Riviera Ottawa image

Riviera Ottawa

Restaurant

High-end, creative Canadian cuisine & drinks in the refined interior of a former bank building. People often mention service, great, delicious, restaurant, amazing, menu, staff, experience, good, steak,


Address

62 Sparks St., Ottawa, ON K1P 5A5, Canada

Website

www.dineriviera.com

Contact

+1 613-233-6262

Price rating

$$$ $

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (1.2K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: 5 to 10 pm
  • Wednesday: 5 to 10 pm
  • Thursday: 5 to 11 pm
  • Friday: 5 to 11 pm
  • Saturday: 5 to 11 pm
  • Sunday: 5 to 10 pm
  • Monday: 5 to 10 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: service (47) great (41) delicious (37) restaurant (35) amazing (29) menu (28) staff (27) experience (26) good (25) steak (21)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Yunhan L. 2 months ago on Google • 307 reviews New
    Good food, amazing ambiance. We started with oysters, tasted pretty standard. For the mains, we tried the steak frites. The portion is on the larger side, however, I wish they added something else to compensate for the price instead of loading it with fries, which were impossible to finish. Steak was cooked and seasoned perfectly though. We tried the sticky toffee pudding for dessert. The pudding itself was delicious—it should have been the star of the dish, but I found the ginger ice cream overpowering it a bit. Drinks were nice. The interior of this restaurant is so unique and beautifully lit. The tables are spaced out, and the restaurant did not feel cramped or stuffy. I especially loved the ultra high ceilings.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Justin G. 7 months ago on Google • 80 reviews
    Easily one of the top restaurants and one of our favourites for special occasions. Beautiful space in an old bank. Service is always on point. Food consistently delicious. Probably some of the best cocktails in Ottawa, worth it to go here just to try them. Only feedback is menu doesn’t change often, if it did we’d probably be back more. However lately we noticed a few new additions. Their mushrooms on toast and duck are some of my favourite dishes, as well as the uni.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Andrew D. 5 months ago on Google • 35 reviews
    Food was great and service was awesome. Tuna crudo is the best in town and the seafood platter was amazing. I particularly loved the seafood sauce they make in house. I also always go for an order of the mushroom toast which was delicious. Wasn’t a huge fan of the dill in the caviar as it overpowered a lot of the natural flavours, but to each their own. The brioche buns with whipped butter that was brought out was great but it used to be warm, and I guess they stopped doing that. It also took quite a long time for our mains to arrive, as we watched others receive theirs, and we ended up packing as we got full. The restaurant continues to provide a great atmosphere with the menu continuing to be consistently good. I assume the minor negatives we experienced today aren’t common. The service continued to excel beyond expectation, so the slight wait time in the mains aren’t them to blame. Will definitely be back!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michelle L. 2 years ago on Google
    Had a dinner here and it didn’t disappoint. Please try their steady seller mushroom toast. We were curious to how that would taste, but it was the most delicious toast I’ve tasted. Their steak and frites were delicious as well. Great menu of delicious drinks as well. The servers were professional, accommodating and friendly. Highly recommended!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Andy L. 2 years ago on Google
    I came to this restaurant for dinner recently. The high ceiling was nice and the atmosphere felt like it was a very nice place for a business meal. One of the staff also went out of his way and brought me a cup for an unfinished coffee that I brought in. In terms of food, I had the Striploin Steak Frites with Bordelaise sauce. The steak was a very nice cut of striploin with a good thickness. It was cooked to a nice medium rare and the crust was flavourful with a tint of char. The sauce complimented the food. The fries were skinny, crunchy, and fresh with a nice salty and sage/rosemary flavour. The fries were a bit surprising together as they were skinny enough that the middle wasn't too overwhelming after but not too oily either (Double fried, long stringy that tasted quite nice with the sauce).
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tanner L. 6 months ago on Google
    What a great place! The food was delicious. I got the duck breast and my wife had Halibut. The menu isn't set in stone so these won't always be available. Really cool building that used to be a bank. Great place to celebrate my 40th birthday!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hao x. 7 months ago on Google • 52 reviews
    Long overdue review. We came earlier in the year and this was one of the best all-around dining experiences we've had. Our server was extremely knowledgeable, terrific at his job, and proud of it. He made several excellent recommendations both for the food and wine and demonstrated a firm confidence on his picks, really pushing his suggestions over other choices we were thinking about making, in a respectful manner without overstepping. He provided many informative explanations of the flavour profiles behind each dish and how they were prepared. He was very attentive and made sure we were always taken care of. The food was excellent, especially the lobster spaghetti. You could literally taste the soul of the lobster in it lol. The fries in the steak frites were seasoned extremely well with fried herbs and salt. We loved our experience here and will definitely be back.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Uday 3 months ago on Google • 42 reviews New
    Restaurant with an amazing vibe and the best experience in Downtown Ottawa. The staff greet and receive you very well. The waiters are friendly and knowledgeable about every item on the menu. Extensive selection of drinks, everything out there is in here (we tried their sweater weather drinks in the winter and they lived up to their name).
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Paul B. 3 years ago on Google
