Ottawa's best sit-down restaurants of 2024

Nagi

• Name + address: Nagi Sushi, 2208 St. Joseph Blvd.

After the closure of C’est Japon a Suisha in 2023, sushi master Moriyuki Hiroha embarked on his project of opening Nagi Sushi. His talent for selecting quality fish remains unmatched.

It opened early in 2024 and rightfully established itself as a premier destination for Japanese cuisine. It’s a modest space so reservations are always recommended and they have recently added sake and beer to the menu.

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Nymark

• Name + address: Nymark, 392 Notre Dame, Montebello

Nymark is the newest restaurant at the iconic Chateau Montebello and is named after the original architect Viktor Nymark.

The cooking is rustic with a high level of technique using traditional indigenous and Quebec ingredients often sourced from the sprawling Montebello grounds. Family style sharing is the way to make the most of the unique dishes and ingredients.

The space is a tasteful and relaxing Art Deco throwback with live jazz occasionally on the menu.

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J Fuse

• Name + address: J Fuse, 175 Main St.

With J Fuse, chef/owner James Park opened one of the more exciting, if not pricey, dining destinations of the year.

It’s a stunning date night spot with dishes elegantly presented in a room suffused with trance-inducing techno sounds.

The food is delicious, but when the bill arrive,s you’ll understand this is a spot for special occasions. 

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Les Fougeres

• Name + Address: Les Fougeres, 783 Route 105, Chelsea

Owners Jennifer Warren-Part and Charles Part are consummate restaurateurs that, from very early on, elevated the dining standards in Ottawa-Gatineau.

Decades later, you will continue to enjoy fresh, inspired food and friendly, professional service courtesy of Maitre d’hotel Manna Phillips and an exceptional team. 

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Sona Indian Kitchen

• Name + address: Sona Indian Kitchen, 1183 Hunt Club Rd.

Sona caught me off guard. Finding it was an accident, but my repeated visits were anything but. The family behind the kitchen convinced me with dish after distinctive dish that this was some of the finest Indian cuisine I’ve had.

The even bigger surprise came when chef Virendra insisted that I try their butter chicken. It’s one of those dishes eyed with suspicion by lovers of Indian cuisine but once I did, I had to agree that it was the best version I’ve ever enjoyed. 

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Chez Lionel

• Name + address: Chez Lionel, 101 Kanata Ave.

We closed out 2024 on a high note when I visited Chez Lionel in Kanata, a small but burgeoning chain of French bistros based out of Quebec. 

The $24 lunch of appetizer and main course is likely one of the greatest deals in the city. Not only are the portions generous for the price, but the cooking is much better than you’re likely to expect. 

The food is super fresh and the ingredients of superior quality. Add to that a bistro special of six oysters plus a shot of Talisker Skye scotch for $22, and you’ll have Chez Lionel in your back pocket as a regular go-to restaurant. 

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Antonyme

• Antonyme, 150 Rue Principale, Aylmer

My visit to Antonyme was long overdue and it was my curiosity about its brunch that took me to Aylmer.

I’ve seldom had luck with brunch, and my trip to Antonyme was a gamble but it really paid off. It ranks in the top brunch experiences of the decade and while that was terrific, the creativity of the kitchen had me vowing a trip back for dinner.

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Dhruvees

• Name + address: Dhruvees, 18 Beechwood Ave.

You may wonder at the curious interior design but owner Donald Wingell has assembled a strong kitchen that will deliver some of the boldest South Asian cuisine you’re likely to encounter.

Two of my favourite dishes of the year (of any restaurant), the chili crab and the eggplant matale, are knockouts and the menu is friendly for both vegetarians and those who are gluten-free.

You’ll also enjoy some of the warmest service courtesy of Donald and his team.

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Absinthe

• Name + address: Absinthe, 1208 Wellington St. W.

Chef/owner Patrick Garland has been on the landscape with Absinthe for more than two decades. From my experience, his enthusiasm for great food hasn’t waned. He’s an accomplished master of classic French bistro dishes.

His frites however must be the finest French cut fries I’ve had in Ottawa. It only takes a few bites for me to determine if I’ll leave an order of fries uneaten. At Absinthe, I hoovered the entire plate clean. 

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Honourable mentions

À Outrance One of the nicer discoveries this year, this restaurant offers fine home cooking with inspired takes on soups, sandwiches and salads. Terrific beer and wine on offer as well for on site consumption or to take home.

Sharpfle Waffle Note: They offered one of the most exciting meals of the year but as of this writing, I’ve not had confirmation if they are still offering the dinner menu. Best to check with them.

Metropolitain This brasserie has become a go-to for me. The prices and portions are fair and the food is consistently very good. They also still offer buck-a-shuck oysters on Thursdays. You will also always have some of the best, most professional service to be had in the Capital.

Le St. Laurent Chef/owner Ryan Edwards is a man of few words and prefers to let his food do the talking. I’ve been to this restaurant many times over the years and I’ve always had a good experience. This last visit was a bit of an anomaly however but still showed the skill and creativity of the team with an excellent vegetarian barley dish and a knockout dessert.