Ottawa serves up flavours from all around the world, including the rich, hearty cuisine of Italy. Using fresh local ingredients, you can expect AAA Canadian select cuts, freshly picked and grown produce in the Ottawa region, plenty of local wines and spirits, and even more wines sourced from the various regions of Italy. Ottawa is also lucky enough to have scenic backdrops that help make any restaurant you visit extra special. From buzzing pizzerias to pasta joints, vibrant aperitivo destinations and lively hangouts, the best Italian restaurants in Ottawa promise a memorable time.
Find yourself transported to the cozy bacari of Venice to catch up with friends and enjoy classic Italian cocktails such as negroni on tap, Aperol spritz and more, you only need to go to Downtown. Twists on tradition make for exciting experiences with pasta made with a spicy vodka-based sauce on a great spot in Little Italy. Find traditional handmade pasta in Gloucester and some Italian dishes with a side of a comedy show in Nepean. Whether you’re planning a special occasion, or just looking for your next great meal, the best Italian restaurants in Ottawa have something for you.
Explore the best Italian restaurants Ottawa has to offer, all bookable on OpenTable today.
Look no further for a deep dive into Ottawa’s best Italian restaurants
For authentic handmade pasta at one of Ottawa’s best Italian restaurants – indulge yourself at Caffé Italiano in Gloucester
Chef Wesley Boodhram’s Caffé Italiano, located inside the Rideau Carleton Casino, delivers on its promise of fresh Italian options. From handmade pasta, freshly made sauces and seafood sourced from coast to coast, you’ll feel like you are transported directly to the heart of Italy. With a menu inspired by chef Boodhram’s 6-year travels throughout Italy, each dish is a reflection of the country’s many regions. Menu favourites include the steak & frites made from certified 100% AAA Canadian select cuts, as well as the classic lasagna al forno. Delicious dessert selections include homemade cannoli made with roasted pistachios, seasonal flavours of gelato and sorbet, and the Genoise classic tronchello di Natale. Enjoy a relaxed dining experience, with no frills and all the flavour, after a night on the slots or to celebrate a birthday or anniversary.
For dinner and a show at one of the best Italian restaurants in Ottawa – check out Biagio’s Kitchen + Catering in Nepean
As one of Ottawa’s best Italian restaurants, Biagio’s Kitchen + Catering, has gone above and beyond to give guests a unique dining experience. Located inside the warm and inviting dining room, Yuk Yuk Ottawa West’s comedy shows create a unique dining experience like no other. Pair creative stand-up with tasty dishes, including the team’s famous lasagna made with a tantalizing combination of beef, pork and veal. Alternatively, try the veal scallopini or crispy calamari fritta. You’ll be sure to laugh the night away with friends, family and great food.
For a summertime experience, be sure to check the patio, surrounded by freshly grown ingredients that make their way straight to your plate. Enjoy a couple of slices or more of freshly made pizzas, such as the spicy scaldarsi, or any of the number of refreshing salads.
For top gnocchi made from scratch at one of the best Italian restaurants Ottawa has – visit La Roma Restaurant in Downtown
For over 30 years, La Roma Restaurant, located in the heart of Ottawa’s Little Italy, has delivered on its promise of serving traditional dishes from scratch. Its freshly made ravioli stuffed with braised beef cheek has become a favourite amongst Ottawans. Try the refreshing beef carpaccio, or the Italian interpretation of surf and turf with mare e monte, made with sous vide 10oz AAA beef striploin, sauteed garlic, shrimp and greens. For lunch, all your pizza favourites are freshly made, from the colosseo, made with deconstructed sausage and hot peppers to the simple, yet captivating caprese made with fresh fior di latte mozzarella and tomato basil pesto sauce. La Roma Restaurant boasts a large indoor dining room on its main floor with a warm and rustic vibe. Three private dining rooms on the second level are also available for an intimate dining experience. Summertime allows guests to enjoy the ground-level patios, or for private events, the covered rooftop patio is also available.
For the best Northern Italian cuisine in Ottawa – visit North and Navy in Downtown
North and Navy prides itself on recreating the tastes of northern Italy in a rustic dining room and on the fact that is being featured on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants. Inspired by the bacari or taverns of Venice, North and Navy uses the similar climates between eastern Ontario and northern Italy to its advantage to give Ottawans the most traditional Venetian experience. Backed by the plethora of fresh local ingredients, North and Navy’s menu reflects the changing seasons, and includes fascinating flavours such as rabbit mortadella, onza & kumquat mostarda, and quail & braised endive. Aside from classic tiramisu, dessert also includes parm & balsamic. Dine on unique cichèti, small bites, similar to Spanish tapas, while enjoying a glass or two with friends at North and Navy’s own bacaro located at the back of the restaurant. With several northern Italian wines to choose from, you’ll be sure to feel like you’ve magically transported to Venice itself. A private dining room is also available for small parties.
For the best Roman-style pizza – try Retro Gusto in Little Italy
Retro Gusto’s is a pizzeria that delivers unique toppings, including the famous Roman-styled pizzas and traditional Roman bar snacks. Try the salmone affumicato e asparagi pizza, featuring smoked caciocavallo cheese smoked salmon, asparagus and chilli oil, or the simple yet flavourful rossa with crushed tomato sauce and extra virgin olive oil. A favourite for snacking at the bar, frigitelli with shishito peppers fried in pastella is a go-to when sipping on any of Retro Gusto’s Italian cocktails and wines. Local ciders are also available. True to its name, Retro Gusto’s interiors bring back the feeling of 1970s Italy, with plenty of unique lighting decor and warm-coloured interiors. Plus, an open kitchen that’s sure to entertain.
