Ceylonta in Ottawa

Called to book a set lunch menu for our 13-person staff lunch. The food was outstanding. So flavourful. Ceylonta tea was delightful.

Service + food was amazing, highly recommend everyone to check it out!

Wow !

This is an absolutely excellent location with delicious food and incredible service. It was our first visit and we had the kothu roti, coconut sambol and thali, as per the owners suggestion. All the food was incredible and the suggestions were excellent. The owner was very friendly, very welcoming and the wait staff were very attentive (never had an empty glass of water). The atmosphere of the restaurant also makes for a great dining experience. I would recommend this location to anyone who is interested in trying Sri Lankan dishes. If youre not sure what to order, you can get excellent advice! Will definitely be back to try the other suggestions! Vegetarian options: There are lots of vegetarian options Dietary restrictions: Shrimp allergy was accommodated without issue

So delicious! Service is great and very helpful! We love the desserts too! (Not on the list below)

I have been here a few times in the last year and every time was even better the last which I didnt know was possible! The staff are great, super welcoming and provide good recommendations. The food is so good and super flavorful and the drinks are absolutely delish. I love this place!

Possibly the most delicious food Ive ever eaten. Great service and atmosphere. Friendly staff.

HORRIBLE Experience, Disgusting Food

I just adore adore this place. Im GF/milk free and they are always so easy to order from. Tonight the chef jammed packed my order- i got so much yummy food (which made me cry because budget is tight!). I love this restaurant in our city!!

Food was great, service was great, but the atmosphere could use a little tweaking.

10/10!!

Amazing food, friendly fast service, and a bunch of veg/an options! Ottawa best Sri Lankan/South Asian spot. Vegetarian options: Great veg/an options including a vegan mango lassi!

One of the nicest restaurants in Ottawa. The food is consistently delicious. Home made drinks are a treat. It is all accompanied by great service and recommendations of the engaging manager.

Loved the vibrant music, amazing food and just an all round great experience.

This was the best dining experience I ve had in a long time. Friendly, personable, and creative - they made me a custom cocktail and gave great recommendations on food. It was so delicious, every bite had my eyes rolling into the back of my head. Thanks for the great meal!

Very bad service

Feel the home,,, best SL & south Indian food

The Roti and sambal is like heaven in your mouth its a must must try and Amazing service as usual.

Ceylonta is hands down the best Indian/Sri Lanken food Ive ever had! From the flavorful spices to the roti bread, every dish was a culinary delight. Tony, is absolutely awesome! His expertise truly shines through in every bite. I give Ceylonta a well-deserved five-star rating for their exceptional food and fantastic service. If youre a fan of amazing cuisine, Ceylonta is a must-visit!

Beautiful dining experience, food is a 10/10, will be returning and this place is definitely an ottawa gem! Wait time is basically non existent, the staff were very helpful & gave the best recommendations! Extra thanks to Tony / Anthony, the drink server, he was a delightful presence and made the evening very welcoming and enjoyable!

Dinner out on a Sunday evening, thought wed try Ceylonta after seeing the positive reviews on various sites. Simply amazing! Our server was warm, welcoming and so knowledgeable about the menu that we let him choose the dishes based on our input and heat tolerance. Everything was perfect! Flavourful, delicately spiced dishes of shrimp, beef and chicken, with sauces to complement. Wonderful atmosphere and caring attention made this an instant favourite. We will be back!

The food was incredible and the service was very nice too. I liked it there.

Had lunch with colleagues, some of us had never been there, the waiter offered to bring us an array of dishes including the vegetables thali. It was a wonderful experience of trying new dishes, some were spicy and others were mild. It was an incredible meal, we were served quickly and had leftovers that I brought home the leftovers to my husband who loves Indian cuisine. The roti had me salivating. We went back to work without feeling the after lunch sleepiness which was an unexpected bonus. Will need to go back for our next team lunch.

Food was amazing and staff was super knowledgeable and make great recommendations!! Would definitely recommend :)

Our waiter made sharable plate suggestions based on our food preferences as it was our first time here. The meal was extremely tasty and we will definitely be coming back.

I visited this restaurant based on a friends recommendation and a video they showed me of their friends enjoying the place. However, my experience was far from pleasant. - Upon entering, the staff member stared at me disrespectfully for several seconds. - No greeting was offered. - When I asked for the washroom, he responded rudely and abruptly. - The staff member approached our table to take our order. - My friend tried to show a video to help with ordering, but the staff member dismissed it rudely. - He insisted on choosing the food for us, seeming rushed and impatient. - Later, the staff member tried to engage in conversation, possibly realizing his earlier rudeness. - I remained reserved, already offended by his previous behavior and tone. - After the meal, he asked for our opinions. - I honestly stated I wasnt impressed with the food. - When I mentioned preferring another restaurant (Indian Company), he interrupted, misquoting me and claiming I said everyone disliked the food. - I corrected him, emphasising it was my personal opinion and asked him not to put words in my mouth. - The staff member left and returned visibly angry. - He made a racist comment about Arab blood. - I called out his racism and questioned his assumption about my ethnicity while insulting him as well because how offended I was. - We exchanged insults as the situation deteriorated. - As we were leaving, I mentioned his initial stare and lack of greeting were disrespectful. - He bizarrely claimed he saw evil in my soul. - I accused him of discriminating against customers based on appearance. - When I asked to speak to a manager, he claimed to be the owner and manager. - I managed to record the part where he made the racist comment about Arab blood when we were leaving as I wanted to make sure that if he were to attack I can defend my self. - Im considering sharing this recording on review sites or social media if the owner denies the incident as it was but if he apologizes I can reconsider as I know how hard it is to run a business. Up to him. This experience highlights issues of poor customer service, racial profiling, and unprofessional behavior in a restaurant setting.

