The food and service were good! Ambiance was nice for a date night too. However, we got seated at a high top with bar chairs which I wasn't a huge fan of. The seating is somewhat limited. Portions were a bit small. read more

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My friend made me discover this spot. We have made a reservation for 530pm. When we got there we decided to eat at the small patio outside. We ordered the mussels as appetizer. While we were waiting for the appetizer we were served bread as well as some black olives. The mussels sauce tasted amazing. My friend says she will be coming back just for that. I chose the chicken for main, they do not offer a piece of chicken they offer two piece or a whole chicken. I could not believe the amount of food for the price. My chicken was really juicy. It was served with salad as well as a side of fries or rice. I picked the option of fries. The salad was ordinary I only had half a cherry tomato, A few pieces of grated carrots as well as a few pieces of onions. The fries were nice and crispy just like I love them. We had a pitcher of water left on the table. That way we could serve ourselves. We both made the mistake of asking for water before we realized it. Free parking with lots of space. They are located in front of movati. I was disappointed that they did not have a cocktail menu. I wish they could make me Discovered some Portugal drinks. read more

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I was a fan of this restaurant and we were regulars for a few years. But now I've simply had enough of the owner. Some of the food is excellent (caldo verde, cod cakes, bacalhau com natas), other dishes aren't as great. The service has always been a little inconsistent, but I can usually forgive that if it's not continuous or outright rude. But we were treated so badly tonight, we just up and left the place before we had even placed a drink order. We took our $250 dinner-for-four to the buffet a few blocks up the road...where several hundred people were happily eating all their stomachs could handle AND WE WERE TREATED LIKE KINGS. If the owner reads this, he could do a couple things...He could ignore it, or try to rationalize or somehow defend the rude service. OR he could eat some humble pie, learn how to do his job a little better, be a professional and treat his paying customers -- who keep his business afloat and put money in his pocket -- with more respect. I'm not going back any time soon. There are plenty of other good places to eat in this city where they don't treat you like merda... read more

Caravela Orleans is really nice. Nice atmosphere, and the owner is very pleasant. Food is soooooo good. For people who lives in Orleans should give it a try. read more

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If you've read my other reviews, you'll know that my first visit to an establishment usually gets 4 stars. 4 stars means "I'm a fan". I'll only award the 5th star on a subsequent visit. Or, if the first visit is stellar. 5 stars means "as good as it gets". Reservations were made, and we showed up on time. We were warmly greeted at the door and then seated at our table. Water was served, as well as some delightful olives. Then the bread came out. The spread complemented the bread very nicely. My wife decided on the shrimp and scallops special (not on the menu) and I decided on the lamb shank. We finished the meal with coffee and dessert. I love it when coffee has crema on top. Both desserts had the perfect balance of flavours, sweetness, and lightness. On our way home, we were already planning our next visit, and what we are going to try next. Our meal, and overall experience at Caravela was without fault. read more

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Wonderful food, lovely staff. It offers a nice array of Portuguese options and the flavours were great. Recommend.

