239 Nepean St, Ottawa, ON K2P 0B7, Canada
Quaint, casual pub serving international wines with select Greek & other Mediterranean small plates.
We just happened to find this place on a Sunday evening because it was near our Airbnb and it was drizzling rain so we wanted something close by. What a wonderfully fortunate find! The dishes we tried were all fantastic! We especially enjoyed the orzo shrimp and gorgonzola gnocchi! We are from out of town, but will definitely recommend to family in the Ottawa area!
Was in Ottawa for a business trip and wanted to try something in the area close to the hotel. I found Aroma Meze. I love Mezze in generals and tapas style places. Especially for a discovery trip. The staff is nice I didn’t make a reservation and was by myself and they got me a quick table. Yes it’s Tuesday night but the place was almost full. Went through the menu tried one or two plates from each section. Tried the spinach style dip, the bread that comes with it is awesome. Tried the smoked salmon, comes with labneh style cheese: really good Tried the eggplant with cheese rolled with tomato sauce The grilled octopus is always a good choice And finished with the lamb poutine comes with great sauce not too heavy and with a bit of feta cheese Definitely recommend this place and will come back for more choices maybe next trip to Ottawa. See pics for order
At first,the service was great with each guy.The staff was attentive,friendly, and clearly well-trained. They made us feel comfortable. Then is the food.That’s pretty good for each dishes. I think they may pays careful attention to the order of serving dishes, ensuring a pleasant dining experience. Their lamb is tender and juicy, and the salmon is delicious as well. I think I’ll bring my friends come here next time!
First time dining at Aroma Meze. The service and servers were excellen! We tried 6 dishes that are just the right size for sharing. The spicy dip with warmed pita , flaming saganaki and beetroot tower were our favourites but we liked the others as well (Greek salad, spanakopita). We picked the chocolate mousse for dessert-a perfect ending to a wonderful tapas experience.
Nice restaurant that serves Mediterranean dishes. Service is exceptional, waiters are attentive, friendly and fast. I had a meal of 6 dishes and although it was my first time trying most of the dishes, I enjoyed them. The only thing was that the restaurant was crowded and thus noisy so I had to strain to hear my companions. I guess every restaurant wants to be full so this is not a complaint😊. I just wished it was a bit more quiet
Other than the super long wait, everything was amazing. It’s so hard to find Halal high end restaurants but this one offers Halal meat and chicken!!! (Thank you Aroma) The system for ordering was interesting, what is shown on the menu is to serve 2 people, and you multiple that by the amount of people you actually have, and you all share that plate (for example we were 5 so we did x2.5). I really liked this because you don’t have to worry about having to cut/figure out how to share your dish with people, since it’s already done for you. This allowed us to try so many of their dishes. The service was amazing, the man who served us was super helpful and kind. One thing I disliked was that it took super long for dishes to be served, and this was when the restaurant was not that busy. It took around 25mins for each dish to come (dishes are served one at a time). Octopadaki: A great option if you like seafood. The octopus tasted great but the texture of it starts to make you not want to have it after a while. The red peppers were also amazing. Smoked salmon crisps: This was in my opinion the second best dish we tasted, however other people with me said they didn’t like the sauce too much Open face chicken: All 5 of us agreed that this was definitely THE BEST dish. The flavour mix was spot on, everything went well together. The chicken was tender, the sauce was sweet, but not too sweet, and gave the whole thing a perfect balance. 10/10 MUST TRY!!! Kotopulo Avgolemono: The sauce was fantastic, the meatball itself wasn’t anything crazy, but still tasted good. It had a bit too much lemon for us. Crème brûlée was great 10/10 no notes!
First time here and had high expectations based on reviews. From the beginning - reserving online was easy and received confirmation and a thank you note after dining there - nice touch. I noted that it was a birthday dinner. Parking on the street can be a problem downtown Ottawa, but snagged a spot right out front at 5:45pm on a Wednesday. The front dining room is a bit dated but ok. 6 courses for two were recommended from their large, varied menu, so we did that as per photos and it was about right. All 6 were good and a couple were outstanding - for me the octopus and the tomato zucchini feta dish. The red wines at $10-12 per 6oz glass were Italian nero d'avola (open a bit too long perhaps?) and Argentine malbec - quite nice and even fruity for a malbec. We were able to chat easily without too much noise and after a leisurely 2 hours asked for the bill and went on our merry way. Service was very competent and friendly although one dish was forgotten. It came quickly when we were asked if we'd like anything more but reminded our waiter of the missing 6th dish. No mention of the birthday, which would have been nice to top it off. Recommended, and I would return.
Had a great night out. The waiter was amazing and served the ouzo shrimp very charismatically. A few dishes were locking the punch I was looking for but all in all it was a great meal. The restaurant was beautiful and so cozy. I think my favorite of the night was the beet stack because of the delicious sauce really pulling it together.
Aroma Meze is an absolute Gem. I original found this by searching for Saganaki in Ottawa and it was by far the best experience I could ve asked for. The server was very informative, professional and patient. (I apologize for not remembering your name, Male, long hair, soft-spoken) He took his time to explain the menu items that are served in small plates and shareable for all. He also described how the kitchen would present that items in order of which they think suit best for the entire service. I had requested the Opa! to be served, as I couldn t wait any longer after the amount of delectable dishes we d had thus far . I cannot express how impressed I was and want to acknowledge how much this restaurant exceeded my expectations. Keep up the excellence customer service, atmosphere, and quality and presentation of the food. Bravo! Extraordinary!
