The 9 Best Turkish Restaurants in Ottawa You’ll Want to Try for Your Next Feast
Let me tell you about that night I stumbled into a Turkish restaurant. I ordered a plate of kebabs so delicious I thought I might have found the meaning of life – and I’m not even exaggerating.
As I took my first bite, I knew I was hooked. I even considered sneaking in a napkin to save leftovers for breakfast – because who wouldn’t want kebabs first thing in the morning?
That magical night inspired me to dive deeper into Ottawa’s Turkish food scene, and boy, let me tell you — you’re about to discover a whole new world of flavors that will have you questioning how you ever settled for plain old poutine!
1. Little Turkish Village
— Media credit: littleturkishvillage
Website: https://turkishvillage.ca/
Address: 2095 St Joseph Blvd, Orléans
Contact details: +1 613-824-5557
Operating hours:
- Monday – closed
- Tuesday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
- Saturday – 4 PM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 4 PM to 9 PM
Little Turkish Village is a hidden gem in Orléans with an extensive menu that highlights classic meals, including veggie plates. If you want to taste what everyone’s raving about, you’ve got to try them!
However, if you have adventurous taste buds that just won’t settle for the ordinary, let me clue you in on a little secret. The shish kofte is an absolute stunner of a dish!
It features ground beef marinated with a blend of Turkish spices, hand-rolled into tender kebabs, and grilled to perfection over charcoal.
And let’s not forget about the homemade cheesecake! While the flavors change usually on a weekly basis, trust me, they’re all worth the try.
2. Turkish Kebab House
— Media credit: turkishkebabhouse.ca
Website: https://www.turkishkebabhouses.com/
Address: 1910 Bank St
Contact details: +1 819-919-6565
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 12 PM to 9:30 PM
I’m willing to bet that many foodies with a love for the delectable Mediterranean fare will tell you that this spot is their favorite, and I can’t blame them!
After all, with lamb kebabs as delicious as the ones at Turkish Kebab House, you’d want to come back again and again. Each skewer is grilled to juicy perfection, infused with aromatic spices that create an irresistible smoky and savory dish.
3. Pita Bell Kabab
— Media credit: pitabellkabab
Website: https://www.pitabellkabab.com/
Address: 1696 Carling Ave
Contact details: +1 613-686-1740
Operating hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday to Saturday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Wednesday – closed
- Sunday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
Pita Bell Kabab stands out for being one of the popular Turkish restaurants in the city. Whenever I dine here for dinner, believe it or not, the place is always bustling.
I’m pretty sure it’s because of the family platter, a generous dish good for four people. It comes in eight different varieties, with the filet mignon being my top pick.
This luxurious cut of meat practically melts in your mouth, leaving you craving more. Plus, it’s grilled to perfection, allowing each bite to burst with flavor!
Of course, don’t leave without sampling their famous dessert – the kunafa, oozing with gooey cheese and drenched in sweet syrup. I’m willing to bet you a hundred kebabs that it will be your new favorite!
4. Sultan Ahmet
— Media credit: sultanahmetca
Website: https://ottawa.sultanahmet.ca/
Address: 575 Bank St
Contact details: +1 343-688-0088
Operating hours:
- Monday – 10 AM to 10 PM
- Tuesday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM
- Saturday – 9 AM to 10:30 PM
- Sunday – 9 AM to 10 PM
Sultan Ahmet welcomes their patrons with a gorgeous, elevated space perfect for indulging in their elevated fare.
To my surprise, the dish I ended up loving the most was the one I usually steer clear of: eggplant. The delightful revelation came from the Ali Nazik, featuring tender lamb and garlic yogurt sauce. Paired with bread on the side, it’s a satisfying combination.
As someone who detests this particular vegetable like it’s my sworn enemy, believe me when I say that if Sultan Ahmet can convert a die-hard eggplant hater like me, there’s hope for everyone!
