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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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.
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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 Ottawa Review – Authentic Soup Dumplings in the ByWard Market – Average EV Score: 5.7/10
Read more: Sammi and Soupe Dumpling Ottawa Review – 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 Ottawa Review – A Classic Irish Pub Experience in Little Italy – Average EV Score: 4.8/10
Read more: Heart and Crown Preston Ottawa Review – 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.…
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La Roma Restaurant Ottawa Review – Classic and Flavourful Italian Cuisine in Little Italy – Average EV Score: 5.9/10
Read more: La Roma Restaurant Ottawa Review – Classic and Flavourful Italian Cuisine in Little Italy – Average EV Score: 5.9/10La Roma is located right in the heart of Ottawa’s Little Italy. It’s an area lined with Italian restaurants and cafés, which makes it a competitive spot for any restaurant to stand out. We decided to stop in for lunch on a Friday, and surprisingly, the place wasn’t very busy at all. Including our table,…
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Sona The Indian Kitchen Ottawa Review – Authentic Indian Flavours and Generous Portions – Average EV Score: 6.4/10
Read more: Sona The Indian Kitchen Ottawa Review – Authentic Indian Flavours and Generous Portions – Average EV Score: 6.4/10Sona The Indian Kitchen is tucked away in a plaza on Hunt Club Road — the kind of place you wouldn’t stumble upon unless someone told you about it. Despite being a little hard to find, it’s clearly well known in the community because the restaurant was very busy when we visited. The space itself…
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Schoolhouse Pizza Ottawa Review – Flavourful Buffalo NY Pizza but Disappointing Crust – Average EV Score: 6.5/10
Read more: Schoolhouse Pizza Ottawa Review – Flavourful Buffalo NY Pizza but Disappointing Crust – Average EV Score: 6.5/10Schoolhouse Pizza serves up generously topped pies with creative flavour combinations. The Buffalo NY sounded promising with its mix of tomato sauce, mozzarella, chicken, jalapeño, shallots, Frank’s buffalo hot sauce, crème fraîche, and cilantro. While the flavour was solid, the crust let it down.