Reviews - Tastes of Ottawa - Tastes of Ottawa

Reviews - Tastes of Ottawa

March 21, 2026

Wok & Chop Kanata Review – Bold Hakka Flavours with a Few Surprises – Average EV Score: 5.7/10

Wok & Chop is a relatively new addition to Kanata Centrum, and one of the main reasons I wanted to try it was simple: Hakka cuisine is not something you commonly see in Ottawa. That alone made it interesting.

Located in Centrum, there’s lots of free parking available in the large shared parking lot, which immediately makes the visit convenient. No circling neighbourhood streets or worrying about meters — you park and walk in. The restaurant itself has a casual dining atmosphere, clean and straightforward without trying to be overly trendy.

When we visited, the restaurant was pretty busy, which is always encouraging for a newer spot. Despite that, the service was quick, and dishes came out at a steady pace. Staff were efficient, and overall the operation felt smooth even during peak hours.

If you’re unfamiliar with Hakka cuisine, it’s essentially a blend of Indian and Chinese influences, often featuring bold spices, sauces, and stir-fried dishes. Since there aren’t many dedicated Hakka restaurants around Ottawa, Wok & Chop stands out simply by offering something different.

That said, the experience ended up being a mix of strong highlights and a few things that could be improved.

Chinese

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March 19, 2026

Divan Turkish Cuisine Kanata Review – Busy, Generous Portions and Outstanding Beef Doner – Average EV Score: 7.4/10

Divan Turkish Cuisine opened in Fall 2025 and has already made a strong impression in the Kanata dining scene. Located in Kanata Centrum, it benefits from one of the biggest practical advantages in Ottawa dining — plenty of free parking. There’s no stress about circling residential streets or hunting for meters. You park, walk in, and that’s it.

When we arrived, there was already a lineup at the door, and every table inside was taken. That’s always a good sign for a restaurant that’s only been open a short time. Despite how busy it was, the energy inside felt lively rather than chaotic. The dining room is modern but warm, with enough space between tables to feel comfortable, even when packed.

It’s worth noting that Divan does not take reservations, so you should expect to wait during peak dinner hours. However, turnover seemed steady, and we were seated within a reasonable amount of time. Once seated, the service was friendly and efficient, and the food came out surprisingly fast considering how full the restaurant was.

From the beginning, the experience felt positive — busy but organized, welcoming, and energetic. Prices were also reasonable for the portion sizes, which became very clear once the dishes arrived. This is not a place that skimps on food.

Turkish

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March 17, 2026

Feifung Kitchen Ottawa Review – A Welcome Return from a Beloved Chinatown Classic – Average EV Score: 7.4/10

Feifung Kitchen is a Vietnamese restaurant located in Ottawa’s Chinatown, and for many longtime locals, this place carries far more meaning than just another spot to eat pho. The restaurant opened in 2022, and what makes it special is the story behind it: the owners are the original owners of New Mee Fung, a restaurant that was a true staple in Ottawa for over 30 years. After selling New Mee Fung in 2020, many assumed that chapter had closed for good. So when the owners came out of retirement to open Feifung Kitchen, it was met with genuine excitement — and for good reason.

The restaurant itself isn’t large, but it has that classic Vietnamese restaurant feel that immediately makes you comfortable. Nothing flashy, nothing trendy — just a clean, straightforward dining room that prioritizes food over aesthetics. During our visit, it was clear that many of the patrons were regulars, likely people who followed the owners from their New Mee Fung days. There’s something reassuring about that kind of loyalty.

One moment that really stood out happened when our group of six arrived. Without hesitation, the staff politely asked if a few patrons at nearby tables would be willing to shift seats so our group could sit together. Not only did those patrons happily agree, but the entire interaction felt natural and unforced. You rarely see restaurants willing to do this anymore, and it immediately set the tone: this is a casual, community-oriented place that doesn’t stand on ceremony. It felt welcoming in a way that’s becoming increasingly rare.

Service throughout the meal was friendly and efficient. Dishes came out at a good pace, and staff were attentive without hovering. From the atmosphere to the service, Feifung Kitchen feels like a restaurant run by people who genuinely care about feeding others well.

Vietnamese

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March 14, 2026

Gezellig Ottawa Review – Refined Dishes with a Few Misses – Average EV Score: 6.4/10

Gezellig is an upscale restaurant in Ottawa known for its refined atmosphere and polished menu. From the moment you walk in, it feels elevated. The dim lighting and quiet ambiance create a calm dining environment that’s well suited for date nights or more intimate dinners. It’s not loud or chaotic — conversations stay at your table.

Parking is street parking only, so depending on the time of day, you may need to circle a bit before finding a spot. That’s fairly typical for restaurants in this area, but it’s something to plan for.

Service throughout the evening was friendly and attentive. Staff were knowledgeable about the menu and pacing was steady without feeling rushed. Dishes came out at a reasonable pace, and the overall experience felt organized and professional.

Gezellig clearly positions itself as a more refined dining experience — and for the most part, the food reflects that. However, there were a few notable inconsistencies.

Brunch/Breakfast

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March 12, 2026

Elgin Street Diner Ottawa Review – Convenient Hours but Forgettable Food – Average EV Score: 4.3/10

Elgin Street Diner is one of those places that most people in Ottawa know about, even if they don’t actively seek it out for great food. Located right on Elgin Street, it sits in a busy area with no dedicated parking, so if you’re driving, you’ll need to rely on street parking, which can be hit or miss depending on the time of day.

One of the biggest draws of Elgin Street Diner is availability. It’s often open when many other restaurants are closed, including during holidays and late hours, which makes it a default option when choices are limited. Because of that, it can get quite busy, especially late at night or on days when other restaurants aren’t operating.

