Ресторан · Ottawa · ⭐ 9.3/10 · 3302 reviews · $$ · updated: 2026-06-30 17:59:17
Address: 137 Murray St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7E3, Canada
Chez Lucien — Lowertown’s Candlelit Institution
Some restaurants earn their place in a city’s heart with novelty; Chez Lucien earned it with constancy. For about twenty years this little bilingual bistro-pub on the calm side of the ByWard Market has served what many locals flatly call Ottawa’s best burger, in a candlelit room where a free jukebox spins Brel and Beatles-era hits, and where the word “cozy” finally means something.
The Story
Chez Lucien grew into an institution the slow way — no expansions, no facelifts, just a Lowertown room that regulars nicknamed “Chez-chez” and refused to let change. Its Franco-Ontarian soul is genuine: this is one of the capital’s most naturally bilingual tables, where the francophone songbook on the jukebox is as much a fixture as the beer taps.
What to Order
The Lucien Burger — bacon, mushrooms, cream cheese — is the dish that built the legend, an unlikely trio that works so well it has spawned two decades of imitators. The rest of the card is short and sincere: bistro comfort plates and a rotating cast of local brews. No tricks, no towers, no deconstruction.
The Space
A snug, low-lit room that feels borrowed from Montreal’s Plateau: dripping candles, close-set wooden tables, walls layered with art and memory. When the evening fills in, conversation and chanson blur into one warm noise — dress for atmosphere, not for quiet.
Who It’s For
Couples who prefer candlelight to chandeliers, old friends on their hundredth catch-up, visitors who want the ByWard Market without its rowdiest corners — and every burger romantic in the capital.
Good to Know
Do they take reservations? It’s a walk-in spot — part of the charm is squeezing in where you can.
What makes the burger special? The bacon-mushroom-cream-cheese combination — richer than it sounds and better than it should be.
Is it good for a date? One of the city’s best — candlelight, music and no pretense do the heavy lifting.
Do I need French? Not at all, though hearing both languages at once is half the atmosphere.
When is it quietest? Weekday afternoons and early evenings — by nine the room belongs to the regulars.
Opening hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 11:00–02:00 |
| Tuesday | 11:00–02:00 |
| Wednesday | 11:00–02:00 |
| Thursday | 11:00–02:00 |
| Friday | 11:00–02:00 |
| Saturday | 11:00–02:00 |
| Sunday | 11:00–02:00 |
Photos
Show 3 more photos
Visitor reviews
Show 1 more reviews
Strolling through the ByWard Market, we decided to get off the beaten path and try Chez Lucien. It turned out to be a wonderful choice!
The scallops were wonderfully cooked, the duck was tasty, and the Croque Monsieur w…
Reviews last updated: 2026-06-30 17:59:17
Data is refreshed monthly. Sources: ottawanka.com and editorial picks based on reviews.
It’s very deceiving from the outside but the minute we stepped inside, the vibe was charming and warm. It wasn’t busy as we went for a late lunch on a Wednesday but it has a homey comfortable feel. The menu is not huge,…
Visited Ottawa on a Friday. We arrived for lunch around noon. It was already fairly crowded, but we were quickly greeted with a smile. The server, very friendly, tried to speak French. We ordered the burger of the day fo…
Absolutely tasty pasta!
They were out of mussels that day, but I got extra ingredients instead
The sauce was creamy and rich, the pasta was cooked perfectly, and the scallops were huge and tender in the middle
A…
It was a rainy Monday evening, but this place was fun. It took a little while, but we found seats at the bar. The servers and bartender worked hard but were friendly. It seemed like every dish from the kitchen was a burg…
Tasty food and drinks, good draft beer and cider.
We ordered the Dijon chicken and the steak fettuccine, and both dishes were wonderful. Very good value and wonderful service.