Fantastic food, service and ambiance!
The food was great and the staff was super friendly. Great experience!
Really tasty meze made for two - every dish is served with two pieces and they recommended to order six dishes between us. This was a good amount of food the variety is really wonderful, and the flavours are top-notch. The atmosphere is cozy and there s room for small groups and big, although I didn t find the bench particularly comfy and there are lots of kitchen smells. But regardless I would go back and the service was wonderful.
I went there with my mum for a nice evening and it was honestly the best restaurant experience I have had. The atmosphere was wonderful, the food was amazing (I loved the tapas style menu), and the service was incredible. I dont have a single critique, it was lovely. Zachary the owner was so friendly and the servers were amazing as well, explaining the menu items and just being friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend!!!
Dietary restrictions: Most things were dairy free as they were made with goat or sheep cheese Parking: Street parking Wheelchair accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible at all.
Food was OK for the price. None of the dishes we had were bad, but none were particularly exciting. We ordered six dishes, which was plenty of food for two people - especially considering the reasonable price of $50 per person. Several of the dishes were under-seasoned. Service seemed a bit disorganized. We waited at the front of the restaurant for 10 minutes after our reservation started before anyone talked to us. Decor in the restaurant was pretty tacky.
We LOVED our dinner here, especially being gluten free there were so many delicious options without any fuss. Our waiter was so friendly and you could tell he loved what he does. We wrote a note in the reservation that it was our anniversary and they surprised us with a free creme brulee with a sparkler! So thoughtful. Highly recommend!!
The food was delicious, but the service was extremely slow. It took them forever to take our order and then to prepare it. Also, the portions are very small, more like a tasting sample. It felt overpriced.
All food we tried was plain and boring.. and every dish were tiny portions.. the performance was nice though. I wouldn t come again
Food is incredible! I really like their menu. The service is also fantastic. The venue feels dusty, the place needs a good wipe down and patio needs some attention.
Intimate room with great Greek tapas plates. Probably best dish was the lamb slider.
I had a great time here at lunch. The food was delicious and interesting, and the service warm and attentive.
So good! Went for an office lunch and when leaving reserved a table to take my husband that weekend. Dietary restrictions: Great if you are a celiac
Its says its halal, but no sign its halal
We ve gone here a few times over the years and liked it; however, our recent visit wasn t that great. Food was mediocre and service was ok. On this occasion we were a larger group of 8 so you are forced to order as a group which really restrict your choices. I don t we ll be coming back.
They asked us to have 6 meals to share and though I thought 6 were too many, they were perfect. The food was delicious. The Lamb sliders and the Ouzo Shrimp were amazing.. I m a dessert person and thigh I always order crème Brûlée everywhere, I decided to go with the chocolate Natilles and I didn t regret. The price also was very reasonable. For sure, . I ll come back again
Aroma Meze offers a delightful Mediterranean dining experience. The warm atmosphere is perfect for any occasion. The mezze selection is impressive, with standout dishes like crispy falafel, fresh tabbouleh, and rich hummus. The grilled meats are tender and flavorful, complemented by great spices. Service is friendly and attentive, and the wine selection pairs well with the dishes. Overall, Aroma Meze is a must-visit for authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Highly recommended!
Outstanding food. I ll come back to Ottawa just to eat here again. Great energized vibe, casual, informal. You order individual small portions which they bring out one by one. We had 6 plates and they were all amazing.
Wow!
Some misses, but more hits. Overall good concept and prices are reasonable.
Food was good with great options for sharing and the price was reasonable. The plates should have come in a different order with salad type plates first. Service was good as well but seemed understaffed. The ambience was also ok but the place needs a makeover (i.e. heater baseboards busted on the floor near our table). Overall a nice spot but could use some TLC.
We had friends that have enjoyed this restaurant so much, they took us there on Saturday night. Its a favorite to them, and it is now a favorite for us. Everything was amazing! I cant speak enough about the Beet Tower!!
Absolutely amazing food, great service highly recommended
Great food and service! Really nice flavours, the octopus, the chicken and the dates were our favorites! And prices are really reasonable! We will visit again!
Good food and experience Would go back Food
Had an amazing experience here. The food was amazing! Very pricey, but worth it for the experience and a fun date night. I was surprised that my favourite thing was the eggplant. Food
We didnt eat here but: we were rejected right at the door by a woman and 2 guys standing next to her in a manner that was extremely unfriendly because we didnt have a reservation. No go.
Went for an anniversary dinner recently. The concept of share plates was amazing and we got to try so much of the amazing menu. Fish tacos could use some work but overall the food was super tasty. They catered to our tables dietary restrictions with ease and the server we had was absolutely lovely and helpful. Great intimate spot if youre looking for a special group dinner. Dietary restrictions: Celiac and lactose intolerant friendly
If you are looking a variety of food options in one sitting, this is one of the best places to be! We went here for a birthday dinner with a party of 8. I was in conversation with the team a few weeks before the reservation to set a menu for the evening. The restaurant team was very accommodating of dietary restrictions and were able to ensure each of the diner was able to enjoy multiple courses of Mediterranean flavors rather than simpler vegetarian/vegan substitutions as seen in most restaurants. Would highly recommend!
