Ottawa Food Reviews Focused on Taste and Value
Ottawa’s food scene continues to grow, with everything from casual takeout spots to higher-end dining and a wide range of international cuisine. Tastes of Ottawa is dedicated to reviewing restaurants across the city with a focus on what actually matters: the food itself.
Each review breaks down individual dishes based on flavour, execution, and whether the price feels justified. Instead of relying on vague star ratings, every dish is evaluated using the EV Score (Enjoyment-to-Value), giving a clearer and more consistent way to understand if something is truly worth ordering.
All reviews are based on firsthand visits. I personally visit each restaurant, pay for every meal, and take all photos myself. The goal is to provide honest, independent opinions with no outside influence.
Below, you’ll find my most recent reviews — a mix of new restaurant visits, popular spots, and dishes that stood out, for better or worse. Whether you’re deciding where to eat or just curious about what’s worth trying, these reviews are meant to give you a straightforward and reliable perspective.
What You’ll Find on Tastes of Ottawa
- Detailed dish-by-dish reviews focused on taste and value
- Honest opinions based on real visits
- Original photos taken at each restaurant
- A consistent rating system through the EV Score
Recent Reviews
-

Gezellig Ottawa Review – Refined Dishes with a Few Misses – Average EV Score: 6.4/10
Read more: Gezellig Ottawa Review – Refined Dishes with a Few Misses – Average EV Score: 6.4/10Gezellig is an upscale restaurant in Ottawa known for its refined atmosphere and polished menu. From the moment you walk in, it feels elevated. The dim lighting and quiet ambiance create a calm dining environment that’s well suited for date nights or more intimate dinners. It’s not loud or chaotic — conversations stay at your…
-

Elgin Street Diner Ottawa Review – Convenient Hours but Forgettable Food – Average EV Score: 4.3/10
Read more: Elgin Street Diner Ottawa Review – Convenient Hours but Forgettable Food – Average EV Score: 4.3/10Elgin Street Diner is one of those places that most people in Ottawa know about, even if they don’t actively seek it out for great food. Located right on Elgin Street, it sits in a busy area with no dedicated parking, so if you’re driving, you’ll need to rely on street parking, which can be…
-

District Deli Ottawa Review – Outstanding Sandwiches That Deliver Real Value – Average EV Score: 7.2/10
Read more: District Deli Ottawa Review – Outstanding Sandwiches That Deliver Real Value – Average EV Score: 7.2/10District Deli is one of my favourite sandwich shops in Ottawa and a place I genuinely look forward to visiting. It opened relatively recently compared to many long-standing delis in the city, but it has quickly built a strong reputation for doing one thing very well: big, flavourful sandwiches that feel worth the price. The…
-

Susu Siam Thai Kitchen Scarborough Review – Comforting Thai Dishes in a Warm, Refined Setting – Average EV Score: 6.2/10
Read more: Susu Siam Thai Kitchen Scarborough Review – Comforting Thai Dishes in a Warm, Refined Setting – Average EV Score: 6.2/10Susu Siam Thai Kitchen is a very pleasant surprise in Scarborough. From the moment you walk in, it feels more elevated than the typical casual Thai restaurant. The space has a low-light ambiance, creating a warm and relaxed atmosphere that works well for both date nights and small group dinners. It’s refined without being intimidating.…
-

Marathon Souvlaki Montreal Review – Large Portions, Friendly Service, but Disappointing Greek Classics – Average EV Score: 5/10
Read more: Marathon Souvlaki Montreal Review – Large Portions, Friendly Service, but Disappointing Greek Classics – Average EV Score: 5/10Marathon Souvlaki is a Greek restaurant located in Montreal, in an area that’s easy to reach and very convenient if you’re driving. One of the immediate positives is the large parking lot, which makes parking completely stress-free — something that’s not always easy to find in Montreal. When we visited, the restaurant was not very…
-

Chop Steakhouse Review – Disappointing Prime Rib Despite Excellent Service – Average EV Score: 6/10
Read more: Chop Steakhouse Review – Disappointing Prime Rib Despite Excellent Service – Average EV Score: 6/10Chop Steakhouse is a well-known Canadian steakhouse brand that is often located inside or attached to Sandman Hotels, and the Hunt Club location follows that same model. From a convenience standpoint alone, this is one of the easier steakhouses in Ottawa to visit. There is plenty of free parking thanks to its own large parking…
-

BanhMiYes Ottawa Review – Incredible Classic Banh Mi Worth Ordering – Average EV Score: 6.8/10
Read more: BanhMiYes Ottawa Review – Incredible Classic Banh Mi Worth Ordering – Average EV Score: 6.8/10BanhMiYes is a small, focused shop located on Wellington Street in Ottawa that specializes in one thing: banh mi. And honestly, that’s refreshing. Ottawa doesn’t have a huge number of dedicated banh mi establishments, so when a place focuses primarily on Vietnamese sandwiches, it immediately stands out. The space itself is small and straightforward, clearly…
-

Captain’s Boil West Hunt Club Review – Messy Seafood Fun with Solid Flavours – Average EV Score: 6.1/10
Read more: Captain’s Boil West Hunt Club Review – Messy Seafood Fun with Solid Flavours – Average EV Score: 6.1/10Captain’s Boil is one of those places you go to when you’re in the mood for a hands-on, slightly messy, seafood-focused meal. Located on West Hunt Club, it benefits from a large shared parking lot, making it easy to access without worrying about street parking or tight urban spaces. The restaurant itself has a pretty…
-

Japan Food Series: Aji No Tokeidai in Sapporo – Classic Miso Ramen Done Right
Read more: Japan Food Series: Aji No Tokeidai in Sapporo – Classic Miso Ramen Done RightAji No Tokeidai is a ramen restaurant located in central Sapporo, tucked away in the basement level of an office building near Odori. It’s the kind of place you might easily miss if you weren’t looking for it, but once inside, it feels exactly like the sort of ramen shop you’d expect to find in…
-

Japan Food Series: Kineya at APIA Sapporo – Comforting Udon and a Surprisingly Great Beef Rice Bowl
Read more: Japan Food Series: Kineya at APIA Sapporo – Comforting Udon and a Surprisingly Great Beef Rice BowlKineya is a Japanese noodle restaurant located inside APIA Shopping Mall, directly connected to Sapporo Station. Its location makes it extremely convenient, whether you’re arriving by train, transferring lines, or simply exploring the underground shopping network that connects much of central Sapporo. Kineya specializes in udon, the thick wheat noodles known for their chewy texture…