That said, popularity and convenience don’t necessarily mean quality. From a food standpoint, this diner is very average, if not sub-average, and while it does deliver on classic diner-style comfort food, it doesn’t do much to elevate it. The space itself feels dated and utilitarian, which fits the diner theme, but nothing about the atmosphere makes the experience particularly enjoyable or memorable.

Service is functional. Orders are taken, food comes out, and that’s about it. Nothing notably bad, but nothing particularly warm or attentive either. Overall, Elgin Street Diner feels like a place you go because it’s open — not because you’re craving the food.

Burgers

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March 10, 2026

District Deli Ottawa Review – Outstanding Sandwiches That Deliver Real Value – Average EV Score: 7.2/10

District Deli is one of my favourite sandwich shops in Ottawa and a place I genuinely look forward to visiting. It opened relatively recently compared to many long-standing delis in the city, but it has quickly built a strong reputation for doing one thing very well: big, flavourful sandwiches that feel worth the price.

The shop has a casual, no-frills setup, focused entirely on the food rather than atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where you come in knowing exactly what you want, order at the counter, and leave with a sandwich that feels heavy in the best possible way. Portions here are generous, and it’s one of the few sandwich spots where I consistently feel like I’m getting excellent value for what I’m paying.

What really stands out is how packed the sandwiches are. They don’t skimp on meats, cheeses, or toppings, and every sandwich feels thoughtfully assembled rather than thrown together. After multiple visits, I’m still excited to work my way through the rest of the menu.

Deli

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March 7, 2026

Susu Siam Thai Kitchen Scarborough Review – Comforting Thai Dishes in a Warm, Refined Setting – Average EV Score: 6.2/10

Susu Siam Thai Kitchen is a very pleasant surprise in Scarborough. From the moment you walk in, it feels more elevated than the typical casual Thai restaurant. The space has a low-light ambiance, creating a warm and relaxed atmosphere that works well for both date nights and small group dinners. It’s refined without being intimidating.

There is a decent amount of parking available in the plaza parking lot, which makes visiting convenient. No need to worry about circling side streets or feeding meters — always a plus, especially during dinner hours.

The staff were friendly and welcoming, attentive without hovering. Dishes came out at a good pace, and overall the experience felt smooth and organized.

Susu Siam strikes a nice balance: the setting feels polished, but the food remains comforting and approachable. After this visit, it’s clear why it has built a strong local following.

Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

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March 5, 2026

Marathon Souvlaki Montreal Review – Large Portions, Friendly Service, but Disappointing Greek Classics – Average EV Score: 5/10

Marathon Souvlaki is a Greek restaurant located in Montreal, in an area that’s easy to reach and very convenient if you’re driving. One of the immediate positives is the large parking lot, which makes parking completely stress-free — something that’s not always easy to find in Montreal.

When we visited, the restaurant was not very busy, which made for a calm and relaxed dining experience. The dining room is fairly spacious and functional, leaning more toward a classic, old-school restaurant setup rather than anything trendy or modern. It feels like a place that’s been around for a while and caters to regulars rather than chasing hype.

The staff were friendly and welcoming, and service overall was smooth. Orders were taken promptly, and the wait time for food wasn’t long, which is always appreciated. From a service and logistics standpoint, Marathon does a lot right — easy parking, friendly staff, and efficient food delivery.

Unfortunately, while the experience was comfortable, the food itself didn’t live up to expectations, especially given how straightforward Greek dishes are supposed to be when executed well.

Montreal

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March 3, 2026

Chop Steakhouse Ottawa Review – Disappointing Prime Rib Despite Excellent Service – Average EV Score: 6/10

Chop Steakhouse is a well-known Canadian steakhouse brand that is often located inside or attached to Sandman Hotels, and the Hunt Club location follows that same model. From a convenience standpoint alone, this is one of the easier steakhouses in Ottawa to visit. There is plenty of free parking thanks to its own large parking lot, which already gives it an advantage over many central Ottawa restaurants.

Inside, the restaurant is quite large, with a spacious dining room that can accommodate both small tables and larger groups comfortably. The decor leans toward a dark, modern steakhouse look—clean, polished, and slightly upscale without feeling stuffy. It’s a space that works equally well for business dinners, family celebrations, or a quieter weeknight steak craving.

Service was a strong point during this visit. The hosts were welcoming, and the servers were attentive and pleasant throughout the meal. Water was refilled frequently, plates were cleared promptly, and the pacing of the meal felt appropriate. From a hospitality perspective, Chop does a lot right, and this location feels well managed.

Chop is best known for its prime rib, which is the main reason I usually come here. Unfortunately, that signature dish once again failed to live up to expectations.

Steakhouse

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February 28, 2026

BanhMiYes Ottawa Review – Incredible Classic Banh Mi Worth Ordering – Average EV Score: 6.8/10

BanhMiYes is a small, focused shop located on Wellington Street in Ottawa that specializes in one thing: banh mi. And honestly, that’s refreshing.

Ottawa doesn’t have a huge number of dedicated banh mi establishments, so when a place focuses primarily on Vietnamese sandwiches, it immediately stands out. The space itself is small and straightforward, clearly designed more for takeout than dine-in. That’s perfectly fine — banh mi is inherently a quick, portable meal.

There’s street parking available, which makes it relatively easy to stop by and grab a sandwich. Ordering is simple and efficient. You walk in, place your order at the counter, and within a short time you’re handed a freshly assembled sandwich.

The staff were friendly and welcoming, which adds to the experience. Even though it’s a small shop, it feels warm and approachable rather than rushed or transactional.

If you’re coming here, it’s likely for takeout — and that’s exactly how it should be. Banh mi isn’t meant to be overly complicated. It’s about fresh bread, balanced fillings, and bold flavour packed into something you can hold in your hands.

Vietnamese

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