Drumroll please... Riviera -- Wow. This is what I'm talking about. Sexy. Sophisticated. Huge ceilings. Gorgeous bar. And a Negroni list with ten different versions. Don't miss Riviera when you're in Ottawa. We arrived an hour early before our third dinner guest joined us, so we started with a drink and a small appetizer. After several of my jokes fell flat, I told the waitress to just pick a Negroni for me based on what she'd heard from me so far. She nailed it. It was a slightly sweeter Negroni than the traditional one, with a hint of rosemary. We shared a dynamite tartare to start. Our buddy arrives and, without even looking at the menu, says: "You have to try a Negroni here -- they clearly know what they're doing." So I went for a second one -- this time a classic. Perfect. Next up: the seafood tower. Honestly, it felt like it had just come out of the sea. Razor clams, tuna belly tartare/ceviche on a mini salad leaf that was outstanding, plus lobster and crab claws that were spot on. A fabulous start. There were three of us, so we shared a steak with fries and a beautiful au jus, perfect gnocchi, and a salad with chicory, little nuts of some kind, and tons of shaved cheese -- Parmesan-ish. I can't remember exactly what it was because I'm writing this the morning after... and there may have been a few more wines involved. We finished by sharing a pavlova with passion fruit -- three spoons. I almost hate to admit this... but it was better than anything I've had in Toronto in years. Everything felt fresh, almost farm-to-table. Light, lively, and just a great vibe. In my opinion, Riviera is the perfect restaurant. Oh, and I added our waitress to my newsletter list because she wanted to try an excellent Polish water called Perlage that I think the restaurant should carry. Riviera -- if I could give you a 10 out of 10, I would. Actually... you know what? You're a 10. read more

Riviera - Amazing bar with cozy sexy vibe throughout. - Canadian (New) Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

I'll be brief, as much has already been said about this gem: Ambiance is gorgeous. Such a refined but relaxed setting. Service, door-to-door, was impeccable. Kind and attentive. Most definitely part of the wonderful experience. Food was top notch. We had the sea bass, lobster spaghetti, Riv Burger, and Chicken Milanese. Everyone was happy. Dessert was astounding, I have to say. We had the pavlova with a peach filling and a vanilla cream. So delicate in substance and flavor. Heaven! read more

Riviera - Beautiful location; wonderfully lit; with bar and kitchen right there for your viewing pleasure. - Canadian (New) Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Had a lovely dinner tonight. We didn't make a reservation and were fit into one of the smaller high top tables. Complimentary brioche bread and butter was great. Tuna crudo $30 was our least favourite dish tonight, and was borderline fishy. But the mushroom truffle egg toast $29 was rich and decadent. 10oz steak frites $75 was delicious and well marbled. The fries had fried up herbs which made it more special. Finally, the sea bass $48 on tomato and mussels sauce was a nice sauce, but I wish it came with some sort of withered green as well and the sea bass itself is very mild in taste. We really enjoyed our meal but would only get the steak frites and mushroom toast again. The restaurant ceilings are very high and adds to the ambiance. Service was very friendly, perhaps a bit slow at times but they were also full. Overall great meal and would come back! read more

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Overall: C // 3 stars This is a restaurant on Canada's top 100 list that unfortunately I was unimpressed by. I found the food to be overall high variance. The ambience is in a grand dining hall with a large open kitchen and bar, which is great to see; however, it is a puzzling choice to only have two single-person bathrooms for the entire hall, causing a massive throughput issue in that area. I do greatly appreciate the service though, as the staff are keen on making the guest experience more enjoyable and taking all allergies very seriously. (Beef Tartare: A) - Easily identifiable as their signature dish as the presentation is just so mesmerizing, I liked how well thought out the flavors were too. The chips were light and fluffy, and added a beautiful crunch and unique look to the tartare. The beef is fresh and I enjoyed the truffle forward flavors coming through. (Lobster Spaghetti: F) - At first glance, this dish looks pretty good, but there are just additive factors that detract for me. The most glaring one was that the pasta was too al dente, which I'm not sure if was intentional or a personal choice. There was also a small piece of lobster shell mixed within, which unfortunately overshadows the beauty of the lobster. Next, the presentation does looks a bit sloppy as the rim is unwiped and the broth has a bit of spillage. Given the $52 price point of this dish, these flaws do add up. (Pear Pressure: B) - This is a fruit-forward cocktail easy on the palette. I just wish the presentation was as enchanting as the names of their drinks. Food: E Presentation: E Price: E Atmosphere: E Service: +1 Menu: E Overall: 3 stars Insta/Beli/Yelp/TikTok: @amei_eats read more

