Chinese

Located on Merivale Road in a small plaza, Meet Noodle is one of those places you might easily drive past without noticing. That’s exactly how we stumbled across it — with little expectation going in. To our surprise, it turned out to be a fantastic little spot serving high-quality noodle soups with the kind of care and attention that make you want to come back.

Sammi and Soupe Dumpling is located in Ottawa’s ByWard Market, a busy area with plenty of dining options but very limited parking. On a weekend evening, it can be a challenge to find a spot close by. When we visited, we ended up parking several blocks over and walking to the restaurant. By the time we arrived, it was already quite busy inside, and it stayed that way throughout our meal.

Dumpling Bliss is a small, casual spot in Centretown focused on pan-fried, boiled, and steamed dumplings. While the savoury dumplings were solid but not standout, the dessert unexpectedly stole the show. A convenient spot if you’re in the area and craving a quick dumpling fix.

Cafe Orient is my favourite Chinese restaurant in Ottawa and 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 just right. The menu is wide-ranging, with everything from casual comfort dishes to classic dim sum. Whether you’re dining solo or sharing plates with friends, there’s something here that’ll hit the spot.