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: Bakery Finds in Sapporo — Boul’Ange Review
Read more: Japan Food Series: Bakery Finds in Sapporo — Boul’Ange ReviewBoul’Ange was easily one of my favourite bakeries that I came across in Sapporo. After trying a wide range of bakeries during this trip—from casual chains to neighbourhood bakeries—Boul’Ange stood out immediately for its consistency, execution, and overall quality. This is the kind of bakery where you can tell, from the first bite, that they…
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Japan Food Series: Bakery Finds in Sapporo — Bostonbake Review
Read more: Japan Food Series: Bakery Finds in Sapporo — Bostonbake ReviewBostonbake is a casual, neighbourhood-style bakery chain you’ll see around Sapporo and other parts of Hokkaido. It’s not a boutique patisserie or a trendy café-style bakery. Instead, it feels practical, approachable, and very Japanese in how it balances variety with affordability. The shelves are packed with everything from sweet pastries and buns to savoury sandwiches…
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Japan Food Series: Specialty Store Finds in Sapporo Part 2 (Daiichi Susukino, Daikoku Drug, and Tanukiya)
Read more: Japan Food Series: Specialty Store Finds in Sapporo Part 2 (Daiichi Susukino, Daikoku Drug, and Tanukiya)Continuing my Japan Food Series, I wanted to highlight a few more specialty shops and stores I visited in Sapporo that stood out for their snacks, sweets, and drinks. Unlike the major convenience store chains like FamilyMart or Lawson, these places felt more local and unique—offering products you might not find anywhere else in Japan.
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Japan Food Series: Specialty Store Finds in Sapporo Part 1 (Kita Kitchen, Mitsukoshi, and Shinmart)
Read more: Japan Food Series: Specialty Store Finds in Sapporo Part 1 (Kita Kitchen, Mitsukoshi, and Shinmart)While Japan’s convenience stores like Lawson, FamilyMart, and Seicomart are already impressive, Sapporo also has plenty of smaller specialty stores and department store food sections worth exploring. These aren’t quite the same as konbini, but they share the same attention to detail, freshness, and variety that Japan’s food culture is known for.
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Japan Food Series: Seicomart Convenience Store Finds in Sapporo
Read more: Japan Food Series: Seicomart Convenience Store Finds in SapporoSeicomart is a name you’ll hear often when you’re in Hokkaido. Unlike Lawson, FamilyMart, or 7-Eleven—which can be found across Japan—Seicomart is mainly located in the Hokkaido region, and it’s actually one of Japan’s oldest convenience store chains. It’s so common in Hokkaido that locals often describe it as part of daily life. Even though…
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Japan Food Series: Lawson Convenience Store Finds in Sapporo
Read more: Japan Food Series: Lawson Convenience Store Finds in SapporoOne of the most enjoyable parts of travelling in Japan is exploring stores like Lawson. These convenience stores (konbini) are everywhere and carry an incredible variety of snacks, drinks, and ready-to-eat meals. They’re nothing like what we have in Ottawa—Lawson elevates even the simplest foods, making them fun to explore. While my site usually focuses…
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Japan Food Series: FamilyMart Convenience Store Finds in Sapporo
Read more: Japan Food Series: FamilyMart Convenience Store Finds in SapporoFamilyMart is one of the most iconic convenience store chains in Japan, alongside Lawson and 7-Eleven. These stores, often called konbini, are everywhere—you’ll find them on busy city corners, tucked away near train stations, and even in quiet neighbourhoods. What makes them special isn’t just the sheer variety of food and drink available, but also…
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Bite and Bite Shanghai Fried Buns Ottawa Review – Average EV Score: 6.5/10
Read more: Bite and Bite Shanghai Fried Buns Ottawa Review – Average EV Score: 6.5/10Located on Merivale Road, Bite and Bite Shanghai Fried Buns is a small, casual spot tucked inside a plaza, which means plenty of parking and easy access. The dining room is small, with only a handful of tables, making it more of a quick-stop eatery than a full sit-down experience.
