Play Food & Wine in Ottawa

Fun place for a night out food was tasty vibe was lively and fun and service was amazing

Lively trendy restaurant in Ottawa, very well located. Correct food menu but very good and elaborate dishes. Great wine list and good beers. The maitre d advised well and was very kind. The tables are small. Noisy environment. High prices, but it is worth it if you are in the city, highly recommended.

Food was delicious and beautifully prepared , we were on a date night and the service made it all the more special, we were worried we wouldn t be full by the end of the night but by the end we barely finished the steak frites!

Great dinner, nice atmosphere, delicious charcuterie board and cheese , amazing mushrooms and pate. Good wine list and originalcocktails.

Excellent food and drinks. Very impressed.

The food is great and can easily accommodate all kinds of diets (vegetarian, etc). And their butter is out of this world. Amazing place with nice ambiance.

Our group ended up choosing this place last minute and was blown away. The staff was fantastic, kind, helpful. They accommodated dietary restrictions. No halal cuts unfortunately but the vegetarian and seafood options were phenomenal. Had the set menu, butternut squash which was incredible and had an amazing kick to it. The bread and the BUTTER was amazing. The fish cake which is not something I d ever order was delicious. Best gnocci I ve had. Dessert was good but maybe they set the standards so high for themselves with the prior courses. Had the crème brûlée. Others had the chocolate almond cake who said it good but not great. Overall amazing place and look forward to returning. Vegetarian options: Gnocchi was amazing. Dietary restrictions: Not halal but can make substitutions such as vegetarian or seafood.

Wonderful meals each time. Highly recommend

Great food and service

No complaints about the food as the kitchen was on point. Service was the problem. Arrived on time for our reservation and were seated with a three table berth around us so the restaurant was not busy. It took about 10 minutes before we placed our food and drink order together (bottle of wine, entrees and side) and we were given tap water. Then we went through a dry spell of not seeing the table staff again for 30 minutes when our side dish showed up. Which was turnip (think sliced, raw carrot) which is now with our glasses of water. Thinking the entrees (and bottle of wine??!?) would be up shortly because who would give their guests water and cold/sliced turnips for 45 minutes. After another 10 minutes of no table staff, we got up and went to the kitchen to ask to leave. Suddenly our entrees were delivered and the waiter asked if we would give them a chance to fix it. Which we said sure, but we were not being unreasonable since we haven t even gotten the bottle of wine and entrees are now served (not to mention 45 minutes of water and turnips until now). Shocked, the wine was delivered immediately and they offered to take care of the food. Which we declined - we are perfectly happy to pay $200+ for good food, but we just weren t happy with the service in a quiet restaurant. The food was amazing. Zero issues with the kitchen. The rest of the meal was fine, but still missed out on service touches like asking if the food tasted good, or topping off our wine glasses from our bottle - which you would assume service would be more attentive given we almost walked out and we ended up refilling our wine glasses ourselves. They provided two free desserts and we paid for our food/wine, and headed on our way. In all fairness, it was a long weekend and they did try to make things right. Best of luck to the owners - as the food is good, but the service

Amazing food! Wonderfully accommodating for allergies. Top notch!

Had a great date night here. The service was top-notch. Our waiter was very friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. He was really helpful with picking out and learning about their wines. We especially enjoyed the broccolini and scallop dishes. I wasnt blown away by the wines I tried but they were good and the selection had a nice variety.

We had zero expectations and was pleasantly surprised. Fried smelts were perfectly fried and seasoned. Food

Small menu but good food!

I love this place so much. We recently had our wedding ceremony & reception here, it was truly amazing. The food, perfection. The staff and service, well trained, personable, and lovely. Jocelyne, Lauren, Felix, Zac -- a team of pros. You made our day and night and I cant wait to come up with a future reason to host future events here :)

Once more you guys did it!! The tandoori halloumi dish was outstanding. The gnocchi was like eating little mini cloud so light and perfectly cooked. The salmond with the israeli couscous was perfectly cooked and the striploin with parmesan fries were a discovery that I already ear I need to try to make those at home. And again the pairing was on point and fantastic. Thank you again to the staff and the chef for a wonderful evening! Cant wait for your next fall menu!

The flavours were delicious. The food could in no way be criticised. The wine so perfectly paired. Unfortunately, however, the service let Play down. I hope I just caught the restaurant on a bad night, in which case youll be in for a very lovely evening if you go here. x

I hate to write a negative review but unfortunately, our last visit did not meet expectations. The food and service were just okay orders were mixed up, some dishes were extremely salty, and the coffee served was bitter. The main issue was the atmosphere. Our group of six was placed next to a large party of 20-30 people celebrating a birthday. They were seated in what I assume was meant to be a private area, separated by only a 5-foot fabric curtain from the rest of the restaurant. Once the group arrived, they mingled in the area which was maybe 8ft from our table. We could not hear each other over the noise, making the last hour of our meal completely unenjoyable. On top of that, service noticeably declined after the large group arrived, as our server seemed to be managing their tables too. I understand the need to accommodate big groups, but it was frustrating that it came at the expense of our dinner. It was especially disappointing as we were celebrating ourselves and had been looking forward to the evening. I now see on their website that they advertise this space as semi-private and intimate and secluded. Umm, huh? Not cool.

