Margarita’s Latin Fusion Review – A Charming Atmosphere Let Down by Underwhelming Food – Average EV Score: 6.1/10
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
Margarita’s Latin Fusion Restaurant Overview
873 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3W4
Margarita’s Latin Fusion is located on Bank Street, right in Ottawa’s Glebe area. It’s the kind of place you could easily walk by without giving much thought to, but once inside, the setting is quite nice. The décor is warm, colourful, and inviting, with a mix of Latin-inspired touches that add charm without feeling overdone.
Parking is one of the first challenges. There’s no dedicated lot, so you’ll need to rely on street parking. Depending on when you go, that can mean circling around for a bit to find a spot, which isn’t unusual for Bank Street restaurants.
When we visited, the restaurant was surprisingly quiet. Only about two tables were occupied, including ours. For a weeknight, that might not be unusual, but it did leave the space feeling a bit empty. On the flip side, the quieter setting meant we didn’t have to worry about noise, and service felt more personal.
The staff were friendly and attentive, and a nice touch was the complimentary chips and salsa to start. The chips had a crisp bite to them, and the salsa was fresh and tangy — a pleasant way to begin the meal. I also ordered a Margarita Fresca. It was refreshing enough but nothing that stood out compared to other margaritas I’ve had around the city.
Margarita’s Latin Fusion has the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to settle in with friends over a couple of drinks and snacks. Unfortunately, while the setting was charming, the food itself just didn’t deliver enough to make me want to come back.
Would return?: No.
Pork Belly Bites
😋 Enjoyment: 6.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $17
🎯 Benchmark Price: $17
📊 EV Score: 6.5/10
🔁 Order Again?: No.
This dish had real potential, since pork belly usually sets the bar high for indulgence. The portion size was fair, and the glaze had a subtle sweetness that paired well with the richness of the meat. The problem was the inconsistency in texture. Some bites were tender, as you’d expect, while others were dry and fell flat. A dish like this should feel decadent, but instead it came across as uneven and underwhelming.
Ceviche
😋 Enjoyment: 7/10
💰 Price Paid: $17
🎯 Benchmark Price: $17
📊 EV Score: 7/10
🔁 Order Again?: No.
The ceviche was one of the better dishes we tried. It had a refreshing citrusy marinade that struck a good balance without being overly tart. The fish tasted fresh, but the portion felt a bit light, as though they could have added just a little more seafood to make it feel worth the price. The plantain chips on the side were crispy and provided a great contrast to the tender fish, adding some texture to each bite. While I enjoyed it, it didn’t stand out enough to be something I’d specifically return for.
Taco – Ox Tail & Brisket
😋 Enjoyment: 6/10
💰 Price Paid: $9
🎯 Benchmark Price: $7
📊 EV Score: 4.7/10
🔁 Order Again?: No.
This taco was the most disappointing dish of the night. On paper, oxtail and brisket should make for a rich, flavourful bite, but the execution wasn’t there. The portion size was on the smaller side, which I could have overlooked if the flavour had packed a punch. Instead, the oxtail wasn’t tender and lacked the melt-in-your-mouth richness it’s known for. The brisket was similarly muted, and the two proteins didn’t complement each other the way I had hoped. It ended up tasting flat, and for a taco that leans so heavily on its proteins, that’s a dealbreaker.
Final Thoughts
Margarita’s Latin Fusion has all the makings of a great restaurant on the surface. It’s located in a busy part of the city, the décor is attractive and welcoming, and the staff are friendly. Add in the complimentary chips and salsa and the overall atmosphere, and it’s a place that feels like it should work.
But ultimately, it’s the food that matters most, and that’s where Margarita’s Latin Fusion falls short. The pork belly bites didn’t live up to expectations, the ceviche was decent but not memorable, and the oxtail and brisket taco was a letdown. While none of the dishes were outright bad, they also weren’t good enough to make me want to come back — especially in a city with so many other strong Latin-inspired and fusion restaurants.
For me, Margarita’s Latin Fusion is the kind of place that looks promising but doesn’t follow through where it counts. It’s fine for a casual drink and some light bites if you’re already nearby, but it’s not worth going out of your way for.