12 Best Restaurants In Ottawa

The capital city of Canada is well known for its delectable cuisines and luscious delights among locals and tourists from all over the world. Ottawa offers a wide variety of culinary experiences ranging from the world-famous BeaverTails to local speciality smoked meat served with their signature maple syrup.

It’s hard to find the perfect restaurant which will offer you the best of everything in terms of quality and experience. But, here we are with a list of the 12 top restaurants in Ottawa that all hungry foodies must visit!

Best Restaurants in Ottawa – Top 12 Listed!

1. Absinthe Café

Absinthe is top-rated as a phenomenal dining restaurant with charming, classy decor and a romantic ambience making it a great place to spend some quality time with your loved ones while trying on some impeccable locally sourced cuisines.

What to eat in Absinthe Café?

The café offers a limited menu that they prepare in the best way possible. Their food is a great combination of amazing flavours, freshness, presentation and quality. They offer vegetarian and limited gluten-free options too.

Enjoy their three-course meal with wine pairings and begin with their fresh seafood appetizers along with varieties of soups. Then head to the main course and try their mouthwatering signature dish, steak frites cooked to perfection. Their tuna carpaccio, beef tartare, duck breast and arctic char are to die for!

They serve an amazing selection of cocktails and beers you can choose from. End your meal with their infamous Crème Brûlée that will satisfy all your sweet tooth cravings!

Ambience and Timings in Absinthe Café

The overall atmosphere is very lively with impeccable service having staff that pay attention to all your needs. It is a great spot to hang out with friends, and family and even have business dinners. The place is perfect for special occasions like birthdays and engagements while they serve you complimentary drinks!

Absinthe cafe is open on Monday-Friday from 11:30 am-2 pm and 5:30 pm-10 pm. And the timings for Saturday and Sunday are from 5:30 pm to 10 pm.

Address: 1208 Wellington St W, Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 2Z7 Canada

2. Beckta Dining and Wine

Beckta Dining and Wine is one of the best restaurants with all the elegant feels of the heritage building. It is a fine dining experience offering a 5-course tasting menu with wine pairings.

What to Eat?

At Beckta dining, an eclectic set of ingredients are creatively put together to create a mouth-watering culinary experience.

They offer a wide variety of delicacies including their infamous smoked duck breast, steak tartare, braised beef short ribs, Beverly creek Striploin and buttery sablefish served with roasted spaghetti squash, string beans and cauliflower doilies.

You can choose to accommodate the wine bar area as they have a perfect wine accompaniment that ranges from sparkling wine like the Blanc de Beckta to in-house cocktails like the Beckta Manhattan. For desserts, have their chocolate brownies, blue cheese ice cream and maple dessert that will blow your mind.

Ambience and Timings

Beckta is a great place to spend some quality time experiencing luscious delights with impeccable service that makes you come back for more. The staff at Beckta are very friendly and attentive to your orders. You can mention all your dietary restrictions and they will make sure to accommodate all your needs.

The restaurant is open from 5 pm-9 pm from Monday to Thursday and 5 pm-10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant remains closed on Sundays.

Address: 150 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1L4 Canada

3. Whalesbone Oyster House

The Whalesbone Oyster House located on Elgin Street is a stretched-out version of the original which is located on Bank Street. This is one of the best Ottawa restaurants that provide a large seating option and accommodates up to 140 people making it a great spot to host events and parties on special occasions.

What to Eat in Whalesbone Oyster House?

The restaurant at Elgin street has fine dining cuisine with lunch and dinner options. They are scattered over multiple locations and their popular starters on the menu include bay scallop ceviche as raw and cold appetizers, and seafood chowder or steamed green gable mussels if you are looking for hot appetizers. The seafood dishes are freshly sourced from local fishermen and their menu changes according to availability.

They have an extensive range of lunch and dinner options including steak frites, lobster rolls, oyster bars, scallops with pork belly and their infamous seafood platter. You must not leave the restaurant without trying their signature dish, freshly shucked oysters. Whalesbone Oyster House is known to be the best place to serve oysters!

