Restaurants in Ottawa
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Beckta Dining & Wine
This excellent upmarket option puts an original spin on regional cuisine. The inspired five-course tasting menu ($79) is the collective brainchild of the chef and sommelier. Ingredients are unpronounceable, which must mean they're gourmet. A second location – dubbed 'Play Food & Wine' – has recently opened in the Market district, and offers similar fare with a tapas twist.
reviewed
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Le Cordon Bleu Bistro@Signatures
This sensational dining experience, housed in a Tudor-style castle, is the on-site restaurant of the prestigious Cordon Bleu culinary school. Fear not, your meal won't be cooked by fumbling students; the à la carte dinners are prepared by the well-seasoned instructors and the weekday lunches are crafted by the graduating students. Award-winning menus feature some of Canada's finest harvests, and the lengthy wine list looks more like an encyclopedia.
reviewed
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Brasserie Métropolitain
This trendy hot spot puts a modern spin on the typical brasserie with a swirling zinc countertop, flamboyant fixtures and the subtle oompah-pah from a distant accordion – you'll feel like you're dining on the set of Moulin Rouge. 'Hill Hour' (4pm to 7pm on weekdays) buzzes with the spirited chatter of hot-blooded politicos as they down discounted drinks and $1 oysters.
reviewed
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Zak's Diner
Shoo-bop along to the '50s music that supplements the Grease-like atmosphere. The kitschy diner is at its best in the middle of the night when the joint fills up for post-party munchies. The club sandwich is a big hit, as are the breakfast items. Wraps are also on offer, so it's not a total time warp.
reviewed
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Wellington Gastropub
Although 'gastropub' sounds like some sort of British indigestion, this up-and-comer is luring foodies to the west end of town with a savvy selection of hearty meat mains served by tatted waiters. The menu rotates daily, offering up the best local produce with a pint of crafted microbrew.
reviewed
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Horn of Africa
This slightly tattered, local Ethiopian hangout warrants a visit for excellent exotic stews and dishes eaten with injera, an East African flatbread. A combo platter offers samples from all over the menu, including some spicy chicken and succulent vegetarian options.
reviewed
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Canal Ritz
Canal Ritz wins when it comes to location - the spacious restaurant is practically floating on the Rideau Canal. Munch on a designer pizza, like 'pear and brie,' and watch the boats float by in summer, or catch the frenzied rush of skaters when the river freezes over.
reviewed
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Yangtze
Ottawa's mother ship of authentic Chinese cuisine is a jade palace in the heart of Chinatown. You'll love the 'bird nest' – a crunchy vermicelli basket that can hold a variety of dishes. The daily dim sum tempts the palate with an assortment of steamed appetizers.
reviewed
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Pilos
This excellent Greek joint is hidden in a nondescript plaza east of downtown. You won't find any tourists here, just contented locals savoring colorful combinations of juicy souvlaki and battered calamari. Take Rideau St east until it turns into Montréal Rd.
reviewed
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The Works
This western-style chow house takes burgers to a new level. At the Works you can brand your juicy patty with over 60 quirky toppings, be it spinach leaves, fried eggs, brie cheese or even peanut butter. It'll fill you up without emptying your wallet.
reviewed
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Lapointe
This fish market has been serving the community since 1867, and is the undisputed top vendor of fresh fish in Ottawa. The market restaurant is Lapointe's newest avatar, offering virtually every kind of fish from sashimi to breaded fish and chips.
reviewed
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Colonnade Pizza
Hungry locals have flocked to this trusty trattoria for over four decades. One of the reasons for its enduring popularity is the gooey cheese pizzas that never fail to satisfy.
reviewed
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Boulanger Français
The smell of freshly baked pain au chocolat will destroy even the smallest of diets. Pastries are prepared using tried-and-true recipes from France.
reviewed
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ZenKitchen
Let's face it folks, this could mean the end of the meat industry – Zen-Kitchen will baffle even the biggest of carnivores with its savvy menu of vegan-chic superlatives. The owners, Caroline and Dave, have years of culinary training between the two of 'em – they're also the stars of a hit reality TV show that documented their 'restaurant adventures.' Voted the best new restaurant in the city in 2009, this unique dining concept offers up healthful dishes that pay tribute to a colorful clash of continents. Oh, and the wine! Let's not forget about the wine! Enjoy a lip-smacking selection of expertly chosen bottles – most come from Ontario, and although the region may not…
reviewed
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Atelier
The brainchild of celebrated chef and molecular gastronomy enthusiast Marc Lépine, Atelier is a white-walled laboratory dedicated to tickling the taste buds. There's no oven or stove – just Bunsen burners, liquid nitrogen and hot plates to create the unique 12-course tasting menu. Each dish is a mini science experiment that toys with texture, taste and temperature, and pushes the limit of 'normal' cuisine (think taco ice cream). This isn't fusion, it's fission.
reviewed
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Market Square
Anchoring the market district, this sturdy brick building is the perfect place to stop when hunger strikes. Aside from the fresh produce and cheese, there's an array of international takeaway joints offering falafel, spicy curries, flaky pastries, sushi (the list goes on). For dessert, don't miss the stand at the corner of William and George Sts selling beavertails – Ottawa's signature sizzling flat-dough dish.
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Urban Element
Housed in a vacant brick firehouse, this gustatory option wins on concept alone. Think Iron Chef meets Martha Stewart. Make a reservation at this kitchen-cum-classroom and cook your own three-star gourmet meal, with the help of a skilled cook, of course. The team of instructors includes a regular crew of chefs and several visiting professionals who work at the finest restaurants around town.
reviewed
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St Hubert
Hubert must be the patron saint of poultry because these chicken fillets are divine. Dunk these morsels of breaded goodness in the homemade gravy to understand why the restaurant became a franchise. It's situated across the road from the Canada Science & Technology Museum, about 5km from the downtown core.
reviewed
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Whalesbone Oyster House
If the local chefs are purchasing their fish from Whalesbone's wholesale wing (or should we say 'fin'), then there's really no doubt that it's the best place in town for seafood. The on-site restaurant offers up a short list of fresh faves like lobster, halibut and scallops ceviche on small plates.
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Boulangerie Moulin de Provence
Suddenly the Market's golden boy after a visit by President Obama, Moulin de Provence offers up glass displays filled to the brim with sugary goodness. The 'Obama Cookies' are a big hit, but we recommend going for the flaky croissants, which hold the official title as the city's best.
reviewed
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Allegro Ristorante
Fan-shaped napkin sculptures adorn the white-clothed tables at this classic ristorante - a favorite along Ottawa's Corso Italia. Try some interesting twists on standard Italian cuisine, including the 'fettuccine Natasha' - noodles with vodka, cream, smoked salmon and caviar.
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Royal Thai
Some market eateries are based more on location than gastronomy, but the food at Royal Thai is the real deal. Awesome dishes like chicken in pandanus leaves, and the infamous coconut rice, make this place a standout Thai option.
reviewed
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Pho Bo Ga
This noisy noodle house teems with chatty locals as they avidly slurp on long strands of vermicelli. Choosing from over 30 beef soups can be a daunting task, so take comfort in knowing that they're all delicious.
reviewed
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Wild Oat
A café and grocery store all rolled into one uberhealthy vegetarian paradise. Tempt yourself with organic coffees, vegetable soups or a delicious tofu pie. Gluten-free and sugarless items are also on offer.
reviewed
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Chez Lucien
Exposed burgundy brick, Sting playing on the free jukebox, butter-soaked escargot – somehow it all makes wonderful sense at Chez Lucien, one of Ottawa's favorite places to kick back in style.
reviewed