    We had an awesome time at Riviera Ottawa. The wait staff were very attentive and accommodating. The food was very nice and well presented. During this time of Covid-19 social distancing, the tables were spaced well apart and on the patio, there were propane heaters.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Sophie C. 4 months ago on Google • 13 reviews
    Complimentary bread and butter is delicious and fresh. Staff is friendly and professional. We sat at the bar and the chef preparing meals right before our eyes was very kind and eager to answer our questions about the menu. I do wish portions were slightly bigger and that there were more vegetarian options to try. I will definitely be back, as I understand their menu is always changing.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Razan D. 3 years ago on Google
    this place was so delicious!!! 10/10, everyone was so friendly and the food was worth every penny! i give this a chef’s kiss! if you have a chance to go, do it!! the cocktails, food, and dessert were amazing.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 bob b. 3 years ago on Google
    The service and decor are great. But portions are on the modest side while prices are definitely quite ambitious. In the end what matters is the food and frankly it’s not worth what they are charging
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Devon R. 3 years ago on Google
    Took forever but was delicious Update second visit been a few years, terrible service just a bad job, speechless that you can pay that much and be that bad. No personality no care never even asked us how we were doing. You'd think a high end place they would try harder. The mixes on their drinks need alot of work, couldn't get one good drink out of 3, could of had many other drinks he just leaves us alone empty glasses. When we got the water it had some stuff floating in it. Only thing that saved them was the steak,
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Lisa L. 3 years ago on Google
    The steak frites were too salty. The lobster spaghetti was not too mom much. You will be hungry after eating that!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Allan M. 3 years ago on Google
    This was my second visit to fauna, and it was just as incredible as the first. This restaurant has quickly turned into my favourite in Canada, with incredible flavors and very well constructed dishes. Tonight we had the burrata as a starter, which was so creamy, delicate and incredibly flavourful. The white anchovies were also very delicious and went so well with the whole dish. We then shared the spiced stuffed eggplant with chickpeas and kale, it was also delicious and incredibly flavourful. We also shared the swordfish dish, which was perfectly cooked, not chewy or dry at all. Served with some pan fried potatoes, olives, green beans and Patti pan squash. It was beautiful. We finished the meal off with a sweet honey and apricot cornbread. It was interesting and different, but a little to sweet for us. The meal as a whole was incredible and we cannot wait to go again. Thank you fauna for the beautiful meal.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cory H. 3 years ago on Google
    The dining experience at Fauna is hands down one of the best in Ottawa. Their wine/beer/spirit list is intriguing and deep, paired with staff who are absolute experts on what you should try and pair with your meal. I don't know how to explain using the words the quality of their menu, so it be best if you plan a evening at Fauna!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Marc 1. 3 years ago on Google
    Great food, but you've come to expect that from the team at Fauna. The outdoor space is well managed and well spaced. Warm and homely on a cool evening. The staff are excellent and the service is top notch. Some amazing cocktails. The Eastside is exceptional.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Sanda A. 3 years ago on Google
    Food is fine, but service was terrible. Was also overcharged for food and it wasn't rectified when we highlighted it to the server and we ended up paying the overcharged price. I went here on Oct 23 for some apps and cocktails with two friends. We chose this spot because the patio looked beautiful, and we saw an article that highlighted their chef as the "best in Ottawa". The night started off odd - I asked a server if I should wait inside or outside to be seated (because of COVID). Instead of responding, she rudely responded with "just wait." I waited for 5 minutes before going to the patio directly myself and meeting my friend that was already there. Not great, but not a big deal. It took a while to get our order in, but that also wasn't a big deal since the 3 of us were just chatting and catching up. One of my friends asked the bartender for a recommendation for a cocktail, but she wasn't super friendly about it. That's fine, it could have just been a personality thing...but I mention it so you can see how all these odd interactions began to stack up. We ordered a few plates of wings and oysters. The oysters were really great. The wings were too spicy for my taste but that's my own fault - the menu did warn me that they were spicy. The cocktails were mostly fine, except for one of them which we didn't end up touching at all. Then, things got strange. We struggled to get someone to take our second order of drinks - even when we waved someone down they kept walking and said someone else would be with us shortly. It took about 20 minutes. We finished eating, and no one cleared our plates for about 45 minutes, until we specifically asked. We then ordered a glass of red wine (one of 2 options available by the glass), which ended up being strangely bubbly on top and smelled highly fermented. We were told it was organic wine - but it didn't say that anywhere on the menu so we had no way of knowing that. The server wasn't happy to bring us something else - we said we didn't mind paying for the glass, but the organic fermented wine just wasn't something we could stomach. We decided to get our bills and head out. Again, it took a while. When we got our bills, we saw we were overcharged for the oysters by $2. Again, not a huge problem, but just wanted to know why. My friend raised it and the server said it was because she put the full dozen on one bill. Except we