Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Ottawa

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Ottawa? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Shinka Sushi Bar

4.9

4.9 (28)

CAN$51 and over

Sushi

Gloucester

About the restaurant

After too long Shinka Sushi Bar is finally back to a dine in service! Nestled in the heart of an industrial park come check out our hideaway.

Top review

Mariana

Dined 4 days ago

I celebrated my mom’s birthday here with my parents. The food was absolutely excellent. The tuna and salmon sashimi starter was outstanding. We also had some sashimi mains and a few rolls and the portions were good, taste was amazing, great value. Convenient that an 18% gratuity is included in the price so you just pay whatever the bill comes out to. Overall a fabulous experience. Highly recommend and will definitely be dining here or ordering from here again!

Aiāna Restaurant Collective

4.9

4.9 (498)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Canadian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Driven to provide a dining experience unlike any other, Aiāna's cuisine reflects a harmonious balance between classic cooking techniques and contemporary recipes. Whether a memorable meal; handcrafted cocktail or a glass of carefully curated wine, Aiana delivers distinctly Canadian cuisine and impeccable hospitality – all from the pulse of Ottawa’s bustling downtown.

Top review

Martina

Dined 4 days ago

Oustanding food and excellent personal service. We celebrated my husband's birthday and enjoyed every minute.

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Experience

A la Carte Reservation

Experience

Fruit de Mer

Experience

New Year's Eve at Aiāna

Stolen Goods Cocktail Bar

4.9

4.9 (257)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Cocktail Bar

Downtown

About the restaurant

Turning words into action.
An unconventional cocktail bar born from the desire that ideas are meant to be changed.
Amorphous in nature.

For all changes to reservations please contact us through instagram, email or message through OpenTable. We do not have a phone line during business hours.

A gratuity of 20% will be included on all groups of 5+.

Top review

Phil

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Hands down the best cocktail bar in Ottawa. Fantastic service, innovative and delicious cocktails, and excellent bites as well. Truly a gem that rivals Montreal cocktail bars.

Restaurant e18hteen

4.7

4.7 (1610)

CAN$51 and over

Steak

ByWard Market

About the restaurant

Offering an elevated dine-in experience as well as takeout, Restaurant e18hteen boasts high-ceilings, stone walls and an elegant fireplace sure to impress your eyes. Recognized as one of Ottawa's Top Steak & Seafood Restaurants for the last twenty years, Chef David Godsoe focuses on "Canadian Freestyle Cuisine" and multi-course tasting menus updated weekly. Our dishes are created using only the finest seasonal ingredients brought in by local farmers whom we've cultivated a relationship with over many years. E18hteen’s gourmet experience is perfect for the business professional, the socialite or a romantic diner.

We look forward to welcoming you soon!

Top review

Christine

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

Another great dinner at 18! Food and service excellent.

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4.9

4.9 (22)

CAN$51 and over

Cocktail Bar

ByWard Market

About the restaurant

A sophisticated cocktail bar situated in the lively ByWard Market, offering a variety of cocktails crafted from global ingredients and recipes, along with delectable small bites, and a curated assortment of premium wines and spirits.

Top review

Karina

Dined 7 days ago

Exceptional attention to detail from seating, stemware to presentation of food, intimate ambience with very cool vibe. We started our evening deciding with which of their unique cocktails to try, it didn’t disappoint, followed by 3 of the appetizers - all were beautifully presented and delicious, their wine list offers sustainable wines. We will definitely be going back to see Karina and the talented team. Overall experience for this hidden gem on William Street is 10/10.

The Ivy Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (99)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

1000 Island

About the restaurant

Nestled along the shores of the St. Lawrence River, The Ivy Restaurant serves regionally inspired cuisine in an elegant and picturesque setting. Chefs Patrick O'Neil and Chris Bassel have created seasonally inspired lunch and dinner menus featuring many locally-sourced ingredients and sustainably caught seafood. The Ivy Restaurant also offers an impressive list of craft cocktails and an extensive wine cellar featuring many interesting old and new world varietals and titles not typically found in retail settings.

With its idyllic setting and creative menu, The Ivy Restaurant is the perfect choice for a romantic date or special occasion. The restaurant’s scenic location makes it well-suited for wedding photos with several spaces specifically designed to accommodate larger groups and special events.

Top review

Arnold

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Awesome setting, great hospitality and Food ! The wood fireplace always well stoked .

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Experience

Food & Wine Dinner

Experience

New Years Day Brunch Buffet

Parlour

4.8

4.8 (325)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

Westboro

About the restaurant

Parlour is a restaurant and an event space with capacity of 250 guests, we offer private dining in our venue and can accommodate large party reservations.
Chef driven, seasonal menus, using farm to table ingredients. Our wine program highlights low-intervention, natural wine producers and our curated cocktails are a fun time. We are located centrally in Wellington West.
Celebrated as one of Ottawa's top 10 new restaurants.
Our interior space offers a cozy, eclectic interior of mid-century modern design.
We host curated events of any size designed for you. Give us a call or contact with us directly to learn more.

Top review

Laura

Dined on Dec 1, 2024

Parlour went above and beyond to make my birthday special, there was even a menu with my name on it. The food was delicious and they accommodated all our dietary restrictions including vegan options! There was a cold wind where we were sitting but when asked if it could be turned off, they did so right away! Thanks for a fun night.

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Popular dish

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich

Popular dish

Beef Brisket Fries

Giovanni's Ristorante

4.9

4.9 (557)

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

IanVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Great food, exceptional service and the plus of valet parking. Our only complaint was the noise level, probably due to a large table of pre-Christmas revellers.

Bar Lupulus

4.9

4.9 (1379)

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

Norah

Dined 1 day ago

Great cocktails & wine pairings with delicious food and outstanding service.

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4.9

4.9 (112)

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

Tony

Dined on Dec 6, 2024

Always a great experience at Stofa. Thoughtful and delicious food and amazing staff.

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