I was very excited to see a new restaurant open up in Orleans. My parents live out there and so does my brother and his family, and when I come to visit, we often get takeout. Caravela has separate dine-in and takeout menus. We got Combo 4, which is kind of like a family platter. Overall it was good, albeit a little too salty for my tastes, and with the exception of the salad, portion sizes were on the small side. So Combo 4 consisted of 1 roasted chicken, a sausage, half a rack of ribs, a few pieces of pork (kind of like pork chops, but boneless and really thin), 2 salads, rice and fries for $49 (you can alternatively get 2 portions of fries and no rice, or 2 portions of rice and no fries). I'll start off by saying that the food smelled amazing! The aroma of the chicken filled the car as my brother and I were driving the food to my parents' place. The chicken was a bit on the small side and was swimming in quite a bit of oil. It was a bit salty, but had a nice smokiness to it. Upon cutting into the breast, I found a cube of smoked bacon embedded in the breast (there was one in each breast). Ah ha! That is how they get the smoky flavour. I thought that this was cool, but those who don't eat pork -- be forewarned about the chicken. The meat was tender and juicy. The chicken was not spicy, but came with some hot sauce. The sausage was well cooked and almost crispy on the outside -- which is just how I like it! However, it was so salty. I literally had to drink 2 cups of water after having about 1/8th of the sausage! The pork pieces were unremarkable to me. The ribs were a bit on the dry side and tasted like they were fried, but had good flavour and weren't too salty. The ribs were my favourite of all the pork options. The rice was nicely done and had some carrots and onions in it. It was a little on the sweet side, probably due to the carrots. Thankfully, it didn't taste too oily/greasy. Fries were satisfactory. They were regular cut fries (not shoestring), and not too crispy. They did not look or taste to me like fresh cut fries. The salad was mostly romaine lettuce with some tomato wedges and some very thinly sliced cucumbers and red peppers. We asked for the dressing on the side but they actually did not give us any dressing :( Salad ingredients were fresh. We called and ordered ahead and then came to the restaurant to pick it up. Staff were nice. The restaurant itself is very clean and looks brand spanking new. Table tops and chairs are dark coloured and it gives a cozy and intimate feel to the place. Looks like it would be a nice date restaurant. Caravela probably won't be one of our regular takeout places, but we might order from there again once in a while. My brother did say that he would like to take his wife there on a date and try their seafood menu sometime. The restaurant is in the same strip mall as Food Basics, Dollar Tree and Thai Express. Lots of free parking. read more

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I've been aware of this restaurant since it opened as it is in my area but just hadn't gone...finally tried it last night with hubby and so glad we did. If you have any qualms about eating inside, you'll be reassured of how the tables have plexiglass on either side and then a curtain. You are protected. We had grilled octopus and grilled calamari...yum! Had the red wine the owner recommended (yum!) and a Portuguese beer which hubby enjoyed. We each had the seafood pasta which was delicious. Complimentary was wonderful bread with a great chile-butter and lovely olives. The husband and wife team waited on us and were quite attentive and friendly. We will be back for sure! My thanks for a wonderful meal. read more

Tried returning as the owner seemed to have turned things around however was left disappointed with quantity and flavour. Service was also problematic and unprofessional. read more

Very good portuguese food, specially the bacalhau. Service was good and cozy atmosphere. Prices pretty fair in my opinion. read more

Restaurante Caravela - Portuguese Near Me - Orleans, Ontario

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Food is ok. Pricey for what you get. The service is atrocious! We will definitely be looking a different Portuguese restaurant to frequent in the future. read more

We had a fantastic meal and top notch service from the Caravela team. They have gone to great lengths to set up the restaurant to ensure a safe atmosphere during COVID-19. It was our first but definitely not last visit. read more

We went to Caravela to celebrate my husband's birthday last night and brought a friend with us. We had only been there once before. The food was so delicious. Everything we had was excellent. We definetely will go back and perhaps sit on their patio when the weather gets warmer. They really are attentive to Covid rules. The owner is very charming with a great sense of humour as well. I strongly recommend this restaurant. read more

