City Name
Temperature
Home » Recent posts » Top 14 Must-Try Indian Restaurants in Ottawa

Top 14 Must-Try Indian Restaurants in Ottawa

Top 14 Must-Try Indian Restaurants in Ottawa

Let me tell you, Ottawa has culinary gems that’ll whisk you away to the streets of Delhi, the markets of Mumbai, and the tranquil beaches of Goa without having to pack a single bag. We’re talking about a gastronomic journey through Indian restaurants!

Each restaurant on our list is a must-try, boasting its own unique blend of spices and specialties that will ignite your taste buds. Read on!

Sona the Indian Kitchen

Website: https://www.sonatheindiankitchen.ca/ 

Address: 1183 Hunt Club Rd Unit 104, Ottawa, ON K1V 8S4, Canada

Contact details: +1 613-733-4678

Operating hours: 

  • Monday – 4 PM to 10 PM
  • Tuesday to Thursday – 11 AM to to 2:30 PM, 4 PM to 10 PM
  • Friday and Saturday – 11 AM to to 2:30 PM, 4 PM to 10:30 PM
  • Sunday – 11 AM to to 2:30 PM, 4 PM to 9:30 PM

Cost: $-$$

Sona the Indian Kitchen’s menu is a parade of classics with a twist that’ll make you want to dance the bhangra. Their butter chicken is the talk of the town because of its tasty sauce of tomatoes and cream.

And their paneer tikka will have even the staunchest meat lovers questioning their life choices—it’s that good. Remember to wash it all down with a mango lassi, which goes well with any dish!

Pro tip: Make sure to swing by on a Wednesday, because their mid-week special is a killer deal that lets you sample more of the menu without your wallet throwing a tantrum. Plus, their patio is a prime spot when the weather decides to play nice.

Coconut Lagoon 

Website: https://www.coconutlagoon.ca/ 

Address: 853 St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, ON K1K 3B1, Canada

Contact details: +1 613-742-4444

Operating hours: 

  • Monday, Wednesday to Sunday – 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Cost: $$

Coconut Lagoon is an institution in Ottawa, serving up South Indian cuisine like fish moilee, which you should try, or their vegetarian avial.

But the true star is their dosas, which are crispy, golden, bigger than your appetite, and, of course, tasty. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the chettinad rabbit—it’s a game-changer (pun intended).

Pro tip: Reservations are your best friend on weekends because this place gets packed faster than a Mumbai local train. And if you’re driving, give yourself a few extra minutes to snag parking.

East India Company Restaurants

Website: http://www.eastindiaco.com/?UTM_source=GMB_listing&UTM_medium=organic_HD 

Address: 210 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K2P 0J4, Canada

Contact details: +1 343-453-4654

Operating hours: 

  • Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 3 PM, 5 PM to 9:30 PM

Cost: $-$$

The East India Company on Somerset offers a legendary buffet, offering a culinary tour of India’s diverse palates under one roof. Their popular dishes include the beef vindaloo, which packs both heat and depth, and the palak paneer.

And let’s not sleep on their naan; it’s the perfect blend of fluffy and crispy. To cap off your meal with something sweet, their Gulab Jamun dessert is perfect for that.

Pro tip: Their lunch buffet offers a bang for your buck, but if you’re visiting during dinner, call ahead to check table availability. And you can ask them about their gluten- and dairy-free options if you’re into that.

Ceylonta

Website: https://ceylonta.com/en/ 

Address: 403 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K2P 0K1, Canada

Contact details: +1 613-237-7812

Operating hours: 

  • Monday to Friday – 11 AM to 2 PM, 4 PM to 9 PM
  • Saturday and Sunday – 4 PM to 9 PM

Cost: $-$$

Ceylonta may seem unassuming from the outside, but once you step in, you’re in for a treat with their variety of Indian cuisine. Their lamprais, a banana leaf packet of flavour-packed rice, meat, and sambols, is a journey to Sri Lanka, minus the plane ride!

Vegetarians, fear not; the eggplant moju will have you seeing the humble vegetable in a new light. And you can’t leave without trying the kothu roti – it’s street food royalty that’ll have you plotting your return visit.

Pro tip: If you’re looking for a quiet dinner, aim for early in the week. Weekends here are like a house party—great vibe but crowded.

