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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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.
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Pur and Simple Barrhaven – Great Brioche, But Not Worth the Wait – Average EV Score: 7.5/10
Read more: Pur and Simple Barrhaven – Great Brioche, But Not Worth the Wait – Average EV Score: 7.5/10Pur and Simple has quickly become one of Ottawa’s go-to brunch chains, and with multiple locations across town, it’s built a strong reputation for its bright atmosphere and wide-ranging breakfast and brunch menu. The Barrhaven location, in particular, is always busy. On my most recent visit, there was about a one-hour wait just to get…
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Grounded Kitchen and Bar Ottawa Review – A Stylish Spot That Falls Short on Flavour – Average EV Score: 6.1/10
Read more: Grounded Kitchen and Bar Ottawa Review – A Stylish Spot That Falls Short on Flavour – Average EV Score: 6.1/10Grounded Kitchen and Bar sits tucked away in a business complex, and at first glance feels like one of those underrated hidden gems. It’s easy to miss if you don’t already know where it is — the kind of restaurant you wouldn’t stumble upon just walking by. Once inside, the space feels well thought out.…
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Why Shinka Sushi Bar’s Omakase Fell Flat Despite Incredible Ingredients – Overall EV Score: 7/10
Read more: Why Shinka Sushi Bar’s Omakase Fell Flat Despite Incredible Ingredients – Overall EV Score: 7/10Shinka Sushi Bar is known for its high-quality fish and beautifully presented dishes — and that much definitely held true. I visited for their omakase experience, which offers a multi-course, chef-curated tasting menu at a fixed price. The ingredients were premium, the flavours were solid, and the presentation was consistently elegant. Unfortunately, the experience as…
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Cafe Orient Ottawa Review – Irresistible Hong Kong Comfort Food That Hits the Spot – Average EV Score: 7.3/10
Read more: Cafe Orient Ottawa Review – Irresistible Hong Kong Comfort Food That Hits the Spot – Average EV Score: 7.3/10Cafe Orient is my favourite Chinese restaurant in Ottawa and probably the closest thing the city has to a true Hong Kong–style café. From HK milk tea to golden, buttery HK-style French toast, they hit the nostalgic notes perfectly. Their menu is broad, covering everything from casual comfort plates to dim sum classics, so no…
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Heartbreakers Pizza Ottawa Review – Sweet, Spicy, and Seriously Satisfying – Average EV Score: 8.5/10
Read more: Heartbreakers Pizza Ottawa Review – Sweet, Spicy, and Seriously Satisfying – Average EV Score: 8.5/10Heartbreakers Pizza is easily one of my favourite pizza spots in Ottawa. The restaurant is located on Parkdale Avenue, not far from the highway entrance and exit, which makes it convenient to get to but sometimes tricky for parking. They technically have only two or three spots out front that are designated for the restaurant,…
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Sushi-ro Ottawa Review – Cozy Vibes, Quality Rolls, and Clean Execution – Average EV Score: 7.8/10
Read more: Sushi-ro Ottawa Review – Cozy Vibes, Quality Rolls, and Clean Execution – Average EV Score: 7.8/10Sushi-ro is a quiet and cozy spot in Ottawa’s Hintonburg neighbourhood. It has a warm, relaxed atmosphere that makes it a nice choice for a casual sushi night. The restaurant is quite small, with limited seating — about four or five small tables — so it isn’t the type of place you’d come to with…
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Seafood Grill Ottawa Review – Promising Flavours, But Missed Execution on Key Dishes – Average EV Score: 5.9/10
Read more: Seafood Grill Ottawa Review – Promising Flavours, But Missed Execution on Key Dishes – Average EV Score: 5.9/10Seafood Grill on Merivale can be a little tricky to spot at first. It’s tucked away in a plaza, giving it that “hidden gem” vibe, though in reality it’s not as hidden as it feels once you know where to look. The restaurant shares space with a few other businesses, and there’s a parking lot…
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Baja Burger Shack Ottawa Review – Stunning Location, Underwhelming Burger, Good Fries – Average EV Score: 5.8/10
Read more: Baja Burger Shack Ottawa Review – Stunning Location, Underwhelming Burger, Good Fries – Average EV Score: 5.8/10Baja Burger Shack at Britannia Beach is in a lively, beachside location that’s buzzing with volleyball games and summer energy. It’s casual, laid-back, and clearly popular for its setting. If you’re after a chill spot to grab a bite outdoors, this fits the bill. That said, the food itself didn’t quite match the vibe—at least…
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Tavern on the Hill Ottawa Review – Great Views, Forgettable Food – Average EV Score: 3.4/10
Read more: Tavern on the Hill Ottawa Review – Great Views, Forgettable Food – Average EV Score: 3.4/10Tavern on the Hill sits in one of the best locations in Ottawa, perched near Major’s Hill Park with a view that rivals most patios in the city. The restaurant is part of the Tavern Group, which operates several well-known spots around Ottawa, all of which seem to lean heavily on prime real estate and…
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Torta Boyz Ottawa – Delicious Fries Worth the Trip – Average EV Score: 7.5/10
Read more: Torta Boyz Ottawa – Delicious Fries Worth the Trip – Average EV Score: 7.5/10Torta Boyz moved to Little Italy March 26, 2026. It used be located on Lebreton. The vibe is laid-back, almost like you’re visiting a hidden gem your friend told you about.
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Khao (Street Food Thailand and Bar) Ottawa Restaurant Review – Delicious Thai Street Food in Westboro – Average EV Score: 6.7/10
Read more: Khao (Street Food Thailand and Bar) Ottawa Restaurant Review – Delicious Thai Street Food in Westboro – Average EV Score: 6.7/10Khao is located in Ottawa’s Westboro neighbourhood, in the same plaza as Bushtukah and directly across the street from Otto’s Subaru. If you’ve been in the area before, you might remember that this space used to be home to Fiazza. The location works well — there’s a shared parking lot for the plaza, which makes…