Ottawa boasts a diverse and eclectic culinary scene, ranging from classic Canadian to international delights from around the globe. Whether you’re looking for an Asian banquet, a continental dinner party, or some contemporary local fare, there’s something for everyone. Many of the best restaurants in Ottawa cater for larger parties, meaning you can plan your next group night out knowing you’ve somewhere great to eat as part of the itinerary. From private dining to birthday parties and team dinners, the best restaurants for groups in Ottawa promise a memorable experience.
ByWard Market has several high-end restaurants that cater for large group bookings, whether you’re looking for Canadian, Asian or global fusion with live music – you can even hire an entire venue for your next big event. Downtown is home to some of the best hotspots for celebrating a special occasion, including a neighbourhood gem offering private dining. And in Hintonburg, you can find craft beers, natural wines and seasonally inspired comfort food designed for sharing from one of the area’s top chefs.
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There’s nothing better than getting the gang together – check out the best restaurants for groups in Ottawa and start planning your next big night out
For a small plate menu designed for sharing among family and friends – celebrate at Fauna in Downtown
Eating out with friends and family is all about the shared experience. At Fauna, you can have that shared experience with your loved ones without having to share it with strangers. The private dining room can be booked for up to 24 people at any time of year, and from June there are options to book private spaces outdoors and within the covered tent. Whether you’re looking for an exclusive VIP night for you and a few friends, or planning a big event, Fauna can accommodate you. The menu changes with the seasons and the availability of local fresh ingredients. However, you can expect dishes such as bluefin tuna tataki with Asian pear and kohlrabi, Thai lobster bisque with fried brick pastry, and 80-day dry-aged ribeye for two with mushroom mille-feuille to reach your table. The rotating cocktail menu means there’s always a new drink to try too – perhaps a Claw Foot Tea with gin, lemon and cherry will float your boat.
For seasonal comfort food, craft beers and natural wines – head to Bar Lupulus in Hintonburg
Enter a backyard patio oasis at Bar Lupulus, where craft beers and all-natural wines are the order of the day. Choose from over 500 carefully curated natural wine cuvées, 22 rotating craft beers on tap, or the extensive cocktail list featuring signature house specials that you won’t find anywhere else. Not just a bar, but a way of life – expand your knowledge and palate with regular fermentation-focused festivities and other workshops throughout each year. Not only that, you can soak up the booze with some seasonally inspired comfort food, sourced from local suppliers and served as small plates for the table to share, from chef James Bratsberg. Group bookings can be made for inside the restaurant or for the heated, covered patio year-round. Dine from the raw bar for something special, with scallop crudo and roasted almonds, beef tartare with garlic emulsion, and bison carpaccio with black allium dust as showstopping menu items.
For an exclusive private dining experience ideal for Ottawa group bookings – head to Play Food and Wine in ByWard Market
Making great food fun and accessible to all, Play Food and Wine serves small plates for sharing, so that each guest can experience as many flavours as possible. The kitchen is committed to supporting local farmers and suppliers and sourcing ingredients as sustainably as possible. Three and four-course menus are available for large group bookings, featuring some of the chef’s favourite dishes of the day. Private dining experiences can also be booked for groups in sizes ranging from 26 to 40 for a seated meal, or up to 80 for a canape reception. From the dinner menu, choose two dishes per person to share at the table – perhaps sundried tomato gnocchi with sambal egg yolk alongside seared scallops with pickled fennel, or salmon with Matane shrimp and cucumber relish with an artisanal cheese plate.
For creative cocktails and vibrant views – choose Alora in ByWard Market
Share the delicacies of land and sea with a sharing menu from Alora, one of the best restaurants for groups in Ottawa. More is most definitely merrier, whether that’s a large party booking in the main restaurant or a private event in a curated space. The shared plate dining experience is specifically created to encourage social interaction, kicking your party off to the best possible start. On Fridays and Saturdays, elevate the party even higher with live DJs taking things into the early hours. The gorgeous rooftop bar has views across the cityscape, ideal for whiling away the summer evenings. And with three levels to choose from, there’s always a space to meet your needs, whether that’s a cosy corner or the entire mezzanine floor. Menu highlights include Canadian Angus beef sliders with crispy prosciutto on toasted brioche, rosemary lamb pistachio chops with garlic mashed potato, and the famous land and sea sharing board with tomahawk steak, lobster tails, garlic shrimp and much more.