Okay food but for the price, not worth it. It felt more like a trendy restaurant than anything. Flavour profiles have potential but not well executed: some ingredients don t shine like they should or some are over powering. Service was adequate and the best dish by far was the lamb sliders.
Amazing restaurant! Loved the tapas style plates & exquisite flavours. Exceptional service & experience highly recommend
Super good restaurant, the service respects the quality of the dishes, so its not fast but everything is very satisfactory, for my part its the first time that Ive made a comment on a restaurant, despite the fact that I frequent the back around 5 times a week, so I can confirm that this restaurant is worth the detour
Excellent food and service. It is one of our favourite places to eat and it is consistently great! Highly recommend
Delious and flavorful tapas served at a relaxed pace. Vegetarian options: Many vegetable options and yummy dipping sauces. Food : 5/5 |
Perfect restaurant for a date or small get together. Amazing food and drinks for reasonable prices! If you are looking for an experience where there will genuinely be nothing left on your plate this is it.
This is advertised as a greek meze restaurant, however it has other food on the menu that is not greek at all. It is geared for plate sharing, however as there were four of us, two of us do not eat meat, they would not just do a sharing for 2, only 4. I also found the portion sizes a bit small for sharing. Ordering dips, the dip size was about 1/2 cup, not really the amount for 4 people. Although actual greek coffee is advertised, there are no traditional greek desserts. On the plus side, whatever was served was very tasty.
Girls night out. I am celiac and was very impressed with the menu. Delicious food for any taste. Beet root tower was my favourite Vegetarian options: Very accommodating to food preferences and allergies
Fantastic place, especially the service.
Excellent cuisine! We spent a very pleasant evening in Ottawa.
Good food, nice atmosphere. Some tapas better than others (lamb patties very good), but overall worth a visit.
A bit slower service when we went to dinner but when the food came, every bite was delicious. Almost made the long wait worth it. Though be warned that the portions are fairly small, literally depending on the dish and how many people you are with, you d get 1-2 bites at most. Atmosphere is cozy and intimate due to the size of the restaurant. Staff is knowledgeable though our server wasn t as attentive.
We wanted 2 person meals as the menu describes and as we planned. Because we were 5, the waitress rudely informed us we would get 5 portions for each dish upcharged. Although we requested the 2 person meals, she said it was not possible. 3 people for each round got dishes they did not want and the diets did not accomodate. Rude service and appalling structure of service. SERVE YOUR MENU!!! 2 person plates!!
Delicious food, highly recommend the octopus and beet root tower! Servers were friendly and helpful! Dishes were a good serving size for sharing between two to three people. Will absolutely visit again!
Excellent food and service. Great options on the menu. Will certainly go again.
Love this place!
Great food. Menu is set up as small plates that you share with your friends. The owner is often there and is very friendly and always eager to help you and recommend dishes.
Dietary restrictions: Gluten intolerance Food
Came for dinner and ordered 6 sharing plates, plus a dip. Service was excellent. The description of how the dishes would be split was a bit confusing though, we were told the orders would be portioned for 4 but the menu was made for portions of 2, which I thought meant A portion is 2 arancini balls but for 4 people wed just split them in half but instead it just meant theyd double the portions and double the menu price as well. Just so others are aware that this is how it works as we werent sure until we got the bill. That being said, all the food was amazing and well worth the price for a special occasion. Also of note is that the menu is almost entirely gluten free (or can be made gluten free), which was nice as my mother is gluten sensitive, not feeling limited and having so many different but all great dishes was a really welcome change. What we ordered: SPANIKOMIZITHRA - This dip was great, great flavor and texture, a great way to start the meal. OCTAPODAKI - Some of the best octopus Ive had, it was flavorful and perfectly tender. Even my parents who were very hesitant to even try it since they havent liked octopus in the past, loved it. One of my favorite dishes. ARANCINI - These were great, very cheesy inside with great flavor and very crispy outside. I do wish there was a bit more of the rose sauce with it, but still all around a great dish. OPEN FACE CHICKEN - Very flavorful and perfectly balanced, a great option that everyone really enjoyed. VLAHIKA - This was our least favorite dish. It wasnt bad, but we found the fries werent as crispy as we would have liked and were kind of a little on the greasy side. The Aioili was great though. MOSHARI GINGER - The beef was so flavorful and tender, the pesto and red pepper really complimented it, and the crispy onions on top added a really nice texture to the dish, another standout in my mind. SAGANAKI - One of our favorite dishes, Ive had it in Athens as well, and it was actually better here. Very theatrical, but the cheese had the perfect texture and was packed with flavor. Overall an excellent dining experience and I will definitely be back again in the future. Dietary restrictions: Menu is almost entirely gluten free or have gluten free options.
Amazing place for dinner!! The food is great, the service is very nice and quick, and it s not even all that expensive. Last time I came here I was on a greek food kick for month, but nothing could top it. If I lived in town I d eat here far more often, but now it s always on the list when visiting Ottawa. I d definitely recommend the open face chicken pitas and the tzatziki, but everything is delicious. I will say I m not sure this place is the most accessible, it s tucked in a beautiful old home, which leads to wonderful atmosphere but is a bit tight for anyone with a wheel chair or mobility aid. Over all, I recommend this so often to anyone I know heading to Ottawa, that I figured it was time to tell everyone here just how good it is as well.