were both charged the higher price which would have meant we got 24 oysters...which we didn't. She then said (and this is a quote), "Well... no one else complained." I don't care if no one else complained, I just want to know why I'm being overcharged. We even had the menu with us and compared the receipt with the menu item side-by-side. The server got rude and defensive, and told us the only way it could be fixed was if she went inside and reprinted the receipt. We said that's fine, we'll wait for it to be reprinted, but then she refused. We were polite the whole time, and at one point we did honestly say, "this isn't the way we expected you to react, when you saw the receipt printed incorrectly." We paid the incorrect price and started to head out. After that, she started apologizing, but it was too late. The whole experience had already been a bit sour, but that last part about "no one else complaining" about the wrong price really rubbed us the wrong way. We were excited about visiting the "best chef in Ottawa" and having a nice girl's night...unfortunately we won't be back to Fauna, nor will we be recommending this place to anyone.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jon-Anthony L. 2 years ago on Google
    Had a great time. One of the best dine-in experiences. Sit at the counter and watch the professionals in action. Brought our own wine and the server provided recommendations to pair with our food. She was attentive and anticipated our next move. Classic example of excellent service. The food was top notch. Everything we ordered was amazing. The chef/owner was hospitable and friendly. We are coming back to Ottawa just to eat here again.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Koke 2 years ago on Google
    From the person that welcomes you to the restaurant, to the waiters, to the chefs, to the bar staff - absolutely wonderful people with the perfect balance of formal and informal conversation! The food is other worldly - absolutely incredible and inspired! We especially loved the raw foods (beef tartar, tuna tartar) and the burrata was amazing as well as the lobster pasta (albeit a very small portion) and the desserts lovely but missing a chocolate option. For me personally, by far the best part were the negronis - an amazing range and the negroni Master was so friendly and welcoming and even made a specific Serrano chilli infused one just for my birthday! I cannot recommend Riviera highly enough - especially for a special occasion! Having been to so many Michelin star restaurants all over Europe, this is up there with the best of them, mainly due to the service! Thank you for looking after us and making my birthday special! (One tiny item to note, the lights above the bar and chef's pass need a bit of a clean ;-) )
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Micheal O. 2 years ago on Google
    The food was exceptional. The cocktails are outstanding! The head mixologist, Stephen Flood, is an absolute genius! You must go. If you can, sitting at the bar is a special treat. Resevations most definitely recommended. The Tuna Crudo appetizer, the Lobster Spaghetti, steak frites, damn! And, dill pickle chip encrusted halibut - chef, wow! The Negroni menu, amaro selection and wine list are extensive and filled with delightful offerings. Again, don't hesitate, you really need to be here.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nish G. 2 years ago on Google
    Food was really good, although not exceptional for a high-end restaurant. Cocktails, service and indoor ambience were excellent though and definitely earn the 5 stars.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Charles Khouri (. 1 year ago on Google
    Love Love Love Riviera!!! This place is stunning, and absolutely offers a one of a kind vibe. The atmosphere is great, drinks are amazing (the bartenders are real pros), the food is delicious, and the service is exceptional! My favourite dishes, which I highly recommend trying are the “Mushrooms on Toast” and “Lobster Spaghetti”. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed 😁
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Michelle M. 8 months ago on Google
    I had a very enjoyable dinner at Riviera. We were able to get a reservation at 5:30pm on Canada Day, sitting at the bar, which was perfectly fine. Excellent service and love the decor of the place, with this midcentury modern vibe. Prices of plates were reasonable especially with the generous portions! We ordered the white fish caviar, the octopus, duck breast and the steak. The pavlova dessert was a delight, must try! The steak was the least spectacular of the four, so I would recommend trying another dish since you could probably get a better steak elsewhere. All things considered, it was a lovely dining experience.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Orelie 5 months ago on Google
    Riviera is really beautiful inside, good atmosphere. I had great service and my appetizer and cocktail were awesome. The only reason I’m removing a star is because my lobster pasta was pretty cold so I didn’t enjoy it. At this price point, with the hurdles it takes to get a reservation, mains really shouldn’t be served slow and cold.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Maximilian H. 4 months ago on Google
    A cozy restaurant in downtown ottawa, pleasantly close to the parliament building. Very attentive and emphasizing waiter, who took their time for small chats, even though it was rather busy. The food itself was excellent. The tartar was absolutely delicious, however it was a little shy of truffle flavour. My steak and frites were absolutely on point and the combination of rosemary fries with sage sauce is simple, but never ceases to amaze my palate. Total recommendation!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Zelda H. 3 months ago on Google • 9 reviews New
    Absolutely amazing. Friendly staff, outstanding food, delicious desserts, great atmosphere! We were met with such warmth and attention the moment we walked in, I will not forget this experience. The food is some of the best I have ever had, and I’m not being hyperbolic. My partner had sworn off sticky toffee pudding after an awful experience, but thankfully he gave this place a chance, and the pudding has redeemed itself! Haha. Seriously, awesome place, will definitely come back.