For a stylish private dinner party in a cosy and laid-back environment – book a table at Arlo in Downtown
A space rich in history serving fun and fresh food ideas, Arlo combines the best of past and present. Group events are a specialty, ranging from private dining for an intimate gathering to weddings, birthday parties and much more. The skylights flood the dining room with natural light during the day, while the candle-lit ambience of the evening is reminiscent of bohemian Paris. Whether you’re looking for a cocktail party in the lounge, a three-course family dinner to celebrate a special occasion, or a wedding to beat all weddings, the ideal culinary experience awaits. Choose from several exquisite private dining rooms or book the whole venue for up to 100 guests. Menus can be customised for events and group bookings – sample dishes include steamed Quebec snow crab with white mignonette, strawberry and asparagus salad with basil and pistachio, and duck frites with spring salad and aioli.
For one of the best restaurants for groups in Ottawa for cocktails and canapés seating – take a seat at Riviera in Downtown
With two private rooms for exclusive group bookings and the option to hire the entire venue for larger events, Riviera is certainly one of the best restaurants in Ottawa for big groups. Choose a private or semi-private room for up to 12 guests, or the whole place for up to 60 seated or as many as 140 for cocktails and canapes. Just a stone’s throw from Parliament Hill, and with a theatrical open kitchen in the main restaurant. The menu changes seasonally and can be adapted to suit group bookings. Showstopping sample dishes such as white fish caviar with crumpets and crème fraiche, beef tartare with shaved truffle, and duck breast and heart gently smoked with yellow beans and pistachio could be yours. Add one of the largest spirit menus in the region and classic and innovative cocktails, and your party just got started.
For live fire global fusion food with live music – do something different at Ember in ByWard Market
Ember specialises in cooking fresh, local ingredients over live fire and charcoal, with an accompaniment of live music from up-and-coming artists. Live a little, live a lot – everything is live at Ember. The cocktail menu is Japanese-inspired fusion, while the curated wine list has a global influence. And whether you want hot, cold, or a mixture of the two, the food menu features plenty of must-tries. Think spicy crispy tuna with pickled serrano, sesame and a soy ginger glaze, coal-roasted eggplant with smoked yoghurt and pomegranate, and whole roasted branzino with lemon gremolata and pickled shallots. Add a side of signature wood-fired bread with rosemary and olive oil, or a platter of chilled oysters with fresh horseradish and mignonettes, then wash it all down with a perfectly paired cocktail suggested by your server.
For team dinners at one of the best Asian restaurants for groups in Ottawa – take your colleagues to Sidedoor Contemporary Kitchen and Bar in ByWard Market
Gather your friends or make new ones, with a sharing-style Asian dining experience at Sidedoor Contemporary Kitchen and Bar. Long tables encourage conviviality among even those who have never laid eyes on each other before and make room for large group bookings to help you celebrate special events in style. The shared dining experience makes this an ideal venue for team building or for networking over great food and drinks. Chef Ben Landreville is renowned for his use of exotic spices and innovative flavour combinations, inspired by but not dictated by Asian recipes. The lunchboxes are a must-try for workday eats – two tacos of your choice coupled with salad and soup, to eat in or take away. The pork and shrimp peanut dumplings are showstopping for lunch or dinner, as is the Argentinian shrimp curry with fresh herbs and seasonal vegetables.
The dining scene in Ottawa is one of the most diverse you will find, with everything from classic Canadian to contemporary global fusion food. If you’re planning a group night out, many of the best restaurants in Ottawa cater for group bookings. These eight are among the best.
Find more of the best restaurants for groups in Ottawa by booking a table with OpenTable today.
If you’re looking for other great restaurants in Ottawa for any occasion, discover more in these city guides:
- The 10 best restaurants with a view in Ottawa to discover today
- The 10 best Italian restaurants in Ottawa you need to add to your list
- The 5 best Indian restaurants in Ottawa to visit right now
- 10 top-notch restaurants to book for the best brunch in Ottawa
- The 10 best restaurants in Ottawa to book in 2024
