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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Farinella Snack Bar Ottawa Review – Smooth Pistachio Gelato with Room for More Flavour – Average EV Score: 5.5/10
Read more: Farinella Snack Bar Ottawa Review – Smooth Pistachio Gelato with Room for More Flavour – Average EV Score: 5.5/10Located in Ottawa’s Little Italy, Farinella Snack Bar is a small offshoot of the Farinella brand. While their other locations on Rochester Street and March Road are well known for serving up some of Ottawa’s most talked-about pizza, this particular spot specializes exclusively in gelato. It’s a compact place, more of a quick stop than…
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Umbrella Burger Ottawa Review – Solid Cheeseburger and Surprisingly Great Curly Fries – Average EV Score: 8/10
Read more: Umbrella Burger Ottawa Review – Solid Cheeseburger and Surprisingly Great Curly Fries – Average EV Score: 8/10Located in Ottawa’s Little Italy, Umbrella Burger is a very casual spot that specializes in keeping things simple: burgers, fries, and drinks. The restaurant isn’t very large, with just a few tables inside and a small patio out front for warmer days. It’s clearly designed more for quick bites or casual hangs rather than a…
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Cha Kee Restaurant Markham Review – Honest Look at a Modern HK Café with Hits and Misses – Average EV Score: 6.6/10
Read more: Cha Kee Restaurant Markham Review – Honest Look at a Modern HK Café with Hits and Misses – Average EV Score: 6.6/10Cha Kee Restaurant offers a modern take on Hong Kong-style café fare with a stylish space and broad menu. While some dishes hit the mark—especially the pork chop noodles and creative twist on French toast—others suffered from inconsistency, particularly the curry beef brisket.
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Linh Anh Vietnamese Cuisine Markham Review – Incredible Bone Marrow and Steamed Rice Rolls Worth the Hype – Average EV Score: 8.7/10
Read more: Linh Anh Vietnamese Cuisine Markham Review – Incredible Bone Marrow and Steamed Rice Rolls Worth the Hype – Average EV Score: 8.7/10Linh Anh Vietnamese Cuisine is a bustling spot in Unionville with all tables full during our visit—a great sign. Despite the crowd, service was efficient and the kitchen delivered a range of standout dishes. While pho may be the go-to here, their expanded menu includes items not commonly found at similar restaurants, and they do…
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Panash Bakery Markham Review – Hit-or-Miss Buns with Great Texture but Disappointing Cakes – Average EV Score: 5.8/10
Read more: Panash Bakery Markham Review – Hit-or-Miss Buns with Great Texture but Disappointing Cakes – Average EV Score: 5.8/10Panash Bakery offers a variety of Chinese and Asian-style baked goods in a modern, clean setting. While some items delivered on expected textures and flavours, others fell flat either due to dryness or misleading presentation. It’s a decent stop if you’re nearby, but not everything is worth a try.
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Kingsfield Chinese Cuisine Markham Review – Great Service, Mixed Dim Sum Results – Average EV Score: 6.7/10
Read more: Kingsfield Chinese Cuisine Markham Review – Great Service, Mixed Dim Sum Results – Average EV Score: 6.7/10Kingsfield Chinese Cuisine is a slightly upscale dim sum spot in Markham with attentive service and a modern setting. The experience overall was pleasant, and the service stood out as one of the stronger aspects. While several dim sum staples were well-executed, others missed the mark in flavour or presentation.
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Good Taste Casserole Rice Markham Review – Flavour-Packed Clay Pot Rice Worth the Trip – Average EV Score: 8.3/10
Read more: Good Taste Casserole Rice Markham Review – Flavour-Packed Clay Pot Rice Worth the Trip – Average EV Score: 8.3/10Good Taste Casserole Rice sits in a plaza with lots of parking. The plaza setting makes it convenient to visit compared to downtown Toronto restaurants where parking is often a headache. You can usually pull right into a spot without much hassle, which is especially helpful if you’re arriving in the evening or on weekends.
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Moo Shu Ice Cream Ottawa Review – Incredible Waffle Cone but Disappointing Black Sesame Flavour – Average EV Score: 5.6/10
Read more: Moo Shu Ice Cream Ottawa Review – Incredible Waffle Cone but Disappointing Black Sesame Flavour – Average EV Score: 5.6/10Moo Shu is known for its creative Asian-inspired ice cream flavours and small-batch production. The shop is stylish and popular with locals, especially in summer months. While the waffle cone was a highlight, the flavour of the ice cream missed the mark this time.
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Pho Viet Noodle Ottawa Review – Truth About Slow Service and Dry Beef in Hintonburg – Average EV Score: 5.8/10
Read more: Pho Viet Noodle Ottawa Review – Truth About Slow Service and Dry Beef in Hintonburg – Average EV Score: 5.8/10Pho Viet Noodle is located in Hintonburg, an area known for its vibrant mix of cafés, restaurants, and shops. Like most businesses in this neighbourhood, there’s no dedicated parking lot, so you’ll need to rely on street parking. It’s manageable, but depending on the time of day, you may find yourself circling a bit before…
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Amazonas Peruvian Restaurant Review – Vibrant Celebration of Peruvian Cuisine in Gatineau – Overall EV Score: 6/10
Read more: Amazonas Peruvian Restaurant Review – Vibrant Celebration of Peruvian Cuisine in Gatineau – Overall EV Score: 6/10Amazonas Peruvian Restaurant is a well-known spot in Gatineau, popular among the local Peruvian community for offering authentic dishes that remind many of home. It’s regarded as one of the few reliable places in the area for Peruvian cuisine, and it has built up a strong reputation over the years.
