Ten rooms, one shared instinct: in Ottawa the tables worth planning around gather downtown, around the ByWard Market and Centretown, then spill into the neighbourhoods that argue about which of them is best. JOEY Rideau sits between the Rideau Centre and the Market with a theatre kitchen and a covered rooftop patio; Riviera Ottawa occupies an Art Deco banking hall from the late 1930s; Cocotte Bistro dresses a hotel dining room in green velvet minutes from Parliament Hill. Further out, Gezellig holds Westboro Village inside a converted 1950s bank.
What separates them is register, not ambition. Bâton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar and JOEY Lansdowne are built for generous, unhurried evenings with room for a group; Chez Lucien and Wilf & Ada’s (No reservations) follow the opposite instinct — small, walk-in, run on candlelight or on morning coffee. Choose by the evening you want rather than by the cuisine label.
At a glance
| # | Place | Score | Reviews | Stands out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JOEY Rideau | ⭐ 9.5 | 11 372 | Editors' pick |
| 2 | JOEY Lansdowne | ⭐ 9.5 | 10 326 | — |
| 3 | Bâton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar | ⭐ 8.9 | 3 555 | — |
| 4 | Chez Lucien | ⭐ 9.1 | 3 302 | — |
| 5 | Wilf & Ada's (No reservations) | ⭐ 9.1 | 2 211 | — |
| 6 | Cocotte Bistro | ⭐ 8.9 | 1 898 | — |
| 7 | Riviera Ottawa | ⭐ 9.3 | 1 669 | — |
| 8 | Gezellig | ⭐ 9.3 | 1 582 | — |
| 9 | Prohibition Public House | ⭐ 9.1 | 1 256 | — |
| 10 | Supply and Demand | ⭐ 9.7 | 1 252 | People's favourite |
Highlights
-
Editors' pick:
JOEY Rideau -
People's favourite:
Supply and Demand
Opening hours
Open late: JOEY Rideau, JOEY Lansdowne, Bâton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar, Chez Lucien, Cocotte Bistro, Riviera Ottawa, Prohibition Public House, Supply and Demand.
Open early, from 8am or sooner: Wilf & Ada's (No reservations), Cocotte Bistro.
Check the hours before you set out — they shift on holidays and out of season.
Full ranking
1. JOEY Rideau · ⭐ 9.5
(11372 reviews)
+9 photos
50 Rideau St E106, Ottawa, ON K1N 9J7, Canada
Cuisine: International
One of two Ottawa locations of the Canadian JOEY chain — a stylish space on Rideau St with an open kitchen, a bar room and a focus on global comfort food. Over 11,000 reviews and a steady 4.7 make it one of the city's safest bets. Signature steaks, sushi and rolls, burgers, pasta and bartender cocktails. The menu balances grill classics with Asian accents.
«We really loved the food — the dishes were tasty. We mentioned we were short on time, and…»
2. JOEY Lansdowne · ⭐ 9.5
(10326 reviews)
+9 photos
825 Exhibition Way Unit 103, Ottawa, ON K1S 5J3, Canada
Cuisine: International
The second Ottawa JOEY, in the lively Lansdowne district. A spacious room, a large patio and the same chain concept: highly consistent global comfort food. A 4.7 over 10,000+ reviews. Steaks, sushi, burgers, pasta and craft cocktails. In summer, grab a patio table. Easy to pair with a Lansdowne stroll or a stadium event; works for families and groups alike.
«Gillian was a wonderful server — not just in looks, but she really did a wonderful job. Sh…»
3. Bâton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar · ⭐ 8.9
(3555 reviews)
+9 photos
360 Albert St Unit 110, Ottawa, ON K1R 7X7, Canada
Cuisine: Steak & grill
A large grill restaurant on Albert St known for BBQ ribs, steaks and generous portions (4.4, 3,500+ reviews). Ribs in the signature sauce, steaks, burgers, cocktails. Built for big appetites. Groups and families who love meat and large portions.
«Had a wonderful time at Bâton Rouge Grillhouse. The food was fantastic, and our server Jo…»
4. Chez Lucien · ⭐ 9.1
(3302 reviews)
+9 photos
137 Murray St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7E3, Canada
An Ottawa institution in ByWard/Lowertown: a dimly lit bistro with a jukebox serving what's arguably one of the city's most famous burgers (4.6). The signature burger, simple bistro dishes, local beer. The atmosphere is the main course. A laid-back evening with friends — no fuss, no reservations.
