View of our table (patio)
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North & Navy

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A charming Northern Italian restaurant in Ottawa, known for its seasonal fare, warm ambiance, and creative, beautifully presented dishes.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
View of our table (patio)

North & Navy

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A charming Northern Italian restaurant in Ottawa, known for its seasonal fare, warm ambiance, and creative, beautifully presented dishes.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Exceptional dining, creative dishes and phenomenal staff in downtown Ottawa's hidden gem!"

TIP

Ask Gabi for wine pairings

The wine director and GM, Gabi, is incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable, offering excellent wine pairing recommendations.

Try smaller dishes with mains

Pair smaller dishes like risotto with secondi options if you're looking for larger portions or a more varied meal.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Friday 5PM

Cuisine

Northern Italian

Price

$$$

Phone

+1 613-232-6289

Address

226 Nepean St, Ottawa, ON K2P 0B8, Canada

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Butternut Squash Mezzaluna

Butternut Squash Mezzaluna

A standout pasta dish that's both visually appealing and delightfully flavorful, a must-try for pasta lovers.

Google Review+1
Charred Eggplant & Yogurt

Charred Eggplant & Yogurt

An appetizer lauded for its exceptional flavor, offering a surprisingly delicious and perfectly balanced taste.

Google Review+1
Cozy & Charming Atmosphere

Cozy & Charming Atmosphere

Housed in a converted house, the restaurant boasts a warm, inviting, and sophisticated ambiance with unique decor.

The 12 Most Famous Restaurants In Ottawa, CanadaGoogle Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

And this ladies and gentlemen is the reason why I cannot pursue a career in food vlogging. First time going to North and Navy in #ottawa and boy let me tell you, it did not disappoint! Everything I ate was exceptional!! #food #mukbang #eating #eatingshow #foodvlog
@its_about_thyme
18 likes • 596 views

Ask Gabi for wine pairings

The wine director and GM, Gabi, is incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable, offering excellent wine pairing recommendations.

Try smaller dishes with mains

Pair smaller dishes like risotto with secondi options if you're looking for larger portions or a more varied meal.

3 Days in Ottawa 🇨🇦 — Best spots to eat, explore & unwind. Save this for your next trip! #Ottawa #Itinerary #CanadaTravel #WeekendGetaway #TravelTips #HiddenGems #TravelTok #Explore #Travel #Travelitinerary #ThingsToDo #Weekend #Save #Trip
@m3lyyz
723 likes • 16.3K views

Consider table location

Request a table away from noisy areas for a more intimate and relaxed dining experience.

Shareable dishes recommended

Family-style eating is encouraged to try more dishes, with items like the Bistecca alla Fiorentina perfect for sharing.

Tips

from all over the internet

Ask Gabi for wine pairings

The wine director and GM, Gabi, is incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable, offering excellent wine pairing recommendations.

Try smaller dishes with mains

Pair smaller dishes like risotto with secondi options if you're looking for larger portions or a more varied meal.

Consider table location

Request a table away from noisy areas for a more intimate and relaxed dining experience.

Shareable dishes recommended

Family-style eating is encouraged to try more dishes, with items like the Bistecca alla Fiorentina perfect for sharing.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

North & Navy receives praise for its outstanding service, creative dishes, and cozy, charming atmosphere, making it a popular choice for special occasions and casual elegant dining. While many highlight exceptional flavors and presentation, some reviewers note that certain dishes may lack distinct Italian influence or fall short on flavor and temperature, and portions can be on the smaller side, leading to a feeling of being pretentious or not worth the price for some.

"North & Navy

A beautifully decored Italian fine cuisine in the heart of Ottawa.

A highly recommended experience, great wine options, a unique menu that will meet all food preference and lastly highly educated staff that make the whole evening perfect.

I would recommend this Gem in Ottawa.

We will certainly be back!
Cheers."

Heinsy

"Out of the park from beginning to end. Stefan was awesome and made sure everything was explained and great suggestions. The food was superb. Every bite was fantastic. We ate family style, which I encourage so you can try more dishes. Hats off to the owners, chef and all the staff."

