10 Best Restaurants in Nepean That Belong on Your Must-Eat List
When out-of-towners visit me in Ottawa for the first time, they only know of the capital’s metropolitan core and mostly want to sightsee around this area. But I always insist on visiting the vibrant suburban communities of the capital.
Nepean is one of my go-to’s because of its diverse culinary scene. From award-winning eateries to cozy mom-and-pop shops, you can have an exceptional dining experience every time you visit.
Whether you’re a local or simply passing through, here’s a short list of the must-try restaurants in Nepean that are worth going out of your way for.
1. Zolas
— Media credit: zolasrestaurant
Website: http://www.zolas.ca/
Location: 2194 Robertson Road
Phone: +16137210227
Opening hours:
Blunch, 8 AM to 3 PM
Dinner, 3 PM to 9 PM
Zolas is a long-running restaurant in Nepean, whipping up Italian dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s the perfect spot for morning people because the kitchen opens up bright and early at 7:30 for most of the week.
Although they are known for their fresh pasta, you can get other breakfast classics here like chicken and waffles, fluffy pancakes, and eggs benny. Their dinner menu has more savory options, which pair well with classic cocktails or some craft beer.
Pro Tip:
Instead of brunch, they call breakfast and lunch—blunch. You can enjoy this menu from 8 AM to 3 PM every day.
2. Chances R Restaurant
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Location: 1365 Woodroffe Avenue
Phone: +16132256887
Opening hours:
Sun, 7 AM to 9 PM
Mon-Sat, 7 AM to 10 PM
Chances R Restaurant is a casual neighborhood spot serving creative comfort foods and cocktails. Perhaps what makes this space special is the warm, friendly service, with the staff going the extra mile to make you feel right at home.
If you’re hungry but can’t quite make up your mind, this is a spot you can count on for a delicious meal. Their menu balances those familiar favorites you crave with a few fresh twists to keep things exciting.
Pro Tip:
Chances R Restaurant has a heated patio. No matter the season, book a table to secure a spot outside before the entire neighborhood.
3. The Brew Table
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Website: http://thebrewtable.com/
Location: 308 Moodie Drive
Phone: +16135964226
Opening hours:
Mon-Tue, 11 AM to 10 PM
Wed-Sat, 11 AM to 11 PM
Sun, 11 AM to 9 PM
Beer on tap at an excellent patio are two of my favorite things about The Brew Table. It’s an excellent spot for boozy brunches and after-work drinks with friends.
Here, they serve classic pub fare, such as nachos, pizzas, burgers, and more. However, they are known for switching up the menu to match seasonal flavors and ingredients, which keeps things exciting for their patrons.
Pro Tip:
They are busiest towards the end of the work week, especially during lunch hours. However, weekends are surprisingly chill, so you can stop by for a more laid-back meal.
4. Les Grillades
— Media credit: les_grillades
Website: http://www.lesgrillades.ca/
Location: 111 Colonnade Road
Phone: +16137233224
Opening hours:
Tue-Fri, 11 AM to 9:30 PM
Sat, 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Sun, 10 AM to 8:30 PM
Les Grillades is a Lebanese restaurant known for its charcoal-grilled meats and ridiculously huge portions of food. So, bring a few friends when you visit.
I recommend starting with an array of appetizers, consisting of warak ennab, hummus, and baba ghanoush before indulging in the hefty meals. And save room for traditional desserts.
The knafeh, a sweet treat similar to baklava but with a different texture, is amazing, especially with Turkish coffee!
Pro Tip:
At Les Grillades, you can order roast lamb and chicken in advance, perfect for special celebrations and large get-togethers.
5. Sundari’s Kitchen
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Website: https://www.sundariskitchen.ca/
Location: 1487 Merivale Road
Phone: +16132262345
Opening hours:
Tue-Sun, 5 PM to 10 PM
Sat-Sun, 10 AM to 2 PM
Sundari’s Kitchen, an authentic South Indian restaurant, is a small, unassuming spot serving hearty, flavorful dishes. They try to make everything from scratch using fresh, carefully sourced ingredients, which is why their meals are nothing short of excellent.
Even something as simple as dosa can be quite the treat when paired with their homemade sauces. Other standouts that are worth trying include the chicken biryani and the idli.
