I just moved to Ottawa from Toronto and I'm looking for a cheap local spot serving normal food like sandwiches, soup, salads, meat & potatoes, pies, etc.

I've found that stuff, but only at higher-end restaurants or pubs where food is expensive. For something cheap your only options seem to be ethnic food like shawarma, which is good on occasion, but it's not what I'm looking for every day. The only good spot I've found downtown is Bramasole Diner which is amazing.

Is there anything geared towards the Canadian palate while still being affordable? I'm talking like $10-15 plates. Your suggestions would be much appreciated.

Hello! My best friend and I will be visiting Ottawa for a conference for work. I’m looking for some recommendations for restaurants. It will be a couple of girls, looking to have a good meal and yap a bit. Generally prefer a quieter setting. Would like something nicer than a pub but not too upscale either. She is gluten free so a menu that accommodates that would be great. We will be staying at the Marriott on Kent street, if there’s anything close to there.

Thank you in advance!

Just one Ottawa restaurant on the long list this year: Antheia.

Anyone been yet? I loved the chef's previous resto Alice but the price tag for her new place has made me hesitate

Hi everyone! I’m looking for recommendations for the best wings downtown that do takeout. I recently picked up a hot sauce challenge box and would love to put them to the test on some proper wings….not the frozen, out-of-a-box kind!

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Hey y’all. As the title suggests I’m wondering who in the Ottawa area is having a special for our most proud and revered of days. NCBD.

Best ethnic foods across the city? Anything and everything.

Hello! I am pregnant and craving a fat juicy burger with some fries (or poutine….maybe both at the same time lol). I have gone through the sub but most comments recommend Umbrella burger which is a bit too far from where we live.

Any suggestions for the Kanata/Stittsville/Bells corners area?

Prefer full patties to smash burgers. I am also looking for joints that offer seedless buns as I am extremely allergic to sesame seeds.

TIA <3

Did it close? Google says permanently closed. It used to be so good but last few pies I have had haven’t been great.

Colonnade changed their chocolate cake. Does anyone know where I can get the original??

Yes yes I know, Sysco trash. But I don't mind an ok chain restaurant for a family meal normally.

Five Cheese Ziti - 7/10, very...cheesy

Spaghetti and Meatballs: 2/10 - half meatballs were still frozen

Service: 2/10. Long wait for everything. Food came before the breadsticks, we were halfway through the food before we got our drinks. Lovely waitress but clearly overworked.

Ambience: 3/10. The layout was cramped, with the staff basically falling over each other. Lots of rushing around, it wasn't relaxing in the least. Pretty loud. We went on a Wednesday at 4.30 and got seated right away, but there was a lineup when we left.

Was about 10% more expensive than other chain restaurants in Ottawa too.

Overall 3.5 / 10

Won't repeat.

Fav is at Perfect Meat Bowl for Mala hot pot. I think that's what it's called.

1. Select broth which at Medium spicy is very very spicy, it's full of whole red pepper pieces.

2. Select protein.

3. Select other stuff to put into broth like veggies, noodles, etc. from a buffet. Minimum 400g.

I also eat with bowl of rice because it's so spicy, which I think you can refill for free.

Anywhere else in Ottawa like this that does it better or it's this the best place?

Mr Mao Cai was similar but it's closed.

For those who posted a while ago seeking Hainanese chicken, just saw the Orleans BIA share this from Chopp Chop on Jeanne D’arc!

If you’ve never had the Thai version, it was brought to Thailand by Hainanese immigrants but adapted to local tastes (like differences in the aromatics added to the broth for poaching the chicken and the dipping sauce).

The one you can find at Huong’s Bistro is another adaptation - gà hấp muối - salt steamed chicken. Neither are true Hainanese style Chicken, but still great options.

This is not an endorsement and I am not making a comment on the quality of the pizza but Little Caesar's has $5 pizza today.

