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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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.
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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…