Thank you Félix, Lauren, Ryan, and executive chef team for exceptional service and delicious gastronomy!! So appreciated and look forward to our next experience with you!!

Cute place with super cheap food (2 plates for 30$ and they are by no means small plates ). I liked most of the food, but it comes down to personal preferences. The reason why its not 5 stars is bc the drinks are a bit overpriced considering the price of food, but they are delicious!

It was a fun filled day for my son and I, wed do it again and again

Delicious food, fantastic service and portion sizes were perfect. Couldnt ask for anything better. Cant wait to visit again!

Delicious and social, a great place to have a quality social meal.

The waiter Paul gave us very good advice. The food is excellent, full of flavor. Very beautiful harmony of flavors which make the dishes exquisite!

I had a WONDERFUL experience at this restaurant last night. The drink, staff and food was incredible. My boyfriend and I tried 6 dishes and 4 different drinks and every bite was delicious. I highly recommend this place and will hopefully come back in the future.

Food, hospitality excellent. We were in town from Washington DC area and came for lunch. It s been years since we had a really enjoyable dining experience like this. Really loved trying lingcod for the first time, gnocchi so tasty with complex sauces, highly recommend. The ingredients very fresh and generous and this does not go unnoticed. The man behind the bar was our server and he was extremely attentive, kind and that was really welcome and very appreciated. We noticed all the details and it was truly such a wonderful lunch. Thanks so much!

Amazing, unique meal! Service was also great

Do take advantage of the waiters knowledge of the wines. Very helpful, as Play stocks many wines unavailable elsewhere. Not your average eatery experience.

Weve been eating at this fantastic restaurant for years and have not ever had a bad meal. They change the menu seasonally and the chefs are always creating. The scallops are always a highlight but there is usually no bad choice. We recently went and enjoyed the Haloumi, amongst 2 or 3 other plates. It was phenomenal as usual. Always a solid beer selection for the craft beer lovers as well Have been many times and will be back.

Great food and wine selection. Sadly, they brought one of the mains when I was about two bites into my appetizer. They apologized and opened a pricey bottle of wine and comped me a glass. Still. Rookie mistake.

As the name suggests- interesting Play on dishes creative, fun and most importantly delicious

Busy restaurant very close to the Bye Market. Restricted space. Food good but I expected better for the price

When I first looked at the (short) menu there were only a few options that sounded good, so I was concerned. I chose the Arancini and the strip loin, both of which were delicious! The service was great and attentive. The price was high for the small portions. Overall I m glad I came but I don t have a need to go back because of the price and the limited options.

A great little gem of a restaurant. The food choices are not large, but what they have is very very good.

I had a large party for my husbands birthday, but the waitstaff at Play seemed to effortlessly keep up with all 9 of us. We went for their wine list and were not disappointed. We split bottles of amazing wine between us, and it was genuinely an immersive experience. Who needs Prince Edward County or the Niagara region when you have Play? It was a tasting extravaganza and so very memorable. Thank you to everyone who made this a birthday to remember. The atmosphere was warm and inviting and the staff funny and professional. Next time, we plan on eating the food rather than just raiding their wine cellar.

We had a very nice dinner at this lovely little spot. Enjoys the ribs and steak.

Had the pleasure of dining here recently - it was fabulous - the lighting, the food and the service was great and the music was just what I like and I am discerning! Bravo!

Out of this world the scallop crudo dish and the gnocchis are amazing. Great wine pairing. Couldn t taste better; kudos to the chef and amazing staff!

I went to Play for the first time a few years ago, before COVID, and always considered it one of the best dining experiences I had in my life. I didnt have a chance to come back until yesterday, probably 6 years later. Let me tell you, that experience has not changed a bit. I have been to fancy restaurants like Bouchon and Blue Hill, and I still would pick Play over them in a heartbeat. The food is .... Mesmerizing. Their ramp gnocchi nearly made me cry of joy, the scallop crudo paired with that incredible Italian wine was mind blowing, and everything else, though not as memorable, was on point. We were served by Laureen, a Plays veteran who made us feel like longtime guests. Play is without a doubt one of the best restaurants I have been to in my life. Incredible and yet, perfectly accessible. You should never hesitate to come.

Had a lovely dinner! Very nice restaurant with a wonderful curated menu. Really enjoyed the wine pairing

Updating my review. Still 5 stars but 5 years ago I didnt add photos. Phenomenal food, exceptional service. Will absolutely be back again, over and over! Food

We had an excellent lunch today! We stopped in while walking around town and did a walk in. I loved the art here and enjoyed the service. They have exceptional service. Our server was very knowledgeable about the foods, the cheese, the wine, and more. I felt like I was able to truly understand what I was eating and where the food was coming from. I love this level of details when eating out. The wine was amazing. The small plates are paired with suggested wines. And I have to say they definitely met the mark. I had two seafood plates. The fish patty and a mini fillet. The sides were perfect accompaniments. I also loved being able to see art from all directions. The restaurant is rather small but very central. Out the window I could see the Ottawa sign and tourist reveling in the fun of it. I highly recommend this for lunch! Vegetarian options: There was a African rice dish on the menu for lunch. I also saw a few starters that were also veg. Dietary restrictions: They request you let them know if you have any restrictions.

