Aperitivo in Kanata

Fantastic small plates, virtually all gluten free. Great wine list, too. Dietary restrictions: Gluten free Food : 5/5 |

We were from out of town to come see a show at the CTC and a friend of mine recommended this place. Although it was hard to find since we dont know the area and layout of the stores, myself, my husband, my father and his wife couldnt stop raving about how everything was so delicious. We have been to many restaurant establishments where we were underwhelmed, but this food was extremely good and I consider myself picky since I cook a lot at home. The angus meat was so tender and perfectly cooked, accompanied by kale and a baked celery root. The gnocchi was devine. Will definetly go back if we are in town again! Highly recommend it.

Aperetivo never disappoints! We went there last night after a terrible experience at another restaurant. They were busy, but found a spot for us very quickly. The service was amazing and very fast. The food was great as well. It s our to-go place in Kanata and we ve always had a great experience! Food

The service was great and the atmosphere was kind of tight. However, the food came out and was extremely small portions were non-shareable and I felt kind of ripped off by the time I left. Extremely expensive it cost over $100 per person for two drinks, a small appetizer and aThe service was great and the atmosphere was kind of tight. However, the food came out and was extremely small portions where non-shareable and I felt kind of ripped off by the time I left. Extremely expensive it cost over $100 per person for two drinks, a small appetizer and a very tiny entrée. we went out for a second dinner after

Love every part of it. The service was amazing. Very knowledgeable and helpful. The food was delicious. They brought the dishes out at the right pace and order. Definitely one of my favorites.

Excellent food and service. I will definitely come back!

One of our favourite spots in Kanata! Great food, drink, and people.

Aperitivo celebrates its 13th anniversary in September 2024. The fact that it has been in continuous, successful operation for so long is a testament to the quality of the food and the service that customers receive at Aperitivos. It survived all the challenges of the COVID pandemic which is an achievement that many small businesses Customers return again and again to enjoy a Spanish-style menu of tasty, innovative sharing plates that change with the season. I have been a customer for about 10 years now and have never had a bad dining experience. The availability of Gluten Free choices is a plus. There is free parking a short walk from the restaurant and a movie theatre across the plaza for those who are interested in a dinner and a movie outing.

Fantastic; a gem, just where it ought to be. Wonderful food, great cocktails, and a brilliant vibe.

Service was outstanding and owners very gracious even after this first time patron incorrectly tipped on the wrong amount! Try the yellow beats, truely extraordinary!

The dish is too small and so expensive. The taste is normal. Very disappointed.

The dishes are the size of a starter. They are served on dessert plates so Ill let you imagine... You come out of there on an empty stomach and with an incredible bill! Imagine, I had 3 tiny sized dishes, no drinks except water and the bill was $125 Oo! I dont understand how Aperitivo can have such good reviews. I got fooled once but not twice! For those who would like to be tempted, eat beforehand and prepare to heat up the credit card

Had an amazing celebration for my birthday here. Incredible food with wonderful service. You wont be disappointed!

A friendly place with good food and drinks. Dietary restrictions: My wife has gluten and dairy intolerance and the staff was able to help us find a great selection of sharing plates. Food : 5/5 |

This restaurant is amazing! They have a unique way and ideas for perfecting the food. The techniques used to assemble the ingredients is perfect and the excellent taste reminds us of Mediterranean cuisine. The staff is very knowledgeable and provided excellent suggestions on the foods and wine pairing. We look forward to bring our friends at our next visit.

A hidden gem in Kanata. Me and my friend got 3 plates and our server Erica let us order first, then chose a pairing (Rosewood - Blau, Nekora - Verdejo). The pacing and pairings were excellent. We ordered the scallop ceviche, tuna tartare and Burrata. All these dishes were good, but the ceviche was especially a treat.

Nice place. Food and service were very good. Delicious menu and drinks

I have never had a bad meal or service here. A gold standard for other restaurants to look up to.

Great sharing plates. Cocktails were yummy. Nice environment. Will return someday.

Great date spot

Great place!

Not my type of food Vegetarian options: There Are some things you can eat. Food : 3/5 |

Cosy with an understated metro-urbane flair. Really engaging service and the beautiful female individual who took care of us was professional, dynamic and embracing. Nice touch.

The charcuterie board is to die for. Immaculate ingredients whose quality shine through with each bite. Each component works perfectly with each other, creating an amazing and unforgettable tasting experience. Staff are friendly and professional.

A real industry standard setter. Always going above and beyond, not just with their grade A service, but their fabulous menu and culinary wonders they serve up. The cost may be high for a great night out, but its worth every single cent.