JR P

"North &Navy has been on my “to try list” for a long time. Sadly, the wait was in vain. Our antipasti, Chichetti and our Primi, Ravioli Incompiuto were well presented and creative, however flavour and temperature were lacking. We had two Main dishes. The Halibut & Peperonata was over cooked ( fish was chewy ) , over seasoned and had an abundance of oil on the plate. The Tournedos Rossini was a confusing flavour and texture. combination. Temperature barely warm . Overall, an ok taste.
Whey Panacotta dessert, another confusing texture and flavour just not good. Thankfully we were offered a replacement ( tiramisu) which was marginally better.
In our selected menu items, the Italian influence was not obvious.
Cocktails, service and wine won our stars. Very happy on that front .
Sadly we will not return."

Kelly H

What People Like

Exceptional service from knowledgeable staff
Creative and beautifully presented dishes
Cozy and sophisticated ambiance

What People Dislike

Inconsistency in flavor and temperature of some dishes
Portion sizes perceived as small
Occasional lack of distinct Italian influence

Frequently Asked Questions

North & Navy is known for its Northern Italian cuisine, creative seasonal dishes, cozy atmosphere, and outstanding service.

The 12 Most Famous Restaurants In Ottawa, CanadaGoogle Review

Given the restaurant's popularity and intimate setting, reservations are highly recommended, especially for special occasions.

The menu changes seasonally, but they are accommodating. It's best to inform the staff of dietary needs when booking or upon arrival.

The restaurant has a cozy and charming atmosphere, housed in a converted house with unique decor, offering a warm yet sophisticated vibe.

The 12 Most Famous Restaurants In Ottawa, CanadaGoogle Review

Absolutely! Ask for Gabi, the wine director and GM, who is incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable about wine pairings.

Google Review

Some reviews suggest that portion sizes can be on the smaller side, so ordering appetizers or sharing larger dishes is recommended.

Google Review+1

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If this were a contest for the most beautiful plating, North & Navy would win by a landslide with their artfully arranged dishes that guarantee a visual feast – and a feast for your taste buds, too!. Their ravioli incompiuto, or incomplete ravioli, is an interesting concoction like no other. Filled with grilled artichoke hearts and creamy ricotta, it’s guaranteed to turn your expectations upside down and leave you pondering how something so delicious can come from a dish that’s “incomplete.

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North and Navy, affectionately known as “NoNa,” is where northern Italian cuisine meets the seasonal bounty of the Ottawa Valley. This cozy yet sophisticated restaurant takes a playful approach to traditional Venetian fare with an ever-changing menu that emphasizes locality and seasonality. The atmosphere at NoNa is warm and inviting, featuring a balance of rustic charm and contemporary elegance, making it a favorite for special occasions and casual elegant dining alike.

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North and Navy is the place to go if you want to arrange a private dining session for your next event, meeting or celebration. This fine Northern Italian eatery really dials up the service in every way, with amazing dishes, friendly staff and an ambience that will transport you to another place in time. For private dining, you can expect a real VIP treatment, with your own dedicated server, modern audio-visual equipment and a large space that seats up to forty.

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North & Navy on Nepean Street in Ottawa's Centretown neighbourhood ranks 95 th on this year's list of Canada's 100 Best Restaurants. "In a converted Centretown townhouse Adam Vettorel interprets antipasti, pasta, luxurious mains and classic dolce, playing off similarities between the climates of eastern Ontario and northeastern Italy," says the website. Vetterol is the chef and co-owner of the restaurant.

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Head to Centretown if you want to take advantage of North & Navy’s hip private room. The space, like the rest of the restaurant, is outfitted with charming vintage-inspired decor, boasting a patterned rug and leather seats. It can seat 25, so there’s plenty of room for you and your guests.

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Northern Italian fare is what you’ll get at this Nepean hot spot. The cozy interior and the warm food are perfect in the winter.

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