One of my favourite restaurants in Ottawa. Delicious tapas and fresh ingredients.
Service and atmosphere was good, but the food wasnt too special and the portion was small for the price.
Love this place- this was totally a surprise ! I did not expect that they will give me veg options because my husband is a non veg and I am a vegetarian. The portions are just right . I only wish the falalfel was cooked well but other that the food was great! Vegetarian options: There were several vegetarian options I had 6 servings of tapas and each of the vegetarian option was unique and great tasting - also found parking near the restaurant which is always a bonus in downtown parking on a Saturday
Food was not bad, but not as good as I remember in the past. But.. the first plate arrive 40 mins after the order. it was 15-20 minutes wait until the next one. We spent two and half hours mostly waiting and waiting. Even when we asked to a simple pita re-order we had to remind about it after 20 minutes of waiting. Dont think I want to repeat the experience.
Amazing service. Amazing food. Such a simple place. Feels like you re at a friends house. It s definitely a must try if you re in the city with a group of friends.
It is extremely hot inside the restaurant as they do not have running AC. If you want a comfortable atmosphere to enjoy dinner, this is not it as you will be sweating profusely while you wait 40 minutes for your food. The service is slow and inattentive. I had to flag down the waiter multiple times to bring water to the table. The food is average at best and prices are obscene for what you get.
Food was excellent and such a shame that the service was horrible. We were very confused - no one came to check on us throughout. We flagged down a couple of the waiters to get drinks and the bill. We asked to order dessert and a waiter said hed come back but never did. The most confusing part was at the end when the bill came l, our waitress was intent on asking us what our favorite dish was and how everything went. So strange.
Our visit to Aroma Meze last evening was terrific and exceeded expectations. The tapas came out one by one at the perfect pace...all were delicious! Our server Arun was attentive, cheerful and proud of the food he was serving. Highly recommend this gem!
Extremely impressed with this place. Our server Arun was incredible and gave fantastic recommendations on what to eat. Great place for a date night, all the items we got came out in portions of 2 and everything tasted amazing. Great dining experience overall
I have been like 5 times and love it! Jonathan is the best server ever! Best creme brûle!
Lovely little place with a variety of dishes, they are small dishes (tapas) and they will modify the amount based on how many people are at your table. Nice atmosphere, smaller restaurant so a bit more intimate. Service was great. Dietary restrictions: We had an individual that could not have dairy so each meal we ordered they modified a small plate for the one person (gave them same food but just without lactose, bit of variation). It was very nice and personal
Very nice dinner experience, will definitely go back to try more dish as the menu has a lot of salivating dishes to offer. We loved everything we tried, with very good service! Love that plates are brought in one at a time, you get out feeling overly full. Really like their beef, special flambé cheese and anything in between, we did 7 dish for 6 people + desserts (I would skip and order an extra dish). Vegetarian options: Many of them, and many GF
Ill come back, for sure!!
Wow so good I may have to come back and eat more tomorrow just to try more of the menu!
The food and service is excellent.
Pleasant atmosphere and friendly wait staff but could have cleared dishes and refilled water. Food was not really up to its price point in execution. Had dips (fine) shrimp (good) eggplant roulade (salty, poorly executed (dry) and lamb sliders (salty) also really yummy fries but served colder. Overall another one of those incomprehensibly busy Ottawa dining rooms with food that doesn t live up to its price or pretensions. One wonders if the chefs taste the food they put out. Still, it was a pleasant evening mostly due to the convivial atmosphere and some of the food being good. Not sure I d go back for more
A great hidden spot off the beaten path. A wide variety of small shareable dishes customized to party size, allowing you to try many different things, and everyone gets a fair portion. The dining room is small, creating a lovely intimate environment. Food and service have always pleased!
Nous avons été malheureusement déçus de notre expérience à ce restaurant. Après avoir commandé et commencé à manger, on nous a informé que des plats n étaient plus disponibles. Nous aurions aimé le savoir dès le départ, car nous serions allés ailleurs. Les plats sont bons, mais chers pour ce que c est. Je vais passer mon tour la prochaine fois!
I went to Aroma both the food and service was great! My taste buds were very satisfied and I tried some new dishes! Zachary was great and he took the time to help me find dishes that accommodated my dietary restrictions. Food
Perfect for our family. Relaxed atmosphere and able to accommodate childrens needs.
Had a wonderful time dining at Aroma Meze in Ottawa. Our server, who has worked for the restaurant for 10 years, was friendly and knowledgeable. This more relaxed, sharing style of dining is an excellent change of pace from the usual. The food was incredible, and I would definitely return. The restaurant was clean, although a little dated.
Cozy little tapa restaurant near downtown Ottawa. Been here a few times. Great for dating or quick dining night-out.
We had very good service but the food was very simple. Portions are way too small , they recommend 6 plates for 2 people but we left with an empty stomach. The food itself was ok at best. Very simplinstic dishes with a lack of craftmenship for the dishes. We payed 12$ for 2 blend shrimps with peppers and onions .. I dont call this real fine cuisine. So in conclusion this place is an overated overpriced pseudo-refined restaurant. Will definetly never go back as the food is not worth it.