This is, foremost, one of the best restaurants in Kanata. The meals, atmosphere and service are great. You could tell the ingredients were fresh and the food is cooked in front of you. My husband and I tried the Bolognese lamb, yellowfin tuna, pork belly and cod cheeks and everything was delicious, recommended by Erica. This place reminded me of my stay in Spain. I would definitely come back and recommend this restaurant to all my friends. Personalized service, great atmosphere and tasty cuisine. Thank you, Erica for helping us choose our meals and for your friendly company through the night!

Really nice food, service was great! Place is quite small, not a bad thing, just different.

Aperitivo truly embodies the essence of Mediterranean warmth and hospitality! From the moment I stepped through the doors, I was welcomed with open arms and a bright smile, setting the tone for an exceptional dining experience. The food at Aperitivo is nothing short of amazing. Each dish is crafted with care and precision. Chef Nick is undoubtedly a culinary genius, his passion for food evident in every bite. Not only is the food delicious, but the presentation is also impeccable. Chef Nicks artistic flair truly elevates the dining experience to new heights. I must also commend Manager Erica for her outstanding hospitality. Her warmth and genuine kindness create a welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel like family. Ericas infectious smile brightens up the restaurant, and her dedication to ensuring every guest has a memorable experience is truly commendable. Overall, Aperitivo exceeds all expectations, thanks to its delectable cuisine, talented chef, and exceptional staff. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone in search of an unforgettable dining experience. I cannot wait to return and savor more of Chef Nicks culinary creations. Bravo to the entire team at Aperitivo.

Ive been here a few times and have had a great time everytime. The food is fantastic - definitely worth checking out if youre in the area !

very nice plating and good food, smaller space gives nice atmosphere too

Went for our anniversary a few months ago and it was lovely. The service and the food was fantastic. We tried every single cocktail since we took an Uber and every single one was delicious! Can t wait to go back

Was able to come back to Aperitivo after going a few years back when I first moved to Ottawa. And they did not disappoint. The food was created so beautifully that I almost didn t want to eat it. It was just so stunning. Picture perfect, that is for sure. But once you start to dig into the perfectly crafted food you just have a flavour explosion that truly blows your mind. The ambiance is nice. Very subtle but nice for a Outdoor Shopping mall setting. Truly enjoyed this experience. It s something that you will have to try This was on our table MEZZE marinated eggplant | focaccia with bread vinaigrette . chicken charred jalapeno + yogurt marinade | whey brined watermelon | goat feta | roasted pepper + tomato coulis | scallion + mint . brussels stracciatella | brown butter + lemon | almonds | prosciutto | raisins . beef tartare brioche | horseradish creme fraiche | quail egg | manchego | celery

My fave date night spot with the hubby or my girlfriends! Food never disappoints, I want to order everything on the menu every time we go! Amazing wine and tapas.

Shockingly good for Kanata

Very delicious Spanish appetizers!

Excellent food and staff know their stuff.

We love going out here. The staff are kind, quick, and the atmosphere and food is amazing. We ordered the polenta, steak, nuts, artichoke and special mention to the corn bread which is soooo good. Dietary restrictions: Everything was celiac friendly!

Food portions are misleading for the prices being paid. Took a bit of time to get the attention of servers, and over all, felt robbed of the joy that was first being absorbed. Food was quite greasy for what it should have been. Waitress was drinking alcohol while on shift, and simply not worth checking out. Parking however is great. Would not recommend unless you are a big spender for minuscule meals. This place is all about food presentation, and the final product was not worth the price. Parking: Good parking

I am a foodie and seriously this is one of the best places in Ottawa. Better than most of what you find downtown. Dont let the 100m you have to walk from the parking make you miss this gem. One of my new favorites.

Every dish tasted the same - Salty! I dont usually write reviews, even when Im not satisfied with a restaurant. But I was so disappointed by how awful the food was, especially given the high prices. Even fast food from a grocery store or making something at home would taste better than what was served here.

You might have guessed that Aperitivo is all about small, appetizer sized portions designed for sharing. Theres a bit more to this establishment. I have dined here three times and the menu is dynamic, changing with the season or, perhaps more frequently. Everything I have tasted is delicious and elegantly plated. Dont expect football player sized portions. Yesterday (Thursday night), 4 appetizers and 3 mini tacos were perfect portions for 3 adults. We all enjoyed the variety of flavors. I got distracted by the food and forgot to take a photo until most was eaten:) The venu is small with seating inside and a covered patio. Service is punctual and personal. The kitchen is only separated from the dining area with a counter and everything is spotless. The two unisex washrooms are the cleanest I have seen in the city. I think the prices are very reasonable for the dining experience and less than you would spend at a Steakhouse. This restaurant is perfect for impressing a date, entertaining a client or just a special night out. They have a comprehensive selection of spirits and wines which, I feel, is well curated (quality over quantity). I recommend you make a reservation due to limited seating.

