I don’t care about the view — I care about the food
Margarita’s Latin Fusion is located on Bank Street, right in Ottawa’s Glebe area. It’s the kind of place you could easily walk by without giving much thought to, but once inside, the setting is quite nice. The décor is warm, colourful, and inviting, with a mix of Latin-inspired touches that add charm without feeling overdone.
Pur and Simple has quickly become one of Ottawa’s go-to brunch chains, and with multiple locations across town, it’s built a strong reputation for its bright atmosphere and wide-ranging breakfast and brunch menu. The Barrhaven location, in particular, is always busy. On my most recent visit, there was about a one-hour wait just to get seated, and the entire dining experience ended up taking close to two hours.
Grounded Kitchen and Bar sits tucked away in a business complex, and at first glance feels like one of those underrated hidden gems. It’s easy to miss if you don’t already know where it is — the kind of restaurant you wouldn’t stumble upon just walking by. Once inside, the space feels well thought out. The interior is stylish, with a modern aesthetic and clean lines that make it a nice fit for brunch, lunch, or even a casual dinner.
Shinka Sushi Bar is known for its high-quality fish and beautifully presented dishes — and that much definitely held true. I visited for their omakase experience, which offers a multi-course, chef-curated tasting menu at a fixed price. The ingredients were premium, the flavours were solid, and the presentation was consistently elegant. Unfortunately, the experience as a whole left a lot to be desired.
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.
Heartbreakers Pizza is easily one of my favourite pizza spots in Ottawa. The restaurant is located on Parkdale Avenue, not far from the highway entrance and exit, which makes it convenient to get to but sometimes tricky for parking. They technically have only two or three spots out front that are designated for the restaurant, but those are almost always full. Most times, you’ll need to find street parking nearby, which isn’t always ideal but manageable if you plan ahead.
Sushi-ro is a quiet and cozy spot in Ottawa’s Hintonburg neighbourhood. It has a warm, relaxed atmosphere that makes it a nice choice for a casual sushi night. The restaurant is quite small, with limited seating — about four or five small tables — so it isn’t the type of place you’d come to with a large group. The intimate size, however, does add to its charm.
Seafood Grill on Merivale can be a little tricky to spot at first. It’s tucked away in a plaza, giving it that “hidden gem” vibe, though in reality it’s not as hidden as it feels once you know where to look. The restaurant shares space with a few other businesses, and there’s a parking lot right out front. Parking is limited, with just a few spots, so at busy times you may need to circle around or wait for a space to open up.
Baja Burger Shack at Britannia Beach is in a lively, beachside location that’s buzzing with volleyball games and summer energy. It’s casual, laid-back, and clearly popular for its setting. If you’re after a chill spot to grab a bite outdoors, this fits the bill. That said, the food itself didn’t quite match the vibe—at least not everything.
Tavern on the Hill sits in one of the best locations in Ottawa, perched near Major’s Hill Park with a view that rivals most patios in the city. The restaurant is part of the Tavern Group, which operates several well-known spots around Ottawa, all of which seem to lean heavily on prime real estate and big patios as their main selling point.