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Booked here for dinner after reading they were number 48 restaurant in Canada. (Congratulations). Our night started rough with the waiter being quite snobby. The other wait staff were amazing and our water glasses were never empty. Seafood tower was awesome Lobster pasta a let down the pasta was sticky Duck soso it was a bit tough Cool vibe. Just disappointed based on the hype. read more

I always enjoy visiting Riviera whenever I am in Ottawa. 5 Star service every visit. On this visit, I tried the seafood platter. It was great. Lobster, crab, shrimp, oysters and much more.. it was great. The drinks were fantastic. I ordered a mezcal old fashion. Nice flavor, very smooth. The customer service was fantastic. I look forward to my next visit. Bon Apetit. read more

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This was the best restaurant I visited during my short trip to Ottawa, and has made it onto my personal favourite restaurants in Canada list. It's an upscale place, serving Canadian cuisine located in the core of the city near Parliament Hill on Sparks Street. Reservations can easily be made throguh Open Table. I would recommend reserving at least a week or two in advance, since it appears to be a pretty popular place (I reserved 3 weeks in advance). The service here was impeccable, and the vibe is great, making it an excellent spot for dates, special occasions, or if you're in the mood to splurge a bit on delicious food and drinks. The interior has an art deco look since the building was formerly a bank that turned into a restaurant. This place also has one of the largest cocktail and wine menu I've seen, along with a huge liqueur collection. What we ordered: Cocktails: The Gimlet & Into the Wild Appetizers: Tuna Crudo & Citrus Salad Mains: Smoked Duck Breast & Dry Aged Steak Dessert: Pavlova with strawberries & Spiced Pumkin Creme Brulee Everything we ordered was delicious but I highly recommend the duck, and the Pavlova, which looked like a piece of art itself. read more

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Very generic food and beverage. The price is actually cheap for ottawan restaurants. Tried three items on the menu and kept being disappointed: the dessert aesthetic is laughable and the cocktails are 80% pre mixed. Service was bare minimum. Any montreal restaurants with a four star rating would top this Michelin one star. Order the bare minimum and enjoy the architecture, except the bathroom since it is super laughable too. Some guests are a bit pretentious which is expected, but I feel like this synced with the audience which this restaurant is catering to. read more

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I am writing this the day after this extraordinary meal and I am still lost in the memory. I am unmoored by the thoughts and find it challenging to articulate the splendor. I came here because several articles stated it was a must. I had come to Ottawa on short notice and had no expectation for this trip. It was a very hot day that I decided to walk from my hotel to Riviera and so enchanted was I that I walked past the entrance initially. I glanced at the menu and asked to be sat at the bar. The hostess glanced at her list to see where and if I could be accommodated. This made me pause because it was a little after opening and the restaurant was largely empty so it immediately implied to me that one, you could reserve the bar and two, they were expecting a crowd. I was intrigued. I was sat at the far end of the bar giving me a commanding view of the venue tho my back was to the door. As soon as I was seated an older gentleman who looked as tho he leapt from the pages of a magazine selling fine whiskies came over and asked what I would like to drink. I would later learn this was Mr. Flood! Mr. Flood is responsible for the delightful drink menu and can I tell you he makes an amazing cocktail! Upon asking me what I enjoyed drinking Mr. Flood recommended The Heat is On and later Yellow. Now, all the cocktails I drank here were fabulous in that they were not one note music pieces. They each provided a symphony of flavors cascading down the mouth captivating the taste buds. Cocktails like these is why I love drinking and will never be thin again. Then there was the food. I ordered the cheeseburger because I was on a per diem and didn't think my budget could hold up. I have no regrets. That burger was an amazing smash burger with gooey cheese, flavorful meat, and delightful accompaniments. They also served an entire bag of potatoes worth of fries. I am sad to admit I barely ate them because I wanted room for dessert. Again, no regret because that pavlova hands down was the most delicious pavlova I ever had. It was light, creamy, flavorful. It was sweet and meringue goodness. It was the best. Mr. Flood left, but I had a dessert drink that another bartender crafted. It was a work of art! It had this rich, coffee taste and I don't like coffee but I really liked that! It was glorious. I often try new places when I visit a city again but I don't think I will be able to bypass Riviera. It is a must! read more

