Liam SmithIt’s no secret that I love food and discovering fun new places to bring people for a meal (my team can vouch for this).
When business partners from overseas visited us in Ottawa, I was the go-to person for restaurant recommendations. They just had one request: take us where the locals eat. Needless to say, I took this to heart and even asked for help from my team in my search.
This list is the result of our hard work, curated to include only the best hidden gem restaurants in Ottawa that shouldn’t remain hidden. And it’s all for you to discover.
Whether you’re in Ottawa for the first time or a local searching for a break in their routine and an authentic dining experience, we’ve got you. Happy exploring!
Maroo
– Media Credit: kitchen_maroo
Pricing: $$
Address: 281 Kent St
Neighborhood: Centretown
Business Hours:
- Monday-Thursday (11:30 AM – 9 PM)
- Friday-Saturday (11:30 AM – 9:30 PM)
- Sunday (12 PM – 8 PM)
Contact: 613-234-2945
Maroo is the type of restaurant that appears simple and unassuming when you enter, but serves amazing food that you’ll keep coming back for.
It’s a fusion restaurant that offers your classic Korean meals but also breathes new life into old favorites. If you’ve never had their tteok galbi sandwich or bulgogi fajita, you’re missing out. The play of flavors is adventurous, fresh, and surprisingly delicious.
Some of our regular orders include galbi jjim (pork short ribs), jjampong (spicy seafood noodle soup), and stir-fried kimchi udon. We pair this with the refreshing peach drink that’s delightfully sweet and tart.
We also appreciate the efficiency of everything here – the service is excellent and the ordering system is fast and intuitive.
| Pro Tip: The side dishes (banchan) are refillable, so have your fill! |
Bistro Ristoro
– Media Credit: bistroristoro
Pricing: $$$
Address: 17 Clarence St.
Neighborhood: ByWard Market
Business Hours:
- Tuesday-Wednesday (5:30 PM – 9:30 PM)
- Thursday-Saturday (11:30 AM – 2:30 PM; 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM)
- Sunday (11:30 PM – 4 PM)
Contact: 343-988-7997
If you like pizza, you should check out this beloved restaurant in the quiet part of ByWard Market. Bistro Ristoro uses pizza dough infused with minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, and cooks it in a brick oven, just like it was done in the old days.
Their meals feature influences from Spanish, French, Croatian, Greek, Macedonian, and Italian cuisines, and they offer an extensive menu. You can enjoy tapas, salads, and flatbreads, and wash them all down with their selection of wine.
It’s the perfect place to bring friends, family, or even a date. The feel of the place is sophisticated yet warm – with wood and stone interiors, beautiful art on the walls, and informal seating.
| Pro Tip: It’s close to the National Art Gallery of Canada, so why not drop by here after your tour? |
Shinka Sushi Bar
– Media Credit: shinkasushibar
Pricing: $$$
Address: 2900 Sheffield Rd
Neighborhood: Industrial Park
Business Hours:
- Sunday-Thursday (11:30 AM – 9 PM)
- Friday-Saturday (11:30 AM – 10 PM)
Contact: 6135658998
Shinka Sushi Bar, by Chef Peo “John” Diep, serves sushi creations that are both visually stunning and delicious. The sushi rolls are meticulously crafted, and it’s clear that he truly values his craft.
We love eating here because the food is authentic, fun, and always fresh, featuring Japanese fish flown in daily, as well as some vegan options.
We love the wide variety; whether you like your fish raw or cooked, there’s something for you here. Some of our favorites include the tuna sashimi, salmon rolls, and scallops.
The vibe here is intimate and easygoing, which is great if you just need a place to unwind without spending too much. Prices are reasonable given the quality. A must try in Industrial Park!
| Pro Tip: They recently opened a bar, so you can now enjoy your sushi with crafted cocktails and other alcoholic beverages! |
Saffron Kabab Restaurant
– Media Credit: saffronkababottawa
Pricing: $$
Address: 1729 Bank St
Neighborhood: Alta Vista
Business Hours:
- Monday-Saturday (11:30 AM – 9 PM)
- Sunday (11:30 AM – 8 PM)
Contact: 613 260-2229
If you like Persian food, you can’t go wrong with Saffron Kabab Restaurant. It’s a family-owned restaurant in Ottawa’s south end, frequented by locals for its fresh and authentic-tasting food options.
The servings here are humongous. It’s a good place to be when you’re hungry or bringing a big group. While the food is generally reasonable, some menu items can be quite expensive. However, given the quality of the food here, it’s worth it.
We love the Sultan Family group meal because it’s complete with skewers, chicken bread, barg, and 9 kinds of soup. If you’re alone, we recommend the chef’s special that combines koobideh, chicken barg, and barg skewer in one meal. You get the best of everything!
| Pro Tip: Don’t sleep on their Persian tea, it’s an aromatic black tea blend with spices. It’s amazing on cold days! |
BanhMiYes
– Media Credit: banhmiyes.ottawa
Pricing: $$
Address: 1129 Wellington St. W
Neighborhood: Hintonburg
Business Hours: Daily (11 AM – 8 PM)
Contact: 6137287688
We remember having our very first banh mi at BanhMiYes; it tasted delicious, authentic, and was incredibly filling, and we just knew it wouldn’t be our last. We could instantly tell the baguette was freshly baked, which we love.
They have four kinds of banh mi to choose from. Our personal favorite is the Vietnamese pulled pork banh mi, and we usually get it with the 4-in-1 box.