For the best upscale Italian dining experience – try Giovanni’s Ristorante in Downtown
Established more than 40 years ago, Giovanni’s Ristorante has earned its spot as one of Ottawa’s best Italian restaurants. With a dedication to serving guests only the finest ingredients, this upscale Italian restaurant has pulled out all the stops for its guests. Lisa Cocco Pollastrini, a Pescara native who established the dream of Giovanni’s Ristorante with her late husband Giuseppe Pollastrini, has continuously overseen the menu ensuring consistent quality throughout the years. AAA steaks, fresh seafood and expertly chosen wines have been carefully curated to enhance your dining experience. Start your meal with your favourite soups such as the minestrone or stracciatella. The veal marsala is a favourite made with Marsala wine. Giovanni’s Ristorante promises a luxurious dining experience, adorned with crystal chandeliers and baroque interiors.
For rustic vibes at one of the best Italian restaurants in Ottawa – make sure to visit Joe’s Italian Kitchen in Almonte and Westboro
Joe’s Italian Kitchen in Almonte and Westboro thrives on a rustic atmosphere dedicated to an elevated Italian dining experience. As one of the best Italian restaurants in Ottawa, Joe’s Italian has carefully combined old-world traditions with new-world creativity. Boasting the title of Canada’s first certified pinsaria, choose from either traditional wood-fired pizzas or Roman-style pinsa. Try creative options like the Sophia Loren made with tomato sauce, Fior di Latte, arugula, prosciutto, parmigiano and balsamic glaze. Whichever base or topping you choose; Joe’s Italian Kitchen only uses the best flours and San Marzano tomatoes for the pizzas. Using local ingredients to bring home cooking to your table, the menu showcases the heart of Italian cuisine. Enjoy Italian cocktails such as the negroni sbagliato, or any classic Italian sodas. At the Almonte location, take in the views of the Grand Falls on Mississippi.
📍 Almonte — Check availability
📍 Westboro — Check availability
For Italian-inspired cocktails and a fresh look on traditional dishes – visit DreamLand Cafe in Little Italy
Started by sisters Coco and Marlo de Leo in 2017, DreamLand Cafe has become one of Ottawa’s best Italian restaurants. Working as a team, Coco has taken the helm over delivering a classic Italian menu with her own spin, while the general manager, Marlo has created a changing menu of delectable cocktails. Start your DreamLand experience with honey I deep fried the Brussels topped with honey chilli oil and Dijonnaise. Pastas include reimaginings such as the rosey and spicy, a spicy vodka-based sauce with a brown butter drizzle, and the mushroom mac made with a four-cheese sauce, garlic fried mushrooms and truffle paste. Do not skip the absolute must: a great coffee and a slice of the traditional tiramisu. Cocktails are made with local Ontario ciders, wines and spirits, but you can also enjoy non-alcoholic concoctions to enjoy with good company in DreamLand Cafe’s vibrant, pastel-coloured interiors.
For the best southern Italian cuisine in Ottawa – visit Cantina Gia in the Glebe
At Cantina Gia, co-owners chef Adam Vettorel and Chris Schlesak of North and Navy are dedicated to their goal of providing you with the best tastes and textures of southern Italy. With a vibrant interior that pairs Italian and Canadian-inspired decor, you’ll feel right at home at Cantina Gia. Delight your eyes and your tastebuds with open-flame cooked meats, including the chicken diavola marinated in roasted red pepper aioli sauce, and the filletto di manzo, a grilled flatiron served with salsa verde. Indulge in negroni on tap, or any of the numerous Italian bubbling, red, rose, and white wines. Be sure to check out Cantina Gia’s shop, offering you curated items, quality oils, preserves, pastries and plenty of wines to enjoy at home or that pair nicely with menu items.
For wood fired pizzas and Italian tradition do not miss one of the best restaurants in Ottawa – Fratelli in Downtown
Running since 1996, Fratelli has firmly established itself as one of the best Italian restaurants in Ottawa. It began with an outpost in Glebe as a family affair. Robert and his mother Louisa ran the kitchen, while Richard and his father Pasquale took charge of the dining room. Its Westboro location continues this legacy, inviting you to feel like part of the family, in a casual yet traditional dining room. Dine on fresh, homemade gnocchi served with your choice of Roma tomato, pesto cream, or gorgonzola sauce. The homemade cannelloni can be made with beef, veal, pork & ricotta, Roma tomato sauce or mozzarella. Alternatively, choose from the selection of wood-fired pizzas. Try white sauce pizzas like the juventino with herb ricotta, zucchini, roasted cherry tomatoes and mozzarella. For red sauce pizzas, there’s the mangia cake with pepperoni, green peppers, and mushrooms. Fratelli is also an enoteca, or wine closet, and is home to a variety of red and white Italian wines, as well as local Ontario bottles.
Ottawa has no shortage of excellent Italian restaurants ready to welcome you. Whether you’re looking for traditional dishes or new takes on classic recipes, you can find something to sate your appetite. Enjoy an exciting evening at the bar with friends or relax in a cozy atmosphere to chat. From casual hotspots to refined dining experiences, the best Italian restaurants in Ottawa have something to suit everyone’s tastes.
Be sure to book a spot at one of the best Italian restaurants in Ottawa at OpenTable today.
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