Play Food & Wine

4.6

312 Reviews

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Canadian

1 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 6Z5

Make a reservation

2 people

Apr 10, 2025

April 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 22 times today

Experiences are available.

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.

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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
Website
http://www.playfood.ca/
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.

Location
1 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 6Z5
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

Experiences

Burgundy Wine Dinner
CA$185.00 per person
Prepaid
Apr 10, 2025 only
6:00 PM
In partnership with Boires and In Wines We Trust, Play is thrilled to host Domaine du Clair Obscur. Wine Director Jordan Sabourin and Stephanie Albert from Boires will be pouring these beautiful natural wines from Burgundy alongside a 3-course menu from Executive Chef Shane Brown.

roasted sunchoke soupCA$12.00
lemon camelina oil / orange sunflower gremolata
gem caesarCA$19.00
black tahini caesar / bonito breadcrumb / cured egg yolk / goat cheese / duck prosciutto
seared scallopsCA$35.00
espresso parsnip / smoked salsify / cauliflower yogurt / leek vinaigrette
falafelCA$21.00
smoked date / babaganoush / za’atar / zhoug / pickled sunchoke
burrataCA$27.00
roasted beet / cherry agrodolce / pistachio / red watercress

LARGER PLATES

fennel ash gnocchiCA$26.00
pork bolognese / rapini / ricotta / ramp crumble
cedar pappardelleCA$25.00
lamb merguez / green garlic / peas / radicchio / fried lemon / Iron Horse cheddar / grainy mustard
crispy pork bellyCA$27.00
polenta / mushrooms / carrots / pickled scape / sundried tomato & olive vinaigrette
grilled beef striploinCA$36.00
red eye jus / frites / herb aioli / chili oil
seared pickerelCA$29.00
bulgar / chermoula / walnut muhammara / pickled cauliflower

Sparkling

Blanc de Beckta, Cave Spring, NVCA$14.00

White

Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Palagetto, Tuscany, IT ‘23CA$13.00
Verdejo, Bodegas Comenge, Rueda, ES ‘23CA$13.00
Riesling Kabinett, "R" August Kesseler, Rheingau, DE ‘22CA$15.00
White Blend, "Irréverence" Pearl Morissette, Niagara, CA ‘20CA$17.00
Gewurztraminer, "Raw" Weingut Malat, Kremstal, AU ‘21CA$19.00

Red

Cabernet Franc, "King Street Vyd" 2027 Cellars, Niagara, CA ‘21CA$13.00
Pinot Noir, “Signature” Domaine Queylus, Niagara, CA ‘19CA$15.00
Gamay, "Glou Glou" Jean-Baptiste Duperray, Beaujolais, FR ‘23CA$15.00
Barbera, Vigneti Repetto, Equilatero, IT ‘21CA$16.00
Chianti Classico, Villa Calcinaia, Tuscany, IT ‘20CA$20.00

Cocktails

CANADIAN FASHIONCA$14.00
Our house old-fashioned using Canadian ingredients: Popcorn Maple Syrup | Wild Muskoka Spiced Maple Bitters | Pike Creek Rum Barrel Finished 10 Year
- Alberta Premium Legacy ReserveCA$15.00
- J.P. Wiser's 18 yearCA$24.00
CRIMSON FIELDSCA$18.00
Hibiscus Mezcal | Cacao Tequila | Campari | Lillet Blanc | Grenadine | Lime | Grains of Selim | Angostura | Egg White
MISTRAL WINDSCA$18.00
Olive & Fennel Liqueur | St. Germain | Dry Curacao | Crystal Lime | Citrus Olive Oil Washed Peychauds
VEIL OF ETNACA$19.00
Vodka | Amaretto | Pistachio | Cinnamon | Ginger | Honey | Whey

Beer

Broadhead Light LagerCA$10.00
Beyond The Pale Clean CutCA$10.00
Beyond The Pale California CommonCA$10.00
Collective Arts Beyond Reason Micro Pale AleCA$10.00
Collective Arts Local Press Apple CiderCA$10.00
Broadhead Amber AleCA$10.00
Dominion City Sunsplit IPACA$12.00

Spirit Free

Flora FizzCA$13.00
Citron Calm Tea | Hibiscus | Raspberry Vinegar | Crystal Lime | Egg White | Soda
N/A BelliniCA$15.00
Cipriani White Peach | Silver Swallow
Silver Swallow Sparkling Wine (5oz)CA$8.00
Collective Arts N/A IPA (355ml)CA$7.00
Collective Arts N/A Guava Gose (355ml)CA$8.00
Perth Pay N/A Lager (473ml)CA$9.00
Sparkling Water (750ml)CA$8.00
Juice (Orange / Apple / Cranberry)CA$4.00
PopCA$3.00
Fever-Tree Tonic / Fever-Tree SodaCA$5.00

What 312 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

4.5Food
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Ottawa
Great for fine wines
Ottawa
Great for fine wines

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Play Food & Wine in Ottawa delights with "excellent food and knowledgeable service." Guests enjoy "an explosion of flavors and textures" with creative dishes, including standout gnocchi and scallops. The cozy atmosphere and "exceptional service" make it perfect for "a date night dinner" or special celebrations. Highly recommended!