Delicious & Pleasant Experience Vegetarian options: fried hallumi & brussels sprouts Food : 5/5 |

Very niche and nice. Good place to hangout with friends. Quiet and very affordable.

Been here a couple times, always new and amazing food. Make sure to try the gnocchi, it s always a hit staff are also amazing and know the menu well enough to recommend

First date restaurant. Portion sizes of Michelin star establishment so are prices.

Narrowed space restaurant limited space. Very friendly served by the servers. Food quality was little off for the price I spent.

I know the restaurant states 2-3 small plates for a meal, but I was personally satisfied at 1. I didnt fully finish 2, but I know I would have to be really hunger for 3. Anyways, great service and great food. I assume the food is seasonal because there was no octopus offered when we went. I tried quail, beef, gnocchi, and short ribs.

Wow super good food. Great lunch menu

Great service, good food and atmosphere. Have been many times over the years and Play never disappoints.

Great service. Awesome food. Great atmosphere.

Great place with excellent Vegan/ Veg options as well.

Amazing dining experience and the food was unreal! 5/5

My favourite spot! Great wine, amazing food, nice and chill atmosphere, and good service.

Amazing experience as always. Scallop crudo to die for, wine / spirit pairing done to perfection and desert with black garlic original and exquisite. What else to ad? If you are looking for an A+ service go there.

The food is incredible, the dishes are refined and carefully prepared. There is really great attention paid to the quality of the different plates, all my guests were delighted with their dishes. The service is efficient and fast, all members of the team we dealt with were friendly and pleasant. The decor is simple and modern, it doesnt really cause any distractions. In short, it was a pleasure to go to dinner there. Vegetarian options: Vegan and vegetarian available

Food was fantastic! All meals we had were a hit. Can t wait to come back to try more of their cuisine. Food

What a great experience! Had 4 sharing plates between the two of us: quail, beef cheeks, lingcod and scallop crudo (raw). Each dish was simply delicious, seasoned and cooked to perfection, but our favorite was the scallop; as smooth as butter!. Our server, Lauren, was very attentive and a lovely, interesting woman. Every other member, from the person greeting us at the door, showing us to our table, swapping-out new plates and utensils, and bringing the exquisit dishes to our table were welcoming and smiling. Bravo team and hats-off to the chef and kitchen team! My only suggestion, and the reason for 4/5 stars for atmosphere, would be to make those tables-for-two a bit bigger as they are tiny.

This was hands down the best restaurant I ve ever been to in my life. Great atmosphere and the food is absolutely delicious and meticulously prepared, a must try!

Amazing food, amazing service from Lauren and Nastaran, and amazing vibes. I wish I lived in Ottawa and could come often. Thank you for the everything!

Great small restaurant next to the Fairmont in Ottawa. This restaurant has great service and serves a tapis style meal. All good

Had such a lovely time at Play. Went for a girls night and our server was very thoughtful and attentive, and gave great recommendations. The clarified cocktail was dangerously good.

Very fun and cozy! Upstairs had views of the street. Food was good, fun sharing and trying each others picks.

The food is very original and delicious.

1 year later.....Still the best. Paul was our server. His passion about the food & wine is contagious. A+++ Best food in the market....by far!

What a great place! I travel a lot and am sick of typical restaurant food, which this is not. You will love everything about this place. I will be back every time I am in Ottawa.

Excellent restaurant. Good ambiance. Quality food. Prices are a bit high, but thats what life is nowadays.

We had a really great experience! Our favourite entree plate was the gnocchi, which was extremely soft. I found that the Riesling they are pairing with the gnocchi is very fruity but delicious. We tried a few other plates and found that while not everything on every plate was our type of thing, that the chef is very talented and creates food with really unique flavours. For dessert we tried the chocolate cake w/cherry sorbet and their poached apple. The apple/celery sorbet was the most unusual thing we tried today but was actually really good! The cherry sorbet that they make in house meanwhile was amazing and probably our favourite flavour of the night, so we definitely recommend at least visiting for a light snack, wine and dessert if you dont want a full meal. We were surprised, we realized time flew by and that we spent nearly 3hrs here trying the menu! So, we really recommend visiting for the experience you want since its a really nice place. We never felt rushed and the waiter was very kind and put a lot of effort to tell us about the menu, wine list, and to help make that time really enjoyable. Our plan for next time is to come in to share the gnocchi, have a glass of wine, continue to try the menu more, then always have room for dessert(s) :)

Our server was absolutely lovely & very accommodating, kudo s to him! Unfortunately the same cannot be said about the food.. Myself & two girlfriends went for dinner ($530) and all of our orders minus the cheese & meat boards were foul, and I mean foul. Everything tasted like it was sitting under a heat lamp for hours - stale, overcooked & lacked any sort of basic seasoning. We all work in the hospitality industry and hate complaining but when we re paying $500+ for a dinner our, we expect to be able to eat something other than cheese. Great wine list though!

