Ottawa Restaurants

Restaurant.ca - Canada's Restaurant Guide 
Canada's restaurant scene is one of the best kept secrets in the culinary world. From French Montreal to Pacific Vancouver, the country's innumerable ethnic communities rival with each other to offer culinary delight with rare quality and value, with great originality but little pretentiousness.
So if you are a restaurant goer, you can use this guide to discover the little gems that are sometimes just around the corner. You will be able to search for them by Area, Cuisine or even Price Range and Features. Restaurant.ca's unique "Best" search engine will allow you to find the best specialties in town or just sort your search data by a specific criteria.

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And if you are a visitor or are planning to be one, welcome to Canada, where the weather is necessarily cold, to cool off the blazing passion of our chefs and the burning warmth of Canadians, and enjoy.

Al's Steak House 
In the business of serving superb meals for since 1967, Al's proudly offers only certified Angus beef, as well as succulent chicken dishes, seafood, and even hearty lunchtime salads, sandwiches, and filet mignons. And it's all served up by a friendly, knowledgeable staff amidst chic, contemporary decor. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Al's also boasts a conference room that can accommodate up to 130 guests. Reservations recommended. Ample free parking at both locations.

Benitz Bistro 
Harmony, balance, instinct, passion and an infusion of soul–this is the essence of Chef/Owner Derek Benitz's attitude in the kitchen. He takes a contemporary approach to classic French cuisine, crafting innovative dishes from the freshest seasonal ingredients.

Big Daddy's Crab Shack & Oyster Bar 
Enjoy the lively New Orleans atmosphere and sample some of the best seafood in the city-fresh oysters, live lobsters, king crab, blackened gator and catfish- as well as pasta dishes and steaks. Outdoor patios at both locations. Open daily for dinner; lunch from Monday to Friday. If you like seafood then you'll love Big Daddy's! Take a look at our web site for complete menus for each location and virtual tours.

Carmello's Italian Restaurant 
Exciting and creative contemporary Italian cuisine is prepared in this lovely trattoria with service that is unmatched in the city. Fresh pasta's, thin crust pizza, grilled vegetables, and grilled fish and meats abound on the stylish menu. A selection of ten micro-brewed draft beers are featured along with a fabulous Italian wine list from their special wine cellar. The tiramisu is to die for. Carmello's was chosen as the Best Italian Restaurant in 1998 by readers of the Ottawa Express. Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday and Sunday evening. Cooper Street location is open for breakfast and brunch 7 days a week. Both locations a five minute walk from Parliament Hill and most major hotels, Sparks location has a lovely summer patio, free parking, reservations and friendly service. Visit our web site for our menu and catering information. While in Ottawa you don't want to miss eating at Carmello's.

Courtyard Restaurant 
Housed in an 1827 heritage stone building the Courtyard Restaurant has been providing elegant facilities for lunches, dinners and groups since 1980. Our chef blends continental fare with the finest in contemporary tastes, creating delectable menus that are designed to bring out the best in every flavour. House specialties include Beef Tenderloin Wellington and Rack of Lamb, as well as a wide range of Steak, Seafood, Pork and Chicken dishes. Our three private dining rooms can accommodate from 10 to 80 guests for a seated event and larger groups for receptions. We also offer special group menus. From our beautiful outdoor patio to our elegantly appointed dining rooms The Courtyard's warm and charming atmosphere make us the perfect setting for your special occasion, family gathering or professional celebration. The Courtyard is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week with our Sunday Brunch featuring a live classical guitarist.

E18hteen 
Situated in an 18th century Heritage building in the Byward Market, Restaurant e18hteen has established itself as one of Canada's premier restaurants. In 2003 it was recognized by Air Canada En Route Magazine as one of the Best New Restaurants in the country. e18hteen has a unique wine tasting bar where you can sample over 50 wines by the glass as well as our signature "flights" which are samples of different wines placed together for your tasting pleasure. The Bar also features a light menu to tempt the palate. We are open for Lunch: Monday- Friday 11:30am- 4:30pm & Dinner: Monday- Saturday 5:00pm - 10:30pm. All of our menus have been created in harmony with our Wine Spectator Award winning wine list to make each meal a complete dining experience. In addition, weekly appearances from local D.J.'s enhance the latenight ambiance. Join us every Saturday night for $5 Martini Madness. Reservations are recommended, call (613) 244-1188 or view our website.

The Empire Grill 
Established in 1998, Empire Grill has become the city’s most dynamic meeting & eating-place. The secret? Superb service & a lively atmosphere which backs the ByWard Market’s busiest kitchen.

Festival Japan 
Festival Japan is conveniently located in downtown Ottawa. Our cozy and private tatami dining rooms are a perfect place to have your business meeting or private meeting.

The preparation and presentation of traditional Japanese cuisine is deeply connected to the aesthetics, philosophy and way of life in the islands of Japan.
The natural fragrance of the abundant seafood with its subtle taste and a minimum of sauces is enhanced by its freshness and colour.
It is this simplicity combined with tranquil natural surrounding that makes Japanese cuisine a pleasure for both the eyes and the mind to savour and enjoy.

Foundation 
Foundation is Ottawa's newest choice for the place to be when building succesful business relationships or simply enjoying the pleasure of life. Whether it is drinks for two or dinner for two hundred, Foundation thrills the senses with sumptous cuisine, electric atmosphere and superior service. Located in one of the Capital's few remaining, historically rich, heritage buildings, this hidden gem is Ottawa's latest hot spots to Eat, Drink and Lunge. Three dining areas, a courtyard patio, and two large private rooms offer muliple options for parties, special events and business meetings alike.

Hard Rock Cafe – ByWard Market 
Ottawa’s Hard Rock Cafe is situated in the heart of the historic ByWard Market. The Hard Rock Cafe has kept the original concept of North American fare, which has made it famous since it’s opening in London on June 14, 1971. Our classic style hamburgers, salads, soups and decadent desserts continue to be our specialty but over the years our menu has been enhanced to entice any palate. Today we have a full selection of entrees from chicken and ribs to pasta, steaks and seafood. We also carry a full line of Hard Rock Cafe Ottawa fashion and collector items, available only in our Rock Shop. For your viewing pleasure the Hard Rock Cafe offers an unparalleled collection of Rock ‘Roll Treasures decorating our walls. According to Sotheby’s the Hard Rock Cafe has been called the “Smithsonian of Rock n Roll”. Come on down and join us at the Rock!

Haveli Restaurant 
"Haveli" in the Indian Sub-continent is recognized as the ultimate in living luxury. The Indian food experience in the Haveli will give you a glimpse of heaven - it is sublime and beautiful - to provide an unforgettable time. We take pride in bringing to the people of Ottawa the inherited tradition of this unique culinary art of the tandoor (Indian clay ovens) that create the exotic world-famous tastes in the Indian cuisine. The art of Indian cookery lies not in high spicing but in delicacy of spicing. In our service we will attempt to highlight the famous Indian hospitality by providing delicious food coupled with courteous reception which will haunt your memory. Above all feel certain that you are most welcome, that your continued patronage is most appreciated and that your comfort and satisfaction are of the utmost concern. Open for dinner seven days a week and luncheon buffet from Sunday to Friday. Come to Haveli for authentic North Indian cuisine.