«Absolutely tasty pasta!
They were out of mussels that day, but I got extra ingredients…»
5. Wilf & Ada's (No reservations) · ⭐ 9.1
(2211 reviews)
+9 photos
510 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1Z4, Canada
A tiny, legendary diner on Bank St serving one of Ottawa's best breakfasts and brunches. No reservations — just a line that speaks for the quality (4.6). Creative breakfasts, eggs benedict, house pancakes, crispy bacon and good coffee. Morning people and anyone happy to wait a little for a real brunch.
«We visited Wilf & Ada during our weekend trip to Ottawa. It was near our hotel and had won…»
6. Cocotte Bistro · ⭐ 8.9
(1898 reviews)
+9 photos
123 Metcalfe St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5L9, Canada
Cuisine: French
A classic French bistro downtown: an intimate room, a seasonal menu and a solid wine list (4.4). French classics — steak frites, duck, desserts. Frequently changing seasonal plates. A romantic or quiet dinner in the city centre.
«My husband and I decided to dine in, staying at the Metcalfe Hotel. We booked a table onli…»
7. Riviera Ottawa · ⭐ 9.3
(1669 reviews)
+9 photos
62 Sparks St., Ottawa, ON K1P 5A5, Canada
Riviera occupies a historic bank hall on Sparks St: high ceilings, marble, refined design. One of Ottawa's top addresses for a special dinner (4.6). Modern Canadian cuisine, seasonal dishes, cocktails and a wine list. Presentation matches the room. Dates, anniversaries and business dinners — when both the food and the setting matter.
«My husband and I came here and sat at the kitchen bar. It was wonderful to watch the cooks…»
8. Gezellig · ⭐ 9.3
(1582 reviews)
+9 photos
337 Richmond Rd, Ottawa, ON K2A 0E7, Canada
The name is Dutch for "cosy," and that captures this Westboro spot: a warm modern bistro with seasonal cooking and a good wine list (4.6). Seasonal dishes, steak frites, good bites to go with wine. The menu rotates. A relaxed dinner for two or a small group in a pleasant neighbourhood.
«Wow, wow, wow.
It's been a while since I was so impressed by a restaurant in Ottawa. My h…»
9. Prohibition Public House · ⭐ 9.1
(1256 reviews)
+9 photos
337 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K2P 0J8, Canada
A themed pub on Somerset West with a 1920s mood: brick, low light, whisky and cocktails (4.5). Classic cocktails, pub food, whisky. A place that's more about the mood and drinks. An evening with friends and fans of bar culture.
«Everything was perfect! From the convenient parking to the warm welcome from the owner, th…»
10. Supply and Demand · ⭐ 9.7
(1252 reviews)
+9 photos
1335 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 3B7, Canada
Cuisine: Seafood
One of Ottawa's highest-rated restaurants (4.8) and a foodie favourite on Wellington West. Known for fresh seafood, house-made pasta and an oyster bar. Oysters, tuna crudo, the pasta of the day, grilled fish. The menu shifts with the season and the catch. Lovers of fish and chef-driven cooking; ideal for a special dinner. Book ahead.
«You'll probably find this place in most restaurant guides, and for good reason. Their food…»
Questions & answers
Which place tops the ranking? JOEY Rideau — score 9.5/10 (Editors' pick).
How many places are in the list and how were they chosen? The selection includes 10 places chosen by our editors based on rating and reviews.
What is the average rating in the top? 9.2/10 — average score of 10 places in the list.
Which place has the most reviews? JOEY Rideau — 11372 visitor reviews.
For a big table, Bâton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar and JOEY Lansdowne take groups without strain, and Prohibition Public House keeps its room ready for private gatherings. With children, Wilf & Ada’s (No reservations) is the easy morning call — open early, walk-in only, done by midday. Terrace weather is JOEY Rideau’s rooftop, covered and heated even in winter. Late plans belong to Riviera Ottawa, Chez Lucien and Cocotte Bistro, all serving into the late evening; all ten are open on Sundays.
The edges are honest ones. Two entries share a single restaurant group, so the range is narrower than ten names suggest. Asian, Italian and Middle Eastern kitchens are missing entirely — the spread runs from grillhouse and diner to French bistro, gastropub and seafood. Nothing here stays open around the clock, and live music is not part of the picture: the closest thing to it is the jukebox at Chez Lucien. Beyond Westboro Village, Wellington West and the Glebe, this is a map of the central city.
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