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 dinner dates in Ottawa of 2024. Keep reading to see your picks!
Giovanni’s Restaurant
This celebrity hotspot is just as delicious as it is glamorous! Nestled in the heart of Ottawa’s Little Italy, Giovanni’s has been a go-to Italian restaurant for over three decades. They offer one of the most robust menus in the city that is crafted with freshly handpicked ingredients. Enjoy succulent carvings of the finest cuts of meat, fresh seafood, mouth-watering pastas, and heavenly desserts.
Located at: 362 Preston St, Ottawa
Sultan Ahmet
Enjoy authentic Turkish dishes made with the finest cuts of Halal meat and high-quality ingredients at Sultan Ahmet’s Ottawa location in The Glebe. This restaurant offers free parking onsite which is a rare find in the city, and boasts beautiful interiors and excellent service. The Chef’s Mix Grill Dinner for 2 is a must-try on your next dinner date!
Located at: 575 Bank St, Ottawa
Torta Boyz
For a delicious and casual dinner date, head to Torta Boyz for some incredible Mexican street food. They’re known for their Tortas – a Mexican-style sandwich that’s packed with fresh and flavourful ingredients, but you can’t miss out on their Asada Fries and Taco de Pastor as well. It’s the perfect date night restaurant to celebrate Taco Tuesday!
Located at: 60A Lebreton St N, Ottawa
NeXT
Located in Stittsville, NeXT offers globally-inspired plates, creative cocktails, and a robust wine list. It was voted as one of the hottest Top 100 New Restaurants in Canada in 2015 for Chef Michael Blackie’s sophisticated fusion between Canadian, Asian, and European cuisines. NeXT is also located minutes away from the Canadian Tire Centre, making it the perfect dinner date spot if you’re attending a concert or Senators game!
Located at: 6400 Hazeldean Rd, Ottawa
Biagio’s Kitchen + Catering
At Biagio’s, expect great food, great company, an uplifting mood, and something new. This is the perfect date night spot to visit if you’re looking to catch a comedy show after your meal – Yuk Yuk’s is located just downstairs!
They’re also offering an amazing Garden Dinner experience on their patio (pictured below) that includes a beautifully-crafted grazing board followed by a four course dinner featuring ingredients from local farmers and the owner’s very own garden.
Located at: 394 Richmond Rd, Ottawa
Riviera
Riviera offers high-end, creative Canadian cuisine and drinks in the refined interior of a former bank building. The high ceilings, cozy leather seating, and dim lighting make it the perfect spot for celebrating a special occasion. They were also listed as the top restaurant in Ottawa on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list for 2024, and placed 28th overall in Canada.
Located at: 62 Sparks St, Ottawa
Supply and Demand
This stylish venue that placed 75th on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants in 2024, is the perfect setting for your next date night. Supply and Demand’s creative and locally-sourced cuisine (especially their vibrant raw dishes!) might just turn you into a regular here.
Located at: 1335 Wellington St. W, Ottawa
Aroma Meze
This cozy and intimate restaurant is serving up globally-inspired small plates, or “meze” in Greek, that are perfect for sharing with your loved ones. They also offer a great selection of wine, craft cocktails, and beer.
Located at: 239 Nepean St, Ottawa
Thali
Thali is an award-winning Indian restaurant in Ottawa that specializes in traditional thali – a platter consisting of small bowls of vegetables, curries, and milk products, as well as rice, pulses, bread, and a dessert. You can also enjoy a variety of other South Indian delicacies including Kerala Style Beef Curry and Lamb Mappas.
Located at: 136 O’Connor St, Ottawa
The Whalesbone
Seafood lovers rejoice! The Whalesbone is a must-visit for freshly-shucked oysters, lobster rolls, chowder, and more. Their staff members are always friendly and welcoming, the ambiance is casual and relaxed, and the food is absolutely incredible.
Located at: 231 Elgin St, Ottawa & 430 Bank St, Ottawa
Stay tuned for the top 10 in our other categories, and more Awards to come soon and browse the best date ideas here.
