Diners' Choice: Contemporary Canadian restaurants in Ottawa

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary Canadian 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!

Perch

4.9

4.9 (329)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Canadian

Little Italy

About the restaurant

Perch is an intimate fine dining restaurant focusing on Canadian ingredients, ethical and sustainable products.
Awarded as the 4th Best New Canadian Restaurant 2022 by Enroute, Three diamonds by AAA and placing on Canada's 100 Best Restaurants 2023 and 2025. With the dining room facing into the wide open kitchen offering a nine course tasting menu and a bar focusing on unique cocktails and natural wines.

Nine Course tasting menu is $180 for food menu
Beverage Pairing is $100 per person (optional)
Non-Alcoholic Beverage Pairing is $100 per person (optional)

We release reservations 60 days in advance.

Please be sure to specify any dietary restrictions when making a reservation.

Please note that for reservations of 5 or more people, please call us at 613-515-0535 or email amanda@perchottawa.ca

Top review

Abigail

Dined on Oct 24, 2026

I went to Perch for my birthday with my boyfriend and it was so amazing. The staff were so sweet and had a card on the table when we entered wishing me Happy Birthday. All the courses were creative and delicious. The pacing of the meal was good and we left satisfied. I 10/10 recommend going to Perch at any time but especially for special occasions!

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Experience

Tasting Menu - 9 Course Meal

Stofa Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (252)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Canadian

Hintonburg

About the restaurant

Stofa is built on a passion for food, traditional and modern cooking methods, and creativity. We look to the ingredients to bridge the gap between time-honoured techniques and modern progression, producing a comfortable, inventive, and evocative dining experience.

Stofa's name represents a place of warmth and comfort where people can gather to eat, drink and be with friends. We proudly support local and sustainable products, and participate in the farm and food community, all while providing guests with vibrant and engaging food presented in an approachable yet innovative dining setting.

Located in the vibrant Wellington West area of Ottawa, Stofa offers a 3 or 5 course table d'hote menu which changes regularly. We offer patio dining (weather dependent) and have a private room available for large groups or professional meetings.

Top review

LynnGold

Dined 7 days ago

Great meal, great service. Very enjoyable evening!

Black Tartan Kitchen

4.9

4.9 (362)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Canadian

Downtown

About the restaurant

From day one, we have wanted this little restaurant to be a space where anyone can feel comfortable & welcomed. Classic French cuisine is the root of this ethos - consistent, familiar and even nostalgic flavours from the tried & true feel good classics, yet slightly elevated with a touch of whimsy. Whether you are up for a curated culinary experience with our 4 & 7 Course tasting menus (Fri & Sat evenings), or prefer to choose your own adventure with our 3-course Table D’hote menu (Wed & Thurs evenings), or are in search of an upscale lunch à la carte menu (Thur - Sat); we have you covered! Our menus are composed entirely to showcase the best local products in Lanark County & the Ottawa Valley and are tailored monthly to best celebrate the tastes of the season. What’s more is that we tie it all together with the best small town, friendly, warm and courteous service around. Just like at a good friend’s house; we look forward to welcoming you to our kitchen! Ian Carswell (Chef/Owner)

Top review

Matthew

Dined 7 days ago

Amazing evening at Black Tartan!!! Service was fantastic and food was delicious

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Experience

10 Courses to Celebrate 10 Years! ($149/pers)

Experience

Milkhouse Farm & Dairy - Our November Supper Club

Experience

7-Course Tasting Menu ($149/person)

Fauna

4.8

4.8 (1478)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Canadian

Downtown

About the restaurant

fauna is about the things we love: eating and drinking with friends and family in a fun space. Our menu is seasonally driven and we support local farmers and producers wherever possible. We love the neighborhood and the space and are so happy to be open in Centretown.

We like to have fun in the kitchen. We serve small plates so you can try more than one dish. We use local ingredients wherever possible. We’re inspired by where we live, places we’ve been and things we’d like to do.

Top review

Jon

Dined on Oct 24, 2026

My wife and I have returned several times and Fauna never disappoints. The menu is seasonal - there's always something new on offer and it's always excellent. One mainstay on the starter menu is the bison tartare - I get it every time and if it were possible I would order it as a main. Service is the perfect balance of casual and professional. Ambience and decor is perfect. 100% recommend Fauna.

Gezellig

4.9

4.9 (864)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

Downtown

About the restaurant

With a name that means "cozy or nice atmosphere, but also belonging and general togetherness," gezellig invites guests to experience an elegant menu of local, seasonal cuisine using french techniques in a casual and welcoming environment. Located in Ottawa, Ontario, gezellig prepares each menu item using high-quality ingredients purchased locally. On the menu are items such as seared scallops, braised beef shortibs, potato gnocchi, beef tartare, duck breast, and wild-caught lingcod. Our classic butterfinger for dessert is a staple that has been on our menu since opening in 2012

Top review

Dannielle

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent lunch sharing menu. The fishcake and shrimp tacos were delicious - an interesting blend of flavours in every bite. Our server Ash was knowledgeable, kind and attentive. And peanut butter butterfinger for desert still tracks - yum.