Splendid time at a fun place with attentive service. Needed 4 small plates for 2 people. Ordered the scallops, salmon (2), and gnocchi, along with the B-Side Riesling. My absolute favorite was the scallops. Deliciously seared, no sand whatsoever, and in a mushroom-type broth. Everything was flavorful and, true to name, playful. Certainly not cheap but you get what you pay for here.

I love Play Food and Wine and go there almost every time I come to Ottawa---I think the first time I dined there was in 2009? It keeps getting better. Last night I had a trio of incredible dishes, really next level, and the warm, engaging reception from staff is always the icing on the cake.

Biggest disappointment in a while. Service was decent. The food....kinda mind blowing that the basics of cooking were absolutely invisible. The scallops were not seared, the frites with the steak( steak tasted and appeared as it was under a heat lamp for an hour holding) were not seasoned. It was the quality you would expect at a low brow chain restaurant with a kitchen staff that turns over weekly with zero passion for culinary. Absolutely brutal.

Great meal, gnocchi was maybe one of the best plates of food I ve ever eaten

Valentines night was of course very busy but service never faltered. Our reservations were immediately honoured and we were escorted upstairs to our table by friendly staff. I was pleased to note that the menu was shortened since the last time I had been there simplifying our choices. My companion chose two small plates, endive salad and seared scollops, and I chose the scollops followed by ramp gnocchi with lamb bellies. All four plates were delicious creations done to perfection. Our desserts of frozen yogurt and pear topped the meal off perfectly. The total package made for a wonderful evening. We look forward to returning soon.

I ve been staying in Ottawa for a few weeks and have visited this place twice. Once solo, and once with guests. Quality of cocktails, and wine are top notch. Something for everyone. All thought I wasn t hungry either time, I decided to give the menu items a shot. Again, top notch. Shout out to the exceptional service and warm, welcoming ambiance. And special shout out to Jocelyn.

Awesome food and wine. Great service. Always a great experience at Play.

Absolutely fantastic experience. Really high end service and amazing drinks to go with the food. Surprisingly filling portions for small plates as well.

Charming and elegant decor, superb service, great pace between plates, every dish was beautiful and delicious. What a treat!

My friend and our two daughters dined at Play Food & Wine for the first time this past Saturday and we had an incredible dinning experience. My daughter is celiac and the server catered to her, asking several questions and offering modifications to certain dishes, and impressed all of us with his patience and understanding. We ordered the charcuterie board and they separated the meat from the cheeses and made GF crostini so my daughter was able to enjoy the charcuterie as well. The food was incredibly fresh and delicious. We started with the hot olives and sourdough bread and had a variety of the steak, smoked duck (modified to accommodate celiac), prawns, salmon and the gnocchi. Right from when we first arrived to Play and were greeted at the door to the end when we had to decline dessert because we were so satisfied, everything was was wonderful. Highly, highly recommend!

Excellent

We had an enchanting evening at Play. The service was impeccable and so attentive and the food was divine. My friend and I shared four plates the flavours were incredible. Our favourite was the gnocchi, delicious with surprise bursts of crispy bacon and pomegranate seeds all in a light creamy concoction. We had to try dessert, the chocolate pate did not disappoint. This was my friend s first visit to Ottawa in quite a few years and the food, service and ambience at Play made it a memorable one. Thank you.

Wonderful experience at Play. Everything our group ordered was delicious and fresh, and the service was attentive and joyful. I would come back soon.

Great sharing plates!

We had a wonderful experience at Play food and Wine. Both the food and staff were fabulous. 5 stars all around!

Nice experience, tasted good, not to be tried if you are hungry. Portions are small.

Amazing food, amazing service, amazing cocktails! Pricey but well worth it. Enjoy!

Excellent place to go. Without a doubt just like the name says Play is set up for you to have a great night of excellent food paired with fabulous wines. pay attention to the pairing suggestions and have fun! The music was just right and the space is clean, modern and efficient. Service Excellent.

I love this place every time we go. And we go quite often to check out the rotating menu. Every person you interact with is lovely and youll always get great recommendations if you need one.

Amazing experience. Outstanding service. Surprising and delightful food. Coming back soon!

The dinner was one of the best i ve ever had, the service was also incredible! We sat at the kitchen bar to watch the cooks and they re all amazing! Matty was very nice and fun to watch him cook! My boyfriend and I will be coming back.

We went to Play Food & Wine with our 82 year old mother for her birthday. We were just amazed at the food, the service and the atmosphere. I highly recommend this restaurant especially if youre looking to eat gastronomic food in a relaxed atmosphere. Will definitely go back soon!

The food and atmosphere were great, well definitely return!

Like the small plate style & it s creativity. The lamb dish was really good

Amazing restaurant experience!! All the staff were incredible and the food was beautifully plated!! The food also tasted as good as it looked! Amazing place for a date night!

