A Foodie’s Guide To Ottawa: 10 Best Restaurants In The Capital

An old favourite in Ottawa’s West Wellington/Hintonburg area, Allium was molded around the concept of providing locals with a contemporary, stylish bistro in an intimate setting. For the restaurant’s menu, chef Arupa Jana takes traditional Canadian cuisine and brings a modern spin to classic dishes, using French techniques. Allium has customers coming back again and again for the relaxed atmosphere and charm as well as for its seasonal menu that changes each month.

Head to Fraser Café, a neighbourhood spot with a quirky interior and laid-back atmosphere perfect for lingering with friends. The décor is simple with exposed metal, colourful furniture and photographs lining the brick walls. The food is traditional, yet elevated; think: roasted trout, poached lobster and seared duck breast. This lively joint is always packed, so be sure to make a reservation; or, book a private room at Table 40 next door, owned by Fraser Cafe.

Award-winning chef and culinary star, Michael Blackie, brings family-style cuisine to Ottawa’s West End with his restaurant Next. Blackie draws his inspiration from past experiences with Asian and European cuisine, fusing it with traditional Canadian classics. All dishes are meant to be shared, a fun and engaging experience, and each is perfectly prepared and presented. Go for the signature dish — steak tartare with Kozlik’s mustard, shallots, chives and baguette thins.

Operating by the philosophy of, ‘Make Tacos Not War’, hip and glamourous Sidedoor brings people together through delicious cuisine. Choose between the spicy beef, Korean pulled pork, szechuan lamb tacos (other options are available); or, opt for the tuna sashimi, fresh, green papaya salad or crispy maputofu, all inspired by international flavours. Don’t miss out on the house-made mini donuts, a fan-favourite. Looking for a place to have a drink? Head to their bar, a trendy spot for locals and perfect for a speciality cocktail.

Ottawa’s Whalesbone, an oyster-lover’s dream, is all about this raw, meaty shellfish, and is one of the best spots in the city to feast on a dozen (or two) of fresh oysters. Decorated with quirky signs, statuettes and even a DJ booth, this spot caters to all appetites, serving an array of other seafood and wild fish, all brought in fresh daily. The menu changes based upon what is caught that day and boats an Ocean Wise certification, attesting to the restaurant’s care and attention for the marine eco-system’s sustainability.

The Urban Pear, a restaurant based upon the idea of farm-to-table, is strongly committed to sourcing ingredients only from local farmers, ensuring that the food is always fresh and the flavours alive. The menu changes daily, keeping patrons coming back. In an attempt to support local and national producers, The Urban Pear’s cellar also holds the best in Canadian wine and beer. If the weather is warm, don’t miss the terrace, perfect for outdoor dining.

Union 613 is a one-of-a-kind restaurant, with communal seating and a menu filled with eclectic Southern food options using unusual, but locally sourced, ingredients. This eccentric venue boasts dark wood ceilings, artsy murals and a set of funky banjos on one wall, amongst other feats. The bar offers a rich selection of specialty cocktails, some crafted with the restaurant’s house-made soda, and served in old-school mason jars. Downstairs find a sort of modern-day speakeasy ‘bootleg’ of craft beers and impressive gamut of whiskies and spirits. This one is not to be missed!