The food was excellent. Some things are better value than others. A side of bread to various dishes would certainly add value. Highly recommend. Can’t get a better cocktail!

Food was Devine!!

Wonderful wonderful wonderful! Great service! Love the drinks, the location. Highly recommended!

We started with a wonderful greeting at the door and it went up from there. We were not rushed through our champagne starter, nor the main or desserts. Service was attentive but gentle, the meals were exceptional. Well done to all!!!

The food was excellent, but it was a bit cold because the heater was not functioning properly. Nevertheless, we had a good evening and the service was very good.

As always, the food at Riviera is amazing. Dishes not only taste great, they are well presented with perfect portion sizes. Wine selection is outstanding, as is the cocktail list. The only thing that would have made our experience on the covered /heated patio would have been blankets for our laps as it was quiet cold the evening we were there. Bring a blanket for added warmth!

COVID Ottawa meant this meal was on the patio with shelter and gas heater. Our waiter was very helpful and hospitable, as were other staff. I sampled five different glasses of wine over the evening and was surprised by how three of the five really challenged my expectations. The Pinot Grigio was lovely, chosen at suggestion of the sommelier after I declined the Tawse Chardonnay (the wine quality was fine; however, it had a very untypical and for me offputting apple cider taste. I have never met a Chard I did not like so this was disappointing.) Pinot Noir was very nice, but the Faugere was a challenge with which I was less familiar, and while the quality was fine, its flavours simply did not turn my crank. As a reasonably savvy and adventurous wine drinker, I was impressed by the effort to present some "different" wines in the "by the glass" list. However, I really missed the opportunity to drink some good examples (this is not an inexpensive list) of more familiar wines - Chardonnay, Riesling, Cab, etc instead of mostly esoteric types. Just sayin'....
Food was great. We had tuna tartare, oysters, a wonderful chowder, lobster spaghetti and a Riviera burger, finishing with fig tart and espresso. My wife had read that the pasta could be a little too al dente, but totally enjoyed the firm texture in this dish. My oysters, accompanied by horseradish, a mignonette and an unusual peppery sauce which had a nice kick to it, were beautifully presented and fresh and tasty. Also enjoyed the burger, which I had chosen on impulse. Probably the highlight of the food was the seafood chowder, which we split. This dish featured some lovely clams, mussels, great shrimp and large sea scallops perfectly cooked in a creamy Pernod - laced broth.
Even on this chilly evening, all tables were taken when we left at 6:30. While our visit was not inexpensive, we felt we received good value, and that our patronage was appreciated. We plan to return.

The waiter didn’t check up on us, didn’t take the drink orders all at once and messed up the bills

Riviera have done their best to make their outdoor dining experience as cozy as it can be given the current restrictions. The food and service was fantastic. I would definitely do it again.

You lose some of the ambience because of the tent but totally understandable because of the pandemic. Food is phenomenal. Burger and fries were amazing but perhaps tell customers how big it really is compared to other items on the menu.

Riviera is an amazing restaurant for a date night, or an intimate evening with close friends. Even though it was raining and cold, we were able to keep warm and enjoy a relaxing evening on the patio with the space heaters and tent. Food is amazing! Definitely recommend the pavlova.

The outdoor heated patio was very cozy and comfortable. The food and wine was fantastic as always. I am glad that outdoor seating is available and hope we can continue enjoying this option for multiple weeks to come.

Riviera has amazing ambiance both indoors and the outdoor Covid-friendly tent. The cocktails are outstanding especially their Negronis. The food is always very high quality and the service was excellent.

Visiting from Toronto and a friend recommended it...food and service we're excellent!

It was the perfect date night, just before things locked back down. Food, ambiance and service especially were the best ever - and that says something considering how high Riviera sets the bar.

Food was fantastic. A bit pricey. The outdoor heater was low on fuel so a bit chilly out on the patio.

my partner and i thoroughly enjoyed ourselves the other night at Riviera. we were really pleased being seated outside as the tent that was set up shielded us from any potential wind/rain and the heat lamps provided a lot of warmth. it was clear that the staff were extremely serious about covid protocols. very friendly and helpful server, wonderfully rich food, pleasant and quiet atmosphere. the cocktails are my favourite part and as always, they never disappoint. can't wait to come back!

Cozy and warm outdoor dining was possible at around 9 degrees Celsius. Highly recommended during this time.