Mumbai Masala Grill

Website: https://www.mumbaimasalagrillottawa.com/ 

Address:  228 Albert St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5G5, Canada

Contact details:  +1 613-233-7705

Operating hours: 

  • Sunday to Thursday – 11 AM to 10 PM
  • Friday and Saturday – 11 AM to 11 PM

Cost: $$

Mumbai Masala Grill brings the bustling streets of Mumbai to Ottawa, offering buffet with dishes that are all about bold flavours and unapologetic spice. A dish you must try here is the chicken tikka masala—creamy, spicy, and all things nice.

Their paneer butter masala is a close second, making it clear that paneer is indeed the king of cheeses. And to cool off after all that meal, get one of their flavoured drinks, like Indian masala tea or sweet lassi.

Pro tip: Their outdoor seating area is a hit during the summer months—perfect for those long, lazy, spice-infused evenings.

Mia’s Indian Cuisine-St.Laurent

Media credit: ottfoodie

Website: http://www.eatatmias.ca/ 

Address: 327 St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, ON K1K 2Z5, Canada

Contact details: +1 613-680-5353

Operating hours: 

  • Tuesday to Saturday – 12 PM to 2:30 PM, 4 PM to 9 PM
  • Sunday – 4 PM to 9 PM

Cost: $-$$

Mia’s Indian Cuisine serves up something like a homemade meal and delivers beyond expectations—comforting, flavourful, and downright delicious. You absolutely can’t miss their creamy butter chicken that’s perfect with the garlic naan.

And if you’re a vegetarian, you’ll be spoiled with options too with their paneer masala, saag aloo, or aloo gobi. For your dessert, you’d better not miss ordering their burfi or rashmalai, which are both crowd favourite.

Pro tip: Mia’s does a fantastic full-course dinner that’s not just easy on the wallet but also allows you to sample a bit of everything. And, if you’re driving, their ample parking means you won’t have to circle the block a thousand times.

The Curry Palace

Website: http://thecurrypalace.ca/ 

Address: 569 Gladstone Ave, Ottawa, ON K1R 5P2, Canada

Contact details: +1 613-231-3333

Operating hours: 

  • Monday, Wednesday to Saturday – 4 PM to 12 AM
  • Sunday – 2 PM to 9 PM

Cost: $$

When at The Curry Palace, do not miss out on their rogan josh. It’s a masterpiece—tender, succulent, and bathed in a sauce so good you’ll wish they sold it by the bottle.

For veggie lovers, the chana masala stands out as a chickpea dish that could easily convert any meat lover with its taste. As for drinks, don’t sleep on their mango lassi; it strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tangy, perfect as a palate cleanser.

Pro tip: They’ve got this corner spot that’s perfect for date nights or quiet dinners, so remember to opt for that. Plus, checking in on social media often unlocks a discount or a free appetizer, so keep those phones handy.

Festival of India

Website: https://www.festivalofindiafoods.com/ 

Address: 422 Preston St, Ottawa, ON K1S 4N2, Canada

Contact details: +1 613-421-0779

Operating hours: 

  • Sunday to Tuesday, Thursday – 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM
  • Friday and Saturday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM

Cost: $$

The Festival of India’s buffet is like the Olympics of Indian cuisine, showcasing the best from every region of India.

From sizzling tandoori chicken to a vegetarian korma that’s so creamy and dreamy, you’ll forget meat was ever a thing. And their naan here is the backbone of every plate, perfect for scooping up the last bits of sauce.

Pro tip: They host a weekly special that features a different regional cuisine of India, so it’s a great way to explore dishes you might not find on the regular menu. Early birds catch the best seats (and freshest food) at the buffet.

Kochin Kitchen

Website: http://www.kochinkitchen.ca/ 

Address: 271 Dalhousie St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7E5, Canada

Contact details: +1 613-562-4461

Operating hours: 

  • Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, 5 PM to 9 PM

Cost: $-$$

Kochin Kitchen is a jackpot of flavours. Now, their fish moilee is a crowd-favourite, together with salmon Alleppey, lobster masala, mussels Travancore, and king fish curry (their special seafood dish).

If you’re a meat lover, try their beef fry-special, beef vindaloo, and lamb chettinaadu, coupled with malabar parotta, and you’ve got a perfect combo. And for something to sip, their spiced tea is the perfect hug in a mug.

Pro tip: Kochin Kitchen is quite the hotspot, especially on weekends, so reservations are your best bet to avoid waiting. And, if you’re up for an adventure, ask the server for their off-menu specials.