Fine European Dining in Orleans!! My wife and I really enjoyed the fine dinner that we had at Caravela Restaurant -- and we will be back there again soon. Although it is located quite far for anyone who does not live in Orleans, the quality of the food is well-worth the drive out to the Rio-Can Centre on Innes Road. Despite the location (near a Food-Basics supermarket), this is a full-serve restaurant with cloth napkins and proper tablecloths. While it is not "cheap-eats" and reservations in advance are a good idea, in terms of price, it was very reasonable and a good place for a dinner-date. The staff were all very attentive and helpful (clearly, a family-run business); and the inside decor is elegant. On Friday evening, the restaurant was full and so a bit loud, but not excessively so. And the food is very tasty --- and it is nice to see Portuguese cuisine presented with high-class. The portions are generous, so unless you are really hungry, you will be very full if you take an appetizer and a main-course. You also get starter-bread, butter and a small plate of tasty olives. Salted-cod fish is central to Portuguese cuisine, and the cod-cakes appetizer is creamy and tasty, although the shrimp cakes were also really flavourful. We had two main courses: the 'Bacalhau à Braz' combines chunks of salted cod, fries, diced onions and scrambled eggs and olives on top. This is surely a recipe insipred by rustic home-cooking, but it has nice balanced flavours. The star, however, was the second dish, the grilled octopus (Polvo Grelhado). This meat is tender, but firm and grilled to be absolutely delicious. This was my first time trying octopus, and I never expected it to be as satisfying. Fresh veggies and roasted potatoes and rice complement the dish and you get a mildly-spicy dipping-sauce on the side. This was fresh sea-food at its finest --- and I am not only looking to try other dishes at Caravela, but also, I know that I will go there to have this grilled octopus again. And then, if you still have space in your stomach, you can finish the meal with a flan-tart (a traditional dessert originally from Lisbon). The ones at Caravela are tasty and not too excessively sweet. The restaurant also has a good wine list, although we opted to try two Portuguese beers, with the Sagres one being the better choice. Overall, a well-deserved 5-stars --- and a very good alternative to expensive downtown restaurants. I highly recommend the drive out to Orleans to enjoy Caravela Restaurant offerings. read more

Service? What service? I brought my boyfriend here for his birthday on Wednesday. We had reservations (even though the restaurant wasn't busy) & got seated as soon as we got in, but without menus. It took about 15mins to get a menu and another 15mins to order our drinks. Our plates arrived about 45mins after ordering and my meal was wrong. (however they were quick to correct it) The food itself was just ok, nothing out of this world. After our meal, our plates got cleared (eventually) and dessert arrived. However after our dessert plates were cleared, we sat at the table, without water or drinks for a good 20mins before we were able to flag down the only working staff at the front of the house to ask for our bill. We weren't impressed with the service at all, and the food was just ok. The Portuguese pie however was delish. Unfortunately, I don't think we'll be back. read more

We dined her for the first time this evening and I can guarantee it is the first of many! If you are looking for FRESH, Authentic, home style cooking look no further. The food is absolutely delicious, we had the octopus, lamb shank, and grilled shrimp. Portions are generous without being over the top. Rico was our server and was a delight, kind, funny and very attentive. read more

Lovely place, friendly, helpful staff, great looking menu options. The (4 person) pot roast was over cooked and utterly tasteless. Desserts were disappointing as well :( But we've been there before and enjoyed it and will likely go back and try something else. read more

Back again & not disappointed. Our anniversary. Had fish: sea bass & sea bream. Excellent. As starter; grilled shrimp & mussels, also excellent. read more

Tried the boufana. I was told great things about it by friends of the Portuguese kind. It tasted pretty good. My only complaint was the tiny portion. You need more meet in between them buns like Kate Upton ! This thing left me hungry and wanting more food. Please for the live of god give BIGGER portions ! This is all. I love you Portugal ! read more

Best Portuguese restaurant in Ottawa the staff are very friendly and the food is amazing must try.

I was so excited to hear that we have a Portuguese Restaurant in Orleans and could not wait to try it. The place is a little small but cozy and the décor was very appealing and warm. Now for the food....very disappointing :(. Menu limited.... The cod dish was very bland, no seasoning and nothing I expected it to be. Given its Portuguese you would think there would be some seasoning or a little kick...nothing. Roast potatoes so so and veggies simple again no seasoning. My friends had the chorizo sausage which was ok and shrimp plate was also a little bland. It is a new place so maybe they just need more time to improve and tweak their recipes. The service was not very professional and he never asked us how our meal was...we were the only table at first so no reason why he could not take a few minutes to ask our opinion; he preferred to chat with the many people/colleagues that were going in and out....so our tip was the feedback. I really hope they improve their recipes as its nice to have specialty restaurants in the area. read more

