9 Best Mediterranean Restaurants in Ottawa That’ll Feed You Like a God
There are times when I want to dine like a Greek demigod, despite not possessing the body of one. Regardless, I already accepted that whatever restaurant I end up finding won’t help my case of dad bod.
I wanted to find pita bread so fluffy and souvlaki so tender that even Hercules wouldn’t dare challenge me to the only Olympic event I can beat him at: an eating contest.
After arduously researching and exploring Ottawa to fill my masterlist, I realized this wasn’t just a normal food hunt for Mediterranean cuisine. It felt like a full-blown odyssey by the time I was done.
All I can say is that it was a delicious and rewarding journey. While it may not lead me to be immortalized in solid marble, culinary experiences like that are worth sharing with mere mortals like you and me.
1. EVOO Greek Kitchen
Media credit: evoogreekkitchen
Address: 438 1/2 Preston St
Contact Number: +1 613-695-3860
Operating Hours:
- Tue – Thu: 11:30am – 10:00pm
- Fri: 11:30am – 11:00pm
- Sat: 12:00pm – 11:00pm
- Sun: 10:00am – 2:30pm, 4:00pm – 10:00pm
- Mon: CLOSED
Must-Order: Garlic Shrimp
Tucked away in a corner on Preston Street is Evoo Greek Kitchen, a dining space that allows you to experience authentic flavors of Greece in a cozy setting.
The place has an elegant vibe that doesn’t overwhelm you with too much decor, making a nice and calming atmosphere.
Its menu blends traditional Greek dishes with modern items, like the Moussaka Greek beef and eggplant, Pork Souvlaki, and the Bone-in-Rib Cowboy Steak.
Most people come here for their beloved brunch items, which widely vary from sides like Halloumi, grilled meat courses, buttery Spanakopita, and the unique Mykonos fried chicken burger.
I really love seafood, so I took the chance to order their Garlic Shrimp. The garlic mixture worked well with the shrimp meat, and the red peppers and green onions were as fresh as can be.
Pro Tip:
Order the Mixed Grill to get lamb chops, chicken, loukariko, and souvlaki good for 4 people.
2. Aroma Meze
Media credit: aroma.meze
Address: 239 Nepean St
Contact Number: +1 613-421-0504
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Thu: 11:30am – 2:00pm, 4:30pm – 9:00pm
- Fri: 11:30am – 2:00pm, 4:30pm – 10:00pm
- Sat: 4:30pm – 10:00pm
- Sun: 4:30pm – 9:00pm
Must-Order: Gorgonzola Gnocchi
Aroma Meze is known for its flavorful dishes from the Mediterranean, which are made to be enjoyed in a hospitable and globally unique space.
This location is a popular romantic dating spot with its dim lighting and intimate seating design. It also works well with groups of more than 8 people with its private function and customized menu.
It cleverly categorizes its menu items depending on where they’re from. “From the Garden”, for instance, has vegetarian options like the perfectly roasted Beetroot Towers and the Arancini risotto.
We love their best-selling Gorgonzola Gnocchi, which has this rich and creamy sauce, and cremini mushrooms that have a meaty taste. This is only one of several Italian dishes we’ve seen on the menu.
While most people have no complaints about the overall dining experience, we still recommend sitting at one of the more secluded tables. It tends to get easily crowded in the main area.
Pro Tip:
Get some extra dips to go with your Meze, such as the classic Tzatziki and the spicy Adjika.
3. Tahini’s
Media credit: tahinisrestaurants
Address: 782 Eagleson Rd
Contact Number: +1 613-714-8857
Operating Hours:
- Sun – Thu: 11:00am – 1:00am
- Fri – Sat: 11:00am – 2:00am
Must-Order: Shawarma Wrap
Tahini’s is a Canadian chain of restaurants that is the perfect destination for Mediterranean fusion food that your taste buds will surely appreciate.
It has more of a lively fast-food restaurant vibe, and while that may not make it stand out much compared to more fancy places, we’ve always seen its space clean and comfortable to dine in.
