Benny's Bistro in Ottawa

Scott and his team craft a culinary experience through their excellent selection of ingredients, wine pairings, and charismatic approach to ensuring their guests are comfortable and well-fed. I would recommend Benny s Bistro, in business since the mid 90 s and for good reason too.

The food was delicious, but not worth the price. We bought two desserts from the bakery while dining in the same building, which is part of the same company. First, the croissant was hard and not fresh. Secondly, they charged us extra for eating the desserts inside. It felt very greedy.

Cute spot, fantastic food

Get your latte in a BOWL!!! Its like Saturday morning cereal and milk but for adults!! I will be dreaming of that latte for the rest of my life lol

Its healthy and delicious. The chef explained the food and was full of pride in the food.

Amazing bakery with many fresh options. Will be going again!

The food here is absolutely delicious and well presented. The restaurant itself is a beautiful space with paintings across the walls. There is a different brunch menu on the weekends. Brunch portions are not what youd typically get elsewhere but delicious nonetheless.

A1 service, cozy atmosphere and what can we say about the brunch... WOW!!! We loved the Salmon Gravlax and the Potato Gratin with Hollandaise Sauce! We highly recommend!

Food was delicious. Price is a bit more than average.

Great bistro, amazing staff. Food is top notch!

Great bakery and tasty coffee. Well return

Fantastic!

So this actually took me a while to post, Ive been sort of busy, however I have some free time now. Bennys is probably the most hidden gem Ive found in Ottawa, breakfast was spot on. Some people may think that its alittle pricey but you do have to consider food cost, everything is local and sourced by the Chef. These guys put heart and love into what they are doing and it shows. Service.... absolutely outstanding the young lady from Sudbury, me and her chatted for a good long time. Got to chat with Im sure it was the owner as well. Good on you guys for putting forth the time, effort, love and passion that goes into running a effective business

Very expensive with very limited options. The French toast was very good but the basic eggs were rubbery and they use no seasoning on anything.

I recently had lunch here. I loved the ambiance, the attention to detail with my lunch and the spectacular taste. Staff are fantastic and I cant wait to dine there again. I even picked up a few things in the bakery. Delighted! Food

Absolutely delicious food with a beautiful presentation. Loved every bite

By FAR my favourite brunch spot. The food is second to none. I haven t tried one menu item that hasn t been executed to perfection. Not to mention the amazing staff and great atmosphere. 10/10

Forever my favorite croissants. After so many years, they have remained my favorite croissants.

Been coming for years and the place has aged and matured gracefully. Part of me will miss the Parisian vibe the restaurant had over a decade ago. But I cant deny how lovely the place is now . Cant recommend it enough.

Food was amazing...SO good! I think nicer decor to match the elegance and quality of the food would put this restaurant on another level.

Spent two days in Ottawa. Breakfast was so delicious we had to go back a second time. Everything was exceptional. Food was fresh and beautifully prepared, and the service was welcoming and attentive.

A must-see in Ottawa! Bennys Bistro is without a doubt the best brunch in the city. The food is delicious, the service is impeccable and the menu is incredibly creative. If you are passing through Ottawa or if you are a brunch lover looking for the ultimate experience, look no further I highly recommend Bennys Bistro to all foodies and those looking for a unique dining experience. #BrunchGoals #OttawaFoodie. #MustVisit

Excellent food and good portions. Loved the setting with the kitchen in view.

Intimate atmosphere with great food. Brunch was delicious and reasonably priced.

Beautifully renovated space. Excellent food. Great atmosphere!

Best cinnamon roll.ive ever had... Its made with croissant dough I believe? It is so so good. And they have the best coffeee (Illy)

Excellent food

Stopped in for lunch today and loved this back room gem! Had the daily sandwich which was a Cuban and very delicious! The service was excellent! The rest of the menu looked amazing too. Would love to visit again.

Hidden gem! Quaint spot with lovely art tucked at the back of the French Bakery. We had the potatoes gratin with eggs Benedict and the French toast. The food was absolutely delicious, the service was excellent and the generously sized lattes served in bowls were the icing on top.

We drove from Boston to Ottawa just for their chocolate almond croissant. I have never had a better croissant, I still think about it daily. Truly considering driving 7 hours again for this. Love u benny

Amazing French Toast!!

