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
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Japan Food Series: Otaru Fuku Sushi Review – A Sushi Stop in One of Hokkaido’s Most Scenic Towns
Read more: Japan Food Series: Otaru Fuku Sushi Review – A Sushi Stop in One of Hokkaido’s Most Scenic TownsOtaru Fuku Sushi is a traditional sushi restaurant located in the coastal town of Otaru, a short train ride from Sapporo. The restaurant fits naturally into Otaru’s slower, more nostalgic atmosphere. It’s not flashy or modern, and it doesn’t feel designed for social media or tourists chasing trends. Instead, it presents itself as a classic…
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Japan Food Series: Miso Ramen at Misogin in Sapporo – Another Ramen Alley Stop Worth Trying
Read more: Japan Food Series: Miso Ramen at Misogin in Sapporo – Another Ramen Alley Stop Worth TryingMisogin is another ramen shop located inside Ramen Alley, one of the most famous ramen destinations in Sapporo. By this point in the trip, Ramen Alley had already become a familiar place—narrow, atmospheric, and packed with small ramen stalls, each claiming its own take on Sapporo-style ramen. Misogin fits perfectly into this environment: compact, focused,…
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Japan Food Series: Hanamaru Sushi at Sapporo Station – A Popular Conveyor Sushi Experience
Read more: Japan Food Series: Hanamaru Sushi at Sapporo Station – A Popular Conveyor Sushi ExperienceHanamaru Sushi is a well-known sushi chain in Hokkaido, and its location inside Sapporo Station makes it one of the most convenient and popular sushi spots for both locals and travellers. Being situated in a major transit hub means it sees a constant flow of customers throughout the day—people grabbing a quick meal before boarding…
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Japan Food Series: Fresh Seafood at Onsen Ichiba in Noboribetsu – A Memorable Stop Beyond the Hot Springs
Read more: Japan Food Series: Fresh Seafood at Onsen Ichiba in Noboribetsu – A Memorable Stop Beyond the Hot SpringsOnsen Ichiba is a seafood-focused restaurant located in Noboribetsu, a town best known for its hot springs rather than its dining scene. The restaurant feels intentionally tied to the area’s tourism culture – welcoming, casual, and clearly designed to showcase Hokkaido’s seafood in a way that’s accessible to visitors. One of the first things you…
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Japan Food Series: Ramen Baisensha in Sapporo – A Deep Dive into Classic Miso Ramen in Ramen Alley
Read more: Japan Food Series: Ramen Baisensha in Sapporo – A Deep Dive into Classic Miso Ramen in Ramen AlleyRamen Baisensha is a small ramen shop tucked inside Ramen Alley, one of Sapporo’s most famous food destinations. Ramen Alley is exactly what it sounds like—a narrow alley lined with compact ramen shops, each specializing in its own interpretation of Sapporo-style ramen. Many of these shops have been operating for decades, contributing to the alley’s…
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Japan Food Series: Tonkotsu Ramen Taiga in Sapporo – A Rich and Honest Review of 2 Ramen Dishes
Read more: Japan Food Series: Tonkotsu Ramen Taiga in Sapporo – A Rich and Honest Review of 2 Ramen DishesTonkotsu Ramen Taiga is a ramen shop in Sapporo that focuses on one thing and does it with confidence: tonkotsu ramen. The restaurant doesn’t try to cover every ramen style under the sun. Instead, it leans heavily into a rich, pork-bone–based broth and builds variations around that foundation. The space itself is casual and functional,…
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Japan Food Series: Sapporo Beer Garden & Genghis Khan Lamb Experience
Read more: Japan Food Series: Sapporo Beer Garden & Genghis Khan Lamb ExperienceThe Sapporo Beer Garden is one of the most iconic food destinations in the city and a place that feels deeply tied to Hokkaido’s identity. Located in a historic red-brick building that was originally constructed in the late 1800s as a beer brewery, the site is closely connected to the origins of Sapporo Beer, Japan’s…
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Best Ottawa Restaurants by Cuisine – My Personal Favourites
Read more: Best Ottawa Restaurants by Cuisine – My Personal FavouritesThis is a living list of the Best Ottawa Restaurants (my absolute favourite restaurants)— organized by cuisine (may include other categories). I only include a restaurant here if it’s my clear top pick for that category, and I update the list whenever a new favourite takes the top spot or a new cuisine gets added.…
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Co Oi Kitchen Ottawa Review – Overpriced Vietnamese Food That Doesn’t Deliver on Quality – Average EV Score: 5.2/10
Read more: Co Oi Kitchen Ottawa Review – Overpriced Vietnamese Food That Doesn’t Deliver on Quality – Average EV Score: 5.2/10Co Oi Kitchen is a recently opened Vietnamese restaurant in the fall of 2025 located on Fourth Avenue in the Glebe, an area already known for higher rents and, unsurprisingly, higher menu prices. From the start, it’s clear this restaurant is positioning itself as a more upscale take on Vietnamese cuisine.
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Japan Food Series: Soup Curry at Sama and Rojiura Curry Samurai – A Sapporo Specialty Worth Discovering
Read more: Japan Food Series: Soup Curry at Sama and Rojiura Curry Samurai – A Sapporo Specialty Worth DiscoveringSoup curry was one of the biggest food discoveries I made after arriving in Sapporo. Before this trip, it wasn’t something I was familiar with at all, and it’s not a dish you casually come across outside of Hokkaido. It was only after looking up restaurants and local food specialties that I realized how important…