Food was so innovative, creative, and of course delicious! Our server Erica was very attentive and knowledgeable about the food. She was amazing at suggesting food and drink pairings. Definitely ask for recommendations! One of the best restaurants in Ottawa that Ive been to.

Had an absolutely delicious meal. Everything they brought out to the table tasted better than the last. Great experience as well to share each dish with your party.

Absolutely incredible. Great service and food. Tried the olives, charcuterie, cheese, pork tacos, hen, corn bread, and peach. Also had the hibiscus sour and vodka Pom mule. Here is a breakdown: Olives: 4/5 - great variety, marinated nicely, and the addition of citrus and vinegar was nice. Charcuterie and cheese: 4/5 - I like the options and variety, and it is nice that you pay per item. For $9/item it s a great starter and good way to try a few cheeses and meats. Corn bread: 5/5 - the cornbread was not dry, and it was very flavourful and fresh. The honey butter was whipped and tasted like icecream. Wonderful dish! Pork tacos: 3.5/5 - the pulled pork was delicious, and I liked the Mediterranean toppings. However, the tortilla did not hold and the taco fell apart, making it difficult to eat. Also, I believe there was fennel or something that tasted strongly of licorice in the taco, which completely took over the flavour. Hen: 4.5/5 - the Cornish hen was delicious, it was perfectly cooked and great to share. The pearl onions and the jus were incredible. I wish I had some bread or potatoes to soak up the leftover juices, it was wonderful! Peach: 4/5 - it was a simple dessert, peach was slightly over cooked for my liking. I prefer a dessert with more pastry but this was refreshing and great way to end the meal. Drinks: the drinks were great, but not very strong. I preferred the hibiscus sour. The Pom mule did not have much pomegranate flavour, but had a red colour. Service: the service was great. We had multiple staff check on us to make sure we had everything. The dishes came in perfect order and in great time. Our table was constantly cleaned and plates were changed between every dish as needed. Overall would visit again, especially if you re waiting for a showtime at the movies across the plaza. Great little tapas place in Kanata, and one of the best in Ottawa!

The BEST spot for oysters, snacks and cocktails in Kanata! The owners, Erika and Riley have absolutely perfected this spot in every aspect. Erika is the most knowledgeable and delightful server/bartender, everything on the menu is incredible and there isn t a question about their huge wine selection that Riley can t answer. Every time I dine here I am more and more impressed

The food was deliciously flavorful and the ambience was very relaxing and enjoyable. The server was very nice and patiently explained the menu with all the vegan choices, and there were quite a few. However, the portions were very tiny. The main course dish sizes were comparable to appetizer sizes. Between 4 of us, we ordered 4 drinks, 4 appetizers, and 5 main course dishes and it still wasnt filling. We are not big eaters either. Honestly, if the portion sizes are corrected, this would be a gold standard restaurant. Vegetarian options: There are quite a few options on the menu that are vegetarian and vegan or can be made into vegetarian or vegan. Dietary restrictions: The server was very accomodating and patient about the dietary restrictions.

Outstanding food and service. Some of the best of both we have experienced in years. The pork belly was amazing.

Food - very delicious. Easy to mess up taste when cooking small amount of food but the taste wasn t compromised with the shareable tapas concept. Price - totally worth every bite. Portion size - small but it s better than the huge quantity dishes. Atmosphere - not loud music so I could hear my partner talking to me. It s not the establishment s fault but I got two old men looking at me a lot. I gave 4 stars because the dining area is a bit tight. Service - excellent. No complaints. We got 5 items and they brought out our food one after another so we had ample time to taste and chat in between the dishes. We weren t made to wait a long time. Drink - mezcal negroni was perfect. I would 100% come back again. Keep doing what you re doing!

Really love this place. Has become one of my favourite restaurants in Kanata. Highly recommended!

Four of us have been coming back 2-3 times a year for over 7 years to enjoy catching up over delicious food and drinks. Jen and Erica are extremely knowledgeable and make the entire experience so lovely. Highly recommend visiting Aperitivo for your next date night or girls night out.

Extremely disappointed by my most recent interaction with a staff member at Aperitivo named Jennifer. After having made a reservation at Aperitivo for 8 people, our group unexpectantly grew by a couple more. I called the restaurant to inquire about increasing our reservation number and was told that is not possible to increase the number. They normally only allow 6 people at the largest table they have, but they already increased it to 8 to accommodate us. At first, thinking it was simply that they didn t have enough space at the table for more people, I very politely asked about reserving a separate table beside the table we had. Jennifer was rude, impatient and snippy with me from the onset of our phone call. She proceeded to tell me we don t allow that, and we really won t be happy if you separately book a second table. I was still dumbfounded just not understanding the reasoning, so I politely asked if she could just explain to me why they didn t allow multiple table bookings just so it could make sense to me. I was not trying to change their policy, I was just trying to understand it. Jennifer rudely said well I don t know if you ve ever been to Aperitivo, but that s not the atmosphere we look to cater to . I thanked her for the explanation and she responded with well do you still want to keep your reservation then? I answered yes please, for the time being. Since this would allow me to reconfirm with people and sort out the logistics before finalizing the plan. Then, to my absolute shock, Jennifer just hung up on me. No response of of, course or sounds good just hung up. After her attitude throughout the entire call with me I decided to call back just to say I want to share that I felt it was very rude of you to hang up on me she said OK, thank you, have a good day and hung up again. Wow. What really pushed me to write this review however was not necessarily Jennifer, but it was the way the manager Riley Gilchrist responded to my email informing him of this poor interaction. When I expressed to him that it was really unfortunate to be treated and spoke to with such disrespect, impatience and rudeness he just replied that Jennifer was following restaurant policy. He did not even take the opportunity to apologize for the fact that this was my experience with one of his staff. Had he even recognized that the way I was treated is not the way he would want a customer of Aperitivo to be treated I would have felt heard and respected. Honestly unbelievable. We have friends who often book out the restaurant to have client appreciation gatherings, and I will definitely be sharing my experience with them so they are aware of the way I was treated by a business that they will likely not continue to support.

Everything is so good! Highly recommend

Great ambiance, good service, food is of excellent quality. Went after they had recently updated the menu and everything was delicious from the vegetarian baba ganoush and green beans to duck breast. Good variety of wines and cocktails. Hidden gem of Kanata.

Quaint atmosphere full of life and flavour. Plate sharing menu to relish your taste buds. The staff is spectacular. Highly recommend the experience.

Without a doubt, the best dining in Ottawa. The menu, wine list, service, decor and vibe are spot on. I would recommend the following. Starters... Focaccia Olives Mains... Polenta Duck Pork Belly Dessert... Poached pear dish!!! Thanks for a great birthday evening to all the staff. A+ experience!

Always a great experience from start to finish! The food and service are some of the best in the city and our favourite place for a casual date night.

Kanata is very fortunate to have Ottawas best restaurant. The innovation is incredible at Aperitivo for both the food and beverages. We loved the braised beef tacos the most, but very honorable mention to the cod cheeks! Also fettuccine bolognese lives up to the hype. If you are not in Kanata, I recommend you make the trip to our West End shining star Aperitivo, leading Ottawas restaurant industry!

The perfect little spot for a date. Its small and welcoming. Service and food was amazing. We came from Orleans area, and it was definitely worth the trip for our lunch. We dont get out often, so I personally love going out and trying things I wouldnt be able to do at home. And this spot did that for me. You can definitely taste the pride they put into curating their menu!

Great craft cocktails and brilliant tapas. I really enjoyed this meal. Highly recommended.

deception. after we called and asked if we needed to reserve a table, we were told that we didn t need to. we came and sat at the bar for two hours with promises that they would give us a table. unfortunately we left with terrible service. I don t recommend this place and I will tell everyone how bad it was there

Too small, messy, food is average. Would definitely NOT recommend it

I love this place! My wife and I are huge fans. Definitely recommend for date night.

The food was tremendous, the staff was very knowledgeable and willing to have open discussions about wine with us. Tucked away in Kanata but well worth going out of your way to visit.

One of the finest restaurants in Kanata. We had their New Years Eve Dinner for 2 meal last night, which was unbelievably flavourful. They packaged it all up with instructions on how to heat it at home - not like take out but more like a meal kit. Every course was absolutely perfect.

Always an enjoyable experience. A wonderful explosion of flavors that always compliment each other. Never disappoints.

Wow....I was really expecting better. Im no stranger to paying top dollar for a meal if it met expectations. During the pandemic I have had take-out from lots of the best restaurants in Ottawa (Becta, 18 etc), so most restaurants are still managing to provide value for money. I have to say though, that my first experience with Aperitivo was.....underwhelming. I took them up on the Valentines Day (see attached advertisement). While I will overlook the V-day price gouging since everyone does it, Ill agree that everything was present - thats about all Ill give them. The presentation was TERRIBLE, and it came it what looked like a box from Mr. Mozzarella, that totally dwarfed what was in it (see pic). I almost walked right back into the place if I wasnt afraid of being that guy. Contents in the picture had not shifted from driving or anything, thats actually how it looked when I opened the box. Seriously, use a container that fits what youre providing. I dont have any complaints about the food itself other than the portions were barely single, let alone double as advertised. Given that the bottle of wine is $14 at LCBO, that leaves $50 left they could have spent on food, which I just didnt see. While I was expecting it to be busy, there was only one person ahead of me in line. Still took >5min to get spoken to. Given the number of good reviews here I ll assume this was not typical, but still shocking to see.

