If you’re new here: welcome! Tastes of Ottawa is a dish-focused review site where I rate every bite using the EV Score—Enjoyment-to-Value. I focus on how good the food actually tastes, and whether it’s worth your money.
Recent Reviews
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Astoria Gatineau Review – Creative Vegan Cuisine with Standout Dishes and a Few Misses – Average EV Score: 6.4/10
Read more: Astoria Gatineau Review – Creative Vegan Cuisine with Standout Dishes and a Few Misses – Average EV Score: 6.4/10Astoria, located in Gatineau, is one of our favourite vegan restaurants in the area. From the moment you walk in, you notice how nice the space looks, with a modern and comfortable atmosphere. The staff are very friendly, and service comes with the added bonus of being highly attentive to allergies, which shows real care…
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Red Lobster Ottawa (Merivale) Review – Classic Seafood Feast with Mixed Results – Overall EV Score: 7/10
Read more: Red Lobster Ottawa (Merivale) Review – Classic Seafood Feast with Mixed Results – Overall EV Score: 7/10Located on Merivale Road, Red Lobster is a chain that many are familiar with, though in recent years there has been talk about the company facing financial troubles. With that in mind, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when we walked in. The first impression was positive: the restaurant has a large dining room…
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Meet Noodle Ottawa Review – Hand-Pulled Noodles and Generous Beef Portions – Average EV Score: 8.1/10
Read more: Meet Noodle Ottawa Review – Hand-Pulled Noodles and Generous Beef Portions – Average EV Score: 8.1/10Located on Merivale Road in a small plaza, Meet Noodle is one of those places you might easily drive past without noticing. That’s exactly how we stumbled across it — with little expectation going in. To our surprise, it turned out to be a fantastic little spot serving high-quality noodle soups with the kind of…
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Gyubee Japanese BBQ Ottawa Review – Fun Experience, Tender Meats, and a Pricey Feast – Overall EV Score: 7.5/10
Read more: Gyubee Japanese BBQ Ottawa Review – Fun Experience, Tender Meats, and a Pricey Feast – Overall EV Score: 7.5/10Located on Merivale Road in Ottawa, Gyubee is a Japanese BBQ (yakiniku) restaurant where you order unlimited plates of raw meat, grill them yourself at the table, and enjoy as much as you can within the two-hour limit.
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Golden Ox Noodles Ottawa Review – Tender Pork Belly and Bold Coconut Broth – Average EV Score: 6.4/10
Read more: Golden Ox Noodles Ottawa Review – Tender Pork Belly and Bold Coconut Broth – Average EV Score: 6.4/10Golden Ox Noodles is a relatively new addition to Ottawa’s dining scene, having only opened a few months ago. It is located right in the heart of Little Italy on Preston Street, an area already known for its concentration of restaurants. The space replaced an Indian restaurant, and while it hasn’t been around long, it…
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Chelsea Pub Review – Relaxed Vibe, Friendly Service, and a Standout Burger – Average EV Score: 6.2/10
Read more: Chelsea Pub Review – Relaxed Vibe, Friendly Service, and a Standout Burger – Average EV Score: 6.2/10Located in the heart of Chelsea, Quebec, the Chelsea Pub has long been a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors alike. Situated just a short distance from Gatineau Park, it naturally attracts a steady stream of runners, bikers, and outdoor enthusiasts who stop in for a drink and a meal after enjoying the park’s…
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Datsun Ottawa Review – Honest Look at Trendy Décor and Disappointing Flavours – Average EV Score: 5.4/10
Read more: Datsun Ottawa Review – Honest Look at Trendy Décor and Disappointing Flavours – Average EV Score: 5.4/10Located on Elgin Street in Ottawa, Datsun is one of the city’s well-known restaurants that attracts crowds for its trendy décor and creative spin on Asian-inspired dishes. The space has lots of seating, and the decor is modern and stylish, making it feel like one of the more polished dining rooms in the area.
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Wise Town Cafe Ottawa Review – Overpriced Desserts and Underwhelming Experience – Average EV Score: 4.6/10
Read more: Wise Town Cafe Ottawa Review – Overpriced Desserts and Underwhelming Experience – Average EV Score: 4.6/10Wise Town Cafe positions itself as a modern coffee and dessert spot where you can sit down for drinks, cakes, and casual conversation. At first glance, the Wise Town Cafe looks inviting enough, with decent décor and a reasonable amount of seating inside. It’s a place that seems designed for people to linger with a…
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Sammi and Soupe Dumpling – Authentic Soup Dumplings in the ByWard Market – Average EV Score: 5.7/10
Read more: Sammi and Soupe Dumpling – Authentic Soup Dumplings in the ByWard Market – Average EV Score: 5.7/10Sammi and Soupe Dumpling is located in Ottawa’s ByWard Market, a busy area with plenty of dining options but very limited parking. On a weekend evening, it can be a challenge to find a spot close by. When we visited, we ended up parking several blocks over and walking to the restaurant. By the time…
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Heart and Crown Preston – A Classic Irish Pub Experience in Little Italy – Average EV Score: 4.8/10
Read more: Heart and Crown Preston – A Classic Irish Pub Experience in Little Italy – Average EV Score: 4.8/10Heart and Crown is a well-known name in Ottawa, with several locations spread across the city. This review focuses on their Preston Street location, right in the heart of Little Italy. Unlike the bustling ByWard Market branch, which is famous for its nightlife scene, this spot feels a bit more low-key, at least on weeknights.…