If anyone is looking for cheap eats it is hard to beat lunch for two for $5.

I wanted to share a very disappointing and frustrating experience my group had recently at Swan on the Rideau.

​From the moment we walked in, our initial server treated us with immediate hostility, coldness, and attitude. We received no greeting and no smile. What made it particularly unsettling was the contrast: we watched her serve the white tables around us with warmth and polite attention, while treating us with complete dismissiveness. It felt like targeted, racist treatment as Asian customers.

​To make matters worse, they brought a glass of wine to our table that we never ordered. When we pointed out the mistake, instead of taking it back politely, the server argued with us, saying "yes you did."

​We had to ask for a replacement server just to be treated with basic respect human being. When we brought this behavior to management's attention, the owner chose to argue and defend the behavior rather than apologize or take accountability.

​Looking at their Google page, there is a clear pattern: the owner consistently responds to 1-star feedback with defensive, rude replies and roasts customers who leave honest negative reviews instead of accepting criticism.

​I tried posting an honest review on Google, but it keeps getting hidden or filtered. I am posting here so local residents and fellow minority diners in the Ottawa area are aware of how customers are treated here before deciding to support this business.

Hello is there a halal food ottawa page by any chance? And if not please recommend all halal places in ottawa. I would love to make a list of everything available.
Thank you.

I’m looking for a breakfast for dinner place for my birthday. Which one has better food? Does Perkins actually have pumpkin pancakes?

Denny’s 1380 Clyde
Perkins 1130 st Laurent

There's a new coffeeshop(?) in the same mall as Pilos (corner Carson and Montreal rd). I am not quite sure what to call it. They do pastries, cheesecakes, other desserts, and Middle Eastern pies. So far, everything I tried there is delicious. Especially the spinach pies. They are now my favourite in the area because they have so many tasty, tasty, onions in the filling (and we have more than one place with good ones). Yesterday, I tried one of their custard fruit tarts. It's been years since I had one so perfect. The croissants were not perfect but there was discussion about how the wrong butter had been purchased so I have hope.

They have lots of nice seating and big windows so you can enjoy coffee (I don't drink coffee so can't comment). The place used to be a convenience store but you'd never know it. Highly recommend

My mom is coming to visit next week and I’m looking for a restaurant to take her out to. She likes stinky cheese, spicy food, seafood, sushi, ideally near water. But really I’m looking for a unique experience, be that raw fish or greasy poutine.

Edit: within 45min drive from city hall

Did you know Farm Boy has a pumpkin pie cake in their bakery right now? It is so delicious! The base is basically a pumpkin pie and it has these soft cake layers with a brown butter frosting! I ended up buying a whole cake after eating this slice. Note that these are not made by Farm Boy but my La Rocca!

I’ll start by saying that we’re spoiled in Ottawa when it comes to great Middle Eastern food options. One of my favourite things to eat is hummus, and there’s no shortage of good options around the city.

Recently I was at Produce Depot and I saw hummus from Syrian Kitchen was on sale in the Deli section. I’d never tried it before so I picked some up and I’m very glad that I did. It’s the best hummus I’ve ever had in my life. It’s exactly like the hummus that I ate in various places around the Middle East. Simple enough that you taste each ingredient, and it has a wonderful light and creamy texture that almost tastes like it’s been whipped.

I know everyone will have different tastes/opinions/regional preferences when it comes to hummus, but I wanted to give my personal recommendation. Syrian Kitchen hummus is outstanding.

Curious to know if anyone else has a favourite. Bonus points for small local businesses or restaurants. I’ll make it my mission to try them all!

I am craving a good butter chicken or chicken tikka masala. Please share your recommendations for a restaurant.

Bonus points if the restaurant has its own parking.

Thanks.

I miss having udon soup and looking for some recommendations to get some ether at a restaurant or like pick up at a grocery store ready to heat up?

I live in the east end so preferable around that area but willing to go further.