The restaurant has its casual charm, and the service was excellent attentive and knowledgeable. There was no standout dish regrettably, as the food was mediocre at best.
We had reserved online to come here for dinner, showed up and were greeted by a really rude member of staff, who did not smile and welcome us and was very dismissive of our booking. After proving her wrong and showing our confirmation in an email, failed to apologise and replied very bluntly with just wait . After waiting a few minutes, we just left after that and never had a chance to taste the food because we were put off by the rudeness.
Declicious tapas, big variety of options for vegetarians and gluten free options
I ve previously been to Aroma Meze and had a wonderful time. Last night I had wanted to take a family member here for a nice dinner so I went ahead and made a reservation. Upon arrival it was clear the restaurant was incredibly busy and understaffed. It took approximately 15 minutes to be seated and then we were seated in a corner behind a very loud table of 12-15 people. Our tables were so close together that people s elbows were bumping us and a waitress bumped our table trying to serve them. The server didn t acknowledge us or the fact that we had yet to be greeted at our table. After another 15 minutes of waiting with no service we had to just walk out. Nobody seemed to even notice that we were leaving. I m hoping that this was just an off night for the restaurant but it left a really bad taste in my mouth. Very disappointing.
Went to Aroma Mezze last night with my husband to celebrate our anniversary. We were sitted in the farther room, and about 10 minutes after we arrived, 2 large groups were sitted next to us ( 12+ people each group ). Both were super loud: screaming from one side of the table to another, watching tik tok videos loudly etc). My husband and I were deafened and could not hear each other at all, so we just sat there and stared at each other. Since there were large groups, our servers also stopped by our table way less often than usual. On the way out, we looked at the people that were sitting in the front room and thought how much nicer the experience might have been for them. Our ears were ringing for a very long time after leaving the restaurant. The food was good, as always, but it was a truly terrible experience overall. I really think restaurants should plan better around large group. I really don t think it s fair to pay 150 $ for a meal and suffer all evening long.
Unfortunately this restaurant is hit or miss. Had a lovely experience my first time here and the second time left much to be desired both in terms of the quality of the food and the quality of the service. It would be great if it were more consistent and reliable.
Lovely spot and yummy food
Nice plate sharing with colleagues
Great place to go with friends! Amazing food and service.
Aroma Meze is a cozy Greek restaurant in Ottawa downtown. I was there with a few friends earlier this week and had a wonderful experience and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves Mediterranean food. They specialize in serving meze, a Mediterranean small plate style of eating. Meze is all about sharing and celebrating food together. Aroma encourages guests to choose between 6 to 8 dishes for the table. Each dish is designed to be shared between two people, but the portion sizes can be adjusted based on the number of diners. We were 8 people and ordered 8 items. (important note: whatever you order will be served to everyone on the table) We tried Vlahiki (fries), Gorgonzola Gnocchi, Fish Tacos, Tuna, Moshari Ginger, Lamb Sliders, herbed chicken meatballs and Shukshuka. We liked everything, shakshuka Vlahiki could have been better but everything else was delicious. This restaurant is slightly on the pricier side with $40 to $60 per person cost depending on how many dishes you order. Aroma Meze is located at 239 Nepean St, just a few minutes walk from Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal. the only issue we had was the amount of timew they take between each serving is slow, really slow. Vegetarian options: they have a whole section of garden variety Dietary restrictions: they have halal chicken, lamb and beef available
A real gem in a small street, far from the hubbub of the city I went there twice and the service was impeccable. The menu is a proposition that takes you on a journey. Tapas, good wine and a few friends, the evening can only be a success. Absolutely worth trying! Dietary restrictions: Almost the entire menu is gluten free!!
I came here based on a friends recommendation and was thoroughly disappointed. Our server was very polite, but only when he was around, which was very little of the time we spent at the restaurant. We were a party of four and ordered multiple dishes that took almost 2 hours to arrive in total. Unfortunately, one of the dishes never showed up, and we felt neglected in the cramped back area of the restaurant, amidst a few other tables. Overall, I would not recommend this restaurant at this time.
First thing to remember is this is more of a tasting place than a feed you full place. Small plates you share. We sat for about an hour and only got served drinks and some pita bread. I had good company with me, so it was ok, but that was a bit long. Once the food started coming out it was lovely. It was one plate every 10 minutes so that you can taste them and discuss with your partner. The restaurant does a great job elevating the vegetables and sauces they use in their dishes. The arancini was also a highlight. I find they dont quite do the same with the meat dishes. Not bad by any stretch, but I think they need a little more creativity to make them stand out. The shrimp, while having a lovely flambé show tableside, still just tastes like shrimp I can get anywhere (and you only get one shrimp per person, which I found underwhelming). Overall, would recommend Aroma Meze and would go again, just hope they dont leave us sitting so long next time.
I must say the food is amazing and very tasty, I would request every one to try their bhuna lamb, my son loved it.
If you love tapas like me, this is the place to go.
Best spot in Ottawa, good food, service and atmosphere
A spectacular service staff, excellent preparation for tapas and a hibiscus sangria to die for. The ouzo shrimp, the gnocchi shrimp, dolmades, all 4 dips, tuna tataki, smoked salmon and caviar, all to die for! A beautiful restaurant!
