Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in Ottawa

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in Ottawa? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Perch

4.9

4.9 (170)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Canadian

Little Italy

About the restaurant

Perch is an intimate fine dining restaurant focusing on Canadian ingredients, ethical and sustainable products.
Awarded as the 4th Best New Canadian Restaurant 2022 by Enroute, and #85 for Canada's Best Restaurants 2023. With the dining room facing into the wide open kitchen offering a nine course tasting menu and a bar focusing on unique cocktails and natural wines.

Nine Course tasting menu is $145 for food menu
Beverage Pairing is $100 per person (optional)
Non-Alcoholic Beverage Pairing is $75 per person (optional)

We release reservations 60 days in advance.

Please be sure to specify any dietary restrictions when making a reservation.

Please note that for reservations of 5 or more people, please call us at 613-515-0535 or email amanda@perchottawa.ca

Top review

Andrew

Dined on Sep 6, 2024

The food was incredible. That pasta dish 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰. Just wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. The staff was informative, accomodating and friendly. The Chefs were professional and friendly. The atmosphere was great. It is easy to talk to the person at your table at a comfortable volume.

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Experience

Perch x Metropolitan Premium Sake Importer - $185

Raphaël Peruvian Cuisine

4.8

4.8 (559)

CAN$51 and over

Peruvian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Raphaël Peruvian Cuisine brings Chef Lizardo Becerra and his team's Peruvian food to the heart of Ottawa.

Enjoy a seasonal menu that features bold ingredients from Peru, Ocean Wise-recommended seafood and locally sourced meats. Fresh cocktails, curated wines, local beers and traditional Peruvian drinks complement the thrilling food menu.

Top review

Maia

Dined 1 day ago

Incredible fresh flavours, every dish is so tasty. Friendly and knowledgeable staff, beautiful ambiance. One of the very best restaurants in Ottawa imho.

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Experience

Happy Hour

Grounded Kitchen - Carling

4.7

4.7 (58)

CAN$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Westboro

About the restaurant

Since 2010, Grounded's focus has been on serving great food. Our made-from-scratch philosophy & hands-on approach is evident in everything we do. We specialize in gastro-pub fare, BBQ, third-wave coffee, and delicious cocktails. Grounded’s new location at 1545 Carling, embodies everything the Grounded brand has come to represent. Grounded Carling disrupts typical expectations, described as a "hidden gem" with an innovative approach by blending automation with the human element of customer service.

Grounded's space is edgy & creative. The one-of-a-kind dining room features a mix of glass, steel and concrete, an abundance of colorful lighting, and large art pieces from talented local artists. There is a beautiful, lush patio and an abundance of free (validated) parking.

Top review

Sheila

Dined on Sep 6, 2024

We went for lunch and the servers & bartender went above and beyond. Plenty to choose from on the menu! We had to tuna tartar which was great! As well as the whipped feta and brisket bowl. The decor and seating inside was fun and cozy. They also verify parking on the way out. Would definitely go back and recommend to friends and family.

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Experience

Happy Hour at Grounded Carling

Retro Gusto

4.8

4.8 (449)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

Little Italy

About the restaurant

Retrogusto is a pizzeria and bar that brings some much needed excitement to the north end of Preston street. We serve a Roman style pizza "Tonda", traditional roman fried snacks, salumi, cheeses and other small plates. Our food will be complimented by a small wine list that will be in constant rotation, strictly Italian classic cocktails, and beautiful amaro's from around Italy. The warm, cozy, dimly lit dining room with an open kitchen will be the perfect place to do the only thing that matters; eat good food, drink good wine and have a good time with friends.

Top review

Joanna

Dined 4 days ago

Wonderful food, service and atmosphere. Very lively and fun!