Roast N Curries

Media credit: yelpottawa

Website: https://roast-n-curries.food96.com/

Address: 197 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1W7, Canada

Contact details: +1 613-563-0111

Operating hours: 

  • Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM

Cost: $-$$

If you’re seeking that perfect blend of mouthwatering roasts and zesty curries, Roast N Curries is the spot. Their tandoori chicken is legendary, known for its smoky flavour and succulence, practically falling off the bone.

But the real game-changer is their goat curry, which is rich, meaty, and flavourful. And don’t forget to order a side of their naan—they have butter, garlic, and cheese variants!

Pro tip: Remember to keep an eye out for their combo deals, especially during lunch hours. Plus, their takeout service is top-notch for those lazy nights in.

The SARANGI, Cuisine of India

Website: http://www.sarangicuisine.ca/ 

Address: 2280 Carling Ave Unit 7, Ottawa, ON K2B 7G1, Canada

Contact details: +1 613-596-1234

Operating hours: 

  • Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 2:30 PM, 4 PM to 10 PM

Cost: $-$$

The Sarangi along Carling Avenue hosts a flavour festival with its menu of authentic North Indian dishes. For the newbies, ease into it with their chicken tikka masala; it’s got that creamy tomato-based sauce that dreams are made of.

And for plant pals, the gobi manchurian will make you forget cauliflower was ever considered boring—crispy, tangy, and a bit sweet. 

Another special thing about The Sarangi is their variety of tandoori-baked breads! From the classic roti and paratha to their naan, their offerings are a delight: potato-stuffed, cheese, onion, chicken-stuffed, and multi-layered butter—yum, right?

Pro tip: They do this thing on Tuesdays where you can score a deal on their thalis. Also, if you’ve got a mild phobia of trying to parallel park on busy streets, hit them up after work hours for easier parking.

Madhuban Indian Cuisine – Downtown Ottawa

Website: http://madhubancuisine.ca/ 

Address: 610 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 6A2, Canada

Contact details: +1 613-789-2220

Operating hours: 

  • Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 9:30 PM

Cost: $$

Right in the heart of Downtown, Madhuban serves up a storm of authentic Indian cuisine and Indo-Chinese fusion. 

The lamb vindaloo here is a must for those who like it hot and served with a side of badassery. But if you’re more about keeping it cool, the paneer makhani is about as soothing as it gets with its buttery goodness. 

And for the love of all things munchy, snag some samosas; they’re crispy, stuffed, and so good; that they pair perfectly with anything. The best part? They even ask diners about their spice tolerance so they can adjust the levels!

Pro tip: Lunch hours get as packed as a crowd in a bazaar, so get there early, or even better, book a table. And for deal hunters, check their website for coupons before you go!

Thali 

Website: https://thaliottawa.ca/ 

Address: 136 O’Connor St, Ottawa, ON K2P 2G7, Canada

Contact details: +1 613-594-4545

Operating hours: 

  • Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 3 PM, 4:30 PM to 9 PM

Cost: $$-$$$

Each of Thali’s dishes lets you tour India without jet lag. For starters, go for their namesake, the traditional thali, which you can have either with chicken, lamb, beef, salmon, shrimp, or as a vegan.

Don’t also miss out on their tasty eggplant masala and, of course, the biryani—both a smorgasbord of flavours that’ll have you nodding in approval with every bite. 

And if you think you’re not a dessert person, their Gulab Jamun might just convert you—it’s like sweet, syrupy happiness in a bowl.

Pro tip: If waiting long is not your thing, you can order for pick-up on their site; there’s usually a discount.

Balista – Bistro Ottawa

Media credit: ottawalocaleats

Website: http://www.balista.ca/ 

Address:  2150 Robertson Rd UNIT 5, Nepean, ON K2H 9S1, Canada

Contact details: +1 613-829-9996

Operating hours: 

  • Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM

Cost: $-$$

Balista’s menu has a mix of crowd-pleasing classics and some offbeat dishes for those adventurous food-seekers. If you can’t decide what to try first, go for their tikka trio—chicken, fish, and paneer.

Gastronomics on our team give their dal makhani a massive thumbs-up—it’s lentils done right, creamy, and comforting. Now, for some liquid companion, you better order their spiced chai, which turns a meal into a ceremony: steamy, milky, and subtly sweet.

Pro tip: Balista often drops last-minute specials on their socials, so turn on those notifications for sweet (or spicy) deals.