Make sure you make a reservation! This place fills up quick on the weekends. Absolutely delicious food, great atmosphere and quick, friendly service. My new go-to date spot. Dietary restrictions: Tons of gluten free options
Went there for my 2nd time last night, it never disappoint me. The food is just incredible, fine cuisine. The waiter (guy with the long hair) is amazing and takes time to explains the dishes properly, hes very professional and friendly. Great job folks, keep up the good work!
Great atmosphere and service is always amazing. Delicious food and love that its sharing plates. Will definitely continue coming back. Dietary restrictions: Gluten free and celiac safe options
Super cute spot with tons of halal options - definitely recommend!! I would skip the Greek poutine - that was my least favourite dish.
I absolutely love the place , definitely one of the best restaurants I v been to in Ottawa. Its a great dinning experience.
Delicious food. Love that the sharing plates are adjusted to the number of guests you are. Great service and lovely atmosphere. Very gluten free friendly too but other dinners wont even notice. Dietary restrictions: Lots available gluten free
Lovely food, responsive to vegetarian menu options!
Aroma Meze has been my favourite restaurant for years and never disappoints! Food is 10/10 every time and so is the service. Must try!
Just amazing!
Amazing place. A bit slow so not great if youre in a rush, but very relaxed. Recommend the shrimp gnocchi and lamb sliders.
Lovely little restaurant with delicious food and friendly service!
Had a great time enjoying the many options on the menu. The fish tacos, lamb tacos, lamb sliders, dips, merguez shakshuka, dolmades, and dattes with bleu cheese are now my favorite go to. Also enjoyed some very good Greek red wine (unfortunately can t remember the name) and sparkling white wine. Def must go back
My girlfriend and I came here on a whim and it was amazing. The food was incredible, the staff were amazing, and if youre quiet you can listen to the tea spilled by everyone around you 10/10 will be back and recommend it to everyone I know Vegetarian options: Robust vegetarian options that will please everyone! Dietary restrictions: Staff are very accommodating and check consistently if there is anything that needs to be done to make your experience better.
The atmosphere is warm and friendly thanks to excellent service (shoutout to server Zachary) and rustic decor. The food tastes like it was cooked by angels. This is a fantastic restaurant, especially if youd like to sample many different dishes of authentic greek cuisine! I *highly* recommend Aroma Meze. Dietary restrictions: Many gluten-free options!
After hearing about this place from friends and colleagues, finally tried it for the first time and it is definitely worth the hype. They were kind enough to seat us despite it being close to 9:30 PM and the dishes were just awesome. They truly are small plates and it is one of the few places that does this really well as it was intended to be (rather than as an afterthought on a mixed menu). Also, clearly the chef/ownership understands food intolerances/allergies as basically EVERYTHING is gluten free which is exceedingly rare. And I didn t feel like I missed out on anything as a result Dietary restrictions: Celiac/Gluten Free friendly for sure!
Always a fun time coming here for dinner. Definite plus that it s all gluten free! Dietary restrictions: Gluten free
A huge menu that s entirely gluten free, minus one item. One of my fav dining experiences in Ottawa with incredible tasting food, and it managed to still be an affordable place to go out for dinner.
I used to come here before COVID, and the service was very efficient and the food was better. We were a group of four, and they bring one tapa at a time with ~ 15 minutes in between. Either you share the small tapa among the four people (doesn t make any sense), or order separately, it will take a long time. My experience is that tapas take a short preparation time, still good quality is achievable.
My husband and I celebrated our anniversary here this summer. We had a table on their sweet little patio, and the greatest service. We loved the beetroot towers, vlahika fries, and ouzo shrimp, fish tacos, and especially the moshari ginger beef (WOW!). The falafel was unfortunately little dry and could use a drizzle of tahini or similar sauce to accompany it. The Thalia sauvignon blanc was a delicious wine. Thank you for a special evening!
We came to this place following high reviews on Google and were immediately disappointed. The place is old, dirty and smells like an old garage, the waiting time was way beyond expected, the portions are small and definitely not worth the price.
Dinner was very tasty. It was fun to try lots of different things to eat, most of which we really enjoyed. The atmosphere was cozy, it gets a little loud when everyone in the restaurant was a little wine, but that is part of the fun of it. The restaurant surprised us with a little anniversary desert which was a very nice touch. I loved that we never felt rushed, it was an enjoyable slow dinner.
Lovely people, lovely food. The wait time before the first course was a bit lengthy but after that, our food came out quickly. The food was delicious and our server was knowledgeable and checked in on us often. Wonderful experience and I ll be returning soon! Parking: If you go on the weekend, make sure you plan time in advance to find free street parking or paid garage parking.
Extremely nice and friendly staff, the food was amazing would def recommend this place.
Small portions but the food is excellent. Server was nice but the service was very slow last night. Don t sit near the door, gets cold when people walk in and out. No real atmosphere. French 75 did not taste good.
Went on a date night. Great food, ambience and service! I liked the idea of have 2 servings per plate and ordering 4-5 things for 2 persons. Food was fresh, well made and interesting. The homemade fries were simply outstanding.
The best Greek food in Ottawa, bar none, yet somehow manages to also have an incredible value proposition on literally every single dish. Chef Jeff and the team should be incredibly proud of the gem they have created in Ottawa.