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Riviera is hands down one of the best dining experiences in Ottawa. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was elegant yet welcoming, with beautiful architecture and a lively energy. The service was outstanding--professional, friendly, and perfectly timed. The food was exceptional from start to finish. Every dish was fresh, creative, and full of flavor, and the cocktails were some of the best we've had anywhere. It's clear the team here takes pride in every detail, from presentation to taste. read more

Was visiting Ottawa and decided to try out this absolute gem of a restaurant. The attention to quality here is top notch - from the service, drinks, and food. I can tell that they have perfected their craft in every manner. The servers were super attentive, I even dropped my fork on accident and our server came rushing over not only to pick it up but to replace it for us. To start, you get a side of warm, pillowy brioche buns which are complimentary, along with a deliciously generous side of whipped butter. For the drink, I ordered "The Secret Garden", one of their stunning placebo cocktails which has a great balance of freshness and citrus, and not to mention looks super classy and polished. For the appetizer, we went with the Burrata with Umbrian Truffle, Olive Oil and Focaccia. I loved the freshness of the burrata and the earthiness of the truffle. The focaccia was soft, warm, and salty. However, for its price, I would probably opt to get two other appetizers for almost the same cost. For the mains, we had the Gently Smoked Duck Breast with chanterelles, watercress, and parsnip, as well as the Ricotta Gnudi with grass-fed butter and black trumpets. Both dishes were heavenly. The Duck Breast had beautiful, crispy skin, with the smokiness not being too overwhelming and pairing well with its gaminess. The Ricotta Gnudi was exceptional as well. If you are a cheese lover, you will DIE for this dish. I highly recommend both of these if you are stopping by. For dessert, we opted for the Warm Sweet Potato with Miso Caramel and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. It sounds slightly strange, but the sweetness of the potato along with the saltiness and sweetness of the Miso Caramel is life-changing! If you are a big fan of salted caramel (which I am), then you will definitely enjoy this dessert. It is a bit on the heavier side in terms of dessert, however the ice cream helps a bit with that. There is even a mini photo-booth by the washrooms to commemorate the occasion, which we ended up doing! They have beautiful and clean washrooms, and they even have Aesop soap. I absolutely love going to a new restaurant and being blown away by their washrooms! Coming to Riviera was a great experience. If any foodies are visiting Ottawa and are looking for a nice place to eat, this is it. This restaurant lives up to its reputation. read more

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We love Riviera. Great service, great food, great atmosphere and beautiful restaurant. Our go-to is their seafood tower for 2 with extra oysters and a couple of small dishes to share. We always have to finish our meal with 1 or 2 desserts to share and a decaf cappuccino. read more

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Everything was fabulous! We sat at the bar and had a delicious dinner with the bonus of watching our bartender make beautiful cocktails. We shared a wedge salad, the corn agnolotti, steak frites and coconut tres leches cake. The service was excellent and everyone was very gracious and friendly. read more

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I came to Riviera for dinner a while ago. The high ceiling was nice and the atmosphere felt like it'd be a very nice place for a business meal. One of the staff also went out of his way and brought me a cup for the unfinished coffee that I brought in. In terms of food, I had the Striploin Steak Frites with Bordelaise sauce. The steak was a very nice cut of striploin with a good thickness. It was cooked to a nice medium rare and the crust was flavourful with a tint of char. The sauce complimented the food. The fries were skinny, crunchy, and fresh with a nice salty and sage/rosemary flavour. The fries were a bit surprising together as they were skinny enough that the middle wasn't too overwhelming after but not too oily either (Double fried, long stringy that tasted quite nice with the sauce). Overall, I'd give it 8.8/10 read more

