Ottawa Birthday Restaurant Recommendations (Every Dish is Amazing!)

After struggling to decide where to eat—since it feels like there are only a handful of go-to spots in Ottawa—I finally picked two, and they were both incredible! The meal was so enjoyable, proving there are plenty of fantastic restaurants beyond Chinese cuisine waiting to be explored 😊 🌟 Harmons Steakhouse 🌟 Hands down the best steak I’ve had in Ottawa! I’d had this place saved in my notes for ages, and I finally got to go with friends—worth the wait! In short, it’s so delicious that words can barely do it justice. It’s pricey, but so worth it—my friend and I even put down our cutlery to savor each bite slowly, truly appreciating every flavor 🍴 AUS F1 Black Tajima x Angus: This Australian crossbreed steak is phenomenal. Japanese A5 Wagyu (Miyazaki Prefecture): Equally amazing. Both steaks have a perfectly seared, slightly crispy exterior while the inside is juicy and tender—such a delightful texture that I couldn’t get enough of! The menu also features dry-aged steaks, which we didn’t try this time, but we’re already planning our next visit to taste them 🥩 Mushroom Risotto: Packed with cheese and pine nuts, this is hands down the best risotto I’ve ever had. If you love mushrooms, this is a must-try—it’s incredibly satisfying! Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce: Delicious, and you can order a half portion, which is still quite generous. Between my friend and me, we couldn’t finish all four dishes. As a nice touch, they gave us each a small bread roll to take home—such a sweet detail 💕 🌟 Sanduk 🌟 A fantastic Filipino restaurant! I haven’t had much Filipino food before, so I can’t speak to its authenticity, but it’s a wonderful spot for trying something new 😋 The menu is full of hearty meat dishes—no vegetables, which made this southerner (who’s used to having greens on the table) chuckle a little, but the flavors more than made up for it! We ordered: Grilled Platter Roasted Pork Trotters Pan-Fried Fish Seafood Platter Crispy Pork Belly Every dish was visually appealing and had unique, delicious flavors. The restaurant’s ambiance is lovely too—warm lighting, friendly staff, and they were incredibly patient even though our large group had lots of requests. There’s also a tatami-style area perfect for photos 📸 Plus, the rice is unlimited, and it’s really tasty—what more could you ask for? #Ottawa #BeautifulDishesIEaten #InternationalStudentsEatingOut #OttawaFood #OttawaFoodAndFun #OttawaLife