Tavern on the Hill – Great Views, Forgettable Food – Average EV Score: 3.4/10
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
Tavern on the Hill Restaurant Overview
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 ambiance is casual and lively, especially on a Friday night. Expect big crowds, upbeat vibes, and unfortunately—music so loud you’ll need to raise your voice just to talk to the person next to you. It’s a fun place to hang out, grab a drink, and enjoy the scenery, but if you’re here for the food, you might leave disappointed. The menu feels like an afterthought: overpriced, underwhelming, and not worth the hype.
They are part of the Tavern Group, which operates several other locations across Ottawa. From what I can tell, their main selling point is the prime locations, featuring great views and large patios. This seems to be used to justify the overpriced and underwhelming food. Since I primarily care about the food and not the view, this place isn’t for me, I can understand the appeal for others looking for a lively place to socialize—especially in good weather.
Would return?: No.
Protein Bowl with Braised Beef
😋 Enjoyment: 6/10
💰 Price Paid: $22 (includes $6 for the braised beef)
🎯 Benchmark Price: $15
📊 EV Score: 4.1/10
🔁 Order Again?: No.
This was a letdown at Tavern on the Hill. The bowl included a variety of ingredients—chickpea hummus, avocado, black beans, edamame, tomato, cucumber, arugula, cheddar cheese, and ginger vinaigrette—with braised beef added for an extra $6. While it looked promising on paper, the actual dish felt like it was going through the motions. Flavours were bland and forgettable, and the tiny portion didn’t help. Even worse, the small scoop of braised beef didn’t justify the extra cost. It felt more like a fridge-cleanout than a crafted dish. Definitely not something I’d order again.
House-Made Salsa & Chips
😋 Enjoyment: 5/10
💰 Price Paid: $9
🎯 Benchmark Price: $5
📊 EV Score: 2.8/10
🔁 Order Again?: No.
Calling this “house-made” sets expectations that I felt the kitchen just didn’t meet. The chips seemed like straight-from-the-bag tortilla chips you’d find in any grocery store, and the salsa was thin, watery, and flat. No real flavour, no heat, and no reason to get this again. It’s the kind of dish you eat just because it’s there, not because you enjoy it.