This summer, datenight embarked on their inaugural Awards, recognizing the best of the best in our city (and cities across Canada). datenight awards was created to provide our community a thoughtful guide of the best date ideas based on your input and our Committee’s expertise.
Over the summer, date night lovers of all kinds could submit their nominations for their favourite spots around the city in six chosen categories including Dinner Date, Brunch Date, Coffee Date, Cocktail Date, Brewery Date, and Dessert Date.
Can we get a drum roll? Because we have the first official list of winners for the top brunch dates in Ottawa of 2024. Keep reading to see your picks!
NeXT
NeXT offers a globally-inspired brunch experience that combines an upscale ambiance with a fresh, vibrant menu. Perfect for catching up with friends or enjoying some quality time with your date, they offer a 5-course tasting brunch menu that includes 10 mouth-watering dishes. Complemented by artisan coffee, fresh juices, and craft cocktails, NeXT is the ideal spot for an elevated brunch meal that satisfies both comfort food cravings and the desire for something a little more special.
Located at: 6400 Hazeldean Rd, Ottawa
Ratatouille Bistro
Ratatouille Bistro is a family-owned restaurant that offers French cuisine with a modern twist. Located in the ByWard Market, it creates a lively atmosphere where guests can enjoy classic breakfast dishes like eggs benny, omelettes, and breakfast skillets. The cozy interiors and elegant ambiance make it the perfect spot for an intimate brunch date.
Located at: 278 Dalhousie St, Ottawa
Wilfrid’s Restaurant
Wilfrid’s Restaurant is an upscale dining experience in Ottawa’s prestigious Fairmont Château Laurier. Combining modern luxury with a welcoming, personal touch, Wilfrid’s offers a refined ambiance ideal for special celebrations and intimate meals – especially for brunch! Its menu features regional cuisine inspired by locally-sourced seasonal ingredients. Their Weekend Brunch Buffet crafted by Executive Chef David De Bernardi and his team is famous for the superb selection of regional Canadian cuisine.
Located at: 1 Rideau St, Ottawa
Chesterfields Gastro Diner
Chesterfields Gastro Diner offers a cozy, inviting atmosphere and upscale diner classics. With a focus on local, seasonal ingredients, Chesterfields is known for their playful, flavourful dishes, blending traditional recipes with creative flair. Highly popular for brunch, their menu includes unique spins on diner staples, catering to various tastes. There are no reservations so you might have to wait a bit for a table, but it will be well worth it!
Located at: 1300 Wellington St W, Ottawa
Mati
Mati, located on Preston St in Ottawa, offers a fine dining brunch experience in a stylish venue. Since 2018, it has built a reputation for serving high-quality dishes and great service. Their brunch menu is offered on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features sharing bites, hearty meals, and a selection of cocktails and coffee-based drinks.
Located at: 428 Preston St, Ottawa
Allô mon Coco
Allô mon Coco is a popular brunch spot that originated in Laval, Quebec and has expanded to 45 communities across Quebec and Ontario. Known for its diverse menu offering both sweet and savoury options, Allô mon Coco caters to various tastes. It’s the perfect spot to visit for a casual brunch date.
Located at: (4 locations) 2277 Riverside Dr, Ottawa / 1100 Boul Maloney, Gatineau / 1377 Woodroffe Ave, Ottawa / 848 March Rd, Kanata
Mazarine
Mazarine, located in Ottawa’s Centretown neighbourhood, offers a Mediterranean-inspired brunch made with local Canadian ingredients. Open since 2019, this cozy, women-run restaurant serves classic brunch dishes with a unique twist, featuring items like a Halloumi Omelette and Ashta Pancakes. They also serve delicious Turkish coffee along with a variety of other teas and coffees.
Located at: 282 Kent St, Ottawa
The Rowan
The Rowan is a beloved gastropub in Ottawa’s Glebe neighbourhood, that offers an incredible Weekend Brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The venue combines casual elegance with a welcoming vibe, perfect for a brunch date before visiting a local market or event in Lansdowne. It can be challenging to get a last-minute reservation so be sure to book your table early!
Located at: 915 Bank St, Ottawa
Gezellig
Gezellig is a stylish, upscale bistro in a converted 1950’s bank building, that offers sustainably-focused and globally-inspired cuisine. For $28, you can choose any two plates from their Brunch menu with choices including Banana Bread French Toast, Breakfast Poutine, and Eggs Benedict. With a menu that satisfies both brunch and dinner cravings, Gezellig provides a warm, comforting experience, whether you dine in, grab takeout, or host events in their space.
Located at: 337 Richmond Rd, Ottawa
The Belmont
The Belmont offers an eclectic brunch experience on weekends from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Known for its flavourful meals, our recommendation has to be their Turkish Eggs which includes poached eggs, fresh herbs, garlic sumac yogurt, chili oil, and fresh sourdough bread. It’s an ideal spot to enjoy a relaxed morning or midday meal.
Located at: 1169 Bank St, Ottawa
Stay tuned for the top 10 in our other categories, and more Awards to come soon! Click here to browse more Ottawa date ideas.
