Emma WhiteOttawa is a foodie’s dream come true when it comes to fancy restaurants serving up Michelin-star-quality food that’s perfect not just for you but for your Instagram feed, too!
Now grab your fancy suspenders or that favourite little black dress and get ready to be introduced to our top picks for the best fine dining experiences in Ottawa!
Website: http://northandnavy.com/
Address: 226 Nepean St, Ottawa, ON K2P 0B8, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-232-6289
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 5 PM to 9 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 5 PM to 10 PM
Cost: $$-$$$
NoNa (as the locals call it) serves up Northern Italian cuisine with a dash of Canadian flair. Their culinary prowess particularly shines through their coppa (a thinly sliced pork neck rubbed with spice rub, which according to them takes 4-6 months to complete).
It’s laid out thoughtfully, allowing you to observe the marbled patterns, and is often accompanied by plums, basil, and infused honey. When it comes to desserts, the torta della nonna is a celebrated choice, recognised for its beauty and delightful taste.
The restaurant’s wine selection is equally impressive, with the Soave Classico recommended for those who prefer white and Barolo for red.
| Pro tip: On Mondays, they have a special “Pasta & Vino” night where you get an exclusive pasta dish with a carefully paired wine at a great price. Also, the place can get pretty packed, especially on weekends, so reservations are your best friend. |
Beckta Dining & Wine
Website: http://www.beckta.com/
Address: 150 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L4, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-238-7063
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 5 PM to 9 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 5 PM to 10 PM
Cost: $$-$$$
Beckta Dining & Wine radiates warm elegance, perfect when you want to feel a bit fancy. You’re in for a culinary adventure with their rotating seasonal menu, but if available, do yourselves a favour and try the seared scallops—a crowd-favourite.
For your main dish, the smoked duck breast features pecorino, pickled chillies, and a brown butter vinaigrette. It’s simple yet perfectly plated, and it’s best to be accompanied by any of their wines.
| Pro tip: Beckta has a wine bar with an amazing ‘by-the-glass’ selection, making it perfect for a pre-dinner drink. Oh, and check out their tasting menu; it’s a bit of a splurge, but worth it for a special occasion. |
Riviera Ottawa
Website: http://www.dineriviera.com/
Address: 62 Sparks St., Ottawa, ON K1P 5A5, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-233-6262
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday – 5 PM to 10 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 5 PM to 11 PM
Cost: $$-$$$
Riviera Ottawa screams a Gatsby-era vibe but with a modern twist. The tuna crudo here screams elegance and is a fantastic way to start your meal; it’s a little spicy, fresh, and beautifully presented.
Now if you’re stuck between pasta and seafood, you can taste them both with their lobster spaghetti, which, let’s be honest, is unique. These can be paired with one of their signature cocktails—the Riviera gin and tonic—or a dessert like a maple pecan tart.
| Pro tip: Riviera is famously difficult to get into (yeah, it’s that good), so book well in advance. And if you’re a fan of people-watching or simply enjoy the bustling ambience, ask for a seat by the window or near the bar. |
Aiana Restaurant Collective
Website: http://aiana.ca/
Address: 50 O’Connor St, Ottawa, ON K1P 6L2, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-680-8100
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 11 AM to 11 PM
- Saturday – 5 PM to 11 PM
Cost: $$-$$$
Aiana’s menu is innovative and ever-changing, but if it’s on the menu, the fresh oyster should be the way to start. For the main event, their fagottini and wagyu are tasty and can be paired with their wines.
Speaking of which, you shouldn’t skip them because they have an extensive list of wines, including famous and even rare wines from all over the world (if you think I’m kidding, wait till you check the list yourself).
You can also aim for their tasting menu featuring chef’s favourites like foie gras, halibut, sorbet, and caviar.
| Pro tip: Aiana offers a “Chef’s Table” experience with a bespoke menu that’s quite literally a culinary journey. It’s a bit of a splurge, but for a special occasion or a culinary adventure, it’s unparalleled. |
Giovanni’s Restaurant
Website: http://www.giovannis-restaurant.com/
Address: 362 Preston St, Ottawa, ON K1S 4M7, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-234-3156
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Friday – 11 AM to 11 PM
- Saturday – 5 PM to 11 PM
Cost: $$-$$$
Giovanni’s Restaurant has been serving authentic Italian cuisine for over 30 years.
Their menu features all the classics, but you absolutely cannot visit Giovanni’s without trying the lobster ravioli—it’s rich and indulgent, and the sauce perfectly brings everything together!
For a main course, the osso buco is the talk of town since it’s meltingly tender, and packed full of flavour. Moreover, their vino selection is extensive and features some of the best Italian wines out there.
| Pro tip: Giovanni’s has a fantastic lunch menu that offers a taste of their incredible dishes at a more wallet-friendly price point. Also, their patio in the summer is a delightful spot to dine al fresco. |
Rosebowl Steak & Seafood
Website: http://www.rosebowlsteakhouse.com/
Address: 228 Preston St, Ottawa, ON K1R 7R4, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-729-4000
Operating hours:
- Tuesday and Wednesday, Sunday – 5 PM to 10 PM
- Thursday – 5 PM to 11 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 5 PM to 12 AM
Cost: $$-$$$
Rosebowl Steak & Seafood is a spot that might not have “fancy” written all over its name but it sure heck brings it to the table.
Here, you can indulge in their legendary lobster bisque, which is creamy and rich. If you’re all about the meat, go for the different steaks: prime striploin, filet mignon, prime rib, t-bone—they have it here, and you can top it with roquefort cheese!
Pair your choice with a glass (or bottle, no judgment here) of their finest wine, and you’ve got yourself a meal fit for royalty.
| Pro tip: They’ve got an “Early Bird Special,” which is perfect for those who eat dinner with the sun. Also, don’t forget to order their New York cheesecake; it’s so good it should probably be illegal. |
Atelier
Website: http://www.atelierrestaurant.ca/
Address: 540 Rochester St, Ottawa, ON K1S 4M1, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-321-3537
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Saturday – 6 PM to 8 PM
Cost: $$-$$$
Atelier offers a 40-course tasting menu that changes faster than you can say “foie gras,” which is a good thing because it just adds to the absolute delight of the place. It also has pescatarian and vegetarian options available, if that’s more your thing.
Explore their menu – you’ll be treated to tasty dishes with names you could barely pronounce and ingredients you didn’t even know were edible—a true gastronomic adventure!
| Pro tip: Make sure you try to grab a reservation way in advance because this place is so popular. And word to the wise: give yourself the gift of time because a meal at the Atelier can last for about three hours. |
Fauna
Website: http://www.faunaottawa.ca/
Address: 425 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1Y7, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-563-2862
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM
- Thursday – 5:30 PM to 10 PM
- Friday – 5:30 PM to 11:30 PM
- Saturday – 5:30 PM to 12 AM
- Sunday – 5:30 PM to 9 PM
Cost: $$-$$$
Fauna is perfect for those nights when you want something fancy without the stuffiness some high-end places have. Fauna is pretty chill with their approach to food, like using locally sourced ingredients and tossing up new taste adventures all the time.
As for mains, the duck breast is a must-try, along with their scallops, which are a thing of beauty. Then you can pair it all with a dessert and signature cocktail—the fauna Old Fashioned and the chocolate terrarium is something you shouldn’t miss!
| Pro tip: Fauna’s menu changes with the seasons, so there’s always something new and exciting. They also host special dinner events that are well worth checking out, but spots fill up fast, so keep an eye out. |
Mati
Website: http://matiottawa.ca/
Address: 428 Preston St, Ottawa, ON K1S 4N2, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-680-3860
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 5 PM to 12 AM
- Friday – 5 PM to 1 AM
- Saturday – 4 PM to 1 AM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 3 PM, 5 PM to 12 AM
Cost: $$-$$$
If you’re all about that Mediterranean life, then Mati is your Hellenic haven in the heart of Ottawa. Their Seafood Tower is worth a look – it offers two options: hot or cold, and both offer a selection of well-curated seafood.
The selection of steaks here are noteworthy, as Mati offers wet-aged Canadian steak cuts and Australian and Japanese wagyu cuts.