High end menu. It was fantastic! The seafood tower was incredible! The old bank vibe added to the whole feel of the place. read more

The food was exquisite. Just lovely. The drinks menu & wine selection was incomparable. The service was flawless. Combine that with the lively patio and the reasonable prices and really, this is an unbeatable spot. We'll be back to Ottawa next summer and I can't imagine we won't be back. Thank you all so much. read more

The venue was good - location and decor - and the service decent. The food was acceptable for what you pay, but you can find better. read more

beef tartare was amazing! So flavourful and the potato crisps were perfectly crunchy. The cocktails are STRONG and mixed creatively. highly recommend for craft cocktails with friends or a special occasion for dinner read more

This upscale restaurant is situated not far from the parliament on Sparks street. This restaurant used to be a bank and before that a post office. Their specialty is refined gastronomy of Canadian cuisine. Each meal, can be accompanied with wine or liquor and there are plenty of choices. On this evening we wanted to celebrate our wedding anniversary ( Riviera gave us a glasses of "prosecco" white wine) and it just so happens that it was also the busker's festival...so tons of tourists. Need to reserve at least 2 weeks in advance especially for the table sitting reservations. There are bar counter reservations and you can easily see the bar and kitchen action from there. $$$-$$$$. Public Parking is available but a few blocks away. read more

Riviera - Main hall - Canadian (New) Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

BY FAR the BEST restaurant I have been to EVER! This is one of my FAVORITE restaurants of ALL time! I highly recommend it. We dined in on a Friday evening with no reservations. We were sat at the bar for dinner. Everything about the restaurant is perfection. From the moment you walk in, the food, the cocktails, the service, the cooks and the vibe. Everything is amazing. We enjoyed our time at the bar and enjoyed speaking to the cooks while we saw them cook several dishes and even cook our own dishes. Everyone was very friendly and passionate about their jobs. Our waiter was fantastic, by far one of the best waiters we've ever had. Unfortunately I don't remember his name or else I'd give him a shout out on the review! He deserves it! He provided great recommendations on the menu and the drinks, and he was not wrong! Their grilled octopus, lobster spaghetti and cod were to die for! Everything they brought we devoured and was exquisitely cooked to perfection. Overall, the food is great, deserts, main dishes, appetizers, drinks, service and ambiance is fantastic! I cant wait to come back to Ottawa to experience this restaurant again. We had such a great time conversing with the cooks at the bar and with our waiter. I highly recommend for a great time! You will not regret it. read more

Riviera - Canadian (New) Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

We made a reservation at Riviera to celebrate our milestone anniversary. We were greeted enthusiastically and the staff really went out of their way to let us know that they were aware of our special occasion. They started off our evening on a great note by pouring us glasses of complimentary celebratory sparkling wine. What we ate/drank: -Tuna crudo -- such a fresh way to start our meal, with an unexpected crunch from puffed quinoa -Fresh and pillowy brioche rolls with whipped butter -House made spaghetti with a light creamy sauce and perfectly cooked lobster - Lightly charred, perfectly medium rare striploin with delicious rosemary sage tossed shoestring fries -yuzu forward, double vermouth concoction (Come and Get Your Love) was really smooth The restaurant is housed in an historic former bank building with gorgeous high ceilings, open kitchen and a large bar. It was entertaining to watch the bartenders shaking multiple drinks at one time. The retro playlist included hits from Prince and Michael Jackson. Service was stellar, most notably our server Vero who was amazing. Highly recommend Riviera for a special occasion or business meeting. read more

