Little India Cafe — Restaurant in Ottawa

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Little India Cafe with a large group, and I must say, it was an extraordinary experience from start to finish. This family-run establishment truly captures the essence of Indian cuisine, and every aspect of our visit left us delighted.

First and foremost, the service at Little India Cafe was exceptional. The staff went above and beyond to accommodate our big group, ensuring that everyone was comfortable and well taken care of. Their attentiveness and genuine warmth made us feel like part of their extended family, and it was evident that they take great pride in their business.

Now, let's talk about the food! Oh my, where do I even begin? The flavors bursting from each dish were simply incredible. From the aromatic spices to the perfectly balanced curries, every bite was a celebration of Indian cuisine. The menu offered a wide variety of options, catering to both vegetarians and meat lovers. Our group sampled a range of dishes, and each one surpassed our expectations. The quality of the ingredients was evident, and the presentation was impeccable.

What truly sets Little India Cafe apart is the authenticity they bring to the table. You can sense the passion and love that goes into each dish. The recipes they use must have been passed down through generations, as the flavors transported us to the vibrant streets of India. The ambiance of the restaurant also adds to the overall experience, with its charming decor and cozy atmosphere.

In addition to the exceptional food and service, the affordability of the meals at Little India Cafe was a pleasant surprise. Despite the high quality of the cuisine, the prices were reasonable and provided great value for money. It's refreshing to find a place that offers such a fantastic dining experience without breaking the bank.

If you're a fan of Indian cuisine or simply looking to try something new, I wholeheartedly recommend Little India Cafe. The combination of their authentic dishes, accommodating service, and warm atmosphere make it an ideal destination for both small gatherings and larger groups. Pay them a visit, and you'll understand why this place has become a hidden gem in our community. I can't wait to return and explore more of their...

Arrived at the restaurant at 630pm on a Sunday. It was busy, with only one table available. We were seated promptly, and were served papadum right away. 10 minutes later, our order was taken. We ordered the veg platter, and tandoori chicken. When told the chicken would take 25 minutes, I told our server that it was acceptable. 10 minutes go by, our water glasses arrived, but no water. My wife and I are looking at neighboring diners. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. It was interesting to see a steady stream of people walk in and out for takeout orders. Still waiting for water, I notice on my watch that it is now almost 730. Still no water. And, no food. Yet, the 3 staff members seem busy going back and forth from the kitchen to the dining area. At this point, we had run out of patience, and just wanted to eat. I asked our server if we could get our food to go. She said that it could not be packaged up. Is the food coming soon? It's been over an hour! "oh yes it's coming now" Another 15 minutes go by......... Finally after a 90 MINUTE wait, the food finally comes out after we get our plates and cutlery. And, then, our water glasses get filled. The chicken was good. The veg platter was also good, but perhaps one notch below the chicken. We ate what we could. As I stood by the cash, I was continually ignored by the wait staff as they walked by me. Finally, I was able to communicate with one of them to get our leftovers packed up. So, a total of 2 hours of our lives were spent in this "restaurant". Not once were we asked how the food was, if we needed more water, or any other form of customer service that any other restaurant in the city habitually provides. Will we return? NO. Will we recommend this place to friends and family? NO. Despite the reviews and recommendations on the web for this place, dine-in or take-out at your own risk of being disappointed by the sheer amount of time and effort it takes to get your order. So many other options in this city that would be overjoyed to earn...

Hands down the best Indian restaurant in Ottawa, and one of the best I have ever been to in my 30+ years of enjoying Indian cuisine. The incredible food has a depth of flavour and taste that is rarely found, and I look forward to returning again and again. Simple, low key restaurant that outperforms in every way. I rarely write reviews and am hard to please when it comes to food, but Little India was outstanding and deserves to have its excellence recognized.

Started with the onion bhaji and mulligatawny soup. The onion bhaji was excellent - light and fluffy, full of flavour, and not greasy like is often found at many other restaurants. The mulligatawny was absolutely incredible and I have been thinking about it ever since. Words do not do it justice. Depth of flavour from the spices with the freshness and balance of lemon.

Chicken tikka masala was outstanding. Tangy with excellent depth of spicy flavour and the satisfying taste of real cream. Beef vindaloo was great and spicy hot as I like it, and next time I will try it with lamb which I’m sure will be even more impressive. The butter naan was light and not greasy, and the rice pulao was so full of flavour with cardamom, cloves, and other spices and herbs. The raita was also excellent.

Finished with gulab jamun that was excellent and not too sweet (sometimes it can give me heartburn, but not this one). It included something that most other restaurants either miss or intentionally avoid to cut costs - chopped pistachios. To me, this really showed how Little India pays attention to detail and doesn’t compromise its standard of excellence.

Chef Ram came out afterwards and I told him how incredible everything was. I told him I was about to give up on finding great Indian food in Ottawa after trying about 10 places over the last two years or so, and how I was so impressed with the incredible depth of flavour of his cooking. I asked to take the leftovers and chef Ram gave me some more rice and raita at no charge. I will definitely be back...