Easily the best meal Ive eaten in any restaurant in well over a year. This place is terrific. The food is absolutely delicious, with lots of variety and flavours. We had coconut sambol to start with rotti, and a lovely vegetarian thali and chicken palandi. All of it was cooked perfectly! And of course we couldnt say no to some naan and a couple mango lassis to round everything out! Service was impeccable and attentive from our very friendly waiter. The music was pretty decent but maybe a little too loud, but still totally fine, with a very clean atmosphere that wasnt too campy. Will definitely be back and will recommend widely! Thanks to everyone @ Ceylonta! A perfect place for a perfect meal! Vegetarian options: Amazing vegetarian thali

Great authentic Sri Lankan cuisine with top notch customer service by Ranjan. Will definitely be coming back.

The best welcome in Canada there is someone in the bar with a beard and glasses he is very nice

Amazing food and top tier service. I could eat here every day, literally every single dish is so good. Also the entire menu is nut free and halal - theyre very accommodating to other allergies!

Tasty food and superb service. Thank you, Mr Tony!

Super good Sri Lankan Tamil food! I was a bit worried that the spices might be pared down, but they were authentic and well done. I ordered the mutton curry, chicken kottu roti, and the devilled chicken all great. Im very happy to have found this little gem in Ottawa that reminds me a bit of home.

Great service, a super price! and the staff is very kind and gentle.

One of the best meals I ve EVER had. I ll definitely go back.

No Doubt this is a best restaurant for South Indian and srilankan traditions Quality food Food : 5/5

The absolute best food ive eaten in YEARS. Service was amazing and the food was DELICIOUS. Most dishes are spicy (at least ones we tried) so if spicy isnt your thing maybe ask which dishes arent spicy. I love spicy food and the 3 dishes we tried were unbelievable. The drink and appetizers were amazing as well. I. Will. Be. Back.

Wonderful customer service. Food was fabulous. Good atmosphere. Highly recommended authentic Sri Lankan taste.

Every dish is sweet, not for Indians at all. Parotta is good though.

Awesome food and service

Services was speechless couldnt complain about anything at all the food was delicious and I would recommend this food to anyone that loves South Asian food

Amazing food! Amazing people! Amazing Service! One of the most authentic Sri-Lankan food Ive had in a while.

Amazing food, amazing staff. Will be back here every time we visit. We are from Toronto and this is the best Sri Lankan food we had.

I love the place/decr and the food is amazing!!

Wonderful Sri Lankan cuisine (South Indian?), with very flavorful and deliciously spiced dishes. Though you may be tempted to play it safe and order familiar Indian dishes, I strongly recommend you take the time to talk to the host (and I do mean host, not just server!) who can direct you to the more authentic Sri Lankan dishes. You can get normal Indian anywhere, this is the only Sri Lankan restaurant in Ottawa! Love the Thali, as it gives a sampling of 8 different dishes. Also liked the Pol Kiri drink (non-alcoholic). We have been there numerous times now, and used to visit their second location which unfortunately closed during the pandemic. We will definitely be back! This restaurant doesnt look like much from the outside, but inside it is nicely decorated and very clean. Parking is available on the street; free weekday evenings and weekends I believe, but pay-and-display otherwise.

Amazing food and service! We ordered the vegetarian thali, devilled shrimp, and roast beef. All the dishes were amazing and filled with delicious spices. Definitely coming back!

Loved the food. One of a best Sri Lankan food restaurant.

Uthman was an amazing host. VERYY KIND, and the food was so flavorful. 10/10 would recommend!!

Amazing service the server ranjan Anna was amazing highlight of the day would be the hibiscus drink it s a must try. Definitely coming back

Food quality is number one in our city. I had shrimp biryani and roasted spicy beef both are delicious. Thanks restaurant chef and all members to serving good quality food for our community , friends and family. See you soon.

The host is just fabulous. The food was so good. A place to come when you want to do a la carte or all-you-can-eat. You need to be 7 and more for all you can eat. Dietary restrictions: Just specify and they will be able to accommodate you. Wheelchair accessibility: Easy to access and get in the place.

The best South Indian food. I love the way they made cocktail drinks!! The guy customize it up to my taste. Overall, the was amazing!!

Quite tasty but ended up quite expensive! We were going to order but the server said we should go with his suggestions and it ended up being quite a lot. He was nice though!

Absolutely love the food here!

Doordash Delivery experience : Vegetable thali : unique tastes, good variety of sides and gravy (the potato cuts in the curry were a little too big, but guess thats the way its made). Compared to other thalis in Ottawa, this is definitely top notch. Skip the Thali restaurant and try here for taste and value! Chicken String Hoppers Kothu : unique, the flavor could take a little punch and if the chicken was cooked with the curry instead of boiled and added later? (May be wrong, but it definitely seemed like it didnt soak in the flavor and seemed just boiled and added at the end) - 1 star away for this The other negative star is for their online presence upkeep - they have two veg thali options online, one says gluten free. The GF option ($20) says replaced with yoghurt, the non GF ($21) mandates you to select yogurt and adds $2 for that with no option not to. So, you get GF at $20 with yoghurt and non GF you pay $21+$2=$23 for non GF? It either needs better explanation online or correct this. There was a similar review about their group pricing mentioned online to. But, would definitely try again!

Great service, attentive and helpful. Lots of humour and charm to accompany solid music and lighting. Best for evening dinners (it can be dark inside, give time for your eyes to adjust).

Loved this place. The meal suggestions were excellent. Taste was awesome. Friendly Service

Amazing best kept secret. Great Indian food. Do not forget to try hibiscus sugarcane mint drink. Parotta is out of the world. Their Tea is the best I had.

Im not sure what I had - the server recommended it. But it was absolutely delicious! Im looking forward to my next visit.