Excellent food and service!

Everything was fabulous; the wait stuff was amazing. The food so good and the ambiance on point. If youre looking for a girls night out best place to go :).

Food was fantastic. Our waiter, Paul, was even better. Thank you!

My boyfriend and I love to go to play for special occasions. Everything about the restaurant is enjoyable, from the fun atmosphere to the knowledgeable servers to the absolutely incredible food. Would highly recommend the arancini and gnocchi. The experience isn t cheap but you definitely get what you pay for!

Never disappointed and server was great!

Always amazing and routinely exceeds expectations. Vegetarian options: Exceptional options Food : 5/5 |

Great restaurant to share plates with some friends! Good wine and our server was really kind. I ll definitely go again!

My husband and I had our wedding dinner at Play in 2022, and recently came back for our 1 year anniversary. We had the best night! They gave us an amazing, private table and a very warm welcome. We had Lauren as our server for the second time, and she made our time there so great! The food was so so delicious as well. Thank you to Jocelyne for setting up such a wonderful experience!

So happy to be back at Play! Excellent food variety and superbe wine pairing, loved it.

Flavors and quality products. A place for lovers of palate and refined taste. Thanks to the team!

We went there for dinner on Friday. The ambience is really good. Warm and Cozy. The start was great with the cheeses and endives salad. The Scallops and Mushroom Croquettes were okay. The mushroom croquette was very dense and chewy from the inside and tasted like uncooked dough. The chocolate dessert was outstanding but the orange dessert was 2/5. The almond cake did not taste right and the mango ice cream did not taste like mango or cardamom and the dessert did not really go all together. Wine selection was good. From the price point, dishes can definitely be elevated.

Neat little place for a unique and indulgent experience. Attentive staff, excellent food, great wine.

Play remains our favourite special celebration/out of town guests/just want to feel good Ottawa restaurant. It is exceptionally consistent, creative, and - as its name suggests - fun!

Highly recommend this very unique restaurant! So many wonderful dishes to choose from and exquisite wines to compliment them! perfect corner location as you enter the Byward Market.

Fantastic food with a great mix of flavors. Great service.

Had a dinner here with 10 people. Everyone was well taken care of. Fantastic food (as usual).

Dietary restrictions: Great options for gluten and dairy free diets

Fabulous food and fabulous service!

Shared plates were unique and delicious, the steak was average. Service was great. Portions are quite small so expect to break the bank or leave a little hungry.

I had not been here in over 2 years, and am so happy, now that I am again venturing into restaurants, that the quality of food, and the friendly professionalism of the staff, remain. Still one of the best dining experiences in Ottawa!

I loved the option to share dishes. The dishes were staggered so as to allow you to finish one set before bringing the next. This gave the evening a very relaxed feel. Each dish was fabulous. The highlight for me was the relish that came with the charcuterie. It was so fresh and tasty and paired with the lamb sausage.

As former restaurant owners and chefs, my wife and I s experience at Play was nothing less than sublime! Each dish was an inspiring array of perfectly prepared unique flavor combinations. Our waiter Paul had an almost encyclopedic knowledge of wines and his suggestions were spot on. Highly recommended!!

The steak was extremely chewy!!! I have no idea why they could serve this at a restaurant in the center. The curly hair waiter was not professional. He looked at us funny when we ordered 4 plates for 3 people while the other table of 2 ordered 2 plates. What s wrong with this attitude ? Very Disappointed !!!

My favourite lunch restaurant in Ottawa. Perfectly perfect menu choices, service and a relaxed, elegant atmosphere. There is a lot to like at Play. And accessible too .

Wow! Everything was excellent. When I say everything I mean everything. The addition of caramelized butter with the bread took even a simple sourdough bread to the next level. The food was amazing and the way that the dishes were brought out to compliment each other was incredible. The wine that was recommended for the mushroom croquettes paired perfectly. Of the four plates we had I would definitely recommend the gnocchi and mushroom croquettes. The flavours and textures were out of this world and they were truly the best dishes I have had so far in Ottawa. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal at play and to top it off the service from Paul was excellent. What a great night out celebrating our anniversary.

Perfect place to celebrate a family birthday and sample a wide variety of small plates - all bursting with flavour! The service is second to none. Dietary restrictions: The staff was very accommodating and adjusted dishes to account for a nut allergy. Kid-friendliness: The restaurant is kid-friendly, staff were kind and there s an impressive list of non-alcoholic mixed drinks that both kids or adults would enjoy.

The tuna was disappointing. The octopus was succulent. The bill was.... steep! :) Interesting food/wine pairings. Good service.

We went to Play for my son s 11th birthday and had a wonderful time. The service was excellent, with great suggestions and answers to our questions. My son (and I) loved it!

A local fine dining place that we were so glad we found it, right at the edge of the Ottawa downtown Byward market. The place was nicely decorated and super clean. The service was top notch. The chef came talked to us about the dishes and checked on us from time to time. We tried all the small plates on the menu (hmm almost all!), the cold cuts, the steak, the fish cake, the creamy cod, and few more... Every dishes were amazingly tasty and flavourful. I would want to rate this place 6 STARS if I could, the best restaurant of our whole trip!

