
Arlo Wine & Restaurant
Arlo Wine & Restaurant shines with its exceptional natural wine list and a menu of inventive, flavorful dishes, making it a standout in Ottawa.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Arlo Wine & Restaurant

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Arlo Wine & Restaurant shines with its exceptional natural wine list and a menu of inventive, flavorful dishes, making it a standout in Ottawa.
"Arlo is a must-visit in Ottawa, praised for its amazing food, fantastic wine, and incredibly kind staff."
Ask for wine recommendations
Staff are knowledgeable and can guide you to the perfect wine pairing.
Consider quieter times
Visit during off-peak hours for a more intimate dining experience.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
French
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Exceptional Wine Selection
Renowned for its extensive and thoughtfully curated wine list, featuring natural wines.

Charming Private Patio
An enchanting outdoor space shaded by a giant tree, perfect for warm weather dining.

Flavorful Small Plates
Dishes like beef tataki, pickled shrimp, and oysters are praised for their bold flavors.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Ask for wine recommendations
Staff are knowledgeable and can guide you to the perfect wine pairing.
Consider quieter times
Visit during off-peak hours for a more intimate dining experience.
Celebrate special occasions
The restaurant offers personalized menus and excellent service for celebrations.
Don't miss the starters
Many diners rave about the starters being the highlight of their meal.
Tips
from all over the internet
Ask for wine recommendations
Staff are knowledgeable and can guide you to the perfect wine pairing.
Consider quieter times
Visit during off-peak hours for a more intimate dining experience.
Celebrate special occasions
The restaurant offers personalized menus and excellent service for celebrations.
Don't miss the starters
Many diners rave about the starters being the highlight of their meal.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Arlo Wine & Restaurant is highly regarded for its exceptional wine list and creative, flavorful dishes, particularly its starters. Diners praise the attentive and friendly service, with staff often going the extra mile for special occasions. While the ambiance is generally loved, some find the main courses less impactful than the appetizers, and occasional noise from other tables can detract from the experience.
"We had the pleasure of being served by Ariana during our visit to Arlo Restaurant, and we couldn’t be more impressed by her exceptional service. She was friendly, attentive, and made sure every detail of our meal was perfect. The food and drinks were fantastic, and Ariana’s warm personality and professionalism truly enhanced our dining experience. Thank you!"
Roda Ali
"What an amazing experience! From the starters to the mains and all the way through to dessert, everything was absolutely delicious. The menu is small, but what they serve is good. The staff was incredibly kind - especially Jamie, our server, who made the night even more special. The wine he recommended was fantastic. If you’re in Ottawa, this place is a must-visit!"
Erika Bushatsky
"We ate here on my wife's birthday, and it was a fantastic experience. They printed menus for us with Happy Birthday Lisa on them (my wife's name). We had oysters, appetizers, and 2 fabulous main courses. The wait staff were great, I would highly recommend it for an evening out. As well, there's a pay parking lot right next door (so no problems there)."
Patrick Ferguson
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Arlo is renowned for its extensive natural wine selection and its creative, flavorful dishes, especially its starters. It's also recognized for its charming patio and excellent service.
Yes, Arlo features a charming and enchanting back patio, shaded by a giant tree, which is a popular spot for dining.
Yes, the restaurant is known for doing a really good job of dealing with food intolerances.
The atmosphere is often described as cozy and elegant, with a relaxed vibe, though some reviews mention it can get loud at times.
Absolutely. Arlo is a great choice for celebrations, offering personalized menus and exceptional service to make occasions memorable.
Diners highly recommend the starters such as beef tataki, pickled shrimp, and oysters. The crispy fries also receive special mention.
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The cosy back patio at Arlo actually opened months before the Centretown restaurant proper did, during the first summer of COVID-19 when outdoor dining was all that was allowed. Five years later, the patio is enchanting on its own terms, with rustic tables, a giant tree providing shelter from summer heat and empty natural-wine bottles on the wall hinting at the astute choices by owner and sommelier Alex McMahon. Chef-owner Jamie Stunt’s outstanding food is a big draw too, as you would expect given that Arlo ranked 49th this year on the prestigious Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list.
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Arlo’s back patio in Centretown is shaded by a towering tree, lined with empty wine bottles, and known for small plates and natural wine. The cosy back patio at Arlo actually opened months before the Centretown restaurant proper did, during the first summer of COVID-19 when outdoor dining was all that was allowed. Five years later, the patio is enchanting on its own terms, with rustic tables, a giant tree providing shelter from summer heat and empty natural-wine bottles on the wall hinting at the astute choices by owner and sommelier Alex McMahon.