Great meal, fine service. Excellent art. The place seems like a secret as its behind a good bakery. Food

The croissant was not fresh. Disappointing

Delicious and quality dishes! They even serve kir royals! Hard to find in Ottawa!

World class and of Incomparable quality. The last time I was fortunate enough to enjoy this level of excellence in food and service was when I came here in the pre pandemic years for brunch with my parents.

Food was great but they are using hands to decorate plates without any gloves on. Bread and butter served with their hands and then touching everything else without washing hands. Main dish also using hands to put porched eggs on top of the plate and wiped their hands on their clothes. Warming up sauce using plastics container in microwave. Staffs are not kind. I hope this is only my experience but others.

The food is always excellent; a great place for brunch in the market! It looks like the place was renovated during the pandemic - minimalist but tasteful decor (Bennys Bistro has recently re-opened). Service could be better - long wait and not super welcoming.

The food was great, really tasty and enjoyed. But the service wasn t good, maybe she have bad day. When she service me, she have lot attitude that make me uncomfortable. Over all it is great place for brunch. Food

We attended a private function for dinner. Everything was excellent. Well go back for lunch sometime soon.

Out of town we looking for a yummy brunch and stumbled on this place and I sure glad I did!! From the friendly staff to the very delicious meal it s a hidden gem for sure! Had the Yukon gold potato gratin with hollandaise and wow was that packed with flavour and had perfectly poached eggs. I ll definitely be telling my Ottawa friends about this place and I will be back next time in Ottawa to check out other menu items!

I like to explore our town by visiting different unique breakfast places, it was great

The food is good. What is five star cuz he makes really cute

Must visit brunch spot in Byward!

Went here for brunch and while the food was alright we weren t too impressed with the service, unfortunately. We had to wait quite some time before being able to place a food order; no one stopped by our table to check on the quality of the food, either.

Absolutely perfect, clean, sophisticated, a perfect ambiance, an open kitchen and unpretentious food experience. Perfect for a quiet place to have a meal and enjoy your company.

Amazing atmosphere, very welcoming and accommodating! Attention to detail Is on point and the staff is great! Highly recommend!

As I said to the chef and the lady today, this is my most favorite restaurant in Ottawa. Wish you guys all the best!!

A hidden gem in Ottawa for great great brunch! It s the second time I ve been to this restaurant. The price is a little expensive, but the dishes are fresh and delicious. It s worth trying, but you may have to queue up. I ordered Yukon Gold Potato Gratin and Savory Buckwheat Gravlax. I m full! I have eaten at its Rosted Mushrooms before and highly recommend it ~

According to the French Baker I just called, Bennys Bistro is undergoing renovations and they hope to reopen in June (2022).

amazing food, perfect customer service, very well decorated restaurant, will come again

Got here around 11:30am and the place was fairly empty. Food was okay - I got the sandwich and salad, and while the sandwich was indeed tasty, it was fairly oily (too much for me). Salad tasted a little bland too. Prices here are fairly pricey, especially for the portions you get. Youre looking at around $18-$25 per dish. Service was good, at least. They give you complimentary bread thats pretty tasty.

If you are a brunch lover, you really must try this one. But be prepared to wait in line. Every time I go around noon, the queue is never less than an hour. There is basically nothing on the menu. My personal favorite is the French Thousand Layers of Potatoes and Eggs Benedict (the hollandaise sauce has just the right acidity and is very good), and the previous dish of tuna with meatballs and tomato stock. The disadvantage is that their open kitchen is really smoky. Very great food, one of my favorite brunch. It is just tooooo busy.

Food is excellent. Service is very quick though you will have to wait for brunch.

Good portions and very tasty food. Favorites were the salmon, mushroom, and scallops. Waitress was pleasant as there was only one waitress and one cook

They do the best brunch in Ottawa

I stopped in for breakfast with someone on a Monday morning. It was quiet, but I got to eat one of the best omelettes Ive had in my life. Highly recommended.

Excellent creative breakfast dishes.

Bennys always has amazing service and friendly faces

The superior cuisine here, from a short menu, never disappoints.

Superb and hidden little gem

Tasty, small portion, short menu.

Probably best French toast I have ever had. Add the for full awesome experience.

Exquisitely fantabolous! Experience French cuisine at moderately priced.