The menu has an interesting combo of Mediterranean bowls mixed with either Middle Eastern, Caribbean, or East Asian flavors, like the Jamaican Jerk Bowl and the Habibi Bowl.
The shawarma wraps are a classic favorite among customers, and we’ve come to love them too. The saaj bread is toasted nicely, and the chicken is always tender and seasoned correctly.
We can say the “fusion” aspect is the main takeaway here, which it pulled off perfectly. This, combined with reasonably affordable pricing, makes its menu of great value.
Pro Tip:
Throw a party with one of their catering items, such as the Royal Shawarma Tray and the One For All Special.
4. Mati
Media credit: matiottawa
Address: 428 Preston St
Contact Number: +1 613-680-3860
Operating Hours:
- Tue: 5:00pm – 10:00pm
- Wed – Thu: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5:00pm – 10:00pm
- Fri: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5:00pm – 12:00am
- Sat: 5:00pm – 12:00am
- Sun: 10:00am – 3:00pm, 5:00pm – 10:00pm
- Mon: CLOSED
Must-Order: Lobster Linguine
Mati is an impressive show of just how rich in culture Mediterranean cuisine can be, all presented in a modern and striking package.
The atmosphere gives off a classy and exclusive aura with its modern lighting, bar countertops, and fancy food presentation.
This restaurant is home to a selection of premium seafood dishes, such as the Yellowfin Tuna Tartare and the Salmon Crudo. The ingredients are always freshly made and filled with flavor.
People also fall in love with their steaks on the regular. The Tomahawk Steak, for instance, is a 50oz Angus Long Bone that’s perfectly tender, juicy, and great for sharing.
If you’re not looking to spend that much on a main course, then we highly recommend trying their bestselling Lobster Linguine. The lobster has a delicately sweet taste, and the noodles are decorated with fresh Parmesan and butter cream.
Pro Tip:
Start with an order of spicy Arancini balls while waiting for your main course.
5. Phynicia Restaurant
Media credit: phyniciarestaurant
Address: 605 Longfields Dr Unit: 9, Nepean
Contact Number: +1 613-440-3050
Operating Hours:
- Sun – Thu: 9:00am – 7:00pm
- Fri – Sat: 9:00am – 9:00pm
Must-Order: Cheese Pie
Phynicia Restaurant offers a unique Lebanese twist to its culinary works, bridging the gap between Mediterranean and Middle Eastern recipes.
It’s a warm and elegant place to be in, with subtle Lebanese culture embedded in the decor, lighting, and aroma. The interior looks almost cafe-like with how relaxing and laid-back it is.
They keep everything clear and simple in the menu. The brunch section alone has 15 options, ranging from the crispy Fatteh with Ghee to the lean meat-filled Kibbeh Plate.
Their Cheese Pie, known as “Akkawi”, is one of their crowd favorites, and even that’s only one of the 17 different flavors of pie they have. It has an interesting salty and savory flavor profile.
What’s better is that their pies, along with most items on the menu, are quite affordable. Put this together with the great food quality, and you get a combo that’s hard to beat.
Pro Tip:
Try out their special Ashta Ice Cream to finish off your meal.
6. Cozmos Souvlaki
Media credit: cozmossouvlaki
Address: 196 Greenbank Rd, Nepean
Contact Number: +1 613-596-4040
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Sat: 10:30am – 8:00pm
- Sun: CLOSED
Must-Order: Shaved Gyro Pita
Cozmos Souvlaki brings many delicious Greek classics from the home country to Ottawa, from meaty souvlaki to vegetarian pita.
While this is a popular takeout joint for locals, the dine-in experience is still quite comfortable and worthwhile, with its simple Greek touches and minimalist designs.
They have a nice crispy Falafel Appetizer you can start with, and of course, some creamy Tzatziki sauce if you want some extra flavor.
There’s also a big list of Pitas to choose from, which consists of choices of chicken, beef, pork, and lamb meat prepared on a grill.