For the icing on the cake, their dessert options include scrumptious triple chocolate mousse cake, and lemon vanilla cheesecake along with their signature crispy churros dusted with cinnamon sugar and served with sweet caramel sauce.

Ambience and Timings in Whalesbone Oyster House

You must visit this restaurant for its beautiful decor and outdoor patio. They have an excellent set of staff with impeccable service catering to all your needs with perfection.

The service, the quality of food and wine, and the overall lively ambience of this place make it one of the best restaurants. Not to mention their flavorful dishes that tempt you to ask for more!

Address: 231 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L6, Canada

4. North and Navy

North and Navy are perfect for special occasions and date nights. It is ranked to be one of the favourite restaurants according to popular reviews as they offer the best of both worlds, a fine dining experience as well as the homely ambience of local restaurants

What to Eat in North and Navy?

The restaurant has classy and elegant decor with a cute outdoor patio. They stand true to their standards by providing high-quality, incredibly tasty dishes with utmost care and attentiveness. They have vegan and gluten-free options while also providing takeout facilities.

They serve Italian and Canadian cuisines that will satisfy all your expectations. Some of the popular items on their menu are smoked tuna anolini, duck breast, short rib ravioli, oysters, Bistecca All Fiorentina and their signature dish, polpette a.k.a the ricotta stuffed meatballs.

End your meal by ordering their lip-smacking tiramisu and calling it a day. North and Navy provide a wide range of cocktails and beers. The staff will help you with their best wine pairings.

Ambience and Timings in North and Navy

They provide a private dining experience that can allocate up to 40 guests which is ideal to conduct intimate parties, business meetings or presentations.

The restaurant stays open from 5 pm-10 pm on Monday to Saturday and remains closed on Sundays. The relaxed atmosphere and ambience of the restaurant make it a great place to enjoy small plates and cocktails!

Address: 226 Nepean St, Ottawa, ON K2P 0B8, Canada

5. Play Food and Wine

Play Food and Wine is a phenomenal restaurant with fine dining cuisine and a magnificent ambience. It is one of the best restaurants in terms of its uniquely crafted dishes, amazing wine bar with a distinct set of cocktails and artisanal wines with undoubtedly greater customer service than other Ottawa restaurants.

What to Eat in Play Food and Wine?

The aesthetically pleasing presentation of all their foods is to be given special credit. Every dish on their menu has something unique and amazing to offer. Their food is full of flavours and it just feels like the chef has put his heart and soul into bringing the best food to your table!

They offer the best lunch on small plates that are worth the price. Some of the must-try items on their menu include their signature dish soy marinated hanger steak, and flavorful dishes like Parisian gnocchi, Pan seared rainbow trout, Patagonia prawns, beef tartare, charcuterie board, steak frites and grilled sourdough.

Ambience and Timings in Play Food and Wine

Play Food and Wine is one of those Ottawa restaurants that create a sense of belonging for all the customers who go there due to their high-end quality service and top-notch food. The staff at Play are undoubtedly very attentive and passionate about giving customers the best culinary experience. At Play Food and Wine, the dish arrives freshly made out of local ingredients.

The restaurant timings from Sunday to Wednesday are from 5 pm-9 pm. The timings from Thursday to Saturday are 11:30 am-2 pm and 5 pm-10 pm.

Address: 1 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5S7, Canada

6. Supply and Demand

Supply and Demand is one of those fancy popular restaurants consisting of an open kitchen, an amazing raw bar, and a unique set of dishes made from local ingredients. The restaurant has a very cosy and stylish decor that adds to the quality of the food they offer.

What to Eat in Supply and Demand?

They are popularly known to be one of the restaurants to have seafood. They have a long list of exquisite dishes starting from appetizers to desserts. You must try their delicious kale Caesar salad and their special salad made with heirloom tomato demi-glace. They are unbelievingly amazing and worth every penny.