The only downside of having such a delectable menu is that you’ll be so tempted to try everything. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to do that in one sitting – trust me, I’ve tried!
The good news is you can go back again and again to sample all the delicious offerings!
5. Tava Turkish Cuisine
— Media credit: tava.kitchen
Website: https://www.tava.kitchen/
Address: 7B Kakulu Rd, Kanata
Contact details: +1 613-435-7888
Operating hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Sunday – 12 PM to 9 PM
- Tuesday – closed
Tava Turkish Cuisine is Kanata’s best-kept secret for delicious eats. People in the neighborhood might not appreciate that I’m spilling the beans on their favorite spot, but hey, if they wanted to keep it a secret, they shouldn’t have made the lahmacun so irresistible!
This appetizing dish features a thin, crispy crust, complete with ground meat and fresh herbs. Think of it as pizza’s distant relative who spent a summer in Turkey and brought back a taste of incredible Turkish spices.
As the perfect cherry on top of your culinary adventure, order the sutlac for dessert. It’s a sweet rice pudding infused with vanilla and cinnamon – yum!
6. Azrah Turkish Cuisine
— Website: https://www.azrarestaurant.ca/
Address: 1920 Bank St
Contact details: +1 613-260-0544
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 12 PM to 11 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 9:30 AM to 11 PM
Azrah Turkish Cuisine is a stylish favorite that stands out on Bank Street despite the many other eateries vying for attention.
What I love most about this culinary hotspot is the extensive menu full of Turkish favorites and undiscovered gems.
My favorite? It’s definitely the yaprak doner plate – an exciting dish filled with soft and juicy slices of marinated meat that’s grilled to perfection.
Make sure to swing by famished because Azrah is quite known for generous portions.
7. Iskender Kebab House Turkish Cuisine
— Media credit: iskenderkebabhouse
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ueimkvK9Rf7GSNB4A
Address: 1750 Innes Rd, Gloucester
Contact details: +1 613-321-1700
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 9 PM
Despite its unassuming decor, Iskender Kebab House is a top choice for many local foodies. After all, would a plain interior stop you from enjoying heavenly bites?
And speaking of heavenly bites, the Iskender is the must-try favorite. With juicy grilled meat layered with butter, yogurt, and tomato sauce, you’ll forget the person you were before you tasted such bliss!
That said, don’t be afraid to try out their other offerings. In my experience, you can never go wrong with anything at Iskender Kebab House.
8. Old Turkish Kabab
— Media credit: oldturkishkabab
Website: https://oldturkishkabab.ca/
Address: 6179 Perth St unit 40
Contact details: +1 613-838-3388
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM
Old Turkish Kabab is all about blending authentic flavors with a touch of Canadian influences, creating a culinary adventure that’s sure to impress.
To be honest, it was hard choosing a number one favorite for this entry, and it’s because there were no misses, only hits!
However, the top three chart-toppers are the spicy adana kebab for its fiery kick, the shish tavuk spicy sandwich with juicy chicken and bold flavors, and the baklava, a sweet treat packed with honey and nuts.
You’re guaranteed to leave with a satisfied palate and a newfound appreciation for these flavor-packed delights!
9. Kumpir House Ottawa
— Media credit: kumpir_house_canada
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/16tN6dUxTE7LEEmu8
Address: 1666 Bank St
Contact details: +1 819-319-9552
Operating hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday – 3 PM to 10 PM
- Wednesday – 6 PM to 10 PM
- Friday – 3 PM to 12 AM
- Saturday – 1 PM to 12 AM
- Sunday – 1 to 10 PM
Kumpir House is an unpretentious spot famous for its baked potatoes. Now, before you scroll and say “That sounds so boring”, hear me out!
This hearty dish comes with a variety of toppings so delicious you’ll be doing a double take. You can customize it to your liking, allowing you to pile on favorites like sour cream, mozzarella cheese, black olive, and much more.
Make sure to try the kumpir original – a filling potato topped with five toppings of your choice, chicken, and dressing.