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What a frufru night out! I asked my hubby when exactly he knew that I'm a bit frufru in my foodie tastes and he was like "pretty early on, love" We started off the evening with White Fish Caviar with sour cream, dill and crumpets. This was SO fresh and the perfect appie! For our mains: I had the Rigatoni with Yak Ragu! We were so excited to check off yak from our "foodie things to try" list. It tasted just ever so slightly gamey, but really reminded me of beef overall. My hubby had the Striploin Steak Frites with Bordelaise Sauce. Obviously I asked for a few bites and it was delish! For dessert: We shared the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie! It was an amazing finale to our evening! I love all things peanut butter so it really hit the spot! The service we received was great and the ambiance was perfect dinner date material. For those unfamiliar, Riviera is located in what used to be a bank on Sparks St. so it has a grandeur high ceiling and overall very cool vibes. You must check it out! read more

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We went on a Monday night in late December and it was relatively busy which may have been due to the holidays. We had reservations so it was no problem. Not sure how busy this place is usually but judging from the quality of the food, I'd say there are definitely regulars. I took my boyfriend here to celebrate his birthday and we both loved it. Every dish was on point from the apps to mains to dessert. To start, we got the scallops and beef tartare. The scallops were perfect. The beef tartare was very delicious as well but not the classic kind with the egg. They had a bunch of these homemade potato crisps to put the tartare on which was very nice since you usually only get one or two pieces at other restaurants. For the main, I got Deer Taliatelle and he got Crab Risotto. The taliatelle was flavourful and cooked al denté. The crab risotto was to die for! So good. For dessert, we had the bread pudding which wasn't a classic bread pudding (it was shaped like a ball). It was good but not the star of the show. We also had the chocolate mousse - it was super creamy and rich. Everything from the food to the service was excellent. Riviera is definitely one of those special occasion kind of places and I can't wait for the next one so I can come back! read more

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We chose Riviera based on good reviews and were not disappointed. Our waiter Tim helped us navigate the extensive selection of craft cocktails and suggested options we thoroughly enjoyed and had never tasted any where else. Although the menu is quite small we found great options and enjoyed every morsel. Great quality and great tastes! Every waitperson we encountered were extremely friendly and engaging. Decor and ambiance was casual and hip sheik. We enjoyed our experience there and highly recommend! Again, shout out to Tim for making my birthday dinner in Ottawa a big success!! read more

We had very high expectations going into Riviera as they were ranked #26 on the list of Canada's 100 Best Restaurants for 2020 (I follow this list religiously). First, the space in itself was beautiful. It is housed in a heritage bank building. The dim candle lit atmosphere would make it a great choice for a fancy date night. So about the food, we ordered two appetizers: mushrooms on toast and tuna crudo. They were both amazing, with our personal favorite (of the whole meal) being the mushrooms on toast. It was onctuous and full of umami. As for the tuna crudo, the chili oil really brought out its freshness. The lacquered hen was well executed. The skin was very crispy and the flavors were balanced, although more on the muted side. We did not like the steak frites as much. The steak itself was not as tender as we would have liked. The sauce and the fries were also a bit too salty for our taste. Personally, I would prefer if they served the potatoes another way. The cocktails were well thought out, but we found them to be slightly expensive (18$ for the purple rain) even for a fine dining restaurant. The dinner added up to be around 250$ with tax and tips. Follow me for more food content on Insta: @lyliaxfood read more

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Riviera is one of the better restaurants in Ottawa that I've been to in a while! The restaurant is very dimly lit, and has an old school European vibe to it with hipster touches. We came in without reservations on a Monday night around 7:30pm, and it was still busy, so definitely make reservations ahead of time if you're not coming in earlier in the week. We were sat right away, and tried: -Complimentary Bread & Butter: So good! The bread was really fresh with a soft interior, and went really well with the butter. -Tuna Crudo (w/Puffed Quinoa, Chili, Tomato, Argan Oil, $22, https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=LfCuD34TF5FmQIwitXM7OQ&userid=76vIFZcC7owykCBjMfGVXg): Super fresh, and I loved how all the flavors worked together. Highly recommended! -Striploin Steak Fries (w/Bordelaise Sauce, $49, https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=suF-3WbuvOH1311klwoovw&userid=76vIFZcC7owykCBjMfGVXg): Just ok- the steak was on the lean side, but it was tender and went well with the sauce. The fries were very good, and super crispy. -Pan Seared Duck ($47, https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=RpojTuECM924xzg2A_mY0A&userid=76vIFZcC7owykCBjMfGVXg): Super tender, and better than the steak, in my opinion. It was a great dish overall. Service started off strong, but our waiter got preoccupied towards the end of the night and we had to flag him down a couple of times. Aside from the service, it was a great experience overall at Riviera. Their drinks are reasonably priced, and they have a wide selection of different spirits. Parking will be the most difficult part about dining here; there isn't much street parking available, and we ended up parking a few blocks away. read more

