Paninaro (Chinatown) — Restaurant in Ottawa

Had this place on my list of sandwich shops to try in ottawa. Lots of friends recommended the restaurant as well so I was really excited to try it out. Entering the restaurant that is redone home was super rad as thr young ones say! Definitely influenced by my era of a 90s kid with street fighter arcade machine and donkey kong country on the super nes. Fun wall art and vibe. The owner was super nice and helpful. Especially loved our 14 month year old. She gave us the run down of all the sandwiches. Favorites and specials. Ordered the Modo and pancetta sandwiches with olives as extras.

When the sandwiches came clear brought to our table and we started to open them up and eat them.And what can I say is what a delicious light sandwich was! The bread was almost like a facacia, but it was nice.Light airy and nice texture on it with a crispy outside. We had the pistachio cream with the mortadella and panchetta.And what can I say? It was absolutely delicious and I will definitely be back there again.And nice part about those sandwiches as well.Is that when you go to other deli's and they stack to the meat! Who doesnt love thatbright. But, i find sometimes you can get heavy and gross from the meat cuts.It was a lot lighter which made me feel a lot better after eating. Definitely coming back to sneak sandos...

Paninaro in Ottawa is an absolute gem, and the experience is made even better by the incredible service from Shanti. From the moment you walk in, she greets you with a smile and genuine enthusiasm, making you feel like a valued guest rather than just another customer. Her knowledge of the menu (and awesome recommendations!), attention to detail, and friendly demeanor truly set the tone for an outstanding visit.

Now, onto the food—simply put, it’s phenomenal. The sandwiches are next-level, made with high-quality ingredients and packed with bold, delicious flavors. The bread is perfectly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, creating the ideal texture for their expertly crafted paninis. Whether you go for a classic like the Porchetta or something more adventurous, you can’t go wrong. Their house-made sauces and carefully selected toppings elevate each bite, making every sandwich a masterpiece.

Beyond the food, the atmosphere at Paninaro is just as inviting. It’s got a cool, laid-back vibe that makes it a great spot to grab a quick lunch or sit down and savor your meal. You can tell there’s a real passion behind everything they do, from the thoughtful menu to the outstanding service.

If you haven’t been to Paninaro yet, do yourself a favor and check it out. Five stars...

Now THAT'S what you call a freakin' sandwich.

Came by for the first time today. I wasn't sure what to order, the fella who worked there did a really good job of describing the menu & making recommendations.

I was a bit overwhelmed by the options because everything sounded so yummy, so I asked if they could just surprise me. He very quickly said he will order me "The Porchetta Paninaro". I really appreciated how easy he made that for me because I was really struggling to pick lol

He also recommended I take the second half home, take out the veggies and microwave it for a new experience. Which I did and it was delicious. Honestly at first when he said that I thought "I'm so hungry I doubt there will be leftovers" but dayum was I wrong. These sandwiches are huuuuuuugee

I must say the recommendation was stellar, I loved every bite and spent my whole day looking forward to when I was hungry next to eat the rest.

The ingredients are so fresh and complimentary without being "too much". I can't wait to try all the other sandwiches on the menu :)

Thanks again for the great experience, awesome service and...