Ресторан · Ottawa · ⭐ 8.9/10 · 1898 reviews · updated: 2026-06-30 17:59:17
Address: 123 Metcalfe St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5L9, Canada
Cocotte Bistro — The Full French Fantasy in Downtown Ottawa
Green velvet banquettes, black-and-white tiled floors, a marble bar and the smell of onion soup — Cocotte Bistro is downtown Ottawa’s most complete French daydream. Set inside The Metcalfe Hotel, minutes from Parliament Hill, it serves the whole arc of a Parisian day: breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and a late-night card, all in one gorgeously dressed room.
The Concept
The kitchen calls its style modern authentic French: bistro classics executed with discipline, local and seasonal ingredients underneath the tradition. The room is designed as three connected worlds — a library, a bar and the main bistro floor — so a solo lunch, an aperitif and a celebration dinner each find their own corner.
What to Order
Brunch built its reputation on the eggs Benedict; evenings belong to French onion soup, duck confit, coq au vin, steak frites and a beautifully cut steak tartare. The signature finish is the Ottawa-Brest, the house’s National Capital take on the Paris-Brest — praline, choux and a little civic pride. Bubbles by the glass round out the wine list.
The Space
A spacious open-concept salon that photographs like a Paris film set: geometric tile underfoot, deep green velvet, marble surfaces and warm brass light. Despite the glamour it stays comfortable — the banquettes invite long sittings, and the three-zone layout keeps noise civilized.
Who It’s For
Brunch devotees, francophiles marking anniversaries, hotel guests who refuse to settle for room service, and anyone who believes a proper bistro should feed you at eleven in the morning and eleven at night.
Good to Know
Should I book ahead? Yes for weekend brunch and dinner; online reservations take up to six guests, larger parties arrange directly.
Is brunch served daily? Breakfast and brunch anchor the mornings, with the full bistro card taking over from lunch onward.
What dessert defines the house? The Ottawa-Brest — their capital twist on the Paris-Brest classic.
Is it good for special occasions? Very — the velvet-and-marble setting does celebratory work on its own.
Anything to know about timing? A fifteen-minute grace period applies to reservations, so aim to arrive on the hour.
Opening hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 07:00–21:30 |
| Tuesday | 07:00–22:00 |
| Wednesday | 07:00–22:00 |
| Thursday | 07:00–22:00 |
| Friday | 07:00–22:00 |
| Saturday | 07:30–22:00 |
| Sunday | 07:30–21:30 |
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We visited this place for our 7th anniversary and left a little disappointed. The service was wonderful despite a busy Saturday, and the atmosphere was wonderful. The appetizers (oysters and French onion soup) were tasty…
Reviews last updated: 2026-06-30 17:59:17
Data is refreshed monthly. Sources: ottawanka.com and editorial picks based on reviews.
An absolutely incredible experience at Cocotte Bistro! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm, elegant and genuinely French. The service was attentive but not intrusive, and every recommendation was flawle…
My husband and I decided to dine in, staying at the Metcalfe Hotel. We booked a table online and were greeted with a wonderful smile when we arrived. They offered an à la carte menu, which my husband chose, and I chose t…
My husband and I had a wonderful dinner at Cocotte Bistro. The staff are wonderful and very professional. We started with oysters, which were so tasty with butter, French onion soup and escargot. The mains were lamb shan…
A wonderful restaurant. First-class service, an elegant setting and amazing food. The Coquilles Saint-Jacques was refined, and the portion generous. The lamb shank looked wonderful. I recommend coming here to treat yours…
A cute and cozy spot with a nice selection of French cuisine and wonderful presentation. A nice selection of mimosas. On Saturday at 12:30 they don't serve the lunch menu, so we continued with the brunch menu, which was…