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Dumpling Bliss Ottawa Review – Decent Dumplings and a Surprisingly Great Dessert – Average EV Score: 6.8/10
Read more: Dumpling Bliss Ottawa Review – Decent Dumplings and a Surprisingly Great Dessert – Average EV Score: 6.8/10Dumpling Bliss is located in Centretown, but the restaurant is a little hidden away. It’s not in a main area where you’d naturally expect to find a restaurant, so it almost feels like a spot you’d only know about if someone told you. That said, once you do find it, the space is quite nice.…
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Djakarta Taste Gatineau Review – Truth About an Unreliable and Underwhelming Restaurant – Average EV Score: 3.8/10
Read more: Djakarta Taste Gatineau Review – Truth About an Unreliable and Underwhelming Restaurant – Average EV Score: 3.8/10Djakarta Taste is an Indonesian restaurant that, on paper, looks like it could fill a unique niche in the Ottawa–Gatineau food scene. Unfortunately, my experience here left me with little desire to return.
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The Britannia Bakeshop Ottawa Review – Honest Take on an Overpriced Pastry – Average EV Score: 5.3/10
Read more: The Britannia Bakeshop Ottawa Review – Honest Take on an Overpriced Pastry – Average EV Score: 5.3/10The Britannia Bakeshop is in a great spot—right off the bike path and just a short stroll from Britannia Park and Beach. It’s a convenient stop if you’re out for a ride or walk in the area, with a small but cozy interior and a few outdoor seats.
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Pelican Grill Ottawa Review – Mixed Seafood Experience with Great Calamari and Disappointing Crab Cakes – Average EV Score: 6.7/10
Read more: Pelican Grill Ottawa Review – Mixed Seafood Experience with Great Calamari and Disappointing Crab Cakes – Average EV Score: 6.7/10Pelican Grill is located in a plaza on Bank Street, and honestly, you wouldn’t necessarily expect to find great seafood in a spot like this. The plaza is filled with fairly ordinary businesses, and if you were just driving by, you probably wouldn’t peg it as home to one of Ottawa’s best-known seafood restaurants. That…
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Smash Daddy Ottawa Review – Incredible Smash Burgers and Perfectly Crispy Fries in Bell’s Corners – Average EV Score: 8.5/10
Read more: Smash Daddy Ottawa Review – Incredible Smash Burgers and Perfectly Crispy Fries in Bell’s Corners – Average EV Score: 8.5/10Smash Daddy is a food truck gem in Bell’s Corners that consistently delivers high-quality smash burgers and fries. The setup is casual, but the food feels thoughtfully crafted. Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or looking for one of the better burger experiences in Ottawa’s west end, this place hits the mark.
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Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Barrhaven Review – Hidden Gem or Overhyped? – Average EV Score: 6.3/10
Read more: Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Barrhaven Review – Hidden Gem or Overhyped? – Average EV Score: 6.3/10Dickey’s Barbecue Pit offers a very casual, cafeteria-style dining experience in Barrhaven, with a menu focused on classic American BBQ meats and sides. You order at the counter, grab a tray, and take a seat—nothing fancy, just straightforward BBQ.
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Beyond the Pale Ottawa Review – Surprisingly Good Ribs in a Great Patio Setting – Average EV Score: 8/10
Read more: Beyond the Pale Ottawa Review – Surprisingly Good Ribs in a Great Patio Setting – Average EV Score: 8/10Beyond the Pale is one of Ottawa’s most recognizable breweries. It’s known first and foremost for its beers and its very large patio, which makes it a go-to spot in the summer. The patio is spacious, dotted with long communal tables and string lights, giving it a relaxed, social vibe. It’s the kind of place…
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The Merry Dairy Ottawa Review: Best Ice Cream in Ottawa? – Average EV Score: 8.3/10
Read more: The Merry Dairy Ottawa Review: Best Ice Cream in Ottawa? – Average EV Score: 8.3/10The Merry Dairy has become one of Ottawa’s most beloved ice cream shops. It’s a very popular spot that’s well-known across the city, and for good reason. Their ice cream is consistently rich, creamy, and flavourful, with a texture that manages to be indulgent without ever feeling too heavy. Add in their crisp, house-made waffle…
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Le Foubrac – Good Burgers, Relaxed Patio Vibe – Average EV Score: 6.8/10
Read more: Le Foubrac – Good Burgers, Relaxed Patio Vibe – Average EV Score: 6.8/10Le Foubrac is a casual burger joint with a laid-back atmosphere. The space itself is unassuming, and unless you already know it’s there, you might not necessarily think to stop in. It’s the type of restaurant you go to when you’re already in the neighbourhood rather than somewhere you’d make a dedicated trip for.
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Margarita’s Latin Fusion Ottawa Review – A Charming Atmosphere Let Down by Underwhelming Food – Average EV Score: 6.1/10
Read more: Margarita’s Latin Fusion Ottawa Review – A Charming Atmosphere Let Down by Underwhelming Food – Average EV Score: 6.1/10Margarita’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.