Great Portuguese Dining in Orleans!! We have been to this restaurant many times and it has never disappointed us. The owner Fernando Diniz always greets you with a warm smile and the waiter Rico is very accommodating . I have tried most dishes and they are all excellent. I recommend the cod fish cakes and the flambé chorico for starters and then we have tried the baked cod, fresh catch of the day, also the lamb shank everything we have orders has been excellent. I really recommend reservations as this restaurant is always very busy. I highly recommend you try this restaurant because then you will want to go visit the wonderful county "Portugal"... Obrigado read more

I was happy to see a Portuguese Restaurant opening up in the area. The interior of the restaurant is tastefully decorated and they have certainly made the most of this cozy space. The owner has paid attention to details to creating a great website and authentic menu. Prices are reasonable. As for the food. What was served was fresh, and although I thought it lacked seasoning, that is a personal preference. Being raised on traditional Portuguese home cooking makes me partial to the familiar tastes of home. Would I go back again? Absolutely! I believe this little gem of a restaurant has a lot of potential. I do wish they would have homemade fries, and a larger dessert selection as we only had 1 to choose from when we where there, as they had run out....but maybe that's not a bad thing! read more

Excellent food and service. I had the mussels, sauce was to die for. Also had the traditional Portuguese chorizo also excellent . Will definitely be back. read more

Delicious food that was cooked to perfection. Dessert was fresh and gave superb bursts of flavor. Hands down, this is the Best restaurant in all of Orleans. Only issue for me were the extremely small portions, for a dish that is $23 I expect a little more than one carrot cut into pieces and a few bits of string beans... other than that, I enjoyed eating here. read more

I liked it. We are discerning guests my husband being from the Azores. Appetizers - the cod cakes were delicious, the octopus inedible. Way too rubbery. The main course though we had the grilled fish and both the bass and the breem were just excellent. Very fresh, nicely cooked. The wine was also lovely. Dinner for 2x appetizers, 4 glasses of wine total, fresh catch of the day = $115. Nice service too. We will be back. read more

We were a table of 4 for June 10th 730 pm.It was full but as we sat down for 10 minutes the place emptied out to just a couple of tables. Once at our table and got our menus, which is full of spelling errors. The staff asked if we wanted drinks. We all ordered and only 2 of us got our drinks, then placed a order for appetizers. Sausage was salty, squid was over cooked and hard. The same girl who took our wine order also cleared the plates form our app's, instead of taking away all our plates with our silverware on them. She grabbed our silverware and put them on the table cloth and removed our plates, WTF!!! Ordered a bottle of White wine for the table, they only brought 2 red wine wine glasses. The girl started to pour the wine as if she was drinking it at home. I asked her to stop and pour a little into my glass so I could taste it. She poured half a glass, wine was not worth the 31.00, should be closer to the 15.00 you can buy it at the lobo. Had to ask her for 2 more glasses for our friends, she emptied the whole bottle in 4 glasses. Staff suck so far, waited a awhile for the main course to arrive. Here is a great chance to serve some Portuguese bread, no such luck. When the food finally arrived our friends got theres first and then the server dished our one of the meals onto a plate as if my friend could not do it him self. All the while he was reaching our his wife's plate of food. After about 2 minutes our food arrived, not sure why they could not time it better?? My friend had the seafood in a copper pot, the lobster and prawns were over cooked, I had the seared cod what a mistake. First of all on the menu it does not mention bone in cod filet, what did I get bone in on a small cod filet for 23.00$. The best part is that it was rotten, I had 2 bone filled bites and it did not taste right?? Used my knife to find some meat with out bone and smelled it. IT WAS BAD A ROTTING FISH SMELL, sent it back and did not eat another thing from the kitchen!!! Why is it so hard to find a good place to dine in Orleans, we will never go back and I will let everyone I know that caravela is NOT a place to go. MINUS 10 stars William read more