OMG this is the Best place in Ottawa to eat. I would Highly Recommend to anyone visiting Ottawa or anyone who lives there to go to Bennys. It located in the back of a Bakery. All ingredients are fresh and locally sourced. Very interesting dishes and great to share among friends. Great job on Awesome food!!!! I really enjoyed this Bistro.

Bennys is an absolute treat, bursting with fresh flavours!

This is not my first time here. Superb little corner at the back of the bakery. The mushroom soup was sublime and my favorite, the gravlax on potatoes and an egg on top. Phew, I ate very well! Impeccable service as usual. Ill be back soon.

Top 3 most exquisitely delicious meals of my life. I had the mushrooms for lunch, which had the most flavourful king oyster mushrooms, an ineffably tasty sauce and a few surprise raviolis! The server was sweet and the ambiance is very Parisian. Lovely lovely place tucked away at the back of the bakery that makes you feel like you re somewhere in Europe.

They have a fantastic breakfast during the weekends with exquisitely prepared dishes. Everything is carefully thought out and prepared with skill. It isnt a cheap breakfast but if youre looking for something exceptional this is the spot.

First of all, I should clarify that this is a review for Benny s Bistro and not the bakery. I went to the bistro on a Thursday morning and ordered the medium eggs and potatoes. After 30 minutes the food arrived. It was the poorest breakfast I have ever had. They served me Sunny Side Down Eggs instead of more medium with burnt potatoes and meat. Dinner food is better than this. There is nothing French here! even the coffee was watered down.

Super fresh and unique brunch that you wont experience anywhere else. Every time Im in Ottawa I crave the wild forest mushroom dish. So yummy!

Excellent food, very small place requiring a wait before being seated but the dishes are succulent and well presented!

Great food, well worth it.

Omg if you havent been you MUST go! Breakfast/brunch/lunch all worth the wait. Expect to wait if you head for brunch on a weekend and reserve ahead during the week if you want. Love love LOVE this spot.

Delicious brunch. Unique menu and high quality. Nice little nook in the back of the bakery

Food is awesome and the service is excellent, great place to grab a bite with friends or family. They dont serve their full menu until 10:30, but if youre there earlier you can get coffee and one of their delicious pastries.

Extremely expensive for tiny portions that were served after a 45 minute wait time. I am so disappointed in this restaurant. Cold atmosphere. I do not recommend unless you want to get ripped off.

Amazing authentic French cuisine, great portions and fair prices make this one of the best brunch places in Ottawa.

I was here for Sunday brunch (yesterday) with my girlfriend and another couple. We inadvertently arrived what I thought would be way too early, at 0945...brunch starts at 1030. As it turns out, by 1000 there was a line up to get in! We sat and relaxed with an excellent cup of coffee and one of the best croissants Ive ever had. 1030 rolled around and the line up to get in grew and we were given our menus. Among the 4 of us we had French toast (with cinnamon apple), salmon (lox) and Yukon gold potatoes with poached eggs. It was all fabulous. The service was prompt, courteous and professional. Highly recommended.

Really good food at a good price.

Ive only ever gone to the bakery at the front, not the bistro. This place has the best croissants in Ottawa, without a doubt. I am leaving this review to announce: If you go anywhere in Ottawa for a croissant, make it this pretty and humble little bakery. This Francophone establishment has a good staff and fair prices on its baked fare. Please treat yourself. These are unbelievably delicious, flaky, and subtle croissants.

Excellent food! Although service could be a bit quicker on lunch time. Not terrible, but an hour lunch is not enough.

Good service, tasty brunch, casual and wished it opened earlier on weekends!

Lovely.

Great food, bit pricey but overall worth it!

Love their food

We used to go to this bistro regularly but noticed that the quality of the food seems to have declined, as the owner-chef delegated more of the food preparation to his assistants. Of all the dishes I have tried, the mushroom is my favorite, and the few soups I have had were all tasty. However, the portions in general are small for the price. The food also tends to be oily, so be prepared to feel a bit bloated after the meal. The last couple times we went, the service was slow. One young woman didnt seem to have been trained properly as a waitress; she was expressionless and seemed to have forgotten to put in our order. We ended up asking another waitress after a rather long wait and she promptly put the order through. Because of that, we havent gone to this bistro for a while but have dropped by to buy their baked goods. The almond chocolate croissants from the bakery in front are delicious.

They really do their brunch well! Very yummy!