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Arlo is well deserving of every "best of" list they land on, and there are two things that set them apart and therefore shoot them right up to second on my list. The first is that they have cemented themselves as the wine experts in Ottawa. If you walk through the Somerset Street doors to enjoy a meal at Arlo, you can be certain that every single person on the floor that night is going to be able to guide you in the right direction when it comes to wine.
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If the word “wine” appears before the word “restaurant”, it’s not by chance. Wine is the star at Arlo – and natural wine at that!. That’s not to say that the food isn’t good: Chef Jamie Stunt’s menu is rather short, but each item is carefully crafted with fresh, local, seasonal products to perfectly match the wine list, starting with the duck skewer, one of the few dishes that stays on the menu, which is a perfect match for a light red.
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Arlo Wine on Somerset Street West ranks 71 st on this year's list. "The sommelier owners have put together a thoughtfully explorative wine list that servers attend to in the most welcoming of fashions, topping up your glass with fizzy Cantillon or their favourite amaro," says the website.". "Food goes beyond simple bar snacks — hits include espelette-peppered Quebec shrimp and shatteringly crispy chicken skin with roe-bottarga dip.
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The decor blends elegance with uniqueness, featuring salt lamps, candles, and also a patio adorned with twinkling lights. The menu showcases a dynamic array of dishes bursting with bold flavours and innovative techniques, from vibrant small plates to hearty mains. Featured on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list and boasting a superb selection of natural wines, Arlo has become an Ottawa favourite since its 2020 opening.
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Not only was Arlo recently named number 49 on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list, but it also has objectively one of the nicest patios in the city. When you pair these two things together, along with having one of the most extensive wine lists in the city, you get the warm weather dining experience of a lifetime. Their back patio is charming, smartly lit, and brings a sense of both vibrancy and calm to any night out.
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Arlo Wine & Restaurant, situated in the heart of downtown Ottawa, offers a sophisticated dining experience with a fun twist and a focus on French cuisine and an extensive wine list. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just looking for a romantic dinner, Arlo is an excellent choice for wine and gastronomy enthusiasts. Arlo was also named one of Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants in 2024.
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Website: https://restaurantarlo.comAddress: 340 Somerset St WContact details: +1 613-421-1424Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 5:30 PM to 12 AM. Arlo Wine & Restaurant is a stylish local delight, ideal for after-sundown wine experiences in the city. It’s a hidden gem for sure, considering there isn’t a lot of hype about this spot among local foodie groups.
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During the summer, Arlo’s quaint patio is the perfect place to spend an evening with your loved ones. Serving comforting and simple, yet refined food and natural wines, Arlo will make you feel like you’re on an idyllic cottage getaway (even if you’re only 20 minutes from home). The food menu is small and focused and changes regularly with the seasons.
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Arlo Wine & Restaurant in Ottawa is a special place that brings a bit of Paris to the city. During the day, the restaurant is bright and airy, making it a great spot for everything from business meetings to fun celebrations. When the evening comes, Arlo changes into a warm, candle-lit space that feels like a cozy Parisian apartment.
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The restaurant’s “local, fresh and fun food” has snagged a spot in Canada’s 100 list. Paired with natural wine, the “comforting food” is a variety of salad appetizers and grilled meats. The restaurant is located on Somerset Street West.
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At Arlo Restaurant, the atmosphere is both festive and relaxed, and the menu is simply delightful. It’s therefore no surprise that it was included among Canada’s 100 best restaurants in 2023. “There was a lot going on in Ottawa.
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This Centretown hotspot recently took the No. 62 spot on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants thanks to Chef Jamie Stunt’s taut menu of locally sourced fare and Sommelier Alex McMahon’s expansive cellar of natural wines.
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Arlo is one of the best Ottawa restaurants to visit for a delicious lunch or dinner complete with excellent wine. As with many restaurants in Ottawa, there is a big focus on fresh local and seasonal produce.
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Indulge in a 4-course dinner for two, perfect for sharing with friends or a romantic evening with your lover. A versatile dining experience designed to be enjoyed together.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit