Ottawa Restaurant Awards 2025

Recognizing the best in Ottawa dining

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The Ottawa Restaurant Awards shine a spotlight on the city’s vibrant culinary scene, celebrating the chefs, restaurants, and innovators who define excellence in dining. From long-standing institutions to exciting new arrivals, these awards recognize the passion, creativity, and dedication that make Ottawa one of Canada’s most dynamic food destinations.

As an annual recognition of excellence, the awards are determined through an independent evaluation of Ottawa’s dining landscape. Each category celebrates a distinct element of the city’s culinary culture, from fine dining and neighbourhood favourites to wine, cocktails, and coffee. Together, the winners provide a definitive portrait of the chefs, restaurants, and innovators shaping Ottawa’s gastronomic identity.

2025 Winners

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BEST RESTAURANT

Supply & Demand

Seasonal seafood, house-made pastas, and one of Ottawa’s most consistent kitchens. A chef-driven restaurant that combines polish with personality, Supply & Demand continues to set the standard for what dining in the capital can be.

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

Sussex & Co.

Located in the ByWard Market, Sussex & Co. has quickly established itself as one of Ottawa’s most exciting newcomers. With a polished modern menu, a strong cocktail program, and a lively yet refined atmosphere, it reflects the ambition and energy of the city’s evolving dining scene.

BEST FINE DINING

Atelier

Canada’s benchmark for modernist cuisine. Through innovation, artistry, and relentless attention to detail, Atelier has defined fine dining in Ottawa for more than a decade, standing as one of the country’s most ambitious tasting menu experiences.

BEST CASUAL DINING

The Third

In the heart of Hintonburg, The Third has become a neighbourhood institution by keeping things simple, welcoming, and consistently delicious. With its relaxed atmosphere, approachable menu, and loyal following, it represents the essence of casual dining done right in Ottawa.

BEST BRUNCH

Wilf & Ada’s

An Ottawa classic, Wilf & Ada’s has earned a devoted following with its comforting, carefully made brunch staples. From perfectly poached eggs to house-baked breads and daily specials, it delivers consistency, quality, and the kind of neighbourhood warmth that defines the city’s best brunch experience.

BEST COCKTAIL PROGRAM

Riviera

Set in a soaring former bank building, Riviera is as much about the bar as it is about the dining room. Its cocktail program combines classic technique with modern creativity, delivered with precision and style. For Ottawa, it remains the standard for refined, memorable drinks in a world-class setting.

BEST WINE LIST

Arlo

With a focus on natural, small-producer, and carefully curated selections, Arlo has redefined what a wine list can be in Ottawa. Its cellar is adventurous without being intimidating, pairing beautifully with the restaurant’s seasonal menu and creating one of the city’s most dynamic wine experiences.

BEST COFFEE

Little Victories

With its dedication to precision roasting and meticulous brewing, Little Victories has set the benchmark for coffee in Ottawa. Minimalist in style but exacting in craft, it has earned a reputation as the city’s leader in third-wave coffee and a destination for anyone serious about their cup.

BEST HIDDEN GEM

Habesha

Unassuming from the outside, Habesha is one of Ottawa’s most rewarding culinary discoveries. Serving authentic Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine with warmth and care, it offers flavours and traditions rarely found elsewhere in the city. For those who seek it out, Habesha delivers a dining experience that is both unique and unforgettable — the very definition of a hidden gem.

CHEF OF THE YEAR

Lizardo Becerra

With his work at Raphaël and Barrio, Chef Lizardo Becerra has cemented his place among Ottawa’s most dynamic culinary leaders. His cooking blends technical finesse with bold, approachable flavours, creating dining experiences that feel both refined and inviting. After winning last year’s Canada’s Great Kitchen Party Ottawa and advancing to the Canadian Culinary Championship, Becerra’s 2025 stands as a year of achievement and influence, marking him as a chef at the forefront of the city’s dining scene.

RISING STAR CHEF

Nouk Couturier-Bernard

With creativity and bold flavours at the forefront of his cooking, Chef Nouk Couturier-Bernard has quickly drawn attention as one of Ottawa’s most exciting emerging talents. At Élise, he brings a fresh perspective to the city’s dining scene, pairing technique with imagination. A chef on the rise, he embodies the spirit of innovation that defines a true rising star.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Michael Blackie

For more than three decades, Chef Michael Blackie has been a defining presence in Ottawa’s culinary community. From leading kitchens at some of the city’s most prestigious institutions to co-founding NEXT, he has combined technical skill with mentorship and vision. A familiar face on national stages and a tireless advocate for Canadian cuisine, Blackie’s career reflects both achievement and lasting influence — a true lifetime of contribution to Ottawa dining.

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