So simple, reliable, and delicious. Their brunches are excellent and always packed but they deserve your attention for their smaller weekday menu

Amazing food that you wont find anywhere else in Ottawa. Their brunch is to die for, expensive but worth every penny.

went to the bistro in the back. Great price for really amazing cuisine. We were really impressed with the two mains we ordered! And really good advice for the desserts as well, even if they were not at the level of the main courses

Ive been there a few times for lunch/brunch on the weekend. Ive never been disappointed but I wish the menu would change a little. Since the first time I went there five years ago, the menu hasnt really changed.

Food is just as impressive as yelp reviews. Didnt know you could fry Cornish hen like they did! The manager is a great guy! Its a bit hot inside though. The portion is fine dining small size so stop by the bakery upfront after for a snack.

I loved the buckwheat pancake, I would just say that the quantities were not generous enough. When you leave the restaurant, take the opportunity to buy a baguette and croissants in the best bakery in Ottawa, which is Frances biggest complaint in my opinion

Incredible food and service. Get there early!

I had a breakfast here. French toast is great. There are big chunk of mushrooms in omelette. Flesh orange juice is good too.

Summary: best value for great cooking Look for the sign outside next to the bakery! Cool spot in the back of the bakery. Went on a weekday for lunch around 2pm and it was fairly empty. Seems to be a seasonal menu at more than fair prices for the quality we received. I got the mushrooms and it was delicious. All of the dishes my three other friends got were also fantastic.

This is a great hidden gem, menu is small but never simple, complexity and depth on each dish, the wine pairing is perfectly achieved, again also the drink menu is small but we a lot of sense for their menu items. You should really give it a try. Consider this is a more flavor/price oriented than volume/price.

Great breakfast!

We didnt eat here. It is unfortunate. Because they dont have high chair for babies.

Good place for brunch

Awesome food!

Delicious !! A bit of a wait but well worth it.

Always love coming here.

A gem of a restaurant tucked away behind the French Bakery! Virtually everything in the menu is fanastic and Scott, the owner/chef, was genuinely intrigued when my spouse asked for jam to go with the Monte Cristo and it was the first time hed heard of anyone doing that. The only criticism would be that service can be a bit show, but then again one should not rush through their meals here.

Waited in line for 30 minutes which was acceptable considering how busy the restaurant usually is during the weekends, but we waited an hour and half for our food to be served.

The food here is fresh and delicious! The owner is very accommodating to dietary needs. Friendly atmosphere.

French toasts and omlette was excelent! helpfull service. And this Coffee! Need to visit for breakfest.

Bit pricey for breakfast and a limited menu (4 or so items). Pastries were a little dry. I probably wouldnt come back here on my next visit to Ottawa.

Excellent food. Fresh bread and pastries on site. A wonderful little surprise hidden in downtown Ottawa. Great value pricing on breakfast as well.

LOVE the gravlax here! One of my all time favorite brunch places!

Amazing brunch! A lot of care taken in the menu. Dont go here if youre looking for bacon and eggs. If you like an upscaled brunch, this is a must visit.

Superior quality of food! Fresh, hand made and local! We had breakfast and bought some pastries to go. All preservative free!

wait 40 mins for food, very slow service. Food tastes not bad.

Amazing pastries, awsome staff!

The dishes are special and very very delicious. Highly recommended!!

An uncomplicated menu with delicious food. Start with a croissant and some coffee then order breakfast - wait and enjoy the amazing smell from the kitchen. Went twice when we were visiting Ottawa for a week.

cute and delicious!

Pan fried liver. Wow, just wow.

Very good brunches and friendly service

Food fantastic service horrible. Over a hour for our food. I will never go back.

Best brunch ever!!! The halladinse is the best that I ever had....

It is at the back of a bakery. The meal was delicious. Very rich with creams and butters. The service people are very sweet. The only issue is the floor is slanted in some places making getting a good angle in your seat something of a challenge. Or like myself change tables. Its very busy but should never stop anyone from a really good thing. Its very reasonably priced for its flavour and presentation. Ill go back and bring others with me.

The pasteries here are awesome and I loved them!

