Tavern on the Falls — Restaurant in Ottawa

Tavern on the Falls was recommended to us by a friend. It was mine and my Wife's first date night out in about 6 months, so we were really excited to go to this place.

We get there, and had to park almost half a kilometer away because there was no parking anywhere near. There WAS one spot in the parking lot of the French Embassy, but I wasn't sure I was allowed.

We get into the restaurant, and we got a table right away. The tables were packed in really close. There was about 6 inches between the couple on either side of us. I was elbow to elbow with this heavier guy. It made me feel like I was on a plane, which is not exactly what I'm looking for in a restaurant.

The place itself is right on the water, and the views are among the best Ottawa has to offer.

You have go to up to the bar to order, so we both got in the line, and when we saw people trying to take our table, we decided I'd wait in line and my wife would text me her order. We ordered a charcuterie board, two tacos and a pitcher of sangria. Because I was standing at the bar ordering, I got to watch them make make the sangria, which was about 95% ice and juice. I got to the till, and it cost us $101.00, which is insane. The tip option came up, and I tipped 10 dollars, which I know is chinsy. But really, I'm not sure what I'm tipping for, since I'm doing triple what I would do at any other restaurant, but it feels wrong to not tip at all. I also poured us some water out of this tap in the wall and brought that to the table.

I bring the drinks to the table, and the sangria, as predicted, is awful. We may as well have ordered juice. The tables all around us were seated after us, and got their food before us. 40 minutes after ordering, we got our food, and I actually laughed when I saw the charcuterie board. we spent 42 dollars on six slices of salami, 3 pieces of prosciutto, pickled previously frozen vegetables, a few slices of cucumber about 1/3 of a cup of frozen olives, and one piece of cheese.

The tacos were really tasty, but they were utterly tiny, not worth 7 dollars each. They also didn't give us serving plates, so I used their 1ply napkin as a plate, while my wife used the plate that the tacos came on. All the juice from the taco immediately soaked through the napkin and all over the table. I swear I'm not a slob, there was just no room for any alternative.

Half way through eating, the couple to my left finished and exited the restaurant. The server came to clean the table, and because the tables are so close, when she sprayed the cleaning solution it got all over our food and my arm. She ignored me, despite looking right at me as spoke to her, raced to clean the table and she scooted away. The guy one table over noticed and said "At least you have some extra seasoning on your food now?" I could have complained, but to what end? get another 6 slices of salami and some more bread? We just got up and left, some fights just aren't worth it.

All in all, honestly, this place could be really cool, but its not. Its run so poorly its embarrassing. I will never be back, and I will never recommend spending your money at this...

This place is overrated. Would not be returning. They assigned us a table and told us to go the kitchen area for food. At the kitchen, the staff totally forgot our order, after waiting 25 mins for four hot dogs, I had to remind them that I was waiting and then he started making our food.

We headed to our table only to find out it was already assigned to someone else. We had to move twice.

The prices for the food don’t look bad initially but they have a shady tipping practice here. A 15% gratuity is automatically added to you bill under the guise of facilitating contactless payment. It is not optional. This is Canada and tipping is not mandatory, it’s a nice thing to do and should not be forced on people. I enjoy tipping but not when I am forced to. The excuse of contactless payment does not make sense either. This store was accepting debit and credit cards way before the pandemic, so what exactly are they facilitating that is different from before. If this was truly for “contactless payment” they should stop accepting cash. Alternatively, they should spare customers paying cash from paying this gratuity since they are not using “contactless payment”. Pure racket!

I understand that restaurants are struggling, if that’s the case raise your prices, don’t dupe people with a lame excuse. People are trying their best to support businesses and spend some time outside while making ends meet too.

The lady at the bar knew this practice was wrong and made sure to tell people that the bill included a mandatory tip. The kitchen staff kept quiet. To make things worse the POS machine still asks you for ANOTHER tip and makes it very difficult to opt out. Spent $80 here; $26 of that was in tips.

The quality of the food and drinks were meh at best. Can get better hotdogs at a food truck or in byward. If it was a gourmet meal I would totally part with that money but not for hotdogs at a restaurant that provides bare minimum customer service. Not coming back and not recommending; take your...

Update latest visit: Hostess on Friday night was very friendly and welcoming. Great to have bilingual service. She sat us with our party right away. The pulled pork taco hit the spot.

Tavern at the Falls had a great location at Rideau Falls where the Rideau and Ottawa rivers meet. It offers breathtaking views that will leave you mesmerized. The prime location provides a picturesque setting that's perfect for a relaxed evening out.

The staff at The Tavern are known for their friendly and welcoming demeanor, ensuring that you feel right at home from the moment you step in.

The atmosphere is excellent, with cozy outdoor decor and ambiance that invites you to unwind and take in the stunning views of the rivers meeting at Rideau Falls.

However, while the location and atmosphere are the highlights, the drink selections and food options may not meet everyone's expectations. Some guests may find the drink choices limited and the quality not up to par, especially considering the high prices. Similarly, the food offerings may resemble those of a hockey rink concession stand, with basic options like hot dogs and tacos, which may not satisfy those seeking a more upscale dining experience.

In conclusion, Tavern at the Falls is worth a visit for its stunning location, friendly staff, and cozy atmosphere. However, if you're expecting a diverse drink menu and gourmet food options, you may be disappointed. Nevertheless, for those seeking a relaxed evening with breathtaking views, Tavern is a worthwhile destination, but it's best to manage expectations when it comes to...