The food here is incredible and the wine pairings were spot on. I had the gnocchi, mushroom croquettes and my wife had the octopus and the scallops. With a couple apps as well, we left feeling very content. Will definitely be back for other special occasions. The one small critique I have is that the service can be a bit slow to start. We waited 10 minutes for our drinks and then another 15 before our server stopped by again to take our food order, so be prepared to really take your time. Again, still a great experience.

Every time we come to OT we always stop to have a date here. We sit at the chefs table and order the small plates that they have. By far, the gnocchi is the best! Their cocktail menu may seem typical for some, but the bartender are always preparing the drinks with care and time. Im always refreshed and calmed after every sip.

What an amazing experience. We ate the whole menu, and even with some allergies, the substitution components of the couple of dishes were amazing. Thanks all. Will definitely be back.

The food is excellent and interesting. Ask for a seat at the kitchen bar. You can see the chefs prepare the food and it makes the visit extra special. The servers are very knowledgeable about the wines and wine pairings for different menu items. You can never go wrong if you follow their recommendations. The mustard and chutneys on the charcuterie board were awesome! the flavours explode in your mouth. The chefs and servers are very customer service oriented and I cannot say enough good things about the service. The desserts are particularly interesting. the dessert with pears, blue cheese etc was excellent. We ALWAYS visit this restaurant when we go to Ottawa or even drive through Ottawa. I cannot say enough good things about it.

We popped in without a reservation and we re lucky to be seated right away. It was such a treasured experience. We had wine, warm olives, mushroom croquettes, grilled octopus, endive salad, pappardelle, and orange almond cake. We were stuffed and happy.

Great and interesting food and drinks! Fantastic service! If youre looking for something a little different come to Play! Dietary restrictions: Play is very flexible to meet your dietary needs.

Happen to be invited to a birthday last Saturday. Have to say the gnocchi was absolutely horrible. Some Fusion idea did not work, and I didnt finish the bowl. 2nd was banana chocolate cake, absolutely no banana taste, cake tasted like a boxed mix. All smeared in chocolate. Very disappointed. Then the bill.....19 % service charge. Previous review was... Took my son here for a big birthday year, not long after they opened... years ago. Ive returned a number of times, and now that I live in the city, will continue to play at Play.

Always great! Great selection of food and relaxed atmosphere. I and my guests had a great evening.

Excellent food, wines, service and ambiance

Fine dining experience at bar food price. Amazing!

Great food and service. Wine list was very impressive, something for everyone.

Amazing food and drinks, 4 local beers on tap and plenty of wine bottles. The bartenders were very friendly and gave great recommendations for other bars in the area. Will definitely be back!

We had a wonderful experience and look forward to returning. The wine and food were divine! We particularly enjoyed the gnocchi and the octopus dishes. Truly exceptional! Food

Special play - loved it

What a wonderful experience! You can choose two small plates for a fixed price. If you choose to order more plates, then each plate will be the half cost of the fixed price. For example, its 49$ for 2 plates for dinner. Each additional plate will be $24.50. Each plate has suggested wine pairings. They have great options. Starting from the top of the menu, where its more light and refreshing, and as you work your way down, it becomes more meat-heavy. We tried their grilled octopus & fried zucchini, seed crusted lingcod, ramp gnocchi, and ramp top pappardelle. They were all fantastic. Ive never tried octopus that has such a beautiful meaty texture. And the lobster foam that comes with the pappardelle was an incredible flavour addition to the dish. The absolute must try dish is the ramp gnocchi. Its absolutely perfect. The different textures, flavours, aromas, the dish had it all. It was such an experience. We *dream* about this gnocchi. The food presented creates a more refined, upscale dining experience, but the atmosphere of the restaurant and friendly professional staff create an experience that also feels comfortable, casual, and not stiff. And we loved that. Highly highly recommend this place!

Absolutely gorgeous food! I wanted to order everything again and take it home for the next day. Even the bread was the best bread I ve had. Our server was friendly and uber-professional; all the staff was great. A wonderful time! Vegetarian options: Some Dietary restrictions: Worked with my citrus allergy and made me a yummy mocktail with an exotic flower floating in it! Parking: Lots

My guest and I had a wonderful evening sharing first rate food and wine. The staff were fantastic (as usual) and Id say theres every indication we will return. Thanks so much for a fabulous evening!

Great location on Sussex Dr . Sat upstairs , table for 2 was too small not enough room for all plates and glasses , waiter was friendly and knowledgeable about food options , had 5 small plates for 2 people , plenty of food ! Service was prompt but not at all rushed . Overall a very enjoyable experience Dietary restrictions: GF Friendly

Amazing food, small plates let you share and experience more flavours. Great wine menu. Wonderful staff.

A wonderful service and food number 1 great time I came back when I go back Ottawa

Play Food and Wine was just the thing my partner and I were craving after biking along the scenic canals of Ottawa. We were greeted at the door by Nigel soon after we walked in. Nigel is one of the best servers we have ever had - he was thoughtful, inquisitive, knowledgeable and kind. He was well versed with the menu and even taught us plebs a thing or two about the techniques behind the dishes we were being served. The food is expensive as portion sizes aren t large however I d like to say it was worth the money as it tasted great - the gnocchi and cod were my favorites. They could do with less fries and more beef on the steak plate. The sourdough bread is great especially with the caramelized butter however it was a little burnt. The menu is well designed however the logo is pixelated on the print (nitpicking I know but it just grabbed my eye) The cocktails tasted great and packed a punch however both tasted very similar. Overall I think Play is great place for its great service and innovative take on well know dishes.

In my opinion, one of the best restaurants in Ottawa for a friendly and informal, but still high-end, meal. The dishes are small plates style to share (or not!), of which you order two to three per person. The dishes are always varied and inventive, presented with refinement and made with quality ingredients - some vegetarian options. Very good choice of wine (including some good Canadian ones), always friendly service. The place is very beautiful and well located (Byward Market area). Vegetarian options: Every time I went there, there were always at least two vegetarian dishes (and always very good and original), which could be accompanied by small side dishes (fries, bread, olives, cheese, dessert, etc. .), so you can always have a full meal there. We would like them to increase the ratio of vegetarian options a little, to have more choice, but at least we can always make arrangements.

Super

Well it s hard to explain about this place. What I want to say is iv seen a lot of kitchens and chefs cook food. These guys actually care about making good food and doing it legit. The people who work here are talented. Good place

I wish I could give this gem of a restaurant more than 5 stars. The friendly ambience, the service, and above all the food *never* disappoint. My go-to for special occasions and where I recommend for the foodiest of my food friends.

Small plates to share. A little expensive but very very good

Beautiful culinary experience! Service was good but maybe a little familiar for the type of food and plating. Highly recommend this restaurant to whomever enjoys being taken on a exploratory journey for the taste buds.

Courteous service. Tapas formula 2 plates for $49. Well presented and tasty dishes. The only disappointment is the filet mignon dish which offers only 4 small slices and far too many fries to garnish the plate. The plate of octopus contains only one piece. For the price a little disappointing. Especially since the tapas formula encourages us to share dishes. The strawberry cheesecake is original and really delicious.

Had my Birthday Dinner here! Food was so so good. Service was fantastic. My only negative is that we got seated at 6:20pm and didn t leave until close to 9pm. I didn t feel it was overly busy so I felt the wait for food was just a bit too long. I also understand sometimes things happen that aren t in our control. I will definitely be back!

The food is really bad. It s extremely salty.

We had the chance to taste 6 incredibly delicious dishes! We will definitely return!

I loved it

Always an incredible place to eat with such amazing food and service.

The food was wonderful, well prepared and well presented. The seared scallops and cod were excellent. I really enjoy the small plates concept of dining and The Play does an outstanding job.

Amazing. No other words to describe it. Firstly, the service was outstanding. Waiter was very welcoming and knowledgeable about the menu. Made us feel at home! Their butter old fashioned was very very good. Cant say enough about the food. Caramelized butter was a nice touch with the sourdough bread. They serve small plates but two turned out to be filling. Scallops and gnocchi were amazing. No complaints. Definitely recommend if youre in the area.

Delicious. The caramelised butter was amazing. Service was great

Good seasoning. They recommend you eat 2 or 3 dishes, due to the size of the portion.

Great food & incredible service!

One word. Delicious. I wasn t sure what to expect when I fell upon this restaurant in Ottawa but it definitely exceeded all my expectations. Every bite of the food we ate was amazing. It s a small quaint restaurant and not too loud. We sat at the bar, the barmaid was very attentive and kind. My favourites were the ribs (must have) and the gnocchi! 100% recommend.

My partner and I try to visit yearly for our anniversary. The best in Ottawa!

Excellent restaurant. The dishes served are refined, elaborate and creative. I recommend the dish with the scallops, they are perfectly cooked and very well seasoned and accompanied. Finally, the setting of the restaurant is very beautiful (even if a little cold because of the air conditioning) and the service is warm.

We had a fantastic rehearsal dinner at Play the other night. Especially since we were a larger group of 11, I particularly appreciated the care and attention taken to make sure everyones allergies were accommodated. The food was also delicious and the service was excellent! Would definitely recommend for a special occasion. Dietary restrictions: We notified ahead of time we had some dietary restrictions and allergies in our group. At the restaurant they spoke to each person with restrictions and went over the menu, even crossing out items on each persons menu if they wouldnt be safe for them to eat. Would highly recommend this place for anyone with allergy concerns as they were very accommodating (and kind about it too).

Food just ok, to much flavor going on in 1 plate. the flavor doesnt goes well mix together sweet,sour in the food overwhelming for my opinion, steak with pesto doesnt match at all, salad and fries could reduce the salt, presentation was stunning. Food

Can I give more stars? My partner proposed to me and didnt think that a party of 8 required a reservation. The hostess/manager saved the day. They were able to fit us in, celebrated with us and made our day spectacular. The food was fantastic and would highly recommend!

