Ресторан · Ottawa · ⭐ 9.3/10 · 1669 reviews · $$$ · updated: 2026-06-30 17:59:17
Address: 62 Sparks St., Ottawa, ON K1P 5A5, Canada
Riviera — Ottawa’s Most Beautiful Dining Room, Nationally Ranked
Some restaurants decorate; Riviera inherited. Housed in the 1936–37 Art Deco “temple” of the former Imperial Bank on the Sparks Street pedestrian mall, near Parliament Hill, this is the dining room every Ottawa celebration aspires to — soaring stone, marble and brass, with cooking that has kept it on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list year after year since 2017.
The Story
Chef-owners Matthew Carmichael and Jordan Holley — the team behind El Camino and Datsun — opened Riviera in 2016 as their grown-up statement. The kitchen defines itself as new Canadian with Mediterranean hints: fresh pasta made in-house, seafood treated with respect, seasonal produce given the fine-dining polish without fine-dining theatre.
What to Order
The lobster spaghetti is the dish visitors are sent for; the pappardelle with oxtail ragù and the dry-aged striploin with bordelaise are what regulars quietly prefer. The raw side — oysters, caviar, tartares — makes an elegant overture, and the chocolate peanut butter tart has earned its permanent place. The bar’s ten Negroni variations are a legend of their own.
The Space
The old banking hall does half the work: monumental ceilings, original stone, warm low light pooling on marble. Bar seats overlook the open kitchen, and the former Banker’s Office and Cellar Vault serve as private dining rooms — likely the only vault in the city you’d celebrate an anniversary in.
Who It’s For
Anniversaries, engagements, promotions, visiting parents you want to impress — and anyone who believes a great dinner deserves a great room around it.
Good to Know
How far ahead should I book? Days ahead for weekends; the room is a celebration magnet year-round.
Is there a dress code? No formal one — but the hall inspires people to dress up, and most do.
What’s the room’s history? It was built in the late 1930s as the Imperial Bank’s main Ottawa branch — the Art Deco details are original.
Which table is most special? The private Cellar Vault for small groups; the marble bar for couples.
Is it only for big occasions? Not at all — a pasta and a Negroni at the bar is a perfectly civilized Tuesday.
Opening hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 17:00–22:00 |
| Tuesday | 17:00–22:00 |
| Wednesday | 17:00–22:00 |
| Thursday | 17:00–23:00 |
| Friday | 17:00–23:00 |
| Saturday | 17:00–23:00 |
| Sunday | 17:00–22:00 |
Photos
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Visitor reviews
Reviews last updated: 2026-06-30 17:59:17
Data is refreshed monthly. Sources: ottawanka.com and editorial picks based on reviews.
My husband and I came here and sat at the kitchen bar. It was wonderful to watch the cooks prepare the dishes so carefully. The food was phenomenal. Highly recommend this place and will definitely be back for another dat…
This is one of my favourite spots in Ottawa, the service always seems to be top-notch, and the food is consistently wonderful.
Even when I ordered takeout during COVID. I can't say enough good things about Riviera, and I…
I visited Riviera on my first evening in Ottawa, when I was in town for a conference, and several people recommended it as a must-try restaurant.
From the moment I arrived, the hostess was very friendly and seated me qu…
This restaurant is a great spot to enjoy excellent food and drinks. We ordered two flat iron steaks—one served with vegetables and the other with fries—as well as a pasta dish for my daughter. The food was cooked perfect…
Riviera in Ottawa has one of the most varied drink menus I've ever seen, which makes it a wonderful place to explore different drinks. The scallops as an appetizer were fantastic — perfectly cooked and full of flavour.…