Pro Tip:
Everyone wants a spot at Sundari’s Kitchen, especially on the weekends, so book a table in advance to avoid the long lines.
6. Alirang Korean
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Location: 1485 Merivale Road
Phone: +16136955188
Opening hours:
Tue-Thu, 3:30 PM to 9 PM
Fri, 3:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Sat-Sun, 12 PM to 9:30 PM
The spice is just right at Alirang, a tiny restaurant serving classic South Korean comfort foods. From bubbling pots of kimchi stews to stir-fried vermicelli noodles, everything comes packed with flavor and served in generous portions.
It’s a cozy, unassuming spot, perfect for casual dinners and after-work drinks with friends. Of course, they serve soju, which pairs well with their hearty dishes and Korean barbecue, which is one of the best in the city.
Pro Tip:
Alirang Korean opens for lunch only on the weekends. Their lunch hours aren’t as busy as their dinner hours so stop by if you’re hoping for a relaxing meal.
7. Casa Mexico
— Media credit: casamexico.merivale
Website: http://casa-mexico.ca/
Location: 1491 Merivale Road
Phone: +16136957899
Opening hours:
Mon-Sat, 11 AM to 9 PM
Sun, 1 PM to 7 PM
Casa Mexico is a family-run restaurant bringing traditional Mexican flavors and dishes to Nepean. The Birria tacos, made of shredded beef marinated in adobo and topped with cilantro, are spec-taco-lar, but don’t sleep on other options like the Mole and Carnitas.
Every Friday, you can have the full Mexican experience with a live Mariachi band to serenade you while you eat. Reservations are needed to attend the event, which usually takes place from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Pro Tip:
Drop by on Tuesdays to get your favorite tacos for $5.50—that’s a dollar off per piece. This applies to dine-in and take-out orders.
8. Duna Bistro
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Website: http://dunabistro.com/
Location: 2130 Robertson Road
Phone: +16138088346
Opening hours:
Tue-Fri, 11:30 AM to 2 PM and 4 PM to 8 PM
Sat-Sun, 4 PM to 8 PM
Duna Bistro feels like a hidden gem, tucked away but bursting with flavor. This cozy mom-and-pop spot dishes out Central and Eastern European comfort food six days a week.
Their schnitzel steals the show—a crispy, breaded cutlet so big it practically covers the whole plate. But don’t miss out on other dishes such as the pierogies and cabbage rolls, which are just as delicious.
Pro Tip:
Try their raspberry and black currant sodas to complement the meaty dishes. They make them in-house.
9. Jack’s Hunt Club
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Website: https://jackastors.com/?locationId=949
Location: 310 W Hunt Club Rd
Phone: +16132254686
Opening hours:
Mon-Thu, 11 AM to 12 AM
Fri-Sat, 11 AM to 1 AM
Sun, 11 AM to 11 PM
Jack’s Hunt Club is one of my favorite restaurants in Nepean because of its extensive bistro fare. From steak frites to Buddha salad bowls, they cater to every mood and craving.
What I like most about Jack’s is the vibe, which is laid-back and fun at the same time. You can get a booth if you’re looking for a more relaxed dining experience, but if you want to dine in a lively atmosphere, grab a seat next to the bar.
Pro Tip:
Every Monday and Tuesday, they slash half the price of their 750 ml wine bottles. You can come at any hour of the day.
10. Mandarin Restaurant
— Media credit: themandarinrestaurants
Website: https://www.mandarinrestaurant.com/
Location: 290 West Hunt Club Road
Phone: +16132282200
Opening hours:
Mon-Thu, 11:30 AM to 3 PM and 5 PM to 9 PM
Fri, 11:30 AM to 3 PM and 5 PM to 10 PM
Sat, 11:30 AM to 3 PM and 4:30 PM to 10 PM
Sun, 11:30 AM to 3 PM and 4:30 PM to 9 PM
Mandarin Restaurant has an all-you-can-eat buffet serving 100+ dishes ranging from freshly made sushi to dim sum.
Canadian-Chinese fusion favorites like breaded torpedo shrimp and General Tao chicken are perfect if you’re easing into the menu, but don’t stop there. Their Thai mango salad and stir-fried noodles are just as flavorful and delicious.
Pro Tip:
Mandarin Restaurant is a kid-friendly establishment. Every paid adult can bring up to 2 kids aged 4 and under.