Diners' Choice: Great for creative cocktails restaurants in Ottawa

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best handcrafted cocktails 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!

Riviera

4.8

4.8 (3208)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Canadian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Welcome to Riviera!

Reservations may be subject to time restrictions, dependent on availability. Please check your reservation email for full details. If your group requires more time, kindly call the restaurant at 613-233-6262 and we will do our best to accommodate you. Groups of six or more are subject to a 20% gratuity.

Please note, reservations made for outdoors are guaranteed for outdoor seating only. We may not be able to move you inside in the event of bad weather.

We look forward to hosting you! Please feel free to call us with any questions!

Top review

Jeff

Dined 3 days ago

Our second time there – absolutely fantastic food and service. Would recommend to anyone.

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Stolen Goods Cocktail Bar

4.8

4.8 (280)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Cocktail Bar

Downtown

About the restaurant

Turning words into action.
An unconventional cocktail bar born from the desire that ideas are meant to be changed.
Amorphous in nature.

For all changes to reservations please contact us through instagram, email or message through OpenTable. We do not have a phone line during business hours.

A gratuity of 20% will be included on all groups of 5+.

Top review

JacquelineVIP

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

Drinks were good. Didn’t have any food. Atmosphere is pretty cool. Will go again whenever in Ottawa for a drink or two.

Bar Ocelli

4.8

4.8 (39)

CAN$51 and over

Cocktail Bar

ByWard Market

About the restaurant

A sophisticated cocktail bar situated in the lively ByWard Market, offering a variety of cocktails crafted from global ingredients and recipes, along with delectable small bites, and a curated assortment of premium wines and spirits.

Top review

Emily

Dined on Jun 22, 2025

Went here for drinks and apps and it was great. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for something upscale.

somewhere dine bar

4.7

4.7 (258)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary European

Downtown

About the restaurant

Now open.
Come by to dine, to drink, to have a good time.

Top review

Chanelle

Dined 4 days ago

Went in for happy hour, the Caesar salad and beef dumplings were delicious and the $2 oyster deal was great!

Lavender Grill & Lounge

4.6

4.6 (38)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

International

ByWard Market

About the restaurant

Nestled in the heart of Ottawa’s historic ByWard Market, Lavender Grill & Lounge offers an elegant yet welcoming dining experience. With cascading lavender accents and a warm ambiance, it’s the perfect setting for both intimate dinners and special celebrations.

Our menu features a refined fusion of contemporary cuisine, crafted with high-quality, fresh ingredients. Signature dishes include Lavender Gnocchi, Lavender Ravioli, Grilled Salmon and perfectly grilled steaks — all prepared with care and creativity.

To complement your meal, enjoy a handcrafted cocktail like the Lavender Gin & Tonic, Kiwi Breeze, Lavender Royale, or Pomegranate Margarita, along with selections from our curated wine list.

Whether you're joining us for a casual evening or hosting a private event, our attentive service and personalized touches ensure a memorable experience every time.

Top review

Andrea

Dined 4 days ago

This was our first time at Lavender Grill. We were not disappointed! We were having a little dinner celebration with my daughter after her high school graduation. Viggo, our server, was attentive, gave great recommendations (my daughter loved the Gnocchi!) and is just a very pleasant gentleman in general. The food is delicious! Highly recommend!

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Experience

Brunch bubbles on us!

Experience

Tuesday Special

Drip House Cocktail Bar & Kitchen - Chinatown

4.5

4.5 (23)

CAN$30 and under

Café

Downtown

About the restaurant

Welcome to the Drip House Bar, where every sip tells a story. Your favourite neighbourhood bar. Immerse yourself in an atmosphere of comfort, with meticulously crafted cocktails and a curated selection of spirits, reduced coffee menu and good music to vibe to. The perfect date spot. Host a private event. Birthday party. Whether you're here for a casual evening or a special celebration, our bar promises an unforgettable experience. Cheers to good times!

For groups of 10 or more, private parties and buyouts, please contact Rick at 613-322-3484 or crego@driphouseottawa.com

Top review

Hailey

Dined on Jun 12, 2025

Such a nice vibe and our server was hilarious and so fun! Delicious eats and cocktails in a beautiful setting — we were having a creative girls night and it was the perfect setting ✨ thank you!!!!

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Experience

Drippy Hour

Alora

4.4

4.4 (73)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

International

ByWard Market

About the restaurant

Welcome to Alora, where a vibrant atmosphere meets exquisite cuisine in Ottawa’s downtown ByWard Market. With a cozy yet stylish ambiance, Alora is perfect for social nights out, romantic dinners, fun gatherings, and memorable celebrations.

Our menu features a diverse array of shareable options that cater to all tastes. Whether you’re craving a juicy steak, crab and seafood, or a delicious vegetarian option, or share with our delectable tapas-like starters and our famous land & sea sharing board, designed to ignite your taste buds.

Enjoy elevated cocktails expertly crafted by our skilled mixologists, or a selection of specialty drinks that perfectly complement your meal. On Fridays and Saturdays, our live DJ elevates the energy throughout the night, taking Alora from a dining destination into a vibrant nightlife spot, inviting guests to let loose and have fun. In the summertime, don’t miss our stunning rooftop with its own dedicated bar and unwind under the stars.

Top review

Joe

Dined 2 days ago

Awesome atmosphere and vibe, Alex, Sullivan and Derek are very friendly and engaging, the food is very good, it’s my go to place for dinner whenever I have friends visiting from out of town.

The Albion Rooms

3.9

3.9 (311)

CAN$30 and under

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Downtown

About the restaurant

Our goal at the Albion Rooms is to provide you with the best of old-world hospitality. No matter your occasion, our passionate and knowledgeable staff will ensure your experience with us is one to remember. From craft Ontario beers and specially selected wines, to signature cocktails and dishes borrowing from traditional European and Canadian cuisine, our menu aims to please even the most discerning palate.

Top review

Marie

Dined on Jun 19, 2025

Original young man server was very good. Not so much female server in our section. Only 4 tables on our side but perhaps she had some on the other side. Felt like we were leftovers and nothing genuine about it. Maybe it was an off day for her. Had the scallops with extra veggies because the menu offering wasn’t good. Had it before and the pasta or whatever it was tasted like filler. Better with veggies but mostly overcooked. Better than raw I guess.

Speakeasy Tapas Lounge

3.9

3.9 (65)

CAN$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

ByWard Market

About the restaurant

Speakeasy Tapas is your hidden gem in the Byward Market. A place for great cocktails & tapas! Follow us on Instagram @speakeasyottawa for live music, shows, special events and more!

Top review

JannVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We had a lovely dinner at Speakeasy. The food was very interesting, fresh and good. Wonderful cocktails. The service was the standout. These days, I find the time between ordering and delivery of the appetizers and main meal is crazy fast... sometimes I feel like they are rushing me out. This was not the case of our server. She was attentive but not hovering. It was a wonderful meal. Speakeasy is highly recommended.

The Caesar Co. - Ottawa

3.8

3.8 (11)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Steakhouse

Centretown

About the restaurant

Visit our second independently owned Caesar Co. location! We originated in Kingston and are thrilled to expand into Downtown Ottawa on the corner of Lyon & Laurier St. With a variety of caesars, cocktails and food to fulfill any craving! Free Parking after 4:30pm off Laurier St.

Top review

Laura

Dined on Jun 1, 2025

Caesar and co was a very nice restaurant for our little date night. It was Sunday evening so the ambiance was very quiet save for a few people seated at the bar. Service was excellent and we loved our meal and the signature caesars. Abeit, dessert was a little underwhelming but the overall experience was great. We will definitly go back again.

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