Once you move to their main dishes, some of the must-haves on their menu are Canadian oysters with mignonettes, Albacore tuna crudo with lemon truffle oil puffed rice and cilantro, squid ink rigatoni, pasta with goat cheese, grilled Brussels sprouts and charred potatoes. Their oysters are available on Sundays at just $1.50 each!

For desserts, you must not miss their exquisite Baked Alaska, Eton Mess and chocolate orange. These are some of the best and most loved desserts by everyone!

Ambience and Timings in Supply and Demand

The restaurant is vegetarian friendly having vegan and gluten-free options too. They are open from Tuesday to Saturday from 5 pm-10 pm and remain closed on Sundays and Mondays. Due to their popularity, it is always busy so don’t forget to make reservations!

Address: 1335 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 3B7, Canada

7. Sansotei Ramen

Sansotei Ramen is a great place to experience the richness of traditional Japanese ramen and a variety of other exquisite dishes. Their interior decor is beautiful with dark wood ceilings and dark tiled flooring. Though their seating accommodations are relatively small, it’s not necessary to make reservations as their service is very quick.

What to Eat in Sansotei Ramen?

They dominate the noodle soup market as they use authentic Japanese local produce attracting a huge number of locals to try their mouth-watering noodle soup dishes and sides at a reasonable price.

Some of their popular dishes are Tonkotsu Black, gyoza dumplings, shoyu ramen, Asian-inspired seafood broth, seaweed salad, and deep-fried chicken wings. You can choose between thick or thin noodles with poached eggs in distinct varieties and the staff will bring them to you with perfection.

Ambience and Timings in Sansotei Ramen

Sansotei Ramen is open from Monday to Saturday from 11 am-10 pm and remains closed on Sundays. The takeaway option is available from 11 am-9 pm.

Address: 153 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5N7, Canada

8. Heartbreakers Pizza

Heartbreakers Pizza is for all the pizza lovers out there!

This is your one-stop shop to enjoy some of the best pizzas in town. Heartbreakers Pizza has a cute exterior look with a patio and wine bar. If you are a fan of new york style thin crust pizzas, this is the place you are looking for!

What to Eat in Heartbreakers Pizza?

This hidden gem of a place offers a variety of pizzas using local ingredients including Sweetheart Pizza, pepperoni pizza, hot shot pizza, cheese pizza, fennel and sausage pizza. You must order their garlic dip sauce and watch all the flavours explode in your mouth. The quality of the dough, the thin crust and their mouth-watering flavours all together make it one of the best restaurants to get pizza!

They offer some of the best pies and celebration cakes in Ottawa, so don’t forget to try them out. You must pair your pizza with their popular chicken wings, chilli oil and garlic dip. Your taste buds will thank us later!

Ambience and Timings in Heartbreakers Pizza

Heartbreakers offers dine-in as well as takeout options. They are open on all days from 4 pm-9 pm but remain closed on Wednesdays.

Address: 465 Parkdale Ave, Ottawa, ON K1Y 1H5, Canada

9. Rangoon

Rangoon is a Burmese restaurant that is family owned and situated in a fairly old building around a simple and cosy environment.

What to Eat in Rangoon?

If you are interested in unique and exciting flavours, you must try authentic Burmese cuisine that will surely steal your heart. They are vegetarian friendly and Rangoon offers a variety of gluten-free options too.

These are the most hyped-up items on the menu are the tangy tea leaf salad, green papaya salad, rich and delicious fish noodle soup, chicken coconut, squash and eggplant curries, coconut milk shrimp, coconut noodle soup, Shan noodles and coconut ginger. For desserts, try out their coconut cream cakes.

Ambience and Timings in Rangoon

At Rangoon, you have the advantage of bringing your own wine charged with a decent corkage fee. Their staff is very warm and comforting and they make sure to provide impeccable and efficient services to their customers.

They are open on Monday to Thursday from 3 pm-9 pm and Friday to Saturday from 3 pm-10 pm. The restaurant remains closed on Sundays and new years.