Had a wonderful family dinner last night. Service was friendly, helpful and excellent. Good food and great variety. Thank you Food : 5/5

The best OG Tamil spot in Ottawa. I always go here whenever I m visiting Ottawa. The food, customer service and ambiance is still amazing. Ranjan (the owner) is there during the day and the other partner (forgot his name but amazing down to earth guy) is there during the evening, both will greet you with a smile and treat you like family. If the place has been open for 30 years, you know they are doing something right. There is something there for everyone on the menu. Highly recommend visiting with friends, family and large groups as they will accommodate everyone.

What a gem. Hidden by scaffolding.

awesome awesome place!!! food was fantastic, we had a mutton kothu rotti and the butter chicken thali. host also gave us a paratha with sambol on the house! everything came out super fast, nice and hot and fresh. super friendly and hospitable too!!! Dietary restrictions: gluten-free options

Soooo nobody was gonna tell me that this place is FIRE??? Chicken biryani is top, the devilled chicken is phenomenal and the roast beef was delish!! The veggie samosas were hot and tasty along with the chutney. The coconut sambal was a surprise, I don t even like coconut and it hit. Best of all, the service is A1. Definitely coming back and bringing everyone.

Incredible service and fantastic food! Bring friends if you can to sample several dishes...or go back often :) 5/5 highly recommend. Parking: Free street parking after 5pm.

Beautiful place, great food, and amazing service!! Definitely going to bring a lot of people here :)

Celiac friendly with many options. Had a wonderful time. Dietary restrictions: Celiac and dairy free options. Staff is knowledgeable and helpful when ordering with dietary restrictions. Food : 5/5 |

Finally got to try mutton (they assured me it was sheep and not goat) and it was delicious on string hoppers. Fantastic thali.

Was in the city for just a night and probably had the best dining experience. The food was authentic and tasted fantastic. But more importantly the service was even better.Will definitely be a place I would revisit every time I come back. Highly recommend this place.

Ceylonta is the pride of SriLankan cuisine. Came here 2 years ago while I was in Ottawa because we kept hearing from everyone about how good this restaurant is. The recipes are slightly refined in order to also please the western pallet but it just works. The food was truly divine and did not disappoint whatsoever. You cant go wrong with any of the dishes, just follow whatever the chef recommends if you cant decide. I remember the chicken palandi, the devilled shrimp and the thali being exceptionally good. Edit: Went again for a second time this year and the food was just as amazing :) And you MUST try their non-alcoholic beverages!! They are MIND-BLOWING! (Hibiscus drink and Polkiri passion)

We had the most delightful dining experience at this restaurant! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm hospitality and a vibrant atmosphere that immediately set the tone for an exceptional evening. Our waiter, Tony, deserves a special shout-out for making our visit truly unforgettable. His friendly demeanor and humor brightened our meal from start to finish. The food was absolutely amazing! Thank God we followed Tonys reccomendations!!! I cannot recommend this restaurant enough.

Dietary restrictions: Many gluten free options Food

This restaurant is amazing! From the food to the service, everything is absolutely stellar! I went in for the first time for a late dinner. I called ahead to ask if I could get a table for one, 30 minutes before they close. They took me in and from the get go, the service was so friendly. The chef himself gave me recommendations on food. Mallar, my server, so friendly and making sure I had everything I needed. The bartender came up to me mid meal to ask how my drink was. And they werent compensating for bad food. The food is AMAZING. They gave me a bunch of vegetables on the house and some chai tea at the end. I ordered the roast beef with steamed vegetables and wow! I met someone sitting across from me who said he came in the day before for a corporate dinner and loved it so much so that he came in solo the next day! And I believe it. Honestly, Ive already recommended it to collegues. And Ill definitely be back on my next trip.

Truly an incredible experience! Warm and welcoming. The food and ambience are out of this world. Highly recommend this gem of a place. Try their hibiscus drink. So refreshing.

Very hospitable and friendly host. Authentic Sri Lankan ood was on point.

Not happy pay 67 Canadian food are very bad Parking: Don t go to this restaurant they kill your credit cards Food : 1/5 |

The food was very good. I just took the Mutton kotthu.I was offered to taste their paratta (bread) and sambol, it was great, really enjoyed it. We also had the chance to taste Hibiscus juice,it was very refreshing!!The service was impeccable. I would recommend if you want to have a quick taste of Sri lankan cuisine.

Very very excellent

The food was really good, but their website says For groups of 10 people or more, Ceylonta is pleased to offer a unlimited menu to share with your family and friends. We serve group dinners at both the locations for $25/person. We were a group of 10 people and each persons bill came out to over 50 dollars, so I guess they are ust lying about that.

Disgusting Kottu Rotti for an absurd price.

Absolutely delicious and great service. Our waiter helped pick dishes and all his suggestions were amazing. We will be back!

Excellent food and service!! Ill be back. Kiwis living in Ottawa Food : 5/5

Ive been there a number of times over the years. Great atmosphere, great music, excellent service. The co-owner often acts as your server. He is very amusing and can give you good suggestions. The food and drinks are great. In my latest visit, I had the deviled fish with rice and vegetarian samosa appetizer. The samosas are delicious with the little sauce they give you with them. The fish was great with the rice. I also had a non-alcoholic cocktail from their menu. Very tasty. Overall, its a very solid place, and I would recommend it to anyone.

They take such good care of you and our server had amazing recommendations. Really listened to our tastes and needs and we had an amazing meal for a VERY reasonable price.

A good South Indian restaurant in Ottawa. I love their food options and promptness of service. Highly recommended!!

Our group of 8 had a blast at Ceylonta! The food was unlike any other Indian food I ve had, distinctly Sri Lankan. Each dish was unique, the quality and freshness outstanding. The host was helpful and accommodating and made great suggestions for drinks. Many people have recommended Ceylonta, now I know why.

Most authentic Indo-Sri Lankan food Ive ever had in Ottawa, great hosts, fantastic restaurants and delicious food. Totally recommend! (thanks for the free chai at the end)

Very calm atmosphere, Roast beef, and deviled chicken were delicious, and tastey, might be to spicy for the average person, but worth it. Food I would say one of the best in Ottawa. In terms of Indian and Sri lankan food. Appetizers, and thali were all good too, not one bad dish. This place should be a lot more popular, especially if ur a spicy lover.

Amazing food, beautiful service, friendly staff. A tad bit expensive but worth the time if you love Indian food, one of Ottawas top spots

We went on Friday as a family. We were first warmly welcomed The waiter gave us good advice, the food was delicious, the portions generous and the service courteous. This place is truly a hidden gem of Ottawa.

Flavorful halal food, the service was attentive and the drinks were really refreshing. Highly recommended. Dietary restrictions: Halal

This is where you want to go if youre looking for flavour, a true synthesis of Sri Lankan cuisine. Everything we tried on the menu was delicious and the staff very welcoming.

Make sure you order what you want and not go with recommendations, as it can get unnecessarily expensive. Real Sri Lankan and Indian dishes taste so much better than their food, and they don t do any justice to Sri Lankan cuisine. Disappointed.

Hi everyone, I had one of the best experience in Canada with Ceylonta. To summarize further; I was travelling from Toronto to Quebec thru Via Rail. I had layover of 3hrs between two train and was looking for Halal Restaurant for lunch, I came across Ceylonta and went thru the reviews which all had the praise. Had most if the reviews for Devilled Chk. So I decided to try this place. Upon arrival, I met the lady and asked for the suggestion. She called upon the Chef and the Owner Mr. Ranjan, truly a gem person. I asked him about Devilled Chk which was their speciality and he suggest for Beef Roast which was another of the Sp. So I went for Beef Roast instead. What surprising was the food came real quick as I told him about my layover, moreover he bought the portion of Ghee Roast and also Devilled Chk, as he wanted to me try both. Tbh, One of the Best Ghee Roast, I had in Canada. Devilled Chk. was a new dish for me as it had the Sri Lankan touch into it and was spicy, BR one the other hand was slightly very slighty sweet and spicy. Both the dishes had different flavours. Had these with the Paratha, cute little hot ones. He suggested me for the Special Hibiscus Juice which was truly refreshing and a new drink for me. As I was finishing, he bought Chai, which was on the house! . For the closure, I would say its the hospitality which matter the most as restaurant is an hospitality industry. You offer the best food, but the way you treat you customer adds stars over it. So this was my best experience with a restaurant ane I definetely recommend CEYLONTA. Its Halal. Do meet Mr. Ranjan when you visit there, super nice guy.

My wife and I had a butter chicken and lamb thalis for lunch. Great service, generous servings and delicious! Great price as well. I have been going to Ceylonta for years and they have consistently been amazing. Food

Taste is Ok but quantity is less. It s not worth, just hyped. Also online it is claimed Indian restaurant but food doesn t taste like Indian.

I had never had Sri Lanka food before and what an amazing find. The server recommended what to try and everything was incredible. The service was really good and fast. Definitely will be coming back.

My wife and I went with another couple last night for dinner. It was our first time dining at Ceylonta and we were impressed! Very friendly and attentive staff, and the food was delicious! Also, gluten free options. They recommended sharing various dishes to sample a wide variety, and portion sizes were perfect to ensure that we were more than satisfied by the time we finished dinner. We hope to go back to try some more flavourful dishes.

We arrived to a warm and friendly reception by the host and servers. It very much felt like we were made family by the staff. I believe the owner came to reccomend us items while we were ordering. His suggestions were perfect and the meal we had was outstanding. It was the best south-asian food my partner and I have had in our lives and among the best restaurants in Ottawa. You must try the coconut sambal and roti! The roast beef and masala dosa are delicious as well. Thank you to the staff and Malhar at Ceylonta for providing us a fantastic experience. We will be back soon.

Best restaurant I ve been to all year. Amazing food, drinks and service. Next time I m just going to get whatever is recommended by the staff because their recommendation of the roti and coconut sambal was the best app I ve ever had. Special thank you to our server Malhar for making us feel so welcome!

Sri Lankan food is amazing, the owner greeted us warmly and made us feel totally welcome, will definitely be back...

Im a big fan of Indian cuisine and tried this restaurant for the first time. I was beyond impressed. The food was outstanding. Such a variety of delicious flavours, colours, and textures in my meal. The value was great, the staff was friendly, and I enjoyed the atmosphere. I very much look forward to eating here again!

Servers were very helpful and insightful when we ordered!!

Dietary restrictions: Great for gluten free diet. Food

Its my regular go-to place, honestly. I havent found any other restaurants in Ottawa that consistently hold quality with good taste like this one. The staff are so amiable and welcoming, always satisfied with their well behavior service. The food tastes amazing. My favorites are the roasted beef, chicken Palandi, curried beef, fried rice, paratha, and cha, which has a refreshing smell. For those who dont eat beef, the deviled chicken is a great alternative to the roasted beef. Sharing 2 snaps of my last meal. We never have room for dessert because we always overeat, but next time, well surely try the faluda or golap jamun. Im pretty sure thatll be good too, as theyve never disappointed their customers when it comes about food.

They were friendly and good people, service was quick and prompt. The food was not authentic ! NO ! I specifically asked them for drinks without sugar as I am on a no sugar diet, before placing any order. They should have pro-actively communicated that the dish I ordered would come out sweet (extremely sweet) Both the dishes I ordered was sweet and these dishes are not supposed to be sweet!! Any Sri-Lankan or South-Indian who reads this please give this review a thumbs-up if you agree Beef roast is not supposed to be sweet

friendly service but just like the reviews said, it took forever for them to take our order. the waitress even seated a table before getting back to us. food is okay. I ve never had Sri Lankan food before, the roasted beef looks like indian food but tastes like sweet and sour pork ribs. Found it to be really heavy and oily. great atmosphere and drinks

Ranjan is amazing host. We were in mood of having Dosa. We had ordered masala dosa and ghee dosa. Both were amazing. He suggested coconut sambhal. That was a unique offering. We had madras coffee at the end. Service was quick , ambience was pleasant. We plan on visiting again for other options.

Authentic flavors with extremely passionate service.

Update: I went with my wife here for our anniversary and had a great dinner. The staff was incredible and they really genuinely appreciate the guests. It turned out to be a great experience for us. I have been going here for over 20 years now and have never been disappointed! It had been a while since I went to this location but they still serve some of the best tasting food around. The Devilled beef still is an amazing dish. The Thalis were also very good and we added the egg curry (which we dream about all the time!). Love and thank you to the staff and owner who continue to make this a special place in Ottawa to eat. ----- I still really like this place for a lunch buffet. Its unfortunate that the West End location shut down. They still do a decent lunch buffet and if you dare for dinner order the devil beef and ask for it spicy, its probably the hottest dish youll ever eat. I feel bad for them because the outside is constantly under construction and there is garbage all over the front it looks rundown and they are suffering because of it. It is not their fault.

Love this spot! Great food, friendly servers, perfect ambiance.

The taste of the food is must try ..really impressed with the quick and efficient service

I was at Ceylonta last night (Saturday) for dinner and everything was amazing. The ambiance, the lighting, and the music was relaxing, cozy, and vibrant. The service was friendly and the food was delicious. We especially loved our mocktails and the fish cutlets. We will definitely return.

The host was very enthusiastic and nice! Great food too. Definitely check this place out if you are looking to try sri lankan food.

Wow never though it would be that great, the Airplane dossa was superb and the Mango lasse great it wasnt expensive for all i got .. thanks Tony ill see u again

Great place to get Sri Lankan food. Highly recommend.

Delicious authentic Sri Lanken food (according to native Sri Lankens). Good service. Price is what you would expect being located in downtown Ottawa.

Embark on a culinary adventure through the vibrant flavors of Sri Lankan cuisine at this hidden gem of a restaurant. From fragrant curries to mouthwatering seafood dishes, each bite is a tantalizing journey for the taste buds. The curries, bursting with a harmonious blend of spices and coconut milk, offer a perfect balance of heat and richness. Whether you opt for the fiery chicken curry or the aromatic fish curry, youre in for a treat that will transport you straight to the streets of Colombo. Seafood lovers will rejoice in the fresh and flavorful offerings, from tangy fish ambulthiyal to succulent prawn dishes cooked to perfection. Each bite is a testament to the islands rich coastal heritage and bounty of the sea. Dont miss out on the array of traditional Sri Lankan sides and accompaniments, from crispy papadums to refreshing sambols and pickles, adding layers of texture and flavor to every meal. With warm hospitality, cozy ambiance, and reasonable prices, this Sri Lankan eatery is a must-visit for anyone craving an authentic taste of the islands culinary delights. Whether youre a seasoned Sri Lankan food enthusiast or a curious newcomer, youre sure to leave satisfied and eager to return for another flavorful journey.

Best food of my life. The dosa was amazing and the hisbiscus drink is out of the world. The staff was very friendly.Highly recommended.

Such good and confort food

Fantastic food, extremely friendly staff, amazing atmosphere. All in restaurant....

What an amazing restaurant in Ottawa serving delicious food,drinks and impeccable service by Ranjan,the owner himself. Best place to celebrate various occasions. I wanted refreshing cocktail and Ranjan made mojito so well that it made me go LaLa. We had chicken kothu roti, roast beef which is the best dish and to die for. Their vegetarian Thali is delicious. Service is too good,they are humble and soft spoken. Malhar made sure everything is going well and kept checking on us time to time. I am looking forward to visit this place very soon. I definitely recommend this place to everyone.

I usually dont write reviews, especially for restaurants, but I had to with this one, its just that special. I found this gem incidentally on Google when searching for restaurants with Vegan options. And I am so happy I did! All of the staff was amazing! I dont think Ive ever had such an excellent experience at a restaurant before. They were immensely accommodating for all of us there (one vegan, two non-vegans) and they knew exactly what to bring out and what was the best options for us, as we were a bit out of depth when it comes to Sri Lanken food. We gotto try a lot of different foods that were all incredibly delicious and flavorful! My personal favorite was their potato dishes, including potato curry. If you like Sri Lanken or Indian food, this is an absolute must try! This is honestly my new favorite restaurant! Vegetarian options: They have many delicious vegan and vegetarian options and are extremely accomodating, so no need to worry if you fall under these categories.

As someone who has never written a review for ANYTHING before, you better believe it when I say this place is 15/10. Food was amazing, service was very friendly, and overall atmosphere was welcoming and inviting. If you live in Ottawa and haven t eaten here, do yourself a massive favour and go grab a bite ASAP.

Really good food, service is really quick and knowledgeable.

Ceylonta restaurant is truly a hidden gem for those craving authentic Sri Lankan cuisine. Upon arrival, Tony greeted us warmly and took time to walk through the menu with care. Their recommendations were beyond accurate, creating a dining experience that was very much enjoyed and memorable. Speaking of memorable, the Coconut Sambol paired with roti is an absolute delight - its rich taste alone justifies the trip to this restaurant. The cocktails were excellent, especially the invigorating hibiscus and coconut milk non-alcoholic drinks. Each dish presented was bursting with wonderful flavours. Tonys expertise in balancing spice levels further elevated the dining experience, showing exceptional attention to detail. If youre in Ottawa, visiting Ceylonta will be a wonderful casual dinning experience. I cant emphasize enough how much I recommend this restaurant for its exceptional customer service, tantalizingly delectable food, and the genuine warmth. The service provided was marked by genuine care and a desire to ensure our satisfaction. Their dedication and passion for their cuisine and guests shines through, and will make your visit all the more special. Its evident that every aspect of this restaurant, from the food to the service, is handled with an immense amount of love and expertise. Sorry I forgot to take photos of the dishes . Ill take some on the next visit, which will be very soon. Vegetarian options: We are not vegetarian but we usually order a fee of the vegetarian options because they are simply delicious. The menu has plenty of vegetarian options .

