Last Updated: December 29, 2025
Ottawa Restaurants 2025: Year in Review
Ottawa’s restaurant scene in 2025 saw 15+ new openings and 10+ closures. Highlights include Chef Briana Kim’s Antheia (Somerset St), Ottawa’s first Uyghur restaurant Altay Flame (New Edinburgh), Armenian-Georgian Yan’s Restaurant (ByWard Market), and Syrian bakery Solomon’s Oven (Wellington West). Closures include Dunn’s Famous, Play Food & Wine, and SushiMe.
The National Capital Region said goodbye to beloved institutions like Dunn’s Famous and Play Food & Wine while welcoming fresh concepts that reflect Ottawa’s increasingly diverse population. This comprehensive year-in-review covers every significant opening and closing across the city’s major dining districts, from ByWard Market to Wellington West.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: Ottawa’s restaurant scene in 2025 saw major changes with 15+ new openings and several notable closures. Highlights include Chef Briana Kim’s Antheia, Ottawa’s first Uyghur restaurant Altay Flame, multiple halal options, and the sad departure of longtime favourites like Dunn’s Famous and Play Food & Wine.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 🍽️ New Openings | 15+ restaurants opened in 2025 |
| 🚪 Notable Closures | 10+ restaurants closed |
| 🌍 New Cuisines | Uyghur, Armenian, Georgian, Syrian |
| ⭐ Highlight | Antheia by 2023 Canadian Culinary Champion |
| 📍 Hottest Area | Little Italy/Preston Street |
ByWard Market: A Year of Transformation
ByWard Market continues to evolve as Ottawa’s premier dining destination
Ottawa’s historic ByWard Market district experienced significant turnover in 2025, with several long-standing establishments closing and new concepts taking their place.
Closures
Blue Cactus Bar and Grill closed on New Year’s Eve 2024, ending its run as a market staple. The Tex-Mex restaurant had been a fixture in the neighbourhood for years.
Dunn’s Famous Deli shut down in mid-March 2025 after nearly two decades of serving Montreal-style smoked meat sandwiches. The closure marked the end of an era for deli lovers who had relied on Dunn’s for authentic Jewish deli fare.
Play Food & Wine, the celebrated small-plates restaurant from renowned Ottawa restaurateur Stephen Beckta, announced its closure effective January 10, 2026. The restaurant was known for its innovative approach to shareable dishes and extensive wine program.
New Openings
Grey’s Social Eatery opened in April 2025, taking over the former Blue Cactus space. The new restaurant brings a fresh approach to casual dining in the market.
Chuck’s Roadhouse moved into the former Dunn’s Famous location, offering their signature affordable steakhouse experience to ByWard Market visitors.
Yan’s Restaurant opened in December 2025 on Murray Street, introducing Armenian and Georgian cuisine to Ottawa’s food scene. This unique addition fills a gap in the city’s culinary offerings, bringing flavours from the Caucasus region that were previously unavailable in the capital.
For more on exploring the market area, see our ByWard Market Guide 2025.
Little Italy: Preston Street’s New Wave
Preston Street continues to attract diverse culinary concepts beyond traditional Italian fare
Preston Street, Ottawa’s historic Little Italy, saw particularly dynamic activity in 2025, with a mix of closures and exciting new openings that reflect the neighbourhood’s evolving identity.
Closures
Katha, the modern Indian restaurant, closed after just one year in operation. Despite critical acclaim, the restaurant struggled to maintain consistent business.
Roberto Pizza shut down in May 2025, making way for a new pizza concept.
New Openings
Ek Bar opened in late May 2025 as Katha’s successor, with Chef Teegavarapu Sarath Mohan at the helm. The restaurant continues the tradition of elevated Indian cuisine while bringing fresh perspective to the space.
Schoolhouse Pizza replaced Roberto Pizza, offering their take on classic pizzeria fare.
Golden Ox Noodles opened in late July 2025, bringing Indonesian cuisine to Preston Street. The restaurant specializes in noodle dishes and traditional Indonesian flavours.
