Cafe Orient Review – Irresistible Hong Kong Comfort Food That Hits the Spot – Average EV Score: 7.9/10
Reviewed by Tastes of Ottawa
Each dish is rated using our EV Score (Enjoyment-to-Value Score), based on enjoyment, price paid, and benchmark pricing.
Table of Contents
Cafe Orient Restaurant Overview
808 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 6R5
Cafe 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 matter what you’re craving, you’ll likely find it here.
The restaurant itself has a decent amount of seating, with about ten tables. It’s not a huge space, but it manages to feel welcoming and comfortable. Expect lineups at peak meal times because it’s often quite busy, and the turnover of customers means it stays lively throughout the day. The staff are friendly and approachable, adding to the overall welcoming atmosphere. Service is efficient too — food tends to come out fairly quickly, which is always a plus when the restaurant is packed.
One thing to keep in mind is that there’s no dedicated parking lot. You’ll need to rely on street parking, which can sometimes be tricky depending on when you go. If you’re visiting during the lunch or dinner rush, it’s best to give yourself some extra time to find a spot.
For me, the appeal of Cafe Orient isn’t just the food itself, but the entire experience. It has that cozy, bustling energy that feels like a snapshot of Hong Kong dining culture. Whether you’re going alone for a quick bite or sitting down with friends to share multiple plates, it’s a place that keeps pulling you back in.
Would return?: Yes.
Beef with Rice Noodle
Enjoyment: 8.5/10
Price Paid: $19
Benchmark Price: $19
EV Score: 8.5/10
Order Again?: Yes.
This dish is the definition of comfort food for me. The beef is consistently tender and well-seasoned, and the rice noodles always have that perfect springy texture. They’re never soggy or clumpy, which is a common pitfall with rice noodles. Instead, every bite feels light but still hearty. It’s not a flashy dish, but it delivers exactly what you want, and Cafe Orient gets it right every time.
Curry Beef Brisket with Rice
Enjoyment: 9/10
Price Paid: $20
Benchmark Price: $20
EV Score: 9/10
Order Again?: Yes.
This is one of my favourite dishes on the menu. The beef brisket is melt-in-your-mouth tender, the kind that barely needs a knife. The curry sauce is fragrant and layered with flavour — rich enough to feel indulgent but not so strong that it overpowers the beef. When paired with a simple bed of white rice, it becomes a satisfying and filling meal. The portion size is generous too, but it’s so good that I always end up finishing it in one sitting anyway.
Beef Short Rib in Black Pepper Sauce
Enjoyment: 8/10
Price Paid: $20
Benchmark Price: $20
EV Score: 8/10
Order Again?: Yes.
This dish is another comforting choice. The black pepper sauce is done really well, with just the right consistency to coat the beef short ribs and rice. It’s peppery without being harsh, and it adds a nice depth of flavour. The beef short ribs themselves are tender, making the whole dish feel hearty and satisfying. It’s the type of meal I’d look forward to after a long day of work — simple, comforting, and reliably good
Yeung Chow Fried Rice
Enjoyment: 7.5/10
Price Paid: $18
Benchmark Price: $18
EV Score: 7.5/10
Order Again?: Yes.
Another classic fried rice from Cafe Orient with simple ingredients. The fried rice is nice and doesn’t clump up. The shrimp was cooked nicely and the BBq pork was very flavourful and tender. This dish is quite common in Chinese restaurants. It’s one of my go-to fried rices because of its combination of ingredients and simplicity.
Spare Ribs in Black Bean Sauce
Enjoyment: 7.5/10
Price Paid: $24
Benchmark Price: $20
EV Score: 6.3/10
Order Again?: Unsure.
The spare ribs are very nicely cooked and were very tender. Having it cooked in black bean sauce adds such a nice flavour profile to the ribs. I found this dish to be a bit pricey for what it was though. I didn’t really find any small bits of broken bones that you can sometimes in find spare rib dishes. Overall, the I enjoyed eating it but the price could have been better. So unsure if I would order it again.
Final Thoughts
Cafe Orient has earned its spot as one of my go-to restaurants in Ottawa. It’s the closest thing we have to an authentic Hong Kong–style café, and it consistently delivers comforting, satisfying dishes. While the food is the star, the whole experience adds to its charm: the friendly staff, the busy but cozy atmosphere, and the steady stream of people coming in and out for their favourite comfort foods.
The downsides are fairly minor. You’ll want to plan for lineups at peak times, since it’s almost always busy, and parking can be a bit of a hassle given the lack of a dedicated lot. Still, these are small trade-offs for the quality and consistency you get once you’re inside.
From the beef with rice noodle to the curry beef brisket, every dish I’ve tried so far has been worth ordering again. I know I’ll be back to explore even more of the menu, but it’s also the kind of place where I’d happily reorder my favourites over and over again. Cafe Orient has carved out a unique spot in Ottawa’s food scene, and it’s one I don’t see myself getting tired of anytime soon.