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Local, seasonal small-plates restaurant & wine bar - Play Food & Wine, Ottawa, ON

Play Food & Wine

4.6
4.6
285 Reviews
CAN$51 and over
Contemporary Canadian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 22 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for fine wines
  • Charming
Play food & wine will make serious food fun and accessible to many types of guests by offering an inspiring menu, legendary service, outstanding values and a culinary home for our guests in which they can spend a variety of occasions.

All of our dishes are modest portions designed to share. This allows guests to sample a few different dishes without having to commit to just one main course as in a traditional restaurant. Our menu changes frequently, respecting product availability and seasonality.

We are committed to working with our many great suppliers to source the best and most flavourful ingredients possible. We use local, sustainable and seasonal products whenever possible, and believe in supporting area farmers as much as we can.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    CAN$51 and over
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary Canadian, Canadian, Global, International
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Wed, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Tue–Sat 11:30 am–2:00 pm Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (613) 667-9207
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Shane Brown
  • Catering
    Please reach out to us at info@playfood.ca for inquiries
  • Private party facilities
    Semi-private and fully private dining spaces available. Fully private space can also be reserved for a standing cocktail style reception up to 80 guests.
  • Neighborhood
    ByWard Market
  • Cross street
    Corner of Sussex Drive and York Street
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Public transit
    Rideau Centre
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 285 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Ottawa

    Good for business meals

  • Ottawa

    Good for business meals

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Play Food & Wine offers a culinary adventure with "phenomenal service" and "spectacular food." Diners rave about the creative small plates like gnocchi and veal tenderloin, expertly paired with wines. The staff's attentiveness and knowledge enhance the dining experience, making it perfect for special occasions or a cozy evening out.

285 Reviews
  1. pam

    Ottawa

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    From the food to the service, everything was outstanding. Will be back again!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Bruno

    Ottawa

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    A lot of restaurants are very noisy due to the crowded tables and the lack of proper sound engineering. This place was a pleasant surprise. If you wear hearing aids like I do, I would very highly recommend this place. The food was very good with reasonable proportions, at a reasonable price.

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  3. Maeve

    Vancouver

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The service was great. We weren't familiar with some terms on the menu and the staff did a great job answering our questions patiently and respectfully. The cocktails were also very good and it was fun reading all the ingredients. The food was a bit underwhelming given the price.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Dany

    Ottawa

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 3, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Le potage de courge est excellent et le porc en plat principal

    Is this helpful?

  5. Mike

    VIP

    Toronto

    28 reviews

    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    An exceptional dining experience. Superb service and spectacular food…. Taste, presentation and value.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Melissa

    Edmonton

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our whole evening was perfect, from the attentive and professional service to delicious wines paired with food that was next level. This was our second new years eve visit and we will definitely return again.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Dylan

    VIP

    Ottawa

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Play Food and Wine delivered a stellar dining experience on New Year’s Eve with their 8-course blind menu, paired expertly with wines and cocktails. The creativity and execution of each dish were remarkable, but the standouts for me were the Foie Torchon, served with a decadent Bread Pudding French Toast and quince jam, and the perfectly cooked Veal Tenderloin with butternut squash and a rich red-eye demi. Both dishes captured the balance of bold flavors and thoughtful composition that defined the evening. What truly elevated the experience was the staff. They were incredibly friendly, taking the time to explain every dish and pairing in detail, which added a deeper appreciation for the meal. The pacing was flawless, allowing each course to shine without feeling rushed. For an evening of adventurous cuisine, impeccable service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, Play Food and Wine is the perfect destination. A phenomenal way to ring in the New Year!

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  8. Adam

    Ottawa

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 31, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Service was excellent. Vegetarian dietary restrictions were well received.

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  9. Evelyne

    Ottawa

    9 reviews

    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    As always, lovely service at this restaurant. They are often adventurous with their flavours.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Louis-Charles

    Ottawa

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 30, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Pas de menu en français à Ottawa, c'est très surprenant et désagréable. Je n'y RETOURNERAI pas.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Play Food & Wine offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (613) 667-9207.

Play Food & Wine is rated 4.6 stars by 285 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 22 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Play Food & Wine

1 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 6Z5

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Corner of Sussex Drive and York Street
  • Neighborhood
    ByWard Market
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Wed, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Tue–Sat 11:30 am–2:00 pm Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    CAN$51 and over
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary Canadian, Canadian, Global, International
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Public transit
    Rideau Centre
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Shane Brown
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (613) 667-9207
  • Catering
    Please reach out to us at info@playfood.ca for inquiries
  • Private party facilities
    Semi-private and fully private dining spaces available. Fully private space can also be reserved for a standing cocktail style reception up to 80 guests.
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