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Food, service, ambience: all excellent. Maybe originally a bank? High ceilings, sound level warm, festive and OMG, you can have a conversation! Delightful. Great seating options that deliver a sense of warmth and privacy. Wedge Salad a remarkable experience of blended tastes & textures, dulce de leche Creme brule a perfect finish. Plus a host of Negroni options... read more

Classy. Romantic. Delicious! The next time you're looking for a spot to have a romantic dinner, enjoy R&B music, high ceilings, comfortable seating, and delicious food... Riviera is a must-visit! As soon as I stepped in, I fell in love with the ambience. Service was prompt, courteous, and we were well looked after during our dining visit. I would definitely recommend this place & will absolutely come back again very soon for another date night! read more

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An elegant restaurant with high end touches rarely seen in Ottawa. Beautiful space ideal for taking out customers or that special someone you want to impress or reward. Good for groups as well. It was my 3rd or 4th visit to Riv - this time for my folks anniversary. We had a lovely dinner. Seafood tower was superb. Everything fresh and delicious. Wifey had mushroom toast which she found to be a bit soggy but with good flavour. Her burger was excellent. I had the seafood chowder which was delectable and the whitefish which was perfectly cooked. Great cocktails (the Negroni with the grapefruit is AMAZING) and we skipped dessert. Expensive dinner but worth it! 100% will go back. read more

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Beautiful inside devour. (Old art deco design). Service excellent. Food delish and varied choice.

Sometimes you need a special occasion to try a new restaurant (at least for me) that is set in an unusual environment. In this case, the former business was a bank. You still can see some elements in the back of the restaurant. But what about the food you ask? After a sample of oysters, my choice was on the saddle of rabbit served with peas. I had forgotten the taste of that dish and missed what a regular rabbit can offer in terms of originality. Next time I will pass. My friend seemed to be happier with a dish of lobster pasta. I must admit the lobster looked so appetizing that I was ready for an exchange. Riviera is known for the crowd of aficionados as one of the best places for pavlovas. Even if I am not a fan of this kind of dessert, I had to try. And I must confess that I was pleasantly surprised. The staff is responsive to one's need either about food or drink. Riviera is definitely the place if you want to celebrate for a special occasion. But don't forget to bring enough money as the main dishes, in particular, are pricey. read more

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Went here yesterday with my best friend for a late lunch/ early dinner. The servers were friendly and food was delicious! We ordered a bottle of rosé. I forgot the name but it had love in the name. It was a little too tart for my taste but it's okay because the rest of the drinks and food made up for it. I was a tad disappointed because the menu was different from what the website had online. We ordered burrata w/ tomatoes and Basil which was delicious as well as the lobster spaghetti which was cooked a perfect al denté. For drinks we got the gimlet, bittered French and a purple rain all of which were delicious and for dessert we got the creme brulee and the Berry pavlova and omg the pavlova was to die for. I will definitely be back next time I visit Ottawa! read more

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Not good, at all. Our starters of caviar and oysters were both decent, yet unremarkable. Our main courses were truly awful. The lobster was putrid and the scallops were revolting. Apart from being extremely disappointed, we both were very unwell afterwards. The incredibly loud pop music meant that we couldn't hear our thoughts nevermind our server. All in all, a horrendously expensive, unpleasant experience. read more

Amazing service, food and atmosphere also are unparalleled. Unequivocally one of the best restaurants in the city.