  • 5/5 Sylvia S. 3 years ago on Google
    The food portions are a little smaller, costs a little more, but is so worth it in the end. Everything tasted delicious and was cooked wonderfully. The beef tartare is a definite must try!! The staff were so friendly and the service was perfect. This is the perfect restaurant for a special date or celebration.

  • 5/5 Jason G. 3 years ago on Google
    Great food and service. The atmosphere is also fantastic. Enjoyed several starters come cocktails and short ribs that were delicious 😋. Cannot wait to return.

  • 5/5 Feeney A. 3 years ago on Google
    As a restaurant owner I always like to see how other restaurants operate and every detail. This was the best service and food I have had in years. It’s amazing. Could not recommend it enough. Thank you Marco “Maître D “. Also Braeden for the great experience. Highly recommended.

  • 5/5 Rylan H. 3 years ago on Google
    A nice atmosphere with very high ceilings from what used to be a bank I believe. The food and service was excellent. Recommended!

  • 5/5 Amanthi W. 3 years ago on Google
    The best meal we had during our visit to Ottawa in February 2021. The packaging was neat and good kept warm. We did a 5 minute walk from Fairmont Chateau Laurier to collect the dinner and it was definitely worth venturing in the cold for. The seafood Chowder, chicken liver pate and lamb pasta were particularly fantastic and portion sizes were extremely generous in our view- value for money! We also brought back to Toronto a bottle of the Bartender’s Old Fashioned- can’t wait to try it 🥃 We would definitely recommend a meal here.

  • 5/5 Elias H. 3 years ago on Google
    A fantastic dining experience! Great food, great cocktails, and great service. A must dine!

  • 5/5 LP J. 3 years ago on Google
    Last year at this time, I was celebrating my wife's birthday in this great restaurant! A great experience! Enjoy life, boys and girls!

  • 4/5 Kimia M. 3 years ago on Google
    Such a great atmosphere. Definitely a five star restaurant but they didn’t have a lot of food variety. The service was great. We visited during COVID and they were following all the protocols. It was the first restaurant that I saw they were using new gloves for each table. The restaurant was formerly a bank which made it very unique. Keep up the good work!

  • 5/5 Mathieu P. 3 years ago on Google
    Cozy, warm safe patio. Respecting all COVID regulations. Great food and drinks with friendly service! Thanks!!

  • 5/5 Brittany P. 3 years ago on Google
    My work hosted our annual holiday party Riviera. I was blown away by the staff's efficiency and organization. They truly went above & beyond to ensure we were satisfied with our experience. The portions were smaller than what I had anticipated, but the quality of the food was fantastic - worth it in the end. The drinks were perfect. The historic building was stunning and the perfect backdrop for our 1920s inspired party. Looking forward to going back as a treat. :)

  • 5/5 soheil h. 3 years ago on Google
    amazing

  • 5/5 Martin P. 3 years ago on Google
    Great food, great cocktails, great atmosphere! One of the best spots in Ottawa!

  • 5/5 corazane h. 3 years ago on Google
    Had a wonderful xmas dinner with my govt colleagues last Wednesday - huge thanks to General Manager Can for making it such special evening. I had requested a nice table to impress my Director General and Can surprised us with the semi-private room at the entrance to restaurant! It was a wonderful gesture of customer service, especially b/c my boss was running late, Can was able to secure our table for the entire night so we wouldn't have to rush through the 2 hour service. Lobster spaghetti and the persimmon burrata were delicious, as were the negroni cocktails! Beautiful space, and excellent service as always - I dropped a napkin and immediately a new one was brought on a silve tray. Covid 19 protocols were in place, we felt very safe. Looking forward to returning in the new year! Thank you again Can!

  • 4/5 Vanessa D. 3 years ago on Google
    I went there with my girlfriends during COVID. The staff were very careful and it felt very safe. The wait staff were so friendly and knowledgeable. I started with the mushroom toast which was heavenly. It was served on a thick piece of toasted brioche and smothered with their porcini and truffle sauce. There were so many mushrooms and the egg was perfectly cooked. The cavatelli was good - a bit chewy and the sauce was nice but not overwhelmingly delicious. I would try a different main next time. We shared the s'mores pie at the end which was outstanding - beautiful cinnamon crust, served with a chilled/frozen chocolate mouse and burnt marshmallows with fudge sauce. It was YUMMY! Will definitely be returning.

  • 4/5 Jing Yi D. 3 years ago on Google
    Excellent service and ambiance. Cold seafood was fresh and tasty. The mushroom toast was magnificiant. However striloin and fries came in cold.

  • 5/5 Thy N. 3 years ago on Google
    The food was really good! The mushroom toast will have us coming back forsure !

  • 5/5 Ghazal F. 3 years ago on Google
    Very nice staff, polite and understanding. Food was absolutely delicious. Highly recommend

  • 4/5 Basile van H. 3 years ago on Google
    Good knowledgeable service

  • 5/5 Mélanie B. 3 years ago on Google
    Great dining experience, looking forwards to going again!

  • 4/5 Immanuel L. 3 years ago on Google
    Staff were friendly and attentive. Distances between tables. The space is really lovely, and it's an open kitchen kind of restaurant. Beef tartare was spectacular. Waiter gave us excellent wine recommendations. Cod was good. Lamb cavatelli was ok. Desserts were great, except my pavolva had an overcooked, very hard interior crust at the bottom. If you're afraid of heights, don't look at the prices on the menu...phew!

  • 5/5 Joy R. 3 years ago on Google
    If you are a food lover and connoisseur you have to try Riviera. It is all a experience and the drinks are excellent!

  • 5/5 Sina A. 3 years ago on Google
    Always fun to go to Riviera, if you're looking for the best combination of good food and class you got it there!

  • 5/5 bridgehead11 3 years ago on Google
    Great location. Great food!

  • 5/5 Lori P. 3 years ago on Google
    Exquisitely unique atmosphere, Attentive staff genuinely wanting you to have a truly superb dining experience, Phenomenal dishes prepared to perfection and artistically presented in true fine dining style. Need I say more? A must: mushrooms on toast; tuna tartare; steak and frites; Fogo island cod Will definitely be returning.

  • 4/5 Boom B. 3 years ago on Google
    The mushroom toast is yummy and so are the mussels! Staff are friendly enough considering the circumstances. Would return with significant other!

  • 1/5 James 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful restaurant with snobby staff with no class.