This almost-perfect restaurant in Ottawa is a gem. Atmosphere is quaint and cozy at it was formerly a home that was repurposed into a restaurant. Been there thrice and was blown away by the quality of the food for two of these experiences. Great option when dining out with those with gluten sensitivities. Very well priced. Interesting order concept. Dietary restrictions: Gluten-free celiac friendly
Excellent food - many unexpected flavours and well-plated. Good and friendly service too. Well priced for the quality. It was a bit warm when we visited and we had bugs flying around us, but the food and service and price more than made up for it.
Came for a birthday and the food and service was excellent! Arun was attentive and hospitable, and was a great guide for new guests. Would definitely come back
As a person with celiacs, this restaurant is a godsend! Amazing gluten free pitas!
Thoroughly enjoyed this dining experience! Server was friendly and helpful in navigating the tapas menu. Each course was served promptly. The food was fresh and innovative. Looked great and tasted even better!! Highly recommend!
What a wonderful experience! Plates are beautifully design, a nice combinaison or flavours and textures. Sizes are great, for two you should order approx 6 plates. The best thing about this place is his staff. Brandon was amazing. We will comeback everything we pass by ! The lamb tacos and moshori beef were my two favorites !
Loved the concept of getting all foods in small portions, you get to taste a wide variety of things. This place is not for big eaters however. But the food taste wont disappoint. Definitely a must try.
Excellent service and very good food. They have the sharing plates thing down to an art. I really fun evening out. Dietary restrictions: Provided great gluten-free options for one of our guests.
The dining space was very crammed. The building could use some renovation/upgrades. Food was good. I appreciated the halal offerings. Dietary restrictions: Halal, gluten free
This restaurant is incredible! My family and I have been going there for several years and every time everything is great: the service, the food and the atmosphere are A+. The owner is always present and always in a good mood. I highly recommend!
The food is amazing! Every single dish we had was great and so was the presentation of the dishes. The only downside is that it takes a little while to get our food and you definitely have to plan a good amount of time for your meal (we were a couple and we were there for 2 hours), but honestly it was worth it and we would still go back if we were from Ottawa. Servers were very kind too!
Delicious, courteous, chill and fancy. Just love this place!
Friendly staff, warm and cozy ambience, the food was beautifully presented and tasted amazing! This place is a gem!
Delicious slow food in a social setting. Recommended!
Four of the six plates and the dip were excellent; however, there were two we didnt like: the dolmades was flavourless and the corn tortilla of the fish tacos was overpowering (and the fish tasted like we were eating fish sticks). Definitely get something that gets lit on fire (OPA) Both choices of wine we had were excellent. Dietary restrictions: Lots of gluten free options
Cute old red brick house, nice relaxing atmosphere, all tapas/appetizers to share. Some food was quite bland. Bit some food was delicious and pricey Dietary restrictions: Pretty much all gluten free ! gluten free pita was tastier than the regular pita, according to my date
The food, the presentation and the service was just wonderful. Almost everything is gluten free and delicious. I highly recommend! Dietary restrictions: Gluten Free (Celiac)
Great place with such tasty food. The concept is fun and you get to try a whole bunch of dishes. Prices are also reasonable.
The food was spectacular and fresh. sooo many flavors and choices. the service by Arun was incredible, really nice and smiling making sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal. Good price for the quality of the food! The gluten free option are amazing CELIAC APPROVED!!!
Really enjoyed this cute restaurant. Loved the selection of food. Was delicious. Cant wait to go back to try the dishes that werent tried tonight.
We were looking for a tapas place in downtown Ottawa, and these folks popped up. We walked in sans reservation, and they accommodated us right away. They went through everything with us. Food came out at a well thought out pacing, ensuring everything was as hit and fresh as possible. Every single dish we tried was delicious, and the staff was spot on. Thank you for a wonderful evening! Vegetarian options: There are a number of vegetarian options available. Definitely try the spanikopita!
Really nice food, great service! Loved the octopus, really tender. Usually octopus tastes like rubber
Cute little place and fun to try different plates which are meant to be shared at the table with others. Fish tacos were my favorite. Gnocchi was also well done. Falafel was moist but could have used another sauce served with it. Beautiful presentation, great service, very friendly.
Loved this restaurant!
A wonderful experience. Food is superb, service is exceptional and a great atmosphere. A must visit any time I am in Ottawa.
Amazing experience. Standouts were the shrimp gnocchi, salmon crisp, fish tacos. Still thinking about it. The lamb sliders were dry and I wouldn t get it again. Halal meat and gluten free! Service was impeccable.
We had made a reservation for 5:30. It was busy and I think they were unexpectedly short-handed that night. Was extremely patient with all of the different requests we made and served us with the Great smile. We posted a video of him and really enjoyed the evening for a birthday celebration. Highly recommend ! Vegetarian options: Excellent selection and quality.
Very flavorful served hot with interesting textures.
Great dining experience. One small problem was taken care of the upmost care and kindness. Recommend. My favourite was the desserts.