Kanata desperately needs more restaurants like this. Aperitivo is true fine dining without pretension. Intuitive, thoughtful, and genuine service. Each dish was a wonderful creation, such a delightful experience. If you are a foodie, you wont be disappointed. Shame on me for not taking photos!

How fortunate we are in Kanata to have such a great eating and dining experience in the burbs. This place rivals the best of the best downtown restaurants. Great service, nice decor excellent food what more can you ask for.

A culinary gem in Kanata Centrum; an intimate restaurant with small sharing plates which range from nibbles through to hunks of meat. Service is a little haphazard, with multiple servers trying to take orders or leave and take plates away. But the food is of the highest quality, if lacking some higher notes, still head and shoulders above almost everything in the area. Solid but not exceptional.

What a fantastic experience. My daughter and I had an assortment of dishes that were unique and perfect. The staff are more like a friend trying something out with you, they genuinely know every detail of why flavours and textures work together and seem to enjoy how you experience it. Cocktails are top notch. I have eaten in great places in different parts of the world and this is top five. A destination if you are in Ottawa, living here or visiting.

Delicious meal and great service! Cant wait to go back. Very affordable for one of the best meals in Ottawa.

This is my go to location for a decadent and wonderful night out! I highly recommend pushing your limits and exploring the menu. I have ordered foods that I traditionally dont like, but the unique and beautifully crafted creations from Aperitivo combine flavours in amazing new ways to really tickle your tastebuds.

Everything we ordered was delicious. Typically this isnt a restaurant I would choose because its on the higher end but there were definitely unique assortments and food I wouldnt make on my own so it made it worthwhile. The hummus and the cauliflower in particular were my favorite.

Tastebuds died and floated up to heaven with each new dish we shared. Our friend saw the portions and thought oh God Im going to have to stop somewhere else after doli g out all this cash. Haha..not the case after we all finished our appetites were quenched and there were many appreciative yum and OMGs2

The food was amazing as was the price. We enjoyed this so much as an adult meal after 2 years of pandemic take out with the kids. And as others mentioned, felt quite full after, the calibre of the food is very much worth the price.

We had our first experience with aperitivo going to a concert the other day, Ive got to say the staff were superb friendly and knowledgable, the food itself was fantastic, flavorful and inventive,we ordered several different items, spiced olives are wonderful, great experience, extensive wine menu, it was a busy early seating and most of us dining there were going to concert , they have a later seating, very I pressed with aperitivo, kudos

Food was delicious, service was prompt and wonderful, great ambiance!

Excellent evening with my family. The food is delicious, the service is excellent. I love that the focus is on a dining experience with great food, great conversation. Highly recommend this restaurant.

This restaurant was a unique experience. We were able to share many dishes among our group of 8. Each dish was beautifully presented and flavours were delicious. The menu was enthusiastically presented by our server/ proprietor, who was very knowledgeable about the dishes and wonderful wines. It was a real treat to see someone so passionate about their restaurant.

Omg, a restaurant to try, so delicious from start to finish!!! The fried kaleidoscope salad is a delight for the taste buds, the cauliflowers, the scallop ceviche, cod taco...and what about dessert!!! Several choices, of drinks with freshness just like their ingredients!!!

Very vibe, awesome menu and phenomenal service. Definitely recommend checking it out.

Very nice!

Always a great experience.

Celiacs rejoice. This place has it all and its all delicious

Fabulous food, phenomenal service! What a beautiful place. Feels like home! Definitely recommended

Our favourite restaurant by far! Erica always remembers us and treats us like family. The food is delicious every time and the menu is always different. Their chef is a wizard with food! Highly recommend for any occasion big or small.

Fast smoth service Parking: Lots

Excellent service and exemplary food today at lunch. A wonderful dining experience for two well-travelled foodies! Bravo to our server and cooks for an outstanding meal.

Yummy food. Knowledgeable staff about wine and beer on menu. Food was gluten free.

I love this restaurant! We are very fortunate to have this restaurant in Kanata. Normally we have to go downtown to get anything close to this kind of food and atmosphere.

Very impressive cuisine...

