Ethan BrownDid you know that Portuguese folks are crazy about salted codfish, or bacalhau? One might say they’ve got over 365 ways to cook it—enough for every day of the year! Makes sense, though, considering fish is a big part of their diet.
And guess what? It’s also been a big hit at several restaurants in Ottawa! Locals can’t get enough of the dish, typically ordering it with other famous options like peri peri chicken.
If you want a taste of Portugal in your life, see the hottest spots in the city below!
Where can I eat Portuguese food in Ottawa?
There are a couple of places where you can eat Portuguese food in Ottawa. You can hit up spots like Nando’s PERi-PERi, Olitos Cafe, Portugalos Restaurant, or Caravela Restaurante. However, some of them are across the border in Quebec.
Nando’s PERi-PERi
– Media from nandoscanada
Website: https://www.nandos.ca/find/ottawa-elgin-street/
Address: James Michael Flaherty Building, 90 Elgin St., Unit 3, Ottawa, ON K1P 5E9, Canada
Contact Details: +1 613-230-7474, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM
Pricing: CAD 20 – 30
Nando’s PERi-PERi is where you’ll find some spicy Portuguese flavours with a twist in Ottawa. We believe the restaurant’s flame-grilled chicken, soaked in their signature chili sauce, is a taste sensation you might fall in love with.
We think it’s cool that the place has vibrant patterns and bustling vibes. With brick walls and funky artwork, it looks like the perfect spot for a lively hangout with loved ones.
As for the food, we can’t get enough of the peri-peri chicken and mashed potatoes. Save room for dessert (desserts Ottawa), though. For us, those custard tarts and fruitcake are to die for! And don’t forget to grab a glass of sangria to wash it all down.
| Pro tip: Since there’s no indoor playground (indoor playground Ottawa) at Nando’s, why not let the kids tune into their favourite shows using the free Wi-Fi? This can keep them happy, especially when waiting for food takes a long time. |
Olitos Café
– Media from cafeolitos
Website: http://www.olitoscafe.ca/
Address: 110 Bearbrook Rd., Suite 3b, Gloucester, ON K1B 5R2, Canada
Contact Details: +1 613-830-0808, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 10 AM to 10 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 10 AM to 2 AM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 7 PM
- Monday – Closed
Pricing: CAD 10 – 20
Tucked in Blackburn Hamlet, Olitos Café offers a lovely taste of Portugal in the city. For us, its cozy, dark wooden interiors create a sleek spot to unwind and enjoy traditional Portuguese cuisine and drinks.
We feel the spacious layout and well-stocked bar make it easy for folks to settle in for a relaxed dining experience. Don’t miss out on their hearty bifana (pork) sandwiches or flavourful cod fish cakes too!
Plus, the place is a haven for sports enthusiasts with its soccer-centric vibe. Decked out with jerseys and big screens, it’s ideal for catching upcoming World Cup matches! And if you’re up for a game, why not challenge your pals to a fun round of foosball?
| Pro tip: Want to unwind after a long work week? Dive into the karaoke (karaoke Ottawa) scene at Olitos Café on Fridays until 1 am! Just give the staff a quick check beforehand to confirm. If it’s an available activity for the night (things to do in Ottawa at night), grab your crew and sing your hearts out! |
Caravela Restaurante
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Website: http://www.caravelarestaurante.ca/
Address: 3712 Innes Rd, Orléans, ON K1C 1T1, Canada
Contact Details: +1 613-424-9200
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday, Sunday – 12 PM to 9 PM
- Saturday – 12 PM to 10 PM
- Monday – Closed
Pricing: CAD 30 – 50
Caravela Restaurante is another popular spot offering Portugal’s finest flavours in Ottawa. It’s small and cozy, with sleek black and red hues and charming wall paintings. For us, this sets the scene for an intimate dining experience ideal for 2 to 4 people.