Karahi Boys celebrated its grand opening in mid-December 2025, adding a halal Pakistani option to Little Italy’s dining scene. The franchise is known for its karahi dishes and traditional Pakistani cuisine, providing an important option for Ottawa’s growing Muslim community.
Looking for holiday dining options in the area? Check out our seasonal guide.
The Glebe: South Asian Transitions
The Glebe’s restaurant scene evolved with new Thai and Vietnamese additions
The Glebe neighbourhood experienced a significant shift in its South Asian dining options throughout 2025.
Closures
Taj Mahal, the long-running Indian restaurant, closed in spring 2025. The restaurant had been a Bank Street fixture for many years.
Last Train To Delhi closed during the summer, ending its run as a popular Indian dining destination in the neighbourhood.
New Openings
Lotus of Siam opened in mid-December 2025 in the former Taj Mahal location, bringing authentic Thai cuisine to The Glebe. The restaurant offers a welcome addition to the neighbourhood’s dining options.
Co Oi Kitchen opened in late August 2025, specializing in Northern Vietnamese cuisine. The restaurant fills the void left by Last Train To Delhi while offering a distinct culinary tradition.
New Edinburgh: Cultural Evolution
New Edinburgh’s restaurant scene saw notable changes in 2025, with closures of longtime establishments making way for unique new concepts.
Closures
Dhruvees, the South Asian restaurant, closed in September 2025. In a sign of changing times, the location is being converted to a dental office.
SushiMe concluded its 14-year run in October 2025. The Japanese restaurant had been a neighbourhood staple since 2011.
New Openings
Altay Flame Uyghur Cuisine opened in mid-December 2025, becoming Ottawa’s first Uyghur restaurant. Located in the former SushiMe space, Altay Flame introduces the unique flavours of Xinjiang to Ottawa diners. Uyghur cuisine blends Central Asian and Chinese influences, featuring hand-pulled noodles, lamb dishes, and distinctive spices not commonly found in other Ottawa restaurants.
Good Neighbour launched during the summer on Elgin Street’s south end, adding to the neighbourhood’s growing dining scene.
Wellington Street West: Artisan Additions
Wellington West continues to attract artisan food producers and specialty eateries
Wellington Street West maintained its reputation for artisan food concepts with several notable additions in 2025.
Changes
Bread By Us, the beloved bakery, relocated from Wellington West to Smirle Avenue in October 2025. The move allowed the bakery to expand operations while maintaining its loyal customer base.
New Openings
Solomon’s Oven opened in mid-November 2025 in the former Bread By Us location, bringing Syrian bakery traditions to Ottawa. The bakery offers a unique addition to the city’s artisan bread scene with Middle Eastern specialties.
Smoked Meat Royale opened in July 2025, filling the void left by Dunn’s Famous closure with their take on Montreal-style smoked meat and deli classics.
Fine Dining Highlight: Antheia Opens Downtown
One of Ottawa’s most anticipated openings of 2025 was Antheia, the new restaurant from Chef Briana Kim. Kim, winner of the 2023 Canadian Culinary Championship, opened the intimate fine dining establishment on Somerset Street West in the Chinatown area during early December.
Antheia offers a tasting menu experience showcasing Kim’s signature style, which draws on her Korean-Canadian heritage and classical French training. The restaurant represents a significant addition to Ottawa’s fine dining landscape and has quickly become one of the city’s most sought-after reservations.
For more on Ottawa’s newest dining options, see our guide to New Restaurants in Ottawa December 2025.
Halal Dining Expansion
A notable trend in 2025 was the expansion of halal dining options across Ottawa. Several new restaurants now serve the city’s Muslim community and anyone seeking halal-certified cuisine:
- Karahi Boys (Little Italy) - Pakistani
- Altay Flame (New Edinburgh) - Uyghur (halal options available)
- Multiple new spots in Barrhaven and Kanata serving diverse cuisines
This expansion reflects Ottawa’s growing diversity and provides more options for residents seeking halal-certified dining experiences.