Loved the new menu! Everything was great, wonderful flavours, beautiful presentation! Thank you!

Great food and excellent service. My wife and I decided to try this place out and we were not disappointed. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive, and the food and drinks were excellent. Definitely worth a try.

This restaurant deserves one of the best reviews Our dishes were outstanding! You have to stop here !!!

So good! Aperitivo is a must-try for all foodies in Ottawa. Everything is great. Beers on tap, custom cocktails, wine list, appetizers, small plates, bigger plates, wine list, desserts. You will not be disappointed. The menu is constantly changing and uses amazing flavour combinations. The staff is fantastic. Can t wait to go back!

Excellent restaurant wonderful time and food.

We had an excellent dining experience at Apertivo. The food and drinks were delish, the service was top notch, and the atmosphere was very cool. Above all, however I want to acknowledge the fact that most of their menu is vegetarian (or modifiable to be veg). Its rare than we can go to a nicer place and have top quality vegetarian food that isnt an afterthought & goes beyond veggie burgers, token pasta, or cauliflower-everything. We will be back!

Im not a fancy person - my idea of dressing up is a golf shirt and nice jeans... but I do appreciate good food - and Aperitivo delivers. I could almost hear Alton Brown describing the layering of flavours and textures in every dish. Every. Single. One. was a hit. Some of our favs were the foccacia, the potatoes and the chicken, but everything was superbly crafted and delicious. The cocktails were worth savouring as well - I really enjoyed the Dark and Stormy. While the food is fancy the restaurant itself is cozy and comfortable and the staff are top notch. Warm and inviting and very helpful. Highly recommend!

Unfortunately the food was bland and quite overpriced. This was the 4th time and we always left happy and satisfied with the food. Not this time. Service was excellent as always. Perhaps the cook forgot how to season?

Such a cool little place, the staff are amazing and friendly, they spend time explaining the menu, they know all the ingredients (very helpful if you have allergies), and they dont ask how you are enjoying your food just as you have filled your mouth with food, like so many other places do! The food is amazing as well, mostly small plates, perfect to share for 2 people. We had the Beef Tartar, the Mushroom plate and Oysters ... all so delicious! Nice little wine selection by the glass, and again very knowledgeable about the wine selection. They dont rush you through your meal, the timing of the different plates is perfect. Perfect date night place! Our first time there, not our last. Highly recommended ... but do make reservations before going, it is a small place.

The dishes here are very creative, unique and FULL of flavour. Also the menu regularly changes so theres always something new to discover. Ive been many times and have never been disappointed! The restaurant has a relaxed and cozy vibe. The wait staff are always so friendly and attentive. The prices are totally reasonable for the quality of the dishes. I would HIGHLY recommend Aperitivo!

The service and the menu are very tough to beat! Everything was amazing; well worth every cent! :-)

Delicious food and excellent service

Amazing Easter dinner. Guys you never disappoint. Thank you so much.

Excellent food, good atmosphere, fast service, but seats and tables were very noticeably worn out so I have to knock a point off for that. Please fix the furniture so I can give you a 5/5 !

Sooo good! Trust their talented chef to have a culinary experience that will lift you up! Amazing flavours, a hidden gem!

Fantastic hosts! Never compromise service or quality. Menu will continue to grow and return to the excellence of before. Thank you Erica and Riley for holding on through our troubled times.

We were given a gift certificate for our wedding anniversary, had never even heard of the place. Had take-out, and although was initially surprised we had to do part of the cooking ourselves, we had a fantastic meal, delicious and plentiful. Looking forward to visiting in person soon.

Great food, very innovative and an experience. Great staff and service. But not cheap!

Lots of variety of dishes, with locally sourced ingredients and knowledgeable staff. Note: patio is small and seating is limited so make a reservation.

The best boutique restaurant in kanata.

Had a great experience at Aperitivo recently. Service was fantastic and the food was delicious. Enjoyed fresh oysters (which rocked), a delicious little charcuterie platter, seared scallops, sauteed mushrooms and fish tacos. Highly recommend for a delicious patio dinner.