312 Reviews

A
Alexandra
Toronto1 review
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Knowledgeable servers and excellent food - always a treat.
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J
John
Toronto1 review
5.0
Dined on March 30, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I have not had a meal this unforgettably delicious in many years. From the unique Canadian cocktail to every course of the prix fixe menu I thought the taste, ingredients and presentation were exceptional.
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S
Sylvain
Ottawa8 reviews
4.0
Dined on March 28, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Well executed and tasty... With a great service Go play ... you will enjoy!
Is this helpful?
A
Aileen
Ottawa1 review
5.0
Dined on March 27, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious food! Service was great, a little slow to get started, but addressed all questions and great wine suggestions. Great night, worth it!
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E
Elaina
Toronto1 review
5.0
Dined on March 24, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
When my gem salad and chips & dips came, I was really impressed with the presentation and use of ingredients. I loved how they added duck prosciutto to the gem salad and taro chips for chips & dip. Loved it so much I said after a few bites I want to come back here. I was also very impressed with the falafel. The different combinations of ingredients was beautiful and tastes so unique and delicious together. The place was very nice and wonderful. I think my only criticism is the washrooms didn't feel as fancy. The doors were kind of old and it felt like I was using big tissues to wipe my hands. But overall I would come again for a date night!
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A
Anne Marie
Ottawa1 review
5.0
Dined on March 15, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicous food, energetic vibe, excellent service, One of our favorite restaurants in Ottawa's byward market.
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R
Robert
Ottawa1 review
5.0
Dined on March 15, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Outstanding food! Professional and friendly service. Definitely a favourite for a date night dinner out in Ottawa!
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M
Mary
Montreal1 review
4.0
Dined on March 13, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The soup was excellent and the main courses were good. The staff was very careful about signalling what was non-gluten and warned that the portions were small. The wine list was excellent. A pleasant evening,
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C
Chris
Toronto5 reviews
2.0
Dined on March 11, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
This was once my go-to place for lunch and dinner. The food was inedible on my latest visit and the visit before.
Play Food & WineResponded on March 12, 2025
I'm so sorry that you were dissapointed in the food recently Chris. I'd love to understand more and find a way to rebuild your trust in us if you would be open to sharing your feedback with me directly. I would welcome the chance to turn around this unfortunate situation for you. With many thanks, Steve Beckta
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V
Viktoria
Ottawa1 review
5.0
Dined on March 8, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A little expensive..... Also the charcuterie board used to have more choices and not just salty but also sweet
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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 312 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

Booked 22 times today

Experiences are available.

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

Website
http://www.playfood.ca/
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.

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat

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Additional information

Burgundy Wine Dinner

FOR THE TABLE

fritesCA$9.00

Le Coprin mushroomsCA$12.00

chips & dipCA$12.00

warm marinated olivesCA$11.00

crispy Brussels sproutsCA$11.00

fried duck dumplingsCA$13.00

grilled sourdoughCA$5.00

CHEESE & CHARCUTERIE

featured charcuterieCA$21.00

artisanal cheeseCA$23.00

mixed cheese & charcuterieCA$42.00

RAW

veal carpaccioCA$23.00

rainbow trout crudoCA$21.00

SMALL PLATES

roasted sunchoke soupCA$12.00

gem caesarCA$19.00

seared scallopsCA$35.00

falafelCA$21.00

burrataCA$27.00

LARGER PLATES

fennel ash gnocchiCA$26.00

cedar pappardelleCA$25.00

crispy pork bellyCA$27.00

grilled beef striploinCA$36.00

seared pickerelCA$29.00

Sparkling

Blanc de Beckta, Cave Spring, NVCA$14.00

White

Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Palagetto, Tuscany, IT ‘23CA$13.00

Verdejo, Bodegas Comenge, Rueda, ES ‘23CA$13.00

Riesling Kabinett, "R" August Kesseler, Rheingau, DE ‘22CA$15.00

White Blend, "Irréverence" Pearl Morissette, Niagara, CA ‘20CA$17.00

Gewurztraminer, "Raw" Weingut Malat, Kremstal, AU ‘21CA$19.00

Red

Cabernet Franc, "King Street Vyd" 2027 Cellars, Niagara, CA ‘21CA$13.00

Pinot Noir, “Signature” Domaine Queylus, Niagara, CA ‘19CA$15.00

Gamay, "Glou Glou" Jean-Baptiste Duperray, Beaujolais, FR ‘23CA$15.00

Barbera, Vigneti Repetto, Equilatero, IT ‘21CA$16.00

Chianti Classico, Villa Calcinaia, Tuscany, IT ‘20CA$20.00

Cocktails

CANADIAN FASHIONCA$14.00

CRIMSON FIELDSCA$18.00

MISTRAL WINDSCA$18.00

VEIL OF ETNACA$19.00

Beer

Broadhead Light LagerCA$10.00

Beyond The Pale Clean CutCA$10.00

Beyond The Pale California CommonCA$10.00

Collective Arts Beyond Reason Micro Pale AleCA$10.00

Collective Arts Local Press Apple CiderCA$10.00

Broadhead Amber AleCA$10.00

Dominion City Sunsplit IPACA$12.00

Spirit Free

Flora FizzCA$13.00

N/A BelliniCA$15.00

Silver Swallow Sparkling Wine (5oz)CA$8.00

Collective Arts N/A IPA (355ml)CA$7.00

Collective Arts N/A Guava Gose (355ml)CA$8.00

Perth Pay N/A Lager (473ml)CA$9.00

Sparkling Water (750ml)CA$8.00

Juice (Orange / Apple / Cranberry)CA$4.00