulo Avgolemono, Pulled Lamb Tacos, Shrimp Gnocchi
Address: 239 Nepean St, Ottawa, ON K2P 0B7
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5. North & Navy
If you are looking for good Italian cuisine in Ottawa, North & Navy on Nepean St is where you want to head to!
North & Navy brings Northern Italian flair to downtown Ottawa, serving up refined bar snacks, pastas, and salads with Venetian roots.
For tender meatballs in a sweet tomato sauce that could easily be a main, get the Polpette.
The Squash & Spelt Risotto has a melt in your mouth pasta and not to mention a sweet, light, and velvety sauce.
Save room for dessert and end on a high note with their Tiramisu that’s boozy, balanced, and the perfect sweet finish.
What to order: Polpette, Squash & Spelt Risotto, Tiramisu
Address: 226 Nepean St, Ottawa, ON K2P 0B8
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4. Sidedoor
Sidedoor reimagines Southeast Asian street food with bold, polished flair tucked inside a cozy stone-walled space that makes everything feel intimate.
Begin with the Green Papaya Salad—crunchy, sweet, tangy, and just the right amount of heat. Pair it with some Vietnamese Pancake with golden, crispy edges hiding a savoury filling.
Craving something bold? The Tempura Fried Bajan Fish Tacos bring crackling texture and island spice, while the Spicy Braised Beef Chuck Tacos gives you depth with a fiery finish.
What to order: Green Papaya Salad, Vietnamese Pancake, Tempura Fried Bajan Fish Tacos, Spicy Braised Beef Chuck Tacos, Vegan Coconut Fritter.
Address: 18b York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5T5
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3. Riviera Ottawa
Set in a grand heritage bank, Riviera oozes art deco glam with romantic lighting, perfect for a swanky night out. It’s a local favourite for a good reason.
If you’re starting with something earthy, the Mushrooms on Toast with black truffle shavings and runny eggs delivers pure savory bliss.
The Lobster Spaghetti is rich and garlicky with chunks of sweet lobster tangled in silky noodles. The Steak Frites is charred and juicy, served with crisp fries and a zippy sauce.
What to order: Mushrooms on Toast, Lobster Spaghetti, Steak Frites
Address: 62 Sparks St., Ottawa, ON K1P 5A5
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2. Restaurant e18hteen
A ByWard Market staple since 2001, Restaurant E18hteen delivers French fine dining with seasonal Canadian flair, all inside a charming heritage stone building.
The Miso Allium Glazed Black Cod is buttery and melt-in-your-mouth, with a glaze that hits sweet and savoury in one bite. The Lobster Parisienne Gnocchi? Dreamy. Soft, pillowy gnocchi swimming in rich lobster cream without feeling heavy.
Then there’s the 7oz Angus Reserve Tenderloin, perfectly seared, deeply flavorful, and so tender you’ll be debating a second order before you’re halfway through the first.
What to order: 7oz Angus Reserve Tenderloin
Address: 18 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5T5
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1. The Belmont
The Belmont in Old Ottawa South nails cozy-chic with comfort food. Their vibe is relaxed, their crowd is loyal, and the menu?
It’s casual at first glance, but packed with flavor and unexpected details that keep locals coming back for more.
The Grilled Butter Prawns come sizzling with nduja butter, garlic, and lemon, while the Chicken arrives juicy and tucked into creamed leeks with a white wine jus.
Swing by for brunch and order the Turkish Eggs with poached eggs, tangy yogurt, chili oil, and sourdough doing the most.
What to order: Chicken, Grilled Butter Prawns, Turkish Eggs
Address: 1169 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3X7
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Among thousands of choices, we hope you can still spot some favorites and will have a great eating experience on the next trip to Ottawa.
Prepare yourself for the next ride to Montreal, and keep updated with the best Montreal restaurants to dine at!
How We Create Our “Best” Lists
All Noms Magazine’s “best” lists are created using multiple factors and signals to help readers find the best restaurants, things to do, and places to stay at. Some of these factors and signs include personal experiences, correspondence with locals, and compiling experiences from review sites.
Each list is also created to be balanced (in terms of price, cuisine type, ambiance, and more) as possible. This means that the lists are not specifically created in ranking order. You should be comfortable picking from any of the spots on the list and generally have a good time. But of course, YMMV (your mileage may vary) and everyone may have different experiences/palates.