The box offers a choice of soda or beer, the dessert of the day, which may be cake, pudding, or a Vietnamese sweet, along with some chips. You get the complete experience! We like ordering this when we go to the cinema because it comes in an easy-to-carry go-box.
| Pro Tip: You’ll receive a 10% discount when you sign up for their newsletter on their website. You can also earn a loyalty card by dining there; you’ll receive a free banh mi after collecting 9 stamps. |
Mr Kaak
– Media Credit: mrkaak.ottawa
Pricing: $
Address: 1020 Pleasant Park Rd
Neighborhood: Urbandale
Business Hours:
- Sunday-Monday (9 AM – 5 PM)
- Tuesday-Saturday (9 AM – 7 PM)
Contact: 6132480917
Mr Kaak offers a variety of Lebanese treats that taste authentic and sweet without being too overpowering. Their baklava is addictive (seriously, we can’t just have just one). It’s clear that the food here is prepared with great care and made with the finest ingredients.
Aside from sweet treats, they also serve a popular savory pastry called kaak, which has a delicious and hearty cheese and meat filling.
The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere of the store is very warm and inviting. It’s a great stop after dinner for some sweet treats or snacks to bring back home and enjoy while watching TV.
| Pro Tip: If you don’t have cash on you, don’t fret. They accept NFC mobile payments and credit cards. |
Del Piacere
– Media Credit: delpiacere
Pricing: $$
Address: 416 Preston St
Neighborhood: Little Italy
Business Hours:
- Monday-Friday (11 AM – 11 PM)
- Saturday-Sunday (10 AM – 11 PM)
Contact: 6134224416
Del Piacere is another great place for mouth-watering pizza. We usually get their Margherita pizza, but they have a variety of options, like their Frutti Di Mare and Capricciosa that are just as good.
Their head chef, born in Italy, ensures that the food tastes wonderfully authentic and hits all the right notes. It’s a fun family place, with friendly staff and a relaxing atmosphere.
Aside from their pizza, we greatly enjoy their pasta, such as allo scoglio, and homemade gnocchi with a four-cheese sauce. They have big portions, so it’s very filling.
Their desserts are also amazing. Nothing beats their gelato on a hot summer day. Their classic tiramisu is to die for; we occasionally dream about it. It’s that good.
| Pro Tip: They have an app to make takeout orders convenient. You can download them via Google Play or the App Store. |
Pearson Street – Smash Burgers N’ Melts
– Media Credit: pearsonstreet1
Pricing: $
Address: 1460 Cyrville Rd
Neighborhood: Industrial Park
Business Hours: Daily (11 AM – 8 PM)
Contact: 343 588 1688
If you like something quick and delicious, Pearson Street (Smash Burgers N’ Melts) is the place to go. They have two locations – one on Blais Street and another on Cyrville Road. We frequent the latter.
What’s interesting about Pearson Street is that it’s actually a business that opened after the pandemic. It started as a mobile kitchen in 2021 with just a few staff, but it has grown to this scale because people clamored for their burgers. It’s that good.
Aside from the usual single and double smash burgers, we’ve also developed a liking to their other offerings.
We love the mushroom Swiss burger because it’s so cheesy, and the sauteed onions and mushrooms make it a bit sweet. If you like it spicy, the Hot & Smoky Burger is the one for you.
Pearson Street may have won Ottawa’s Best Burger title in 2021, but it also won the hearts of many Ottawans. A must-try for tourists and locals alike!
| Pro Tip: We love their poutine! It’s so sinfully good. Try the Smash Poutine and Smoked Meat Poutine if you’re looking to try something new. |
Shanghai Wonton Noodle Restaurant
– Media Credit: chopstixinthesix
Pricing: $
Address: 178 Rideau St
Neighborhood: ByWard Market
Business Hours:
- Monday-Friday (11 AM – 9 PM)
- Saturday-Sunday (11:30 AM – 9 PM)
Contact: 613 2339 900
Shanghai Wonton Noodle Restaurant is a popular spot among students due to its affordable prices, generous servings, and deliciously authentic Chinese food.
We love the wonton soup with big dumplings so much. It’s perfect for our cold Canadian winters and serves as the perfect antidote when you’re feeling under the weather.
The staff are friendly and efficient. Don’t be intimidated if you’re unsure what to order because they’ll help you out.
| Pro Tip: You can’t make reservations here. We suggest that you arrive early to secure parking and a table. |
Table Sodam
– Media Credit: masterjpp
Pricing: $$
Address: 1200 Bank St
Neighborhood: Old Ottawa South
Business Hours:
- Tuesday-Saturday (11:30 AM – 2 PM; 5 PM – 9:30 PM)
- Sunday (11:30 AM – 4 PM)
- Closed on Mondays
Contact: 613 421 1229
Table Sodam is another notable Korean bistro, serving authentic Korean food and drinks. We discovered this when we had a K-drama addiction and wanted to try all the great Korean restaurants in the area – this one blew us away.
We love the modern ambience, beautiful food presentation, yummy flavors, and generous portions.
Some of our usual orders include vegetable bibimbap, bulgogi (marinated beef that’s sweet and savory), tteokpoki (stir-fried spicy rice cakes), and their Korean fried chicken slathered in either a sweet and spicy sauce or a soy-based glaze.
The fried chicken is perfect with beer or soju. We love the grapefruit and green grape flavored soju, but the plain one hits you the strongest! It’s a great restaurant to visit on a Friday night.
While we love dining here, we’re glad they now offer takeout options. Now we can enjoy their good food in the comforts of our own homes.
| Pro Tip: You can buy kimchi here to take home. Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish made from salted and fermented vegetables that can be eaten on its own or used for cooking. We love using it for kimchi fried rice and kimchi soup. Both are relatively easy to make. You can even ask the staff here for tips! |