My new favorite restaurant in Ottawa. Its not only a meal, its an experience. 5 dishes for two people is plenty. The scallops were my favorite dish. Try the duck too! The sauce in the gnocchi are sublime.

Delicious food and attentive service!

Awesome food, wine, and service. Sat at the kitchen bar- watching the chefs was so fun. Food was outstanding. you must try the gnocchi!

Went here for a work dinner recently. They were very kind and accomodating. The wait staff was friendly and helpful. Plates were good but it was all a tapas concept with mini plates. Not a fan of that personally but overall the food and experience was very good. Parking: Parking lot in front of the restaurant is for Byward Market. Easy access but may be packed depending on what time of day you go.

Couldnt have a better location.

A playful menu with a diverse range of options. The plating is gorgeous and the flavours are impressive. A good selection of wines and the server was very knowledgeable

We had an amazing time at the restaurant as we celebrated our wedding anniversary. The service was great and we were surprised at how full the place, but what can you expect on a Saturday evening. We had 2 plates each and shared the food. I highly recommend getting the sourdough and the caramelized butter. I highly recommend.

Amazing small plates. Get the ribs!

Great food and wine

Chill and cute food

Some of my favourite dishes in Ottawa have come from this kitchen. However, their pricing has spiralled out of control and I dont see myself ever going back until they return to their old way. Before you go here, have a look at the previous menus on google. Individual plates for $14-18, then two for $35, now 2 for $50.

Innovative and intriguing menu. Food was on a salty side and a little intense on flavours. Great location and friendly. Food

amazing food. outstanding service. it can be a little noisy, though. you may want to ask for a table in a quiet(er) area.

The drinks and desserts were my favorite things here. Those were really really good, the different flavors and textures in the dessert made each bite slightly different and delicious. I think the small plates item were trying to hit all the different flavor and texture profiles but I dont think the flavors worked harmoniously with each other.

An extraordinary experience from the food to the cocktails, topped off with highly professional and warm service. The cuisine was spectacular and absolutely delicious. Every dish was thoughtfully crafted and delightful. The cocktails were equally impressive; we took the liberty of letting the bartender surprise us with two off-menu creations. Special thanks to our server, Paul, for his exceptional service and contributing to this wonderful experience. It was greatly appreciated!

My partner and I dined for our first year anniversary and our experience was absolutely perfect. The food was amazing and our server was so lovely; she was so attentive and so sweet. Can t wait to come back.

My boyfriend and i went for our 5 year anniversary and it was an incredible experience. They were very sweet and wished us a happy anniversary and the food was incredible. Definitely will be back! Thanks for making our night special

The mushroom croquettes was brilliant. And I learned what a sea breed was. Pretty darned tasty! Thats what. Food

TLDR: DO NOT EAT HERE Last night 4 of us visited Play and I must say this is one of the WOST fine dining restaurants i have ever been to. From the ambiance to the service to the food Overall would NEVER recommend to anyone. To start, upon arriving, we had to wait 20 minutes for our 8:30 reservation to which we were not seated until almost 9pm. What is the point of a reservation?? We ordered drinks and waited 20 minutes for all of the drinks to be served individually- no trays in this restaurant? We then ordered food and planned to share all of the small plates small is an understatement for the price. We ordered 8 dishes and we left and got a second dinner afterwards. That might have something to do with one of the dishes being absolutely INEDIBLE (tempeh). To be blunt it was foul, and tasted like it was rancid. My sister even gagged and had to spit it out immediately. This dish was awful and left her feeling sick all evening. The chef in the open kitchen upstairs watched my sister gag and spit the bite out - a professional chef would have sent our server or the manager over to our table and give us an opportunity to say we did not enjoy the dish. That did not happen and in fact our server avoided us following that incident and clearly sensed we were not impressed with the meal. When we were done dinner, one member of the party had to explain that the tempeh tasted rancid and bad to our server who only then offered to comp that dish that we only took 4 bites of. Did not offer to add on a dessert or anything else. Additionally the scallop dish was served with 3 scallops about the size of a loonie - it would have been helpful to know as we were a group of 4 and clearly sharing all the plates. The scallops were cooked well but served with a red sauce that closely resembled in consistency and flavour- Heinz ketchup. Dishes lacked flavour, and had seemed to be trying too hard to be experimental and innovative. Finally, all our dishes were served to us cold - we did not want to send anything back after waiting so long to even sit down at our table. We watched all the patrons dishes sit at the expo line for several minutes before wait staff served them. Overall, this restaurant is unprofessional. It should not be priced or advertised as a fine dinj g restaurant. It seems suspicious that there are so many glowing reviews. Recommendations include implementing a professional dresscode for all staff including hostesses, menu revamp, additional wait staff so food is not served cold and drinks are served in a timely manner, and respecting reservation times and making an effort to comp something when guests with reservations are kept waiting 20+ minutes. There are far better fine dining restaurants in ottawa, i would never recommend Play to anyone. It was a foul experience.

Excellent food, service, and ambiance. Will be going back again.