Riviera Ottawa

We enjoyed our dinner at this popular restaurant. The service was attentive, and the food was both delicious and refreshing. The dessert, however, was a little too sweet for our taste.

Had an amazing dinner at Riviera, which has been a restaurant that I’ve been meaning to try for a while now. Service was phenomenal, the servers are very attentive and gave a lot of great suggestions. Cocktail list is huge and the cocktails we got were really creative. Oysters were very fresh and we loved the hot sauce that came with it. The ravioli was amazing, probably my favourite dish! The filling was delicious, ravioli was cooked to perfection, and the sauce was so light and complimented the rich ravioli. Steak frites were also really good. Steak was cooked perfectly to medium rate, fries were really crisp, and the fried sage leaves added a nice flavour to the fries. They also have a Photo Booth in the back which is really fun!

Riviera Ottawa has always been one of our favorite spots in town, and this time, we opted for the chef’s counter. Watching the chefs work with such precision, collaboration and composure is always impressive. The kitchen runs like a well-oiled machine, yet the chefs still found moments to chat and share a few laughs with us. • And, of course, the food? Absolutely stunning, as always. Beautifully presented, fresh, and downright delicious. Another incredible evening at Riviera. Special thanks to both the front and back of the house. Until next time!

5 stars all the way. Riviera is really one of the best restaurants ive ever visited and that’s why we always come back. Everything from the service to the food and the drinks is carefully crafted and delicious. Also, I specified that it was our couple anniversary and our server offered us a glass of sparkling rosé as we were welcomed and we really enjoyed this little attention. The atmosphere is also a big highlights of this restaurant with beautiful decor and nice ambiance. Overall, it’s a 10/10 experience and I recommend this restaurant to anyone who pass by Ottawa. Thanks again for having us.

Went to Riviera Ottawa for dinner. The ambiance was very nice. Kind of like dark-ish, fancy speakeasy vibes (but not with the hush hush talking lol). We ordered: steak frites, medium rare — very tender and flavourful; scallop chowder — love this, great starter, scallop tasted so fresh and the ginger was a nice touch; burger — really good classic burger, double patty, very heavy and filling. Our server was also very polite (we forgot his name) and gave great suggestions. We would have gotten dessert, but we were stuffed after lol. Would definitely come back!

One of the best experiences I’ve had! Family was in town visiting and made a reservation. The service, music, atmosphere and food were all outstanding and far beyond my expectations! If you truly want to experience a spectacular evening in Ottawa go here!! We will definitely be back!! Absolutely loved it! We were a group of 4 and we ordered 2 raw dishes, 2 apps and each had a main, all were mind blowing! The sommelier was super, finding the most perfect wines for us, not pretentious, extremely knowledgeable.

Everything about the dinner was pleasant. The moment you walk in the door you can tell that the attention to detail is superb. The staff welcomed us, but it was clear they took the time to familiarize themselves with the occasion, wishing my Fiancé a Happy Birthday. The Maître'd was charming and let me know hey found us a quiet spot (a request I had made in my open table booking). The atmosphere is interesting. The space is so long with very high ceilings, a former bank building. It makes you feel as though no expense is spared. As though you're free to take up space. It allows for sound to move, and therefore a space which was busy on a week night still allowed for intimate conversations. The design of the kitchen was something to behold as well. Everything is out in the open. Your dining experience is not limited to front of house, you see all the machinery of the cooks and mixologists hard at work. It was pretty incredible. The cocktail menu is fantastic and the staff were knowledgeable and helped us make some selections of Champagne as well as a sweet watermelon cocktail (pictured below - I provide a description there it was such a unique cocktail experience!) The menu is small but anything but simple, each dish is well thought out, elevated in flavour and presentation. We selected the Duck Breast and Lacquered Halibut. Both were very delicious. The Halibut came with sunchoke pure, and fava beans. The sauce was gently sweet and had a little kick of spice, barely noticeable, I suspect from ginger. The duck was masterfully cooked to medium rare, the way i like, but might be chewy for some. Take small bites and savour the experience. When I say we cleaned the plate I mean it was as though no food had ever graced its surface. We loved the food. The final moments of our night at Riviera sealed the deal for us. We let our server know we would skip dessert because we had cake at home. He surprised us with a beautiful, cute little macaron with a candle. It was very sweet and thoughtful. We also discovered that they have a photo other in the back by the washrooms (5$ charge) which we gladly took advantage of, great for any date, makes for a cute momento. Finally, as we left a server who hadn't served us or greeted us on the way in, said goodnight and Happy Birthday to my Fiancé! We were so impressed that other staff not responsible for our table knew we were celebrating a birthday. And that is why we would love to recommend this place. Yes the food is amazing and unique, but the staff and service are far and beyond what we could have ever expected. We made a 4.5 hr trip from Toronto, and let me tell you, we will be back again. Highly recommended. 10/10 Thank you to all the staff for making the night special and delicious!