Address: 634 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 5K4, Canada

10. Chesterfield’s Gastro Diner

Chesterfield’s Gastro Diner is a popular brunch spot known among locals in terms of the quality of food and standards along with their affordability. All the great dishes they offer are made with love at a reasonable price in a cosy and casual ambience.

What to Eat in Chesterfield’s Gastro Diner?

Chesterfield’s Gastro Diner is famous for breakfast, brunch and lunch. They provide a variety of healthy, vegetarian options and have great choices for tea selection. Some of their must-haves include the Air fried jerk chicken and waffles, steak hash with roasted seasonal veggies, pita chips and baba ghanouj, breakfast poutine, blueberry pancake and the Israeli breakfast with shakshuka eggs.

Ambience and Timings in Chesterfield’s Gastro Diner

Chesterfield’s Gastro Diner is one of those Ottawa restaurants that provide limited seating and it’s always filled up due to the high demand for their delicious dishes at pocket-friendly rates. Their customer service is impeccable as their staff knows how to cater to all the needs and preferences of their customers.

The restaurant is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 9 am-2 pm and remains closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. They are a wheelchair-accessible restaurant providing takeout options as well as wifi.

Address: 1433 Wellington St. W #111, Ottawa, ON K1Y 2X2, Canada

11. Gezellig

Gezellig has a lovely ambience and warm atmosphere popularly known for its brunch specialities. It is a trendy upmarket bistro having aesthetic decor with blue walls and a high ceiling.

What to Eat in Gezellig?

Some of the best items on their menu are duck confit, grilled octopus, banana bread french toast, gnocchi, grilled sirloin, eggs Benedict, huevos, butterfinger, fish cake and poached eggs.

Ambience and Timings in Gezellig

The restaurant offers dine-in and takeout options but does not have any delivery options. During weekends they are open from 10 am-2 pm and 5 pm-9 pm. They are closed on Mondays. 

Address: 337 Richmond Rd, Ottawa, ON K2A 0E7, Canada

12. Fraser Cafe

Fraser Cafe is prominently known to be one of the top restaurants having an eccentric venue with brick walls and a cosy ambience providing communal seating.

What to Eat in Fraser Cafe?

They use local produce to bring out globally inspired dishes that burst with flavours. Their presentation of those incredibly tasty dishes is what makes them stand out. Their menu is creative and also changes often so it is difficult to pick out dishes that stand out as each and every dish is prepared with so much love and attention and brought to you with perfection. Their staff are very enthusiastic about offering you excellent service to the best of their abilities.

Some of their best items on the menu include confit pork belly, okonomiyaki, huevos rancheros, smoked trout salad, popcorn shrimp, tuna sashimi, green salads with pork belly and sun-dried tomato, House focaccia, East coast oysters and shrimp croquette.

Ambience and Timings in Fraser Cafe

The restaurant runs from Wednesday to Sunday and remains closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The brunch timings on Wednesday-Friday are from 11:30 am-2 pm while on Saturdays and Sundays, it’s from 10 am-2 pm. Dinner timings on Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday fall between 5 pm-9 pm while on Friday-Saturday it’s between 5 pm-10 pm.

It’s the perfect restaurant to hang out with your friends, family or your special date. The overall cosy and romantic ambience with small tables and candles makes it a perfect spot for date nights. Fraser Cafe will undoubtedly provide the best experience you will ever forget!

Address: 7 Springfield Rd, Ottawa, ON K1M 1C8, Canada

Key Takeaways

Ottawa, situated on the banks of the Ottawa river is known to be the hub for foodies. These restaurants offer a wide variety of culinary experiences to people all around the world. They visit Ottawa restaurants to satisfy their cravings for exquisite dishes that are traditionally prepared under the influence of strong Canadian roots and aesthetically presented. From fine dining to tiny bistros, Ottawa offers a lot of exquisite dishes prepared to perfection that will surely steal your heart.

The unique set of bursting flavours, quality of service and preparation, phenomenal presentation of dishes and the overall cosy and extra-ordinary ambience of the above-listed restaurants makes them stand out as some of the best restaurantsin Ottawa.