We recommend diving into dishes like the seafood pasta or the mouthwatering lamb shank. But our favourite is the heavenly coffee cake for dessert! We think its irresistible flavour could make regulars come back for seconds and thirds.
| Pro tip: Bring the kiddos along to Caravela Restaurante—it’s got high chairs, making it super family-friendly! That way, you can enjoy your meal while the little ones sit comfortably. |
Portugalos Restaurant
– Media from resto_portugalos
Website: http://www.portugalosrestaurant.ca/
Address: 53 Rue Bellehumeur, Gatineau, QC J8T 1P8, Canada
Contact Details: +1 819-600-3344, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday – 3 PM to 8:30 PM
- Wednesday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
- Saturday – 12 PM to 8:30 PM
- Monday – Closed
Pricing: CAD 30 – 50
Next time you’re around Ottawa, we think it’s worth hopping over to Gatineau and giving Portugalos Restaurant a shot—it offers some legit Portuguese flavours! The inside is bright and inviting with those glass walls, giving off a Lisbon vibe and all.
Their menu’s got it all too—yummy grilled chicken, savoury cod, and tasty prawns. And you can’t miss the famous Peri Peri sauce! To top it all off, you can wash it all down with some house wine or a cool liqueur.
But if you’re looking for a special date (date ideas Ottawa) dish, we say try out the seafood “ship” for two—it’s a popular choice for your taste buds!
| Pro tip: Score a double win at Portugalos Restaurant! Not only can you get authentic flavours, but you can also cozy up by the fireplace while catching your favourite sports games on TV with your friends. |
Fogo Peri-Peri
– Media from fogo.peri.peri
Website: https://www.fogoperiperi.com/
Address: 20 Allée de Hambourg, Gatineau, Québec, J9J 4K3, Canada
Contact Details: +1 819-777-7074, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
- Saturday – 12 PM to 9 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 8 PM
- Monday – Closed
Pricing: CAD 20 – 30
Fogo Peri-Peri lures visitors in with the irresistible scent of its Portuguese delights. This restaurant offers everything from juicy peri-peri chicken to crisp salads and the cozy goodness of poutine.
We love how the sunlight spills through glass walls, giving the place a warm glow. For us, this is complemented by trendy modern decor that adds a dash of chic to your dining experience.
As for the food, you can treat your taste buds to the Fogo sandwiches paired with peri-peri fries. Later, wrap up your meal with a tempting parfait for some extra sweetness!
| Pro tip: Grab a table on Fogo Peri-Peri’s terrace overlooking the water jets for an awesome dining vibe. For us, chowing down on peri-peri chicken with that soothing water soundtrack is just pure bliss! Also, keep in mind that the restaurant might take a spontaneous break now and then, so be sure to check their hours before heading over. |
Le Cellier
– Media from le_cellier
Website: http://restaurantlecellier.com/
Address: 49 Rue Saint-Jacques, Gatineau, QC J8X 2Y5, Canada
Contact Details: +1 819-205-4200, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
- Wednesday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 11 PM
- Saturday – 4:30 PM to 11 PM
- Sunday to Monday – Closed
Pricing: CAD 100+
Love Victorian-era vibes? Le Cellier dishes out a French flavor extravaganza, tucked in a charming Victorian building. We reckon you might dig the chic interiors here, subtly reminiscent of that era, making it amazing for a cozy date night or a friendly hangout.
From mouthwatering salmon tartare to juicy strip steak, we think the menu hits all the right notes. Leave some room for dessert too. In our opinion, the crème brûlée and fruitcake here are downright sinful.
We love the extensive drink selection too. You can pair your meal with a glass of fine wine (wine tasting Ottawa), a crisp white, or a fine brewery (breweries Ottawa). But if you’re a coffee lover, the spot also offers a killer cup of Joe to cap off your experience.
| Pro tip: No need to stress about your French language skills! The crew at Le Cellier is bilingual and considerate in both French and English, so feel free to order your meal with confidence. Bon appétit! |