  • 5/5 Jenny L. 3 years ago on Google
    I was briefly passing through Ottawa for work and made it a point to stop at Riviera (#51 Canada's Top 100 Restaurants 2019!). The decor of the restaurant is beautiful and unique; I was a huge fan of the leather seats and curved bar. I ordered the beef tartare and glazed duck and both were delicious. The staff were lovely and the service was great.

  • 5/5 Frank D. 3 years ago on Google
    Very very classy! Great service and highly recommended 🇨🇦

  • 5/5 Meredith Y. 3 years ago on Google
    Incredible food. Lovely experience and service.

  • 5/5 Aiden L. 3 years ago on Google
    Excellent food, great staff

  • 5/5 Maddy R. 3 years ago on Google
    Mushroom toast is so perfect and they have a great cocktail selection

  • 2/5 Real L. 3 years ago on Google
    Bland tasteless food and the drinks were overpriced and watered down. Definitely not a place worth visiting twice.

  • 5/5 Ixchel Medina H. 3 years ago on Google
    Excellent! Everything was delicious. Even the Burger and fries took us by surprise, so good!

  • 4/5 Nicolette C. 3 years ago on Google
    I ordered the striploin steak frites with bordelaise sauce, and my bf ordered the Fogo Island cod with dill sauce. Personally I liked his dish more because the cod was just so thick and the quality tasted very fresh as well. The steak frites were good too but considering the price point, I felt the quality of the steak could be better in terms of tenderness, meat flavour and it was a bit overcooked for my preference (ordered medium rare, got medium instead). Nonetheless, the frites were really great, I think it's likely fried in animal fat and that combined with fried sage, the flavours worked together to make the frites really aromatic! The bordelaise sauce was delicious as well, I ended up just soaking my frites in it instead of the sauce provided sometimes

  • 5/5 Andrew P. 3 years ago on Google
    Excellent service and great dishes. One of the best in Ottawa. Wonderful for that fancy evening out with your significant other, or just a casual dinner.

  • 5/5 Alisa F. 3 years ago on Google
    This is our new favourite restaurant in Ottawa. We simply loved it from A-Z. Yummy craft kitchen inspired by Canadian cooking with touched of middle eastern flavours. The portions were satisfying for a restaurant of this kind. The service was attentive but not pretentious. Ambiance is awesome for a date. We set next to the window and enjoyed a very nice evening with hubby. Every dish wash inspiring and delicious. The bill was reasonable for fine dining. Can't wait to go back!

  • 5/5 Kristen G. 3 years ago on Google
    First dinner out since the lockdown was lifted in Ottawa, and the restaurant had good controls in place to ensure distancing and safety for patrons and staff. We felt very comfortable dining there, the food was delicious, the ambience cozy and relaxing, and the service was excellent! Staff treated us very well. Great experience overall, we look forward to our next visit!

  • 5/5 Erin C. 3 years ago on Google
    Not only does Fauna have a selection of great dishes but they also come wonderfully prepared and plated. The presentation is impressive and appreciated! The restaurant has a great atmosphere and I love the ambience. Great spot for a date night!

  • 5/5 Angela F. 3 years ago on Google
    Loved my experience at Fauna!! The service was impeccable. I accidentally booked my reservation for a different night but they accomodated my party of two :) we ordered the beef carpaccio, Caesar salad, gnocchi, sword fish, risotto and the scallop skewers. Everything was absolutely 💯 perfection. Kudos to chef Billy. Catherine, our server was so friendly and prompt. The cocktail drinks were also 👌🔥We drove all the way from Toronto and will say it's so worth it!!

  • 4/5 Trev’s T. 3 years ago on Google
    Google recommended me this charming restaurant and I had to come check it out

  • 5/5 Anita B. 3 years ago on Google
    I went to Fauna for the first time when my now hubby took me for a Valentine’s Day dinner. We got the dry aged steak and it was amazing! The food and service are high quality here! Definitely recommend others to check out this local gem.

  • 5/5 Victor X. 3 years ago on Google
    First visit since Ottawa has lifted the restriction on indoor dining. Every staff was wearing a mask including those working in the kitchen. Each group of guest was separated by at least 2m from each other. Safety is definitely the priority here. The drink menu here is intriguing with a wide selection of natural wine, pet nat and beers from local breweries. Foods were delicious as usual, however, the ribeye dinner was on the saltier side. Service was impeccable with water continuously topped up. We felt safe and cozy throughout the night.

  • 4/5 Jovie 3 years ago on Google
    Nice restaurant! The menu offered seemed to be a little short compared to the one online, but maybe it was just my eyes... Their meat menu is delicious and well cooked! We tried the lamb and beef! The lamb was melting in my mouth and the beef was medium cooked and was well seasonned! The cocktails had a good amount of alcool which kind be hard to have in restaurant! We also had the risotto that was really good! Nothing to complain about! The downs were the gnocchis... they were really ordinary and tasted "sad". I don't know how to explain it, but there was definitely something missing! Also, the oysters were too expensive!! There's so much restaurants around Ottawa serving good oysters from Qc or NB at a much cheaper price, that we were expecting something extra with the 6 oysters for 20$, but unfortunately, it was just normal... The waiter didn't bother us too often even though we felt that he was present around to help us whenever we needed. I would definitely go back for the meat tho!! Definitely a good place to have a intimate date while trying to impress, but not on a budget!

