Khao (Street Food Thailand and Bar) Ottawa Restaurant Review – Delicious Thai Street Food in Westboro – Average EV Score: 6.7/10
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
Khao Restaurant Overview
205 Richmond Rd, Ottawa, ON K1Z 6W4
Khao 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 things convenient, though if it’s full, you’ll have to look for street parking nearby.
Inside, there’s a fair number of tables, enough to comfortably accommodate small groups. That said, I wouldn’t recommend it for larger parties of six or more since the seating setup doesn’t quite lend itself to big gatherings. It’s better suited for couples, friends, or smaller groups looking for a casual night out.
We visited Khao during their soft opening, and the place was already buzzing with energy. It was loud, busy, and clearly attracting a crowd that was excited to check out a new addition to Westboro’s restaurant scene. The atmosphere leaned on the lively side — lots of chatter, plenty of movement, and a certain excitement in the air. The only downside of that energy was the wait for table service, which was a bit longer than expected. Still, for a restaurant that was only just finding its rhythm, it was understandable.
Khao’s drink selection was decent, and I tried their cabernet sauvignon. It was smooth, flavourful, and paired nicely with the food. It was a nice touch to see that even during their soft open, they had a bar program ready to go, which rounded out the overall dining experience.
Would return?: Yes.
Goong Pop (Popcorn Shrimp)
😋 Enjoyment: 7.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $15
🎯 Benchmark Price: $12
📊 EV Score: 6/10
🔁 Order Again?: No.
This dish from Khao looked promising but fell short on a few fronts. The coating didn’t fully cover each piece, which made the texture of each bite inconsistent, and at $15 for just five pieces, it didn’t feel like great value. On the plus side, the texture was excellent—crispy but not too hard—and the shrimp itself wasn’t overcooked. I also liked the sauce they used; it gave the whole dish a bit of a lift. With more attention to detail and better priced, this could be a standout.
Pad See Ew
😋 Enjoyment: 7/10
💰 Price Paid: $20
🎯 Benchmark Price: $20
📊 EV Score: 7/10
🔁 Order Again?: Yes.
The flavours and texture of the noodles were both solid—exactly what I was hoping for. But the noodles weren’t the wide, flat style traditionally used in Pad See Ew, despite what was shown and described on the menu. That was one of the reasons I ordered it, so I was a little disappointed to get regular-sized rice noodles instead. The vegetables were nicely cooked but didn’t pick up as much of the sauce flavour as the noodles did. A good dish overall, just not quite what I expected.
Gaeng Karee Gai (Yellow Chicken Curry)
😋 Enjoyment: 7/10
💰 Price Paid: $20
🎯 Benchmark Price: $20
📊 EV Score: 7/10
🔁 Order Again?: Yes.
This was a warm, comforting dish from Khao. The curry sauce had good flavour—familiar and satisfying—even if it didn’t do anything wildly different from other yellow curries I’ve had. That’s not a knock, though. Sometimes consistency is exactly what I’m after, and this dish definitely delivered on that front. A solid, reliable pick.
Final Thoughts
Khao is a welcome addition to Westboro, bringing lively Thai street food vibes to a neighbourhood already known for its diverse dining options. Its location is convenient, and the shared plaza parking is a plus, though street parking is always an option if the lot is full. The space has enough tables to feel accommodating, but it’s better for small parties than large groups.
The energy during their soft opening was exciting to see, even if it meant slower service while the staff adjusted to the crowds. With time, I expect they’ll find their rhythm and smooth out those early kinks. The food itself shows promise — while some dishes could use refinement, others, like the curry and noodles, were comforting and satisfying.
Overall, Khao feels like it has the potential to become a reliable spot in Westboro for Thai food. It may not have hit perfection on every dish during our visit, but it left me curious enough to come back and see how the restaurant evolves.
Got a good Thai restaurant in Ottawa I should check out?
I’m looking for another for another Thai restaurant to try out. If you know of a good one, please share.