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Baton Rouge Hunt Club Ottawa Review – Great Fries but Disappointing Prime Rib – Average EV Score: 5/10
Read more: Baton Rouge Hunt Club Ottawa Review – Great Fries but Disappointing Prime Rib – Average EV Score: 5/10Baton Rouge is a well-known Canadian restaurant chain recognized for its steaks, ribs, and upscale casual dining atmosphere. We visited the Hunt Club location, which is situated in a plaza with plenty of free parking. We had been here a number of times, so we expected it to be pretty good again.
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Supply and Demand Ottawa Review – Fresh Pasta and Creative Dishes but Overpriced – Average EV Score: 5.9/10
Read more: Supply and Demand Ottawa Review – Fresh Pasta and Creative Dishes but Overpriced – Average EV Score: 5.9/10Supply and Demand is a popular, upscale restaurant that’s been around for quite some time. They’re known for their housemade pasta, seafood dishes, and stylish interior, and it’s a place that tends to stay busy — for good reason.
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Petinos Montreal Review – Generous Portions but Standard Brunch Fare – Average EV Score: 5.8/10
Read more: Petinos Montreal Review – Generous Portions but Standard Brunch Fare – Average EV Score: 5.8/10The one we went to was located in Dollard-des-Ormeaux (DDO) on the West Island of Montreal, Petinos is a very popular breakfast and brunch spot that’s part of a well-known Quebec-based chain. The restaurant has a loyal following, and it’s easy to see why — the portions are large, the menu is extensive, and the…
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Burger de Ville Montreal Review – Juicy Burgers, Massive Poutine, and Friendly Service – Average EV Score: 5.7/10
Read more: Burger de Ville Montreal Review – Juicy Burgers, Massive Poutine, and Friendly Service – Average EV Score: 5.7/10Located in Montreal, Burger de Ville is a very casual burger joint known for its fresh beef patties and build-your-own burger experience. You order at the counter, choose your toppings, sides, and how you want your burger cooked, and then they bring the food to your table. It’s a simple, no-frills setup, but it works…
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Orange Julep Montreal Review – Classic Nostalgia with Great Orange Juice and a Tasty Smash Burger – Average EV Score: 6/10
Read more: Orange Julep Montreal Review – Classic Nostalgia with Great Orange Juice and a Tasty Smash Burger – Average EV Score: 6/10Located in Montreal, Orange Julep is a city landmark and one of its most recognizable fast-food destinations. The massive orange-shaped building is hard to miss and has has been serving locals and tourists for decades and continues to be a popular hangout spot, especially during the summer months. The restaurant operates entirely with outdoor seating,…
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Chesterfield’s Gastro Diner Ottawa Review – Exceptional Brunch and Perfectly Cooked Eggs – Average EV Score: 7/10
Read more: Chesterfield’s Gastro Diner Ottawa Review – Exceptional Brunch and Perfectly Cooked Eggs – Average EV Score: 7/10Located in Hintonburg, Chesterfield’s Gastro Diner has earned a strong reputation as one of Ottawa’s most popular brunch destinations — and after visiting, it’s easy to see why. The restaurant is known for its creative menu, friendly staff, and consistently high-quality dishes that show real care from the kitchen.
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Hintonburg Public House Review – Memorable Burger but Disappointing Fries – Average EV Score: 6.3/10
Read more: Hintonburg Public House Review – Memorable Burger but Disappointing Fries – Average EV Score: 6.3/10Located in Hintonburg, the Hintonburg Public House is a neighbourhood spot that offers a casual atmostphere with a mix of pub staples and rotating specials. Like many restaurants in the area, there’s no dedicated parking, so you’ll need to find a street spot nearby. It’s expected for the neighbourhood, but something to plan for if…
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Sea King Seafood Restaurant Merivale Ottawa Review – Authentic Push Cart Dim Sum Worth Trying – Average EV Score: 5.9/10
Read more: Sea King Seafood Restaurant Merivale Ottawa Review – Authentic Push Cart Dim Sum Worth Trying – Average EV Score: 5.9/10Located on Merivale Road, Sea King Seafood Restaurant is one of the few dim sum restaurants in the Ottawa area that still uses push carts. This makes for a nostalgic and efficient experience — as soon as you’re seated, food is already circulating around the room, so you don’t have to wait long before eating.
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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.