Summary: Food was good, but service was horrendous. Will not be coming back. We arrived approx. 5 min before our reservation time (6pm) and were promptly seated on the patio. After looking over the menu for 5-10 min, we ordered 3 dishes all at once. Having been here before, we knew that these dishes are served one after another rather than all at once (due to the size of the kitchen and the style of the dishes) and we had no problem with this. The dishes came out quite slow (even compared to previous times eating there) but this did not seem like it would be a problem... After finishing our 3 dishes (at around 7:20pm), the server asked us if we wanted to see the dessert menu. We quickly decided on a dessert and were waiting for it to come out when the server came by our table around 7:35pm and told us that we were past our 1:30h time limit on the table and would have to eat the dessert at another table outside of the covered patio. We thought this was an odd request, but complied. However, the weather forecast was showing that rain would be starting very soon. For some reason, the manager quickly dismissed this concern and said that she saw that the rain would only start at 9:40pm (which was not the case as per the Weather Network or the Apple Weather app). When the dessert finally came out 5min later, the rain had started. We quickly at our dessert and one member of our party went to request the bill and express concern regarding the restaurants policies. The manager was very dismissive and said that there was nothing that could be done in the situation. The manager even said that the 1:30h time limit was part of some policy in Ontario so they could not change it even if they wanted to (I couldnt find anything whatsoever about such a mandatory time limit anywhere on the internet). Nothing was done to compensate us for having to move tables and eat in the rain. Not something that I would ever imagine happening at such a restaurant. If we were getting close to our time limit (which was not mentioned when we arrived), shouldnt the server have warned us when we had ordered dessert?? Having liked eating here several times before, we were extremely disappointed with this experience and will not be coming back.

Nice atmosphere and excellent food. Great place for date night.

I was so happy to find this place. everything we had from the toasted chickpeas, to the braised beef to the halibut cheeks were absolutely fantastic. finished up with a couple desserts that hit the spot. The cherry on top was their great drink menu, which had several different brewers and a nice selection of wine. will be back

The food and wine were fantastic! Everything was mostly gluten free already and they even have a house made gluten free focaccia! Even though I didnt wind up trying it, it was wonderful going to a restaurant where being gluten free didnt mean no bread! Our friends had the mushrooms which were super tasty. Definitely do the charcuterie and cheese too! The staff is very friendly and helpful. Ill definitely be coming back again!

Never disappointed. Always receive excellently crafted dishes and superbe service. A must try if you haven t.

Most amazing drinks and food.

Probably one of the best restaurants I ve been to in a really long time. The food, wine and service were all excellent. I loved that everything was served in small bites meaning you could try lots of different things

One of my fav places in Kanata/Ottawa. Sharing plates, evolving menu. Gluten free options

We had an amazing date night at Aperitivo. Great service, wonderful food and drinks! A big thank you to Jennifer, our server.

Hard to find better fresher or more lovely food and staff than this gem

My wife and I had a great experience in Aperitivo last night. The service, the food and the wine are all excellent. The lamb with bone was one of the best lamb I have eaten in my life, delicious!

Very amazing. Great! Um. I liked it!

Great food. Cheese cake and the beef chuck were the star...minus the fact that my friend found a strand of hair embedded in her dish. Erica the manager was awesome as usual. The second waiter that served our table was rather pushy in continuously reminding us they needed the table for 8 pm, even at 7:30 when we were ordering dessert (also i swear i was told 8:15 pm). They did offer to bring a new dish but we didnt really want it. Not sure if they compd at least part of that dish but if they didnt then they shouldve. Overall consistent rotating menu but diverting of the more temporary wait staff leave some questions.

Amazing meal! Fantastic staff. Endless gluten free options. I can t say enough good things about our experience tonight. Loved every minute. We will be back!

Delicious food and good beer selection. Good place to catch up with friends over dinner

Its not bad. Its like a small deli inside an oversized location. They must be doing well because they have a lot of staff. The food is pretty good. I like the sandwiches here. Theres a huge sit down area that could use a facelift. Its like your sitting in a warehouse with some random tables and chairs. Prices are fairly high compared to what you get.

Simply one of the greatest restaurants in Ottawa. Exceptional service, a custom drink card and the changing menu make this one of the best restaurants to visit over and over in the National Capital Region!

What an amazing place

Great food, unlike any Ive had in a while. But staff should really be wearing hairnets when in the kitchen.

A gem

Made us feel so welcome and the food was to die for. Our new spot for sure!

A real culinary experience! Very good!

Bad service the girl wasn t wearing a mask, when we ask for the bill she couldnt split the bills for us when we ask, not recommend to anyone that go here ps. The old blonde server

My absolute favourite place to eat! Great food, great service...never dissappointed.

The food was amazing (especially the fish tacos) and the service was top notch! Will definitely be back!

One of the best restaurants in Ottawa West. An intimate, hip environment with delicious, seasonal tapas and sharing plates, great drink selection and bar tending. The staff are fantastic and attentive. Its the kind of place you will likely try things outside of your comfort zone and love it. Ive been seen trying to scrape the last drop of sauce from a spotless dish.. and they have provided inspiration for my own cooking. They are currently offering physically distanced indoor and outdoor seating and it all feels well organized and safe. Be sure to make a reservation.