Immersed in a truly fantastic atmosphere! The chefs impeccable recommendations elevated our dining experience, and the diverse selection left us utterly delighted. The deviled dishes were a captivating blend of uniqueness and mouthwatering flavors. The drinks menu, boasting top-notch options, offered a delightful journey, especially with their exquisite hibiscus and coconut-based cocktails. I wholeheartedly recommend this gem of a place. As someone with roots in Sri Lanka, each bite and sip became a nostalgic journey, making it a truly memorable dining experience.

Very cool atmosphere and warm welcome

Fantastic! Delicious! Service was great and very helpful about hidden gems on the menu. Definitely coming back.

It was my first time having Sri-Lankan food and it won t be my last. Not only was the food delicious, but the place was great: amazing decor and ambiance. The owner was so welcoming and friendly and his recommendations were on point and greatly appreciated. Will surely go back

We were there twice with my daughter and it won t be the last time. Food is excellent, waiters are nice and the environnement is very welcoming. We loved it Parking: Both times we found a parking right on summerset str facing the restaurant

The atmosphere was really nice. As soon as we walked in, we were instantly impressed with the smells, music, and ambience. The owner served us and he was absolutely delightful. Very funny, gracious and wonderful service. All the food was amazing! It was the perfect amount of spicy and full of flavour. I will most definitely go back!

Was a great experience, food was exceptional, service was even better! And they are open for lunch now. Highly recommended.

Restaurant is wonderful! The food is absolutely delicious. Definitely recommend.

The food here was excellent. We just went with the hosts recommendations - and this turned out to be a wise decision. And I do say host, not server - he went above and beyond to be accommodating and informative. This is probably not the restaurant to visit if you want to lose weight. Not because the food is fattening or anything - simply because you wont want to stop eating.

The best meal we have had in a long time. The owner was taking care of us personally. Do not leave Ottawa without eating here!! Vegetarian options: The vegetarian platter was amazing

The food here tastes very authentic, the deviled beef is sweet and spicy, the mutton curry is savory and the kotthu has an excellent blend of flavors. Highly recommend this restaurant

Such great food! Trust youre in good hands here. You will not be disappointed.

Excellent dinners. Every time! We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful restaurant downtown consistently serving extraordinary flavourful meals. I have been dining here since the 90s! I have never been disappointed ! Food

First heard about Ceylonta a few years back when a friend was back in town and ate there three times in a week. With that kind of a recommendation, had to check it out. Always a delicious meal, nice-sized space, friendly staff, plentiful portions. Love everything Ive tried on the menu- thali is probably my personal favourite, but tried kothu rotti for the first time recently and it was delicious.

Vegetarian options: one of our party was vegetarian. another entirely meat eater. Tony was able to recommend a lovely combination of drinks, appetizers and main courses that pleased us all. highly recommend the food, the service, and the atmosphere. Recommended dishes

We love the experience. The food is absolutely delicious, but what makes everything awesome is the service. The server understood we were not very good with spicy food and helped us order delicious food. Tony, the juice man, has the best cocktails and mocktails. Just tell him what you like and trust, he will come with something awesome. To finish with the Golden Key, ask Tony for his homemade popsicle. You wont regret it.

Excellent service and cocktails with a Srilankan twist takes it to another level!

Excellent welcome last night in this restaurant. The cocktails were surprising and very, very good. As for the cuisine, nothing to complain about, excellent. Dont hesitate to make the detour, it is well worth a trip. THANKS

We tried their Chicken Palandi. Taste was good, a little sweet though.

Excellent dinner, very friendly service. Too bad for the very high prices, otherwise 5 stars guaranteed.

Excellent food and excellent staff. This place really is amazing and the food is excellent, different than what you have tasted before. Try it once and you ll be back again!

amazing food and amazing service!! it was such a nice environment and the food was delicious and soo flavourful!! highly highly HIGHLY recommend!! The staff is so kind, and funny, and helpful . 10/10 experience.

Amazing drinks and food and service was excellent!!! Will go again for sure!!

Amazing food, so fresh and delicious. The roast beef was so good we had to order a second. The staff are all so welcoming and kind, and you can see the love put into the restaurant.

Must a try for group events. We were a large bday party & the buffet service was amazing. Dozens of hot, freshly made dishes coming out every 10-15min. Nice drinks. Funny, personable staff. Everyone said how well they ate. The variety of dishes including a few vegetarian was delicious. Everyone was saying the quality of food was better than the average buffet. BTW they could charge way more one day so check it out sooner than later. Plenty of street parking too. Thanks for the great evening. Parking: After 5pm the street parking is free on weekdays.

One of the best Indian food I have ever had. Service is also the best. Good food, good service for a good price. What else do we need?

Best Indian Food in Ottawa. You will not regret.

Service and food was amazing! Our family was welcomed into the restaurant and the atmosphere was great! this restaurant! From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warm smiles and a welcoming atmosphere. The service was impeccable, with the staff going above and beyond to make sure every need was met. Celyonta truly knows how to create a culinary journey that leaves a lasting impression. This restaurants exceptional service, delectable food, and inviting ambiance make it a must-visit.

Everything was great and flavourful!!

Fantastic finding in Ottawa! Everything was amazing, drinks food and service. I cant believe i have just discovered this place. It is an absolute gem.

one of the best restaurants Ive been to. never seen service that phenomenal either and its not due to a lack of amazing prior experiences elsewhere. delicious food and great atmosphere. definitely coming back! Vegetarian options: wide variety, super delicious Dietary restrictions: they asked about any concerns or allergies Kid-friendliness: kid friendly

Food was tasty. Staff were just too busy to really serve. Maybe they were short-staffed? When one did come by, they were very kind. But, they did not bring a few things we ordered. We gave up trying to get someones attention. With more staff, I believe this could become a favourite of mine. Vegetarian options: Lots of options on their menu Dietary restrictions: They new exactly which menu items to avoid.

its worth to wait to eat here food is excellent service is excellent and the atmosphere was wonderful

Giving it 3 stars for the taste, which is 5 stars, but the service is 2 stars. The food was great! Very tasty. The service was pretty bad. I understand being short staff but this was ridiculous. Ordered three items, got one. Tried to grad the attention of the staff and was ignored. Our table was ignored by staff. We were done eating and it took 45 minutes to clear the plates and bring our bills. Once we had their attention, then they were friendly and funny. To illustrate how bad the service was: the staff took the orders for a table next to us who arrived at the same time as us by the time we were done eating. They were trying to grab the attention of the staff and the response was: Sorry, I don t have time. Open to try again for the quality of the food.

According to their site, they re open for lunch buffet this day and time at this location. However I find the restaurant is totally closed. Update your site and remove information if it is false

Its best srilankan food in Ottawa best parotta and coconut sambal ..juice is out of the world.

The food, cocktails and service were amazing! Great place

Friendly staff, good food. What else you want

If you want to have the delicious food, fantastic service, and warm and welcoming atmosphere trifecta, this is where you should eat. Our friends and I had such an amazing experience. It is an understatement to say the staff truly outdid themselves. If you believe this is hyperbole, then please visit yourself; seeing/eating/experiencing is believing!

Fully enjoyed our meal, the staff had great suggestions and everything exceeded our expectations Dietary restrictions: They fully understood and accommodated dairy, shellfish, and gluten allergies at our table.

Amazing food , loved the Kota roti and mutton rolls . Well spiced and delicious.

Brilliant food and great atmosphere! Definitely going to be coming here again. The mutton kothu roti and roast beef was SO good.

Spectacular eating! First Sri Lankan experience and we loved it. Our favourites were the Coconut Sambol and the hot sauce that came with one of the appetizers. Also, the person that served us was such a good dude. Full marks for the whole experience.

The food was delicious and the staff was very friendly, the juices are also great. Overall I highly recommend Food

One of the best restaurants in all of Ottawa! Excellent south Indian and Sri Lankan resto with some modern touches; the cooks here are stellar. In particular, the sampler platter, dosa and shrimp dish were scrumptious

Incredible sri lankan food. The owner Ranjan is super friendly, this guys the best. Try their thali option if you havent already. Good variety and value. The kothu roti is also a unique staple. Ive brought multiple friends to this place who have all said the same thing. 10/10

We had a wonderful time, waiters were very friendly, but most importantly food was great! We are usually very picky on food but there was nothing to say: everything was flavorful, cooked and seasoned perfectly. We will come back for sure!

Owner the and severs super nice and kind and so much comfortable being there ? Very very tasty food , all the foods are authentic foods meaning Sri Lankans and Indian based foods and it wasent like crazy spicy or any thing , definitely I would suggest the restaurant to any one 100% satisfied with their foods , drinks , and the way they welcome us. And the way they greet customers omg super nice .. overall the entrance and the location omg what a beautiful feel.. pls guys go head and experience that in person..

What a delicious food they serve! Chicken palandi is to die for! Their shrimp curry and biryani is best I would say. Ranjan is the best host and make sure everything is served well. Tony the juice guy makes delicious mocktails and cocktails, important thing is that he serves everything with the smile and makes sure every guest leaves happily promising to visit again. Must visit place in ottawa..

Amazing food and service! Ive gone here twice with friends and family and weve all loved the food and service. Its a really special restaurant and the food/drink recommendations by the awesome waiter is tailored to your tastes. I highly recommend this restaurant. Its a gem.

Great food. Thali, shrimp curry and deviled chicken was all very tasty. Staff were friendly and attentive.

Best Sri Lankan food I ve ever eaten. Excellent service all around. Will definitely return when I come to Ottawa.

Great food, great cocktails, great service, great music! We especially loved Pol Sambol and Kothu Roti -- both unique and delicious. Good value too. Our bill was higher than others because we got drinks, ate way too much and brought home leftovers.

5 stars is doing injustice to this place. First time tried Sri Lankan cuisine and its so good. The host was super friendly and suggested us the best when we were indecisive. Platters are large in size so I say one can be shared by 2. Definitely suggested.

The server here made an amazing impression and the food was also top notch

A must go place..Amazing food and staff! The only restaurant in Canada we have gone back to again !

Always the best food and the best service. If I could give more stars I would. Definitely a place to try and keep going back.

Amazing food I am picky when it comes to food and the deviled chicken and the vegetable thali with mutton was amazing the yellow coconut sauce was great with the rice and Naan bread I had no idea what to order and the waiter chose an amazing dish for me!

The food was exceptional and the service warm and friendly. Cant wait to go back!

Ceylonta was awesome! The food was delicious and very filling, the ambience very laid back, and the service stellar. I have rarely, if ever, felt more cared for in a restaurant setting than I did there. Thank you so much!

Culinary change of scenery with spices, for the mouth... A discovery of Wonderful Sri Lankan dishes and flavors Visited in October

We went last night with a party of 8. Have been before and wanted our friends to enjoy the experience. It didnt disappointment. The food was amazing in presentation and in taste. We ordered 2 seafood for 2 and one special for 4 people. Excellent on all meals. Their mocktails are amazing and tasty. My favorite is the mango Lasse. The vegetable Thali, Coconut sambal with roti, string hoppers were so delicious, absolutely delicious. Definitely worth the experience. Tony, Ranjan and staff made the whole dining experience memorable. We will return. Thank you!

Great food, and the restaurant has been recently renovated as well. So the interior really matches how great the food is!

Staff very nice and accommodating, we chose a menu with thalis and hot plates, unfortunately our hot plate dishes were served completely burnt, so that the smoke settled in the whole room, the waiter and the other guests had coughing fits and an emergency exit was immediately opened to let air in. When we showed the waiter the burnt food, he tried to explain that it was supposed to be done that way so that the spices would come into their own - honestly????! We received neither an apology nor a discount. Since we didnt want to argue, we left the food, paid and left. Very weak unfortunately. P.S. Unfortunately the thalis were also very bland and sometimes cold. The hibiscus cocktail was quite ok.

One of the best restaurants I have seen in Canada. Everyone in this restaurant is very friendly. I love it!

If you are looking for authentic Sri Lankan food then this is your place. Tony was very warm and welcoming. He suggested dishes based on our cravings and mood and just made our whole dining experience memorable. Malhar too was very thoughtful and kind. We are from Ontario and I must say that their Coconut Sambol is the best and they give it in good quantity. Also- don t forget to try their non alcoholic drinks, one with hibiscus and the other with coconut milk- Just mind blowing! I m definitely coming back here when around and I want to thank you both Tony and Malhar for the wonderful hospitality.

Amazing experience, The food was delicious. Felt like we found a restaurant that has food close to our hearts. Certain dishes I had a feeling it was from my moms kitchen. Vegetarian options: Every dish in the menu has a vegetarian option.

Amazing place, definitely recommend!!! The food was delicious, the environment was warm and friendly, and the service was perfect. If I lived in Ottawa I would have been a regular

Food is excellent. In terms of drinks pol-kiri-passion Is out of this world tasty. Will visit again for sure

Tasty! We will return.

This is some of the best food Ive had in recent memory. Everyone left absolutely full and has been talking about it since. Service is spectacular. Best resteraunt out of the several Ive tried in Ottawa over the years. Vegetarian options: I had vegetable thali and coconut milk mango lassi, coconut salad, and a few other apps. They were all so good I had to mentally process the flavours. Dietary restrictions: They easily accommodated niche fruit allergies within my party.

Went in to grab a quick bite and was amazed by the delicious food, atmosphere and excellent service. I can not wait to go back again and take my time!

Great service, delicious food and amazing atmosphere. The owner is so generous and kept bringing free items off the menu to try . I highly recommend this place especially for ppl on a gluten free and vegan diet . Food : 5/5

First time back in a while - this place is great! Incredible food & service.

Absolutely blown away by my experience at this place. Exceptional, friendly and welcoming service. We ordered a lot of small dishes and shared with a group, all vegetarian / pescatarian dishes, though Im sure the meat dishes would be great as well. The sambal was sooooo delicous, but I struggled to decide what to put it on because I felt every dish was perfect exactly as it was. Highly recommend the spicy shrimp, egglant, any lentil curries and paneer. I will be dreaming about this place until the next time I visit Ottawa.

Went as a group for my partners birthday. Absolutely phenomenal service and food! Cozy atmosphere (even my grumpy dad said he felt like he was enjoying a dinner at home with friends) This is not a spot you go to if your in a rush, its sit and enjoy and take you time kind of spot. We did the group deal and we got to try lots of different dishes. The Rotti and Sambol is to die for! Totally recommend!

Such kind service and unbelievable food! Group menu totally worth it, we got to try so many dishes and they were all great. The cocktails were quite unique and very delicious as well. Amazing visit!

We had absolutely amazing experience in this very cosy, friendly place. All staff were very attentive and helpful, food was soo freshly made and delicious.

** shortly after my review, the Owner has contacted me. As I indicted in my orginal review below, the owner is the heart of the place and our friendship will always remain as is, great! Thank you for your response! In return, I have revised my review to 5 stars. Ive been going to this restaurant for years and it didnt take me very long to make friends with the owner. Ive always enjoyed the food there. In fact, its been one of my favourit places to order from however, since the transition to the new manager taking charge second from the owner, Ive noticed certain things I will not go into full details about. What I can tell you is, the owner probably doesnt know very much about whats been going on. The manager appears to get quite personal and friendly with the customers. He learned about the split up between a woman and I. I started to see another woman and decided she wasnt the girl for me. The issue is, despite the people I bring into and out of the restaurant, I had sent someone to pick up the curry chicken and rice a few days ago and the manager had the nerve, for whatever his intentions were, to ask her if the other woman was out of our lives yet. Although this woman already knows everything, this made her feel uncomfortable. She was completely shocked that he would act that way or ask her this sort of question. They dont know eachother on a personal level. This manager has broken all my trust and has went well beyond the boundaries of what even friends would have, or a customer and a manager would have. This is completely out of line and intolerable. I completely condemn his professionalism. As a result to this odd behavior, I do not recommend any engagement with this employee. This employee is wreckless, unpredictable and not very intelligent for making such a stupid decision. He demonstrated extremely poor discretion. I will not be supporting this restaurant any further.

Delicious Sri Lankan food. Many dishes that are familiar to northern Indian food (like butter chicken), but also lots of delicious less common fare, such as kothu rothi. Good service, very hospitable, and thoughtful suggestions.

Incredible experience! It was our first time visiting Ceylonta, and it couldnt have gone better. The food and staff were both magnificent. We were ordered, but were then suggested meals to give us a proper experience of their cuisine, and we couldnt have been happier. Will definitely recommend to family and friends. We will be coming back! Vegetarian options: Plenty of vegetarian options