I was feeling some gyro meat, so I had the Shaved Gyro Pita. They sliced the meat quite thinly, and it’s tender and juicy when bitten into.
I also tried their baklava since it was cheap and looked appetizing. It turned out to be a great and sweet way to end my meal.
Pro Tip:
Share a pork, beef, or chicken souvlaki platter if you’re dining in with a group.
7. Chickpeas
Media credit: chickpeasottawa
Address: 500 Terminal Ave. A-05
Contact Number: +1 613-789-8999
Operating Hours:
- Tue – Sat: 11:00am – 9:00pm
- Sun – Mon: 11:00am – 6:00pm
Must-Order: Go Roasted Jalapeno Bowl
Hungry folks looking for Mediterranean restaurants with tons of vegetarian options will be in for a surprise at Chickpeas.
They’re primarily known for their great falafel and hummus options. You can order anywhere from a single falafel to 24 of them, and there are 9 different flavors of hummus to choose from.
Since I was too hungry to eat just falafel alone, I ended up ordering their Go Roasted Jalapeno Bowl. It’s literally the best of both worlds since you get falafel, roasted jalapeno hummus, and several other fresh veggies.
I instantly grew fond of the crispy texture and the savory flavor of the falafel, while the jalapeno hummus added the right amount of kick to the dish.
It’s also worth mentioning that all of their bowl flavors come in wrap versions, and you can choose between white or brown pita bread.
Pro Tip:
Order the Go All Out Combo to pair your wrap with a side and drink for $19.99.
8. Les Grillades
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Address: 111 Colonnade Rd, Nepean
Contact Number: +1 613-723-3224
Operating Hours:
- Tue – Fri: 11:00am – 9:30pm
- Sat: 10:30am – 9:30pm
- Sun: 10:00am – 8:30pm
- Mon: CLOSED
Must-Order: Grilled Shish Taouk
Les Grillades is a popular local destination for Lebanese comfort food cooked in the traditional and authentic way.
The appetizer menu already gives you quite a lot of unique options, like the Loubya Bel Zeite green beans, the grilled Baba Ghannouj eggplant, and the Kebbe meat dumplings.
Many people praise the assortment of delicious breakfast items. Some favorites include the Fatteh and the Labneh yogurt with extra virgin olive oil.
It gets even more exciting with their BBQ Single Plates, which range from Grilled Boneless Chicken to Fried Sea Bass. I personally went for the Grilled Shish Taouk, which is a type of marinated chicken kebab.
After taking the first bite of it, I was instantly hit with a blend of Middle Eastern spices and a hint of zesty flavor. The chicken was also grilled perfectly, which added to the overall texture.
Pro Tip:
Ask about the daily soup to try out a warm and tasty surprise with your meal.
9. Tava Turkish Cuisine
Media credit: tava.kitchen
Address: 7B Kakulu Rd, Kanata
Contact Number: +1 613-435-7888
Operating Hours:
- Wed – Sun: 12:00pm – 9:00pm
- Mon – Tue: CLOSED
Must-Order: Balkan Kofte
Tava Turkish Cuisine in Kanata offers a solid lineup of Mediterranean culinary works approved by its loving customers.
They like to keep their menu layout straightforward so you know exactly what you’re getting. For instance, the Specials section features many Turkish dishes that are labeled with the type of meat and their ingredients.
The Charcoal options caught our eye when we first came here, and it’s mostly made up of appetizing kebabs, like the spicy Adana, and the Antep (named after the Turkish city of Gaziantep).
However, I picked the Balkan Kofte meatball since I was curious how it compared to a normal kebab. It was a mix of minced lamb and beef that had the perfect essence of charcoal over its savory flavor.
I also quite like their Hamsikoy Sutlac for dessert. It’s a type of rice pudding that I have no idea how to pronounce, but it had an interesting caramel-like taste to it.
Pro Tip:
Get the Mezze Trio to have a taste of their three different mezze dishes as sides.