I recommend this restaurant if you are vegetarian and want a place that has options This restaurant is exquisite without breaking the bank. Great prices, amazing ambiance, the architecture is beautiful to look at. It feels like you are in a bother city, an absolutely transformative experience. The staff is incredible and extremely accommodating. I had put a comment in my reservation and the restaurant called me about 5 minutes after booking my reservation online to see if they could accommodate my situation better. At arrival, everyone was extremely kind and attentive. The food was incredible. I am vegetarian as well as the person I went with and there was so many options for us, we were each able to get diffrent apps, mains and dessert with extra options we didn't even get to try. I am giddy to go back, I highly recommend :)

Incredible food. Great atmosphere. Very friendly staff. Looking forward to returning.

Amazing food and ambience. Staff were very nice and welcoming. Will be back when we visit Ottawa again

Everything was fine. The only "hic" was our choice of place. We were juste in front of the door and when it opened (very often) we felt the cold from outside. We were on the bar, the sit was not very comfortable if you chose to look at your friend by your side. However, I'm ready to come back on my next trip to Ottawa. I will just change place ;-)

Best food, amazing service, quiet atmosphere. Great for a dinner with friends or even a quiet night alone with a book. Thank you

Well presented dishes, excellent cocktail list. Highly recommended.

We had lunch in the outside patio. Was raining outside but we were still able to eat outdoors under cover. Patio also had heaters. Staff were very Covid conscious and wore masks all the time and used gloves when taking away dishes. Food was amazing as well. I peaked inside - very nice ambiance. Would recommend this restaurant.

Food and drinks at Riviera are always spot on. Would recommend!

Great service. Very well prepared dishes.

Great food, unique menu, great service. We’ll go back.

Great Food. Main course options not as elevated and starters.

We don't go to the Riviera often enough. Yes, it's a higher-end restaurant with the prices to match, but it's simply the best dining experience we've had in Ottawa. The value is great because the food is top notch. They also have the best cocktails. Don't forget the awesome Oysters. My only recommendations is to add a dish or two that has chicken, pork, or another vegetarian option.

We had a wonderful dinner. They took good care of us. It is expensive, but very good. I would absolutely go back again.

We had a nice Italian red wine, spaghetti with lobster, and steak with fries. All were excellent. Service was very good.
The music was a little banal and obnoxious. Covid precautions were fine but the outdoor ambiance not great.

Lovely spot for a date night. Beautiful ambience, quiet, and excellent food.

Fantastic evening at riviera with my parents. Awesome menu for sharring dishes for the table. Great wine, cocktail (out of the wold Gimlet), fantastic food! The dessert a pavlova to die for!

Celebrating where I met my now husband 3 years ago! Service and food is always amazing and delectable! Our server made our night so special! Definitely our favourite restaurant for food, service and ambiance!! ❤️

Marco our host was so friendly and helpful! The beef tartare, tuna tartare, mushroom toast and burrata are must have dishes. Highly recommended!

Wonderful place for a dinner. The beef tartare amazing.
Strongly recommend for a special evening.

Patio seating was great. Only draw back was heater malfunction. But they tried.

The hostess was incredibly rude. I couldn’t get her name, but she had tattoos on her knuckles. When we booked our table, it wasn’t supposed to rain. We were on the patio and the weather changed that day. We had asked to sit inside when we arrived, As it was freezing, and we were immediately told no. We then asked if we can be on a list for when someone comes out we can take over. The response was that we were told no once already, and were being told no again. We spoke to the server and he was more than willing to make accommodations for us and asked us to wait 10 mins which we were Happy to oblige. As this was a surprise dinner for a birthday it put a damper on the start of the dinner. When the rest of the party arrived, a thermometer was shoved into faces with no explanation as to what was going on and and told they would have to leave if they refused. I am fully aware and Educated to Know that there is a pandemic going on. We all wore masks, sanitized our hands etc. When there is no explanation as to what you’re asking of patrons, in advance or upon arrival, and when asking questions as to why this only applies to those inside instead of those sitting outside, and then are told you have to leave if you refuse without any sort of conversation, does not leave a positive impression. What happens if those outside need to use the washroom? Somehow that exempts them from the same policy. Hmmmm. I am thankful for the attention of our server Derrick, he was fabulous. The food also delicious. Not a very warm welcome.

Great food, great ambience, service a bit blunt just ok