Food is great; love the truffle mushrooms bread appetizer. Lamb pasta is also good; the duck breast is just so so (too tough) though it was served with awesome peas purée and veggies. If I were to visit again, cocktails and an appetizer are definitely way to go as the portion is generous. read more

My husband took me here on our 5 year anniversary this summer just before we got married. This restaurant is pretty unique just by the building it's in. This building used to be a bank building so how they were able to transform this old bank into a restaurant is pretty neat. The restaurant is quite large for an upscale restaurant. Of course it is highly recommended to make reservations as this restaurant is pretty popular. The food portions are a little smaller, costs a little more, but is so worth it in the end. Everything tasted delicious and was cooked wonderfully. The beef tartare is a definite must try!! The staff were so friendly and the service was perfect. This is the perfect restaurant for a special date or celebration. I would definitely love to visit again to try out other things off their menu. read more

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This restaurant doesn't catch your eye from the outside located near Parliament Hill. When you walk in, you notice the simple and long bar to sit at, decor is minimal and could use a few changes. This is definitely a place to go for impressive cocktails after work or have a nice sit down meal. We sat at the bar and had Niall, the bartender, provide us impeccable and attentive service. His cocktails are worth the visit. The meal was outstanding, we started off with Tuna crudo, that was fresh and flavorful. The Caesar salad was unique in that it was served with bay shrimp and shaved egg. It was not only delicious but the presentation caught your eye. For the main course, we had tagliatelle with braised hen, a solid dish. The other meal was pan-seared duck breast that perfectly cooked with a glaze that balanced the duck really well. Overall, excellent experience. read more

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High ceilings and marble furnishing, deriving from a past life as a financial institution in a different era, give Riviera an air of grandeur and classical posh-ness while its more retro, fun additions rejuvenates the space. This exceptionally-executed juxtaposition of classical and contemporary plays out, not only in the ambiance, but also in the dishes that are served there. The food Riviera serves up feel like elevated versions of beloved brasserie classics, such as mushrooms on toast, seafood chowder, and steak frites. Their menu is a little on the pricey side (around $20 for the mushrooms on toast or the seafood chowder and $50 for the steak frites) but well worth the price, in my opinion. I ordered the "Mushrooms on Toast w Shaved Black Truffle & An Egg" for dinner and it was divine; I nearly licked the plate clean. I had a bite of my colleague's "Striploin Steak Frites w Bordelaise Sauce" and it was executed very well, although the portion size would have been a bit much for me. Not that I'm complaining - that is definitely $50 worth of steak. Service was friendly and professional too, coming by occasionally to check up on us and make sure we had everything we needed. The ambiance, like I'd mentioned previously, is a mix of classical and contemporary, making it an ideal place for either a casual or fancy occasion. Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend Riviera and am excited to go again and bring others with me. read more

Riviera - Steak Frites w Bordelaise Sauce - Canadian (New) Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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Riviera is potentially the best restaurant in Ottawa. From the moment we walked into the expansive and stately banking hall, we were captivated by the experience. Moody, art-deco vibes. Just the right amount and style of lighting. The busy-ness of the open kitchen and the operation is compelling. Professionalism abounds in this place; we asked for our server's honest opinion on the menu and we selected everything he recommended. The beef tartare was the best I've ever had. I'm not privy to the details of how it was seasoned but it was perfect. The sunchoke chips were an interesting detail. Tuna crudo was incredible. Lobster spaghetti and Fogo Island cod also incredible. It was a five star experience from arrival through closing. This is a must-go in Ottawa. read more

Riviera - Tuna crudo - Canadian (New) Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

It had been a while since we last were at Riviera, but this dinner exceeded our expectations. The mood, the ambiance, the staff, the service were outstanding. It was the perfect Friday night dinner. And, the food! The octopus had the exquisite balance of heat, the proportions were just right, the burrata was one of the best we've ever eaten, the BC halibut was perfectly sized, cooked, and served with absolutely delicious morels. My husband, who asks for nothing more than a good beef tartare, was blown away by the quality of the dish. Last, the lavender creme brule was refreshing and lovely. Riviera is simply the best in Ottawa. read more

Riviera - Octopus - Canadian (New) Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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