What an atmosphere to hang out at one of the really cool old banks that was converted into a restaurant. The staffing was amazing. I was attentive, and the food quality was poor presentable. I would recommend visiting her again. It’s great that it’s close to the Benamor house and C around especially when the weather is nice. There is a really neat photo booth at the back you should check out.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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!!

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.

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!

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...

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

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!

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

food was good service was good ambiance seemed a little cold as the ceiling was 30+ causing a little feeling of being small and insignificant.

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.

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.

Cool vibe and ambiance. We arrived with no reservation and the manager was quite accommodating. Drinks were great, so was service. For dinner, my wife had the seafood tower and I had the wedge salad then duck with kale, sauerkraut & prunes. Sounds like an odd mix but it was delicious. The wedge salad was just exploding with flavor. If you live in the area or traveling through, give the place a go! You won't be disappointed.

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.

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.

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.

Beautiful place. Gives off New York City vibes with tall ceilings. Expensive prices though.

Love this spot , food was good and Environment was great, I was visiting from the states .

We were excited to try Riviera.. and must admit that we will not rush back. It started on a bad note when my partnered asked about the ravioli and was told by the waiter that it's not quite "meal size" and would leave him hungry as a main dish... Well we should not have listened, the table next to us got the pasta and it was a substantial meal! As for our meal it was... Well overly rich. No acidity, or freshness to cut the richness. Just rich on rich. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those who shy away from fat, but this was just too much and nothing to make it better other than maybe your drink I'd you were lucky and opted for something fresh and light (I opted for red and while great, it didn't help that much). Don't get me wrong, the food was good but every dish would have benefited from being more "balanced" in my honest opinion. Not quite worth it, for the price point, in my books. The bartending was great, but it didn't meet our expectations from a meal perspective. May go back... For drinks and appetizers only

We came here for dinner during a trip to Ottawa. All the food we ordered was lack of flavour and there were flies flying around our table the whole meal. I wil not consider coming back here again.

We had the great luck of snagging a last minute reservation for bar seating and we were ecstatic the food and service were worthy of five stars. Not only are the esthetics absolutely gorgeous but they are also alluring and inviting and only added to our dining experience. And then there was our bartender...bravo and thank you for great recommendations and excellent service! We had oysters to start that were some of the best we've ever had, must be the Canadian water...then we had the Lobster spaghetti and Bucatini Carbonara and we knew then we must be in food paradise or heaven, so scrumptious and cooked to perfection. The pasta is homemade and had a nice Al dente bite. The sauce for each dish was lite but creamy and well seasoned. We ended with dessert, flourless chocolate torte that believe it or not was not too sweet nor too heavy. It was a perfect end to our dining experience and our palates were very happy. Our bartender made so amazing cocktails and we tried two of them, he was truly a great artist. Thanks for an unforgettable dinner in a beautiful restaurant. Everyone was very friendly and courteous.