Unpretentious, delightful Mediterranean restaurant. This restaurant offers small (tiny) portions, just a few bites... but each dish is perfectly prepared (the shrimp in particular are cooked absolutely perfectly). Each dish is designed to be shared with one other person - we ordered 6 dishes (plus dessert: highly recommend dessert, its just $5). The dishes arrive one at a time, allowing you to enjoy each dish independently. It also makes for a really enjoyable pacing to the dinner - it doesnt feel rushed at all. The dining room can get a bit noisy, but thats pretty normal in a restaurant. Its not a quiet, intimate atmosphere but rather much livelier than youd probably expect. Overall: for two (6 plates + dessert + wine) our total came to $86, and we both feel like we ate plenty. Vegetarian options: Plenty of vegetarian fare but few vegan options Dietary restrictions: As an FYI they use a lot of nuts in the menu.
I dont understand the high reviews. One of our 6 courses was great, the others were average and one (the dry lamb sliders) was awful. Portions are definitely small on some of the plates. Service is fine if you dont mind waiting in between courses, but we were pretty hungry until the end.
Great food and service
I picked this place for a fun date night and was not disappointed! It s a place that s more about an experience, trying different things, than about seeing how full you can get. Make reservations. The place isn t huge and it was quite busy. The food was incredible! I loved how each dish is presented. I liked the experience of each dish being served on its own to really appreciate it. That being said, be prepared to wait. The dishes are staggered, small bites, designed to be shared between two people, and each one a piece of art, which takes time to create. We left feeling not too full, but completely satisfied. A cool idea for a first date, because you can try new things together and constantly be (quite literally) fed something new to talk about. We absolutely loved the Gorgonzola Gnocchi, the Madjool Dates and the Salmon Crisps. The spanikopita and open-faced chicken were good, but not mind-blowing. The creme brûlée is to die for. Going back for the beetroot tower and more gnocchi!
Four of us shared several dishes and all were excellent. Service was superb and friendly. We also thought the price was very acceptable being possibly less than we expected, We ll definitely be back.
Delicious food and great environment. Went with a work group and this was the perfect place. The sharing plates meant we could try many different dishes and The atmosphere gave us a chance to get to know each other in a relaxed setting. Can t wait to go back! Food
Great place to go with a group. All the food was delicious and perfect for sharing. Service was good and the flambé shrimp and cheese was cool to see.
We had an amazing time at Aroma. The staff is friendly and easy to exchange with. You can tell they are genuinely happy to work there. Despite getting 6 plates to share, we could easily chat without feeling interrupted all the time by the waiters. Foodwise, we were more than pleased with the options and it was a bit difficult to choose from. We both enjoyed sharing and trying multiple plates. From now long, when I ll be around Ottawa, I ll have Aroma Meze on my list of places to go.
The dishes were varied and exotic. Food was excellent and service beyond reproach. We are going back soon to celebrate our anniversary.
Very nice experience, service was great, food was fine Propose some halal options, which is great. Food
As always, the food was fantastic! Each dish was served piping hot & spaced out perfectly so we could enjoy each dish. I will return.
What a great place to dine with friends! The staff is pleasant and helpful, the menu is varied, the food is delicious!
Food was delicious! I love the small plates style which allows you to enjoy many different dishes. My date and I had a lot of fun choosing our courses and trying new food together. Highly recommend the arancini and the saganaki. I would stay away from the poutine unless youre craving, still good but I wish we had tried something more novel. Service can be a little slow sometimes but its understandable given the amount of dishes coming out of the kitchen. 9/10, a must try! Dietary restrictions: Almost all dishes are available with a gluten free option, although often with an extra charge around 1$
Best restaurant in Ottawa. Aroma Meze is a fantastic Greek restaurant in Ottawa. Its warm and welcoming. The place serves authentic Greek dishes, and everything tastes fresh and flavorful. Thanks to Jeff and his team in the kitchen. The staff are super friendly and make you feel like family. Theyre great at recommending dishes, especially if youre new to Greek cuisine. The atmosphere is cozy, perfect for both casual dinners and special occasions. This restaurant is a great spot for anyone looking to enjoy delicious food in Ottawa. Highly recommended!
Must go restaurant in Ottawa!!! Very small place family owned and operated. Food is super delicious
Great place to chat and eat. Very interesting and diverse menu. They accommodated three different people (out of four) with diet restrictions. Definitely coming back.
Very good food, excellent service Wheelchair accessibility: I dont think it is accessible, although i did not personally attempt it. It is a fairly small space, seems like it would be difficult to navigate in a wheelchair. There are a few stairs at the main entrance as well.
Cute little restaurant, with great staff and nice vibe but the food is alright. The portion sizes are very little and sort of disappointing considering it s Greek food. Also they said it s shareable dishes but with the portion sizes I think not. The Greek salad which is very small too had like two olives pretty disappointing as the olives do make the Greek salad a Greek salad! The octopus I had was yummy, though a tad on the dryer end. The lamb sliders were yummy and I would say, still somewhat filling. Overall, I would recommend it but I am not sure if I would be back.
Highly recommend if you like to share small dishes. The food is delicious and choices are plenty. We were a party of 5 and thoroughly enjoyed every choice we made.
Really lovely restaurant with top notch service! I ate here in 2018 and remember how much I loved the overall experience and food. Went back after 5 years in Dec 2023 and its still wonderful! Would definitely recommend!
A nice place, the waiter is friendly, the food is good but very small quantities not enough for everyone, we remained hungry. For the price we paid!!! I do not recommend!