  • 5/5 Emily K. 3 years ago on Google
    Always a delicious experience with great service

  • 5/5 Scott C. 3 years ago on Google
    Loved it! Food was great and the staff was very nice.

  • 5/5 Samantha M. 3 years ago on Google
    Always a fantastic meal, I'm never disappointed upon leaving!

  • 5/5 Brent B. 3 years ago on Google
    The steak for 2 is super tasty with rich flavorful sides AND it travels well! Many of Ottawa's best restaurants have struggled to create dishes that you can bring home to enjoy without them going off in some way (i.e. scallops losing their crisp and going cold). Fauna has done really well with this dish, both pre and post lockdown.

  • 5/5 maralyne n. 3 years ago on Google
    amazing food!

  • 5/5 Liam C. 3 years ago on Google
    Great dining experience all the way around! Service was especially good.

  • 5/5 Madeline E. 3 years ago on Google
    Fantastic atmosphere!!

  • 5/5 Emily R. 3 years ago on Google
    Every time I've been here, I've loved the food! Will definitely be coming back!

  • 5/5 G S. 3 years ago on Google
    My partner and I ordered a Saturday night dinner for two this past weekend in an effort to support local during the pandemic and treat ourselves to a little something special. We were very happy with the food as it was plentiful. I had the Steak and my partner had the Squash Risotto as our mains, both were delicious. We particularly enjoyed the Salmon Gravlax as one of several starters we had. The food was hot, plated nicely, and we were very happy that the restaurant used compostable containers for the food, it was sincerely appreciated. Ken, one of the part owners was especially helpful in answering the couple emails I sent the restaurant when I asked for a few suggestions/help in ordering. I'd repeat and recommend.

  • 5/5 Mirrna Y. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing food! Ordered for New Year’s Eve and everything was phenomenal

  • 3/5 James L. 3 years ago on Google
    Great food and services. Atmosphere can be better and pricy for the type of food

  • 5/5 Marla D. 3 years ago on Google
    Fabulous NYE dinner for two. Great wine selection. Can't wait to visit again!

  • 5/5 Charlie G. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing food. If you are feeling adventurous try the Chefs tasting menu. The one they had when I ate there had like 12 courses.

  • 4/5 Alex N. 3 years ago on Google
    Good food, good service however for the price you can find better in Ottawa. There was no bread offered and was extra when asked. However they did accommodate us for Christmas which was very appreciated

  • 5/5 Ken H. 3 years ago on Google
    The lamb dish was amazing! Hope you still have it on the menu after the lockdown is over because I want to come back and eat it again!

  • 5/5 Nancy 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A lovely, romantic place in the evening we savored one bite at a time !!! What can we say excellent attentive service, the food a delight for the taste buds !!! We will be back for sure, plus it was for our anniversary !!! Have not been wrong, excellent for all the service, the food and especially the drinks! (Original) Un endroit charmant, romantique en soirée nous avons savourer une bouchée à la fois!!! Que dire excellent service attentionné, la nourriture un délice pour les papilles!!! Nous y retournerons pour sûre, de plus c'était pour notre anniversaire de mariage!!! Ont ne c'est pas trompé, excellent pour tout le service, la bouffe et surtout les drinks!!!

  • 5/5 Slowchrome h. 3 years ago on Google
    Very incredible foods and service!

  • 4/5 Renee B. 3 years ago on Google
    Good place. Small menu but it might be because of the pandemic.

  • 5/5 Andrea S. 3 years ago on Google
    Enjoyed a lovely dinner at Fauna this evening with my partner. Our go-to appetizer when we go out is usually oysters, however we decided to switch things up with the bison carpaccio. No mistakes were made! It was perfect and the presentation was beautiful. As a main we shared the mushroom cavatelli. These are my new favourites and my now future cravings which will bring me back for another visit soon!

  • 5/5 Stacey H. 3 years ago on Google
    Loved it

  • 5/5 Jason L. 3 years ago on Google
    Outdoor patio with heater. Loved all the menu items. Seated quick and food was presented promptly. The food is high quality and delicious, well paired. Loved all the flavours and the dessert was amazing.

  • 5/5 Taegeun K. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Taste (Original) 맛잇음

  • 5/5 Alaa A. 3 years ago on Google
    Owner is lovely and staff are great! Went to pick up our takeout order and he chatted with us while we waited. We mentioned that we had a decent commute back home and he offered plate our order and seat us on the patio instead. Their patio is warm and inviting and the food was both beautiful and an absolute delight! The bison carpaccio was phenomenal- craving it again as I write this. Cannot wait to be back for takeout, the patio or hopefully dine-in when they can reopen for that!

  • 5/5 Alex P. 3 years ago on Google
    Creative dishes and excellent atmosphere.

  • 2/5 Nora N. 3 years ago on Google
    My boyfriend and I went for my birthday and it was a really disappointing experience despite all the hype. The atmosphere is great, but the food fell extremely flat. We ordered cocktails which we enjoyed overall. For a starter we got the wings + fried scallop, which was extremely disappointing. As someone who loves spice we were excited to try, however it was so overwhelming spicy to the point it valued spice over any flavour. This overwhelmed the scallops and left an unpleasant burn in our mouths (Note: I say this as someone that absolutely loves spicy foods). We did not even finish the dish as we did not like the underlying flavour post burn. For mains we ordered the quail and the beef burger. Presentation was great, however the quail lacked flavour itself. The side pieces improved the dish but did not make up the blandness in the quail. The burger was average. We enjoyed the black garlic aioli, but overall it was lacking. The atmosphere was great and I feel like it might attract a crowd/following for that but the food was a huge disappointment and I would recommend other places after trying Fauna.