Word is the Michelin reviewers are poking around Toronto trying to decide whether to include any Canadian restaurants. If that is the case, then the judges should head over to Ottawa and try Riviera. Of all the places we've dined during our extended visit in the Canadian capital, and there have been many, Riviera is hands down our favorite. Riviera is ranked 23 out of Canada's 100 best restaurants and it shows. Physically the restaurant is lovely. Riviera took best advantage of the elegance and high ceilings in the converted bank space to create a chic, inviting atmosphere. We sat at the counter and were treated to watching the talented chefs' put together dish after stunning dish. The plate presentation was consistent and flawless in each plate. But the food and drink are why we love Riviera. We love to share food and we love raw bar so we asked our waitress to serve us in a series of four courses. We began with oysters expertly shucked in front of us. Since both of us were students in Maryland, we have a high expectation for oysters. We were not disappointed. The Canadian oysters were sweet and succulent made even better by the freshly grated horseradish. Yum! Our second course was the tuna crudo with puffed quinoa, chili, tomato & argan oil. This was a healthy crudo with delicious albacore tuna. The crisped quinoa added great texture and flavor. Yum again! Our third course was the white fish caviar with cand crumpets. We love caviar and do not eat it often. The dish was served in a caviar tin with the caviar on top of the creme fresh and dill. The instructions were to dig down to be sure to get all three and then place on crumpets rather than the traditional blinis. The crumpets were served warm making the dish a triumph. Triple yum! Our final course was the mushrooms on toast with shaved black truffle & an egg. This is a hearty dish with a flavorful assortment of mushrooms and gravy on a thick piece of toast. Even more yum! Our friendly waitress brought us a second round of drinks from their extremely creative drink menu and talked us into dessert. We selected a rich chocolate cake that was very moist covered in handmade, fresh whipped creme. A perfect ending to a great meal. If you have the chance to go to Riviera, then go, we highly recommend it!

Before I proceed, do note that this is a pricy restaurant. There is no escaping that reality. With that out of the way, I move onto the review. The decor was refined and subdued (the building is a restored historic bank). The waiter was friendly, and after the first round of drinks, we simply followed his recommendations, which were unerring. We had a selection of cocktails and wines by the glass, ranging from no complaints to spectacular (I loved the "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and the last cocktail, the name of which escapes me). I had the beef tartare and my wife had the grilled octopus. She had a grilled octopus at another restaurant recently, and this was the winner hands down. My tartare was excellent. For the mains, we had steak et frites and braised lamb. The steak et frites was excellent, but the braised lamb my wife ordered still managed to make me jealous. I would recommend it to anyone. We had two desserts, the crème brûlée that I loved, and a chocolate mousse that my spouse said was delicious. I agree. Our server was Shadi (I apologize if I have misspelled it), and I mention him as he absolutely contributed to our wonderful meal.

Amazing food every time I have been. Most recently I had the oysters and mushroom bruschetta with a glass of chardonnay. Highly recommend even just for the location. I think it used to be a bank? The ceilings are high and the people watching is good.

I came here for an anniversary dinner. The mushroom toast was TO DIE FOR! It had so many types of mushrooms, all served on a buttery piece of toast. This dish wasn't what I expected - I thought it would be more of a classic tartine, but it was actually a piece of bread soaked in mushroom and butter sauce, similar to how the bread on a French onion soup is soaked in broth. SO GOOD and definitely the highlight dish. Other food we had: For starters, we had the seafood chowder which was fantastic! Lots of yummy seafood; rich but not so much that you couldn't finish a whole serving yourself; and suuuuper tasty! We share everything, so the restaurant plated one order in two separate bowls. We had a super delicious and succulent lamb shank for our main course, along with a ricotta gnudi. The gnudi wasn't my favourite, but if you're a ricotta lover you should try it (TONS of ricotta)!

Absolutely fantastic. The service, the food, the drinks and the atmosphere. The food is a bit expensive (For lunch too, our bill came out to about $80) but you'll see that it's because of the good quality of the food. I went at lunch with a coworker who suggested le big matt, which is kind of like a Big mac but with better ingredients and just made to taste better. It came with a side of fries and salad and it was sooooooo good. I couldn't finish it and took some of it with me back to the office but ended up munching on it throughout the day since it was just so damn tasty. The service is quite fast, it's prompt and it's delicious. I had a great time with our server who was polite and came very quickly. I had a side drink as well and it was mixed well and mixed strongly. Would absolutely come here again.

I strongly recommend this restaurant, the manu was elevated and varied. My entree was mushrooms on tost and it was delightful, I enjoyed my main dishes the ricotta and spinach ravioli. They have a large drinks menu and the atmosphere of the old bank with the kitchen open to the room was superb. I will go again for sure.