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Popular dish

Beef Tartare

Popular dish

Maple & Miso Crème Brûlée

Popular dish

PEI Mussels & Fries

Bar Lupulus

4.8

4.8 (1610)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Canadian

Hintonburg

About the restaurant

Cozy Craft Beer and Natural Wine Bar with a Backyard Patio Oasis. Serving locally sourced & seasonally inspired comfort focused plates by Chef James Bratsberg. 22 rotating taps, Craft Cocktails & over 500 Natural wine cuvees available for dine in and takeout through our online bottle shop!

Top review

Christine

Dined on Oct 26, 2026

Great spot! The ambiance, impeccable food, and menu were all fantastic. Definitely a future go-to! 🤍

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4.8

4.8 (2449)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

Kanata

About the restaurant

NeXT reflects Chef Michael Blackie's most treasured food memories from a 40+ year global culinary career. Originally from the UK, he has worked across Asia and Latin America, developing a style that blends Canadian roots with Asian, Latin, and European influences.

Open 7 days a week for dinner, NeXT is known for its Blind Tasting Menu and extensive à la carte offerings. Sunday brunch runs 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a five-course, ten-dish sharing tasting menu.

Since opening in 2013, NeXT has become one of Ottawa's leading independent restaurants, earning numerous accolades for creativity, hospitality, and consistency. Guests consistently praise its top-notch service, incredible tasting menus, attention to detail, and memorable atmosphere. Perfect for celebrations or a night out, NeXT delivers a truly unforgettable dining experience.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Oct 29, 2026

Unbelievable taste and presentation. Easily one of the top restaurants in the city. Chef Blackie's team is a cut above!

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Experience

SUNDAY BRUNCH | 10 DISH TASTING MENU

Experience

BLIND TASTING MENU | 2 to 6 GUESTS | 7 Days a Week

Experience

FESTIVE GROUP DINING | 7–21 GUESTS || FRI & SAT

Riviera

4.8

4.8 (3574)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Canadian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Welcome to Riviera!

Reservations may be subject to time restrictions, dependent on availability. Please check your reservation email for full details. If your group requires more time, kindly call the restaurant at 613-233-6262 and we will do our best to accommodate you. Groups of six or more are subject to a 20% gratuity.

Please note, reservations made for outdoors are guaranteed for outdoor seating only. We may not be able to move you inside in the event of bad weather.

We look forward to hosting you! Please feel free to call us with any questions!

Top review

ShannonGold

Dined 4 days ago

Incredible service from the hosts to server & support staff. Really delicious meal and great vibes overall. 10/10 thank you!

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4.7

4.7 (384)

CAN$30 and under

Contemporary Canadian

Kanata

About the restaurant

Moxies restaurant is a contemporary casual restaurant offering a globally inspired menu and hand crafted cocktails in a vibrant and interactive atmosphere. Our Kanata location is in the West end of Ottawa and located at Kanata Centrum Shopping Centre, just a block from Landmark Movie theatre. The Kanata Golf & Country Club is close by to join us after a game of Golf. Plus less than a kilometre away is the Canadian Tire Event Centre to catch a concert or cheer on the Ottawa Senators Hockey team! Our Executive Chef Jason Harper has created a menu offering a wide-array of steaks, burgers, pastas and seafood! No matter the occasion, whether it's a business luncheon, a dinner date or late night drinks with friends, Moxies offers something for everyone.
Moxies features daily drink specials, Happy Hour 7 days a week and a delectable blend of unique cocktails, flavourful wines and a variety of beers to choose from. Our Bar Lounge area is the perfect place to gather with friends!

Top review

RichardGold

Dined on Sep 24, 2026

Excellent food and service! We came at an ideal time and it was not yet busy either! Server was great, and checked in on us often!

Beckta

4.7

4.7 (588)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Canadian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Legendary Canadian Cuisine featuring signature Canadian products, all delivered with high-touch hospitality. Beckta offers a constantly changing a-la-carte and two tasting menus daily in both our our fine dining rooms with luxurious seating, or a more casual vibe in our delightful wine bar area that features daily food specials. Multiple private dining rooms are also available for larger groups or more intimate requests. Recipient of 19 consecutive CAA 4-Diamond Awards. Please contact us at info@beckta.com for inquiries.

Top review

Katrinka

Dined 3 days ago

The last few times I've gone to Beckta I've reserved a table in their Wine Bar for a more relaxed, although still a very luxe, atmosphere. The service is always excellent, the food is always delicious and I always leave happier than when I arrived. They also have a fabulous wine and cocktail list (non alcoholic drinks as well) and if you're unsure what to get they will help pair your drink perfectly to your meal. Top of my list for places to go in Ottawa for a higher-end meal. Note - their happy hour this year was very reasonable if you're looking to try them out.

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Experience

Black Bank Hill Wine Dinner

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