Best Ottawa Restaurants by Cuisine – My Personal Favourites
This is a living list of the Best Ottawa Restaurants (my absolute favourite restaurants)— organized by cuisine (may include other categories).
I only include a restaurant here if it’s my clear top pick for that category, and I update the list whenever a new favourite takes the top spot or a new cuisine gets added.
If a cuisine isn’t listed yet, it just means I haven’t found a true favourite in that category — yet.
Last updated: July 26, 2025
Table of Contents
Chinese
Cafe Orient (808 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 6R5)
Cafe Orient is my favourite Chinese restaurant in Ottawa and easily the closest thing the city has to a true Hong Kong-style café. From their HK milk tea to the buttery, golden HK-style French toast, they really capture those nostalgic comfort-food flavours. The menu covers a lot — everything from dim sum classics to casual, satisfying plates. Whether I’m going solo or sharing dishes with friends, it always hits the spot.
Fries
Torta Boyz (60A Lebreton St N, Ottawa, ON K1R 7H4)
I come to Torta Boyz mainly for their asada fries — they’re consistently crispy, packed with flavour, and loaded with toppings in a way that really works. I’ve tried plenty of chip trucks and expected them to deliver, but none have matched what I get here. Their tacos and tortas are good, but I usually order those as an afterthought since I’m already there for the fries.
Ice Cream
Merry Dairy (102 Fairmont Ave, Ottawa, ON K1Y 1X6)
Merry Dairy is my go-to for ice cream in Ottawa — their ice cream has rich and creamy texture that sets them apart. They offer both classic and creative rotating flavours, with plenty of options for those who are vegan or dairy-free. Whether I’m grabbing a cone, a pint, or one of their ice cream sandwiches, it always feels like a treat worth going out of the way for. Expect long lines on warm evenings — and for good reason.
Korean
Alirang (1485 Merivale Rd, Nepean, ON K2E 5P3)
Alirang is one of my go-to spots in Ottawa — especially when I’m not sure where to eat. It’s always consistent, the food tastes great, and it feels like solid value every time. Their galbi is one of my absolute favourite dishes anywhere. I’ve gone more times than I can count and I honestly don’t remember ever having a bad experience. Plus, parking is easy since they have their own lot, which is a nice bonus.
Pizza
Heartbreakers Pizza (465 Parkdale Ave, Ottawa, ON K1Y 1H5
Heartbreakers makes my favourite pizza in the city. The crust is light and crispy. Their toppings don’t just taste good on their own; they work together to create this perfect mix of flavours that just feels really balanced. I usually go for The Sweetheart — it hits all the right notes. Best of all, it never leaves me with that heavy, greasy feeling you get from a lot of other pizza places.
Other Notes
I visit restaurants anonymously and pay for all meals myself. These are personal opinions based on my experiences — your tastes might differ!
I’ll continue updating this page as I discover new favourites. If you know a place that you think outshines one of my current picks, feel free to let me know — I might review it, and if it truly is better, I’ll update this post accordingly.