Staff is super friendly and made excellent menu suggestions. Food was delicious. Interesting and creative selection of delicious cocktails and beer. A real gem.

Delicious and so food issue accommodating! Would return in a heartbeat

We were here for a birthday dinner. The atmosphere was friendly and intimate. The server knew her business very well. She gave good recommendations and was very accommodating when we needed to change something. The PEI oysters were delicious!! Thoroughly enjoyed the main course and all the wine I had. Great place to go.

Excellent

Amazing experience at Aperitivo. The occasion was just my wife and I on Wednesday afternoon date. You can tell by the food and service you are dealing with passionate people, not to mention the skill in the kitchen. Beer, wine and aperitif selection was very good. Started with the charcuterie and cheese special. Our three choices of plates after were the seared fish (cod for us), the confit lamb and the fish tacos. The order the dishes were brought was perfect. You don t want lamb before cod. The juice from the burnt lemon on the cod was just out of this world. Probably the best lamb I ever had with a good crust and extra soft inside. It reminded me of foie-gras texture but tasted like lamb. We will go back to try the rest of the menu and again when they update the menu, and again

Hidden gem in Kanata. Our go to dinner spot. Staff are extremely friendly and the food is top notch

Awesome intimate place. Amazing drinks and the food is just as good if not better. Been here 5 or 6 times and it never disappoints

Had the Eggplant dish and the cheese platter for dessert. Both were so yum. Presentation was excellent. Staff was great. Loved it

This place is consistently one of ottawas best dining experiences. Creative menus that change frequently, mixed with top-tier service, and extraordinary cocktails.

Food is eclectic and delicious. Casual atmosphere but fantastic food and drinks. Great patio in the summer.

Amazingly unique menu which changes every few months... This place has a great vibe !

Succulent food presented in a innovative way! My husband and I had dinner at Aperitivo to celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary. Great food, amazing staff, wonderful atmosphere. We just moved to the neighbourhood and this is our new favourite place. Thank you for making it a great evening!

Also pricey, but worth going if you are into small dishes with great quality meals.

Lovely atmosphere - small but cozy. The food is just amazing, and there s a great selection of drinks. The cornbread with honey butter was SO good! I ll be back.

Highly recommended beautiful plates delicious food great atmosphere and service

their service was impeccable for a small establishment, they were timely, mannered and honest. We asked for their most popular dish and went with it. Share the corn bread and the brussel sprouts. my friend had the creamy steak for dinner and i had the chicken. We were both very satisfied with our meals. i liked that the portion sizes for the shareable plates was just enough to keep you hungry for your main, definitely not american sized.

Nice atmosphere, and good service, the food wasnt very good though.

Amazing food. Always changing menu. Great service. Very cool cocktails. Really cute intimate atmosphere!

Our first experience trying this local place. Let me begin by saying that there were 4 of us there, several drinks and many different plates were ordered but between the 4 of us we have only two photos. We simply had too good of a time enjoying the cozy atmosphere, great food and drinks and the company of each other that we didn t remember to take more clicks. Everything on the menu is meant to be shared and the 4 different dishes we ordered tasted great! You can see the lamb kefta and grilled pork ribs in the photos. I must admit that looking at the menu (prior to going) I was a little skeptical about whether if we ll need to do a takeout on the way home. But not was I proven wrong. After the 1 appetizer that we all shared and the 4 main dishes, we were stuffed! Everything was nicely timed in how they were brought out, giving us enough time to chat in between and enjoy the flavours (most if not all of which were made in house at the restaurant). Truly a wonderful experience.

Always been our favorite place to go. Erica is awesome and you should trust her recommendations if you are stuck on what to order

Sharing small tasty plates. Always a fun way to enjoy a nice talk.

Didnt like the food or drinks. Everything is really sour and potatoes i had were really old. Its also really expensive for portion sizes and cocktails

Great food! Intimate setting, sharing plates, great wine and cocktails. This is a gem for a date night.

Excellent, deliciously complex food, welcoming staff, a very pleasing experience.

Amazing food , great ambiance , suberb staf

Both the food and the service was incredible. Its not cheap but well worth the money.

Perfection.

My husband and I have been coming here for several years. We love to sit at the bar and chat with the chefs in the open kitchen, and Erica behind the bar. Service is always amazing. The food changes frequently, as does the cocktail/beer menu, and never disappoints. One of our favourite places. Three plates to share between the two of us is the perfect amount. Try the fish tacos, they are fantastic!

Great food!!!! and atmosphere. Highly suggest making a reservation. But even sitting at the bar was awesome as the staff were friendly and talkative.