24-Hour Dining Returns
Bathinda Bites, which opened in 2025, has become notable for offering 24-hour service. The South Asian vegetarian restaurant in the suburbs provides late-night and early-morning dining options that have been increasingly rare in Ottawa since the pandemic.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As 2025 closes, several trends suggest what’s next for Ottawa’s restaurant scene:
Growing Diversity: The success of Uyghur, Armenian, Georgian, and Syrian restaurants indicates appetite for cuisines previously unavailable in Ottawa.
Halal Expansion: More halal-certified options are likely as restaurants recognize this underserved market.
Fine Dining Recovery: Antheia’s opening signals renewed interest in upscale dining experiences.
Neighbourhood Evolution: Areas like Preston Street and Wellington West continue attracting diverse concepts beyond their traditional identities.
Our Picks: Best of 2025
After following Ottawa’s restaurant scene throughout 2025, here are our top picks:
| Category | Our Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Best Opening | Antheia | Chef Briana Kim’s fine dining brings world-class cuisine to Ottawa |
| 🌍 Most Unique | Altay Flame | Ottawa’s first Uyghur restaurant fills a major gap |
| 🍕 Best Value | Schoolhouse Pizza | Great pizza at reasonable prices in Little Italy |
| 🥖 Best Bakery | Solomon’s Oven | Syrian traditions meet Wellington West charm |
| 💔 Saddest Closure | Play Food & Wine | Stephen Beckta’s innovative concept will be missed |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the biggest restaurant opening in Ottawa in 2025?
Antheia by Chef Briana Kim was the most anticipated opening. Kim won the 2023 Canadian Culinary Championship and opened her intimate fine dining restaurant on Somerset Street West in early December 2025.
Q: Which Ottawa restaurants closed in 2025?
Notable closures include Dunn’s Famous Deli (March), Blue Cactus Bar and Grill (January), Katha (early 2025), Taj Mahal (spring), SushiMe (October), and Play Food & Wine (closing January 2026).
Q: What new cuisines came to Ottawa in 2025?
Ottawa gained its first Uyghur restaurant (Altay Flame), Armenian and Georgian cuisine (Yan’s Restaurant), and expanded Syrian bakery options (Solomon’s Oven).
Q: Are there new halal restaurants in Ottawa?
Yes, Karahi Boys opened in Little Italy offering halal Pakistani cuisine, and several other halal-friendly options opened across the city in 2025.
Q: What replaced Dunn’s Famous Deli?
Chuck’s Roadhouse took over the former Dunn’s Famous location in ByWard Market.
Q: Is Play Food & Wine closing?
Yes, Stephen Beckta’s Play Food & Wine announced closure effective January 10, 2026.
Q: Where can I find 24-hour restaurants in Ottawa?
Bathinda Bites offers 24-hour service, providing South Asian vegetarian cuisine around the clock.
Q: What’s the best new restaurant in Little Italy?
Ek Bar and Karahi Boys are both popular new additions to Preston Street, offering elevated Indian and halal Pakistani cuisine respectively.
Final Thoughts
Ottawa’s restaurant scene in 2025 demonstrated remarkable resilience and evolution. While saying goodbye to beloved institutions like Dunn’s Famous and SushiMe was difficult, the arrival of unique concepts like Altay Flame, Yan’s Restaurant, and Antheia signals an exciting future for the capital’s culinary landscape.
The trend toward greater diversity—with Uyghur, Armenian, Georgian, and Syrian cuisines joining Ottawa’s mix—reflects the city’s changing demographics and growing appreciation for global flavours. As we enter 2026, Ottawa diners have more options than ever to explore cuisines from around the world without leaving the capital.
Sources & References
- Ottawa Citizen - Restaurant news and reviews
- CBC Ottawa - Local dining coverage
- Apt613 - Ottawa food scene updates
- Ottawa Magazine - Restaurant features
- Restaurant announcements and social media
For more Ottawa dining guides, explore our Where to Go section for restaurant reviews and neighbourhood guides.