  • 5/5 Krista B. 3 years ago on Google
    Love the simplicity of the menu and how all the food is seasonal. The oysters were especially good!

  • 5/5 Kanghee L. 3 years ago on Google
    Absolutely loved every bit of Fauna. Starting with amazing service, the food was everything I could ask for. You can tell that the food was delicately made with passion from local sources. The server who took care of my table was very helpful on deciding a wine that suited my taste and very attentive. I'd definitely come back again

  • 4/5 Louise H. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Service in English only. Excellent food, beautiful presentation. (Original) Service en anglais seulement. Nourriture excellente belle presentation.

  • 5/5 Lucky K. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely fantastic service! A repeat customer but went for a special occasion and was not disappointed, knowing it was a celebration the service was above and beyond! Everything on the menu is delicious but the tuna crudo is a favourite of mine as is the lobster pasta. Knowledgeable staff and always very attentive. Will definitely keep coming back! Cheers!

  • 5/5 Matthew M. 2 years ago on Google
    Riviera delivers time and again. Regardless of the occasion the team at Riviera deliver an exceptional dining experience. Money well spent!

  • 4/5 Lynn G. 2 years ago on Google
    Enjoyable meal. Beautiful building and nicely decorated. Music a bit loud but I did find myself singing along from time to time. Good food, nicely presented. Wait staff pleasant and fairly attentive.

  • 5/5 Reachill F. 2 years ago on Google
    Delicious food, great location and accommodating staff! Was very satisfied with the services💞 it was Stephanie and Ruth assisted as today and provided very good service💞

  • 5/5 Jordan H. 2 years ago on Google
    loved everything. can't wait to go back.

  • 5/5 Irina Z. 2 years ago on Google
    We celebrated our small wedding in this restaurant. Our experience was excellent from the beginning to the end. The staff was incredibly professional and courteous, they offered us various perks for our occasion. The service was stellar, and the food delicious. I couldn't have wished for anything better! 5+ for the restaurant and its staff!

  • 5/5 Meghana S. 2 years ago on Google
    Stumbled upon this gem as we weren’t able to get a table at any other place. The service was amazing. The drinks were superb! I was pleasantly surprised they had vegetarian options. Overall we really got lucky! Would definitely try it again for special occasions. ♥️

  • 5/5 Miranda H. 3 years ago on Google
    Food was amazing. Ordered tuna crudo and fog island cod. The atmosphere is great for a date night but not stuffy

  • 5/5 Paul Ambrose L. 2 years ago on Google
    This was the only nice dinner I had out in Ottawa and it didn’t disappoint. The host was extremely attentive to my travel itinerary, and the food was great. I was hoping to have the elk bolognese, which was on the online version of their menu, but it wasn’t on the current menu so I had the spinach ravioli instead, which was phenomenal! The Martinez cocktail was a great riff on a Manhattan. The Purple Rain cocktail was a bit bland for my tastes, but pretty.

  • 5/5 Amanda E. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful ambiance and amazing cocktails and food. Had the lobster spaghetti and burrata, both bursting with flavour. Their Purple Rain cocktail was one of the best I’ve ever tried. Saw the GM on the floor the whole time we were there, helping out; very classy. Will definitely be back.

  • 5/5 Twin T. 1 year ago on Google
    The location is a bit hidden. The host's are very friendly and have a great attitude. The place is very busy and hopping with a open concept that is loud but it works for there setup. The food was remarkable overall but the duck was a little tuff. The drinks are plentiful and there are many varieties to suit all needs. If you are looking for something different and tasty, this is a place to go.

  • 4/5 Sara R. S. 1 year ago on Google
    The food was absolutely delectable. That is what saved the evening for us, one of the best beef tartars I've ever had. The building is beautiful, an old bank, but we found the seating was not very comfortable. Small tables, very close together, feels like your eating with strangers. If you don't mind it. Not exactly what we had hoped for. Was difficult finding parking nearby. Good spot to walk to though.

  • 5/5 Anna M. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful atmosphere, AMAZING food & amiable service. There is a photo booth in the back many patrons may be familiar with, we tried to use it, and it happened to be out of order. We had already paid for the photos & a waiter noticed so he gave us a complimentary glass of champagne since they couldn't refund us from the machine. This staff has a passion for what they do. I'll be coming in again for dinner because everything we had was so good. Also, if you enjoy cocktails, they have a large variety and are super tasty.

  • 5/5 Gizem L. 1 year ago on Google
    Very high ceiling with gorgeous ambiance. We had oyster, lobster pasta, grilled octopus. Seafood are all super tasty. Great spot for occasions.

