Divan Turkish Cuisine Kanata Review – Busy, Generous Portions and Outstanding Beef Doner – Average EV Score: 7.4/10
Reviewed by Tastes of Ottawa
Each dish is rated using our EV Score (Enjoyment-to-Value Score), based on enjoyment, price paid, and benchmark pricing.
Table of Contents
Divan Turkish Cuisine Restaurant Overview
790 Kanata Ave., Kanata, ON K2T 1H9
Divan Turkish Cuisine opened in Fall 2025 and has already made a strong impression in the Kanata dining scene. Located in Kanata Centrum, it benefits from one of the biggest practical advantages in Ottawa dining — plenty of free parking. There’s no stress about circling residential streets or hunting for meters. You park, walk in, and that’s it.
When we arrived, there was already a lineup at the door, and every table inside was taken. That’s always a good sign for a restaurant that’s only been open a short time. Despite how busy it was, the energy inside felt lively rather than chaotic. The dining room is modern but warm, with enough space between tables to feel comfortable, even when packed.
It’s worth noting that Divan does not take reservations, so you should expect to wait during peak dinner hours. However, turnover seemed steady, and we were seated within a reasonable amount of time. Once seated, the service was friendly and efficient, and the food came out surprisingly fast considering how full the restaurant was.
From the beginning, the experience felt positive — busy but organized, welcoming, and energetic. Prices were also reasonable for the portion sizes, which became very clear once the dishes arrived. Divan Turkish Cuisine is not a place that skimps on food.
Would return? Yes.
Chicken Doner
Enjoyment: 7/10
Price Paid: $21
Benchmark Price: $21
EV Score: 7/10
Order Again? Yes.
The Chicken Doner at Divan Turkish Cuisine is described as Turkish-style marinated chicken, slow-cooked on a rotating spit and thinly sliced, served with rice, fresh green salad, grilled peppers, grilled tomatoes, and freshly baked bread.
The first thing that stands out is the portion size. It’s a very generous plate, easily enough to satisfy a big appetite. The chicken itself was nicely marinated and very tender, with no dry edges or overcooked bits. That’s often the risk with spit-roasted meats, but this was consistently soft and flavourful throughout.
The seasoning wasn’t overpowering — it was balanced, allowing the natural flavour of the chicken to shine while still clearly tasting marinated. The rice was cooked perfectly, fluffy without being too soft or clumped together. The salad added freshness, helping to balance the heavier meat components.
Overall, this was a very solid and satisfying dish. If chicken is your go-to, you won’t be disappointed.
Mixed Doner
Enjoyment: 7.5/10
Price Paid: $22
Benchmark Price: $22
EV Score: 7.5/10
Order Again? Yes.
The Mixed Doner at Divan Turkish Cuisine combines both marinated beef and chicken, giving you a chance to try both proteins on one plate. This is a great option if you’re undecided or dining with someone who wants variety.
The chicken was just as good as in the standalone version — tender, well-seasoned, and generous in portion. But the beef was the true highlight of this plate. It had a deeper, richer flavour and slightly crisped edges from the spit that added texture and character.
Having both on one plate makes it easy to compare, and while the chicken is strong, the beef clearly stands out. If anything, ordering the mixed doner confirmed that next time I’d probably opt for the full beef version just to get more of it.
Still, the mixed platter is a great introduction to what Divan does well.
Beef Doner
Enjoyment: 7.5/10
Price Paid: $22
Benchmark Price: $22
EV Score: 7.5/10
Order Again? Yes.
The Beef Doner at Divan Turkish Cuisine ended up being my favourite dish of the visit. The thinly sliced beef was incredibly tender and packed with flavour. Each bite had that perfect balance of seasoning and juiciness, and there were no tough or chewy pieces anywhere on the plate.
It’s rare that one component of a meal so clearly steals the show, but here, the beef did exactly that. It made the entire plate feel elevated compared to standard doner plates you might find elsewhere.
The accompaniments were also well executed. The salad was fresh and refreshing, the rice was perfectly cooked, and the grilled vegetables added colour and balance. As with the other plates, the portion size was generous.
If you’re choosing only one dish, the Beef Doner is the one to get. I’m already looking forward to ordering it again.
Adana Kebab
Enjoyment: 7.5/10
Price Paid: $22
Benchmark Price: $22
EV Score: 7.5/10
Order Again? Yes.
The Adana Kebab at Divan Turkish Cuisine features two skewers of spicy ground beef, charcoal-grilled and served with bulgur, green salad, onion salad, grilled peppers, grilled tomatoes, and freshly baked bread.
This dish offered a different flavour profile compared to the doner plates. The kebabs had a nice level of heat, not overwhelming but clearly present. The meat was tender and well seasoned, with that distinct charcoal-grilled flavour coming through nicely.
The bulgur was flavourful and perfectly cooked, adding a slightly nutty texture that worked well with the kebabs. The green salad was fresh, with no wilted or tired pieces of lettuce, and the dressing complemented it nicely.
The onion salad was another highlight. I initially thought it might be too strong, but it was surprisingly well balanced and added a pleasant sharpness to cut through the richness of the meat.
The only slightly underwhelming component was the bread. It was fine, but it could have been softer and more notable. Still, the overall dish was very enjoyable and something I would order again.
Final Thoughts
Divan Turkish Cuisine is an impressive addition to Kanata’s dining scene. For a restaurant that only opened in Fall 2025, it’s already drawing strong crowds — and for good reason. The food is generous, well prepared, and reasonably priced, especially given the portion sizes.
The restaurant handles high volume well. Even with every table filled and a lineup at the door, service remained friendly and efficient, and food arrived quickly. That’s not easy to pull off.
The standout dish is undoubtedly the Beef Doner, which delivers both tenderness and flavour in a way that makes it memorable. The chicken doner is strong, the mixed plate is a great option for variety, and the Adana Kebab offers a spicier alternative that’s equally satisfying.
Between the easy parking, lively atmosphere, and consistently good food, Divan offers a very nice overall experience. The fact that they don’t take reservations means you may need to wait during peak hours, but based on this visit, it’s worth it.
Divan Turkish Cuisine is a place I’ll certainly be returning to — especially for that beef doner.