I used to live on Murray street and thought The French Baker was a pet store because of their dog logo . Turns out, it s a bakery that s been in Ottawa since 1995 and opened a small brunch spot in the back called Benny s Bistro in 1999. I think I read somewhere that it was a hidden gem in Ottawa so I wanted to try it. And now I understand why!! They start you off with some fresh slices of different baguettes. I was super excited because I was already thinking about buying baguettes after my meal but now I get to try some first! The French Toast was unbelievably good.. they used baguettes for the French toast, the outside was crisp and the inside was so soft. It came with apple compote, almond oats, and a salted caramel sauce. The flavours complimented each other so well, I ll always come here for my French toast cravings now. We also got the Yukon gold potato gratin, with a maple cured pork loin, and a soft poached egg. As well, we added a side of the double smoked bacon & fingerling potatoes. We didn t want to feel super heavy so we didn t add hollandaise to our poached egg & potato gratin, but you can for an extra $2. We throughly enjoyed everything and will probably be back to try something else, and also get the French toast again . The server s are very friendly, and are super quick with cleaning and attentiveness. We only had to wait 10mins today but I m sure it varies between 10-30mins depending on the day and time.

I have been here several times, and much enjoy the food every time. I took a couple of American friends in recently, though, and they found the food too complex.

Loved it what a team of workers food was top notch

Fantastic unpretentious and incredibly well executed, chef, you are a delight!

Nice place great food super people

Great brunch food, gets very busy around 11am though so expect a wait.

While the food is delicious, service from Scott, the owner, was especially impeccable. He graciously explained the specials to us, replaced a glass of wine I broke. Between the excellent meals Ive had here, and the service, this restaurant deserves a visit, and Id return anytime.

Found in the back of the bakery, this neighbourhood institution has a straightforward menu that is consistently done well. The small staff does more than their fair share, sharing roles and responsibilities. The reason why I can t give it 5 stars is because I can t imagine why something this wonderful isn t available in my neighbourhood.

Food was good but super tiny for the price.

Tiny bistro with amazing brunch. Friendly attentioned staff.

Great Food! Worst service I have ever experienced, brunch should not involve two hours of waiting for food.

Cool little brunch/lunch place in the back of a bakery. Great spot!

Its hidden behind the French bakery so its small and not crowded crazy like some of the other places in the Market. Speedy and friendly service to get us seated and coffee and pastries were on our table very shortly after that. Brunch is not your usual fare which is nice. I had the Yukon Gold gratin with pork loin and poached eggs and it was simply delicious! Highly recommended!

We thought this would be a great place to sit and have breakfast. Great selection of pastries and croissants. But not a hot breakfast. Restaurant In the back opens for lunch.

Just had lunch there and it was DELICIOUS. We enjoyed the sandwich and soup. I couldve ate a bucket of the soup. A lovely place to eat.

Extremely long wait in an uncomfortable crowded hallway for brunch. Aside from that, bread with butter to start was delicious (although butter was hard), and the meals were amazing and unique. I tried the apple french toast and it was the best french toast in my life.

Ottawa has a great reputation for delectable brunch spots, but this one really did it for me! The French Baker, a cute Parisian style bakery (as its name implies), is worth the visit in its own right, delicious pasteries and coffees, a charming atmosphere... but oddly hidden in the back is the real pearl! Bennys Bistro is camouflaged behind the bakery. A windowless, smallish space... this usually wouldnt be my jam! But the homey service, delicious food, and unique little charm makes it more speakeasy than claustrophobic. And what really steals the show is the food! Delicious options with generous portions, this is THE brunch place to be. And for a little extra you can add a non-stop mimosa refill option which is great for a breakfast amongst friends. The setting is extremely intimate and often packed with locals and visitors alike so do make sure so show up a good 30 mins before open. The wait is more than worth it!

This is where you go for quality, not quantity. My gravlax was delicious. The prices are only slightly more than a diner. I really liked the open kitchen. It looked very clean. Overall, highly recommend this place.

Benny s located in the back of The French Bakery in the Byward Market. They both share the same place to say the least and serve the best brunches, pastries and cakes. I visit Benny s often and Im never disappointed by the service or the taste of the food. The service is fast and friendly. Food is excellent and filling however the coffee is okay I would recommend getting something plain. The place well lit with artificial lighting obviously because it s in the back of the Bakery however I think moving to a location that has windows and other decor would be much more interesting than the decor now. The washrooms are always clean and simple. The place is accessible for persons of disability and baby strollers.

Yes not worse