  • 4/5 Maisha I. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely restaurant. The restaurant s interior is stunning, so classy, elegant and modern. Service was very nice as well. We went with a group of 8 and had thr private room which was lovely. The starters and appetizers were all phenomenal especially the seafood tower and Mushrooms on toast. Unfortunately however, the mains were not as impressive. The cod was not seasoned, the lamb dish was ok with parts of it being too salty. For dessert we had the creme brulee, chocolate mousse and pavlova. And I'd rank them in that order too. The creme brulee was good, May be a bit too sweet for some. The chocolate mousse was a bit weird in terms of taste and the peanut butter was not a pleasant addition to the chocolate. The pavlova was an unfortunate case. The meringue smelled of egg and the filling was too sour.

  • 5/5 Brittany G. 1 year ago on Google
    Very fun environment! We had seats at the bar and it was a lot of fun speaking to Mr. Flood. I said we were celebrating a birthday, and every staff member who interacted with us wished my husband a happy birthday. He even got a little candle on his dessert. Our food arrived exceptionally fast and tasted amazing. Portion sizes were large. We tried at least 5 incredible drinks and those alone will bring us back. I highly recommend the Fruit of the Mother - it tastes like the holidays.

  • 4/5 Linna 1 year ago on Google
    This is the restaurant where I spent time for anniversaries and special occasions. The experience of dining under the super high ceiling is extraordinary, make us feel more relaxed and chill. Food quality meet our expectations, and very nice cocktails.

  • 5/5 Andrew G. 11 months ago on Google
    The Riviera is an absolutely delightful restaurant with great seating and ambiance, subtle and timeless decor, and world class food and drinks curated and prepared by excellent chefs, cooks, mixologists and bartenders. I went to the Riviera with my partner last week for dinner and we were both amazed at the wonderful dining experience we had here. We couldn’t pick one so we got two seafood starters; grilled octopus with romesco and shishito, and a shrimp and scallop dish that I can’t for the life of me remember the name of but they were both superb and delicious. I had the braised lamb shank with sorghum, celeriac purée and gremolata, and my partner had the striploin steak frites with bordelaise sauce. We both loved our own entrees and each others! The lamb was so tasty and cooked perfectly, everything on the plate paired so well together. The lamb and steak honestly did not stand a chance, they were gone before the next round of cocktails came. Oh yes the cocktails! In total we had a lucky 7 cocktails, some from the Negroni menu and some from the Classics and Neoclassics menu. It was definitely difficult to pick which ones to try because the Riveria cocktail and wine menus are DEEP and extensive. Standouts included the Corpse Reviver, Rikki Don’t Lose That Number, Electric Avenue, and Mezcalita. Our servers were always very helpful to make suggestions and provide further insight to our dining experience and were very attentive to us and other tables throughout the night. They really made this a 5 star experience. If I were allowed by Google to give 6 stars then I would because the rhubarb pavlova that we shared for dessert can only be described as “other worldly”. It was so extremely delicious and such a magnificent way to conclude our night. It appears that the Riviera has had many different pavlovas on the menu throughout the years, so I will definitely be back to try another :-) The Riviera is worth it!

  • 5/5 Sam S. 11 months ago on Google
    The Batman here is amazing. He is an artist of advanced calibre. Dishes in this place are made with perfection. Beautiful building with some wow type architecture. The Barman here is the most sophisticated barman I have ever met. You can request a martini without giving any info and he will make magic. Sitting on the bar is pure fun

  • 5/5 Janie M. 8 months ago on Google
    Me and my boyfriend went there for our 5th anniversary and everything was perfect, they didn’t forget about our celebration and made sure to make us feel this special moment. The waitress had great drink suggestions and was present for us. The food was more than delicious! Highly recommend ✨✨

  • 4/5 Can Berk A. 9 months ago on Google
    One of the most famous restaurants in Ottawa for sure and it can be said that it deserves its reputation. Even though the prices are quite high and the portion size is small, everything we tried has been amazing! From the homemade garlic bread to beef tartare and to lobster spagetti, all tasted awesome. The service also one of the aspects that Riviera escalates compared to other restaurants. Our waiter was nothing but attentive, helpful and kind. If you would to try delicious gourmet food and don't have any financial troubles with your bank, I can would highly recommend this restaurant. A solid choice!

  • 5/5 Simran K. 8 months ago on Google
    We celebrated our 7th anniversary for dinner and loved every moment. We had oysters and caviar with blini, followed by steak tartar and a malfadine pasta with rabbit Sausage. All were incredible! Dessert was a pavlova type dessert with strawberries, absolutely delicious.

  • 4/5 Neal W. 8 months ago on Google
    The starters really stood out, the white fish pancakes with white caviar creme fresh and dill, and the Octopus with roasted shishito peppers was amazing, also our dessert the Pavola, not to sweet but totally light and refreshing to perfectly end the meal 💯

  • 5/5 Selena T. 4 months ago on Google • 6 reviews
    LOVE LOVE LOVE. One of the best restaurants that I love to come back to. I’m from Montreal so every time I make a trip down to Ottawa this is the place that I visit. The ambiance of the place is amazing, it is a very clean restaurant with amazing staff; whether it’s the bartenders or the hostess or the waitress. The drinks are always amazing and they really have good recommendations when you share your preferences. Waitress and waiters are always amazing, they took a bit long with our mains, which we didn’t even realize or minded that and yet they compensated our dessert. I would definitely recommend the mushroom toast to share. I always do get the steak, but I’ve also had my friend try the duck which is amazing. 10/10 on everything! Would definitely recommend to anyone who is coming to Ottawa!


Call +1 613-233-6262 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Difficult to find a space
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✗ Takeaway

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