Rosebowl Steaks & Seafood

4.8

4.8 (482)

CAN$51 and over

Steakhouse

Downtown

About the restaurant

Since 1976, the Rosebowl Steakhouse has prided itself in its exceptional meals and serve to each and every guest. Owner and Chef Danny Skaff demands the very best from every plate with his years of culinary experience and our exciting lunch and dinner menu. The entire staff is dedicated to bringing you the very best cuts of succulent meat, delectable entrées and freshly made desserts in an atmosphere second to none. The Rosebowl Steakhouse is the perfect place to relax and enjoy one of the signature beverages with your friends. Our wines are an excellent addition to any lunch, dinner or lounge experience. Now located in Little Italy, the Rosebowl Steakhouse is the ideal venue for all occasions – big or small. Built on a foundation of extraordinary service, great food, and brilliant staff, the Rosebowl Steakhouse is the perfect venue for any event. Let us assist you in planning and customizing your next visit.

Top review

Trevor

Dined 6 days ago

Absolutely fantastic restaurant with amazing food. We will definitely be going back.

Atelier - Ottawa

4.7

4.7 (1721)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Canadian

Downtown

About the restaurant

At Atelier, we solely offer an experiential & interactive 40 course tasting menu with pescatarian & vegetarian menus available for $250 per guest. We are not able to offer a vegan menu. Wine pairing options are available

Dining time is 4 hours

We do not accept menu modifications for aversions/dislikes, as this will compromise the integrity of the experience

Should you have any severe allergies, please highlight them in detail at time of booking, keeping in mind that we are not able to omit dairy, gluten, soy, nightshades, mushroom & allium as this impacts the overall experience. We will contact you for further clarification & to determine if we will be able to safely accommodate

Regarding mild allergies, our kitchen is not allergen-free & therefore we cannot guarantee zero cross-contamination

Please note that severe allergies may result in the outright omission of any one course from your experience

Top review

Randy

Dined 4 days ago

This was awesome start to finish. Service was attentive and very proactive. Super friendly. Our birthdays celebration couldn’t have gotten off to a better start

Pure Kitchen - Elgin

4.9

4.9 (113)

CAN$30 and under

Vegetarian / Vegan

Downtown

About the restaurant

Vegan/Vegetarian Cuisine

Top review

Tim

Dined on Aug 29, 2024

Very clean and quick service for lunch for our party of 8. Food was excellent even for those of us who weren’t vegetarian. Our server was very helpful and friendly. Definitely would go back again.

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Experience

Weekend Brunch

Paper Tiger Noodle Bar

4.9

4.9 (75)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Fusion / Eclectic

The Glebe

About the restaurant

"Paper Tiger"
Someone or something that seems intimidating and all powerful, but in reality, is not. Don't judge a book by its cover.
In the heart of Old Ottawa South, Paper Tiger Noodle Bar is where fusion meets local. With a seasonal food and drink menu, you are guaranteed to find your new favourite dining experience.

Top review

Rebecca

Dined 7 days ago

Was a great evening, and I would highly suggest to make a reservation, especially during the weekdays as it's not a very large place. Had the Beast Ramen and was sooooo good!! Service was friendly, fast and efficient and they came to check in a perfect amount of times. Highly recommend this place for a date night!

Belmont

4.8

4.8 (705)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Tapas / Small Plates

Downtown

About the restaurant

Old Ottawa South for Inventive tasty small plates, Great Cocktails, Beautiful All Natural Wines in a Cozy, Inviting atmosphere
Open since 2014, we are very excited to host you and your guests

Top review

Valerie

Dined on Sep 6, 2024

My boyfriend and I had the best meal and drinks that we’ve had in Ottawa here. The best was the beef tartare, and the Belmont’s signature pork belly open face bread/sandwich. Their own draft beer was good too.

Stofa Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (94)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Canadian

Hintonburg

About the restaurant

Stofa is built on a passion for food, traditional and modern cooking methods, and creativity. We look to the ingredients to bridge the gap between time-honoured techniques and modern progression, producing a comfortable, inventive, and evocative dining experience.

Stofa's name represents a place of warmth and comfort where people can gather to eat, drink and be with friends. We proudly support local and sustainable products, and participate in the farm and food community, all while providing guests with vibrant and engaging food presented in an approachable yet innovative dining setting.

Located in the vibrant Wellington West area of Ottawa, Stofa offers a 3 or 5 course table d'hote menu which changes regularly. We offer patio dining (weather dependent) and have a private room available for large groups or professional meetings.

Top review

Corinne

Dined on Sep 7, 2024

Exceptional dining experience, as always. Food and service were perfect.

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