Diners' Choice: Italian restaurants in Ottawa

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Italian cuisine in Ottawa? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

DreamLand Cafe

4.8

4.8 (647)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

Little Italy

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Ottawa’s Little Italy, Dreamland Pasta Cafe & Bar, is the easy answer to the looming question: "What do you want to eat tonight?" The craving for fresh pasta brings you in and the vibrant energy and heartbeat of the space allows you to indulge in every moment from small talk to dessert.

We are a small space. A group of 6 is the largest party we can accommodate during regular dining hours.

No rain, no problem. Patio is open for walk-ins only all summer long!
*No reservations for outdoor seating.
*Patio is weather permitting.

Top review

Jatin

Dined 2 days ago

Let me start by how amazing the Dilly potatoes were!!! The pastas were exceptionally delicious!! We ordered 2 kinds of pastas, and it was delicious. We were accommodated well as I am a vegetarian and my girlfriend is a non vegetarian. However, we had a very good time and will highly recommend this place to our friends and family. We will be back as well!!! Keep up the amazing work!!!!

Retro Gusto

4.8

4.8 (676)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

Little Italy

About the restaurant

Retrogusto is a pizzeria and bar that brings some much needed excitement to the north end of Preston street. We serve a Roman style pizza "Tonda", traditional Roman fried snacks, salumi, cheeses and carefully curated small plates. Our food is complimented by an all-Italian wine list, Italian classic cocktails, and beautiful amari from around Italy. The warm, cozy, dimly lit dining room with an open kitchen is the perfect place to do the only thing that matters; eat good food, drink good wine and have a good time with friends.

Top review

Luc

Dined on Jun 17, 2026

Great pizza, and the stuffed zucchini was amazing! Such a great place—highly recommended!

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Popular dish

Margherita

Popular dish

Margherita con Bufala

Popular dish

Tiramisu

La Roma Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (619)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Nestled in Ottawa’s Little Italy, La Roma serves authentic Italian cuisine made from scratch—where tradition meets contemporary flavor. Savor house-made pastas, crispy deep-fried zucchini, and our signature Pollo Giulio. Dine inside our inviting restaurant or enjoy a refreshing Aperol Spritz on one of our three patios, including a rooftop available for private summer events. With three semi-private dining rooms upstairs and a spacious main floor, La Roma is ideal for gatherings of any size. We proudly source ingredients from local farmers and producers. Discover true Italian hospitality at La Roma Restaurant.

Top review

Nicole

Dined 6 days ago

Great food great service. Every time is a great meal and great wine selection. Always 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️❤️

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Experience

Every Tuesday - 1/2 Price Wine!

Giovanni's Ristorante

4.8

4.8 (800)

CAN$51 and over

Italian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Giovanni�s Ristorante, which you can find in Ottawa, Ontario, is proud of its reputation for serving some of the finest Italian cuisine in the surrounding area. The staff insists upon only the finest ingredients like AAA steaks and seafood taken fresh from the sea. Guests will also enjoy the lovely d�cor, which is filled with gleaming crystal, in addition to the food at Giovanni�s Ristorante. One great way to start your meal at Giovanni�s Ristorante is with one of the excellent soups, such as the minestrone or the stracciatella. When you make it to the main meal, you might try one of the veal dishes. The veal marsala, with mushrooms and a wine sauce, is just one of many options.

Top review

Laura

Dined 7 days ago

Great service snd wonderful food. I would highly recommend. We will be back

North and Navy

4.7

4.7 (1996)

CAN$51 and over

Italian

Downtown

About the restaurant

A Northern Italian kitchen inspired by the Bacari of Venice.

Our menu is inspired by tradition and dictated by the quality and availability of ingredients. We play off the similarities between the climates of Eastern Ontario and Northeast Italy, and create our take on classic dishes made with seasonal game, seafood and vegetables. Plus, sometimes we’ll just add whatever we want.

Top review

Paul

Dined 7 days ago

Food is the rightful star at North and Navy and all the supports - great service, comfortable room, etc - were in place for a terrific dining experience.

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4.8

4.8 (28)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

Centretown West

About the restaurant

Welcome to Ciao Italia, the best Italian Cuisine in town. Here, we strive to satisfy people with our precision cooking and delightful foods.
At Ciao Italia, the freshest, premium, and flavorful ingredients shape our menu. We offer a large variety of zuppe, pasta, pesce, pizza, chicken, and carne. Our menu has a vast variety to suit the taste of different clients, so explore our menu and treat yourself to our tasty and delectable foods!
Experience the art of Italian cooking. Among our many delectable offerings, you can savor the exquisite Gamberetto Pasta, personally crafted by Chef Alessandro. Watch as fresh ingredients come together to create a dish that embodies the essence of fine dining at Ciao Italia.

Top review

Natasha

Dined on Apr 25, 2026

Excellent food and wonderful.friendly service. Would definitely return and recommend to others.

Cantina Gia

4.6

4.6 (1282)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

The Glebe

About the restaurant

Welcome to Cantina Gia
We look forward to seeing you soon.

Top review

Kristina

Dined 2 days ago

The sauces are absolutely incredible. One of the most authentic Italian restaurants I’ve been to

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Joe's Italian Kitchen - Wellington

4.6

4.6 (176)

CAN$30 and under

Italian

Westboro

About the restaurant

Weaving old world traditions with new world creativity. Our goal is to bring you a diverse menu that not only preserves, but elevates hearty dishes that showcase the essence of Italian cuisine.

Top review

Loris

Dined on Jun 15, 2026

Love this place. Always a good time. Thank you Sofia!

Biagio’s Kitchen + Catering

4.8

4.8 (298)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

Nepean

About the restaurant

Great meals are about more than food. They're about memorable experiences!
We're creating moments to remember with feel-great food, mood, company — and a spark of the unexpected. Our Ways to Eat offer more ways to enjoy fresh experiences with our locally sourced menus. From Italian-inspired classics with a twist to specialty creations, try them tonight!

Top review

Arlo

Dined on Jun 16, 2026

Sara provided her usual excellent service! The food was hot and tasty.

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Dueling Pianos- June 4 + 20 , July 2 + 18

Joe's Italian Kitchen - Preston

4.5

4.5 (95)

CAN$30 and under

Italian

Centretown West

About the restaurant

Immerse yourself in authentic Italian flavors at Joe's Italian Kitchen on Preston Street in Ottawa. Enjoy a warm atmosphere filled with the aroma of pinsa and fresh ingredients. Our menu offers a variety of classic Italian dishes, enhanced with modern culinary techniques.

Try our signature pinsa, a lighter, healthier pizza made from a unique flour blend. Delight in our pasta dishes, crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients, or savor our Lasagna al Forno, made with love and tradition.

Whether it's a romantic evening, a family gathering, or a casual night with friends, Joe's Italian Kitchen is the perfect place to celebrate life's simple pleasures. Join us and experience the essence of Italian cuisine in Ottawa's Little Italy.

Top review

Madison

Dined on Jun 9, 2026

Great food, amazing service! Definitely a must try on Preston St!

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