But it’s the lamb rack that caught our fancy, with chimichurri sauce that has bright flavours—slightly different from our mint-accustomed tastebuds but still absolutely delightful!
| Pro tip: Mati can be pretty popular, especially on weekends, so book a table in advance and ask for a spot near the window for some prime people watching. |
Restaurant e18hteen
Website: http://www.restaurant18.com/
Address: 18 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5T5, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-244-1188
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 5 PM to 10 PM
Cost: $$-$$$
Restaurant e18hteen is where you go when you’re looking to impress, celebrate, or just live your best life! Just with its various starters, you can take your pick: fresh oysters, jumbo cocktail shrimps, caviar service, or a seafood tower if you can’t decide what to order.
This place has a reputation for creating dishes with the finest seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers. Some of the Michelin-star-like main dishes are their top-notch steak and seafood options.
| Pro tip: Don’t forget to look into their lounge area for a more casual yet equally exquisite dining experience. Plus, keep an eye out for their special wine events, where you can taste and learn about exquisite wines in a more intimate setting. |
Gitanes
Website: http://www.gitanes.co/
Address: 361 Elgin St Unit #6, Ottawa, ON K2P 1M7, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-562-0699
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 5:30 PM to 10 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 5:30 PM to 1 AM
Cost: $$-$$$
Not the cigarettes, folks—Gitanes is much, much better for your health, I promise. This place offers exquisite, carefully sourced seafood dishes, with their seafood platter being a testament.
Now, this platter features the freshest seafood you can think of, like clams, oysters, mussels, pen shells, and lobsters. And because they’re all about balance here, you can pair it with their kill dill featuring black pepper vodka—it’s a signature for a reason.
| Pro tip: Gitanes is one of those spots that’s perfect for both impressing a date and enjoying a high-class meal solo at the bar. Also, parking can be a bit tricky around here, so give yourself some lead time, or better yet, ride an Uber. |
Stofa Restaurant
Website: http://www.stofarestaurant.com/
Address: 1356 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 3C3, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-722-6555
Operating hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday – 5 PM to 8:30 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 5 PM to 8:45 PM
Cost: $$-$$$
Stofa Restaurant is always ready to serve you some of the best dishes you’ve ever had. Straight to the food; for something that is both tasty and Instagrammable, you can go for their marinated and charcoal grilled quail breast, which, of course, served beautifully.
Their cocktails are worth checking out too, with the chamomile-infused Glenlivet being a standout. You can also aim for their non-alcoholic cocktail options if that’s your thing, which are nothing less.
| Pro tip: Stofa has these surprise tasting menus, so keep an eye out for those and better book in advance. |
Perch Restaurant
Website: http://www.perchottawa.ca/
Address: 300 Preston St #1, Ottawa, ON K1R 7R6, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-515-0535
Operating hours:
- Thursday to Sunday – 6 PM to 10 PM
Cost: $$-$$$
Perch Restaurant has just enough greenery to make you feel like you’ve stepped into the most elegant greenhouse.
If you’re into inventive dishes, this is your spot with options like chawanmushi (featuring koji dashi, aged quail, mushroom “xo”, coffee cherry glaze) and heart (charred beef heart with mushroom, smoked aioli and togarashi).
Then, there’s the koji-aged and seaweed-wrapped roasted duck breast that people have been raving about, perfectly paired with the Perch Martini.
| Pro tip: Given its location, Perch is perfect for a fancy dinner after a day of exploring Lansdowne Park or attending an event there. Make a reservation for a window seat—the view is worth it, especially at sunset. |
The Shore Club
Website: http://www.theshoreclub.ca/about/
Address: 11 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1N 9H4, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-569-5050
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 12 AM
- Saturday and Sunday – 3 PM to 12 AM
Cost: $$-$$$
The Shore Club offers the perfect steakhouse experience but with a nautical twist. If you don’t know what to start with, then you should check out their grilled steak list with options like New York striploin, filet mignon, bone-in rib steak, short rib, and sirloin.
But if you want to go for something familiar, you can always go for the mac and cheese which you can have with a side of lobster. I should also mention that their extensive wine list will give you a hard time deciding what to choose because it’s a long list.
| Pro tip: The Shore Club knows how to have a happy hour like no other. So, check in during their happy hour slots for some well-priced drinks and appetizers to make the luxe life a little more accessible. |
