Spice up your life with these Indian restaurants in Ottawa
India is one of the most diverse countries on the planet and its cuisine is reflective of the geographic and cultural diversity of its many regions. Using endless combinations of spices, herbs, vegetables, meats and cooking techniques, these restaurants will spice up your life and satisfy your senses.
East India Company - Ottawa Centre
210 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K2P 0J4East Indian cuisine is simple yet elegant. Often rice based, it incorporates lots of fresh vegetables, dairy products, coconut and subtle spices to create colourful and nutritious meals. East India Company gives us a glimpse of this beautiful region’s dishes. The majestic and intricate interior sculptures will make you wonder whether you’ve somehow ended up at a museum rather than a restaurant. Leave some room for the desserts – they will have you coming back for seconds.
Ceylonta Restaurant
403 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K2P 0K1South Indian cuisine is known for some of the spiciest and most flavourful foods in India. The fare is often rice-, lentil- or vegetable-based and always incorporates a vast array of spices (especially chilies – so brace yourself for the tears and the sniffles). Combining South Indian and Sri Lankan flavours, Ceylonta gives you a taste of the distinctive cuisine of the region; the dosas (fermented crepes) and vadas (lentil doughnuts) are not the typical Indian dishes many of us have come to know. Bonus: beer aficionados can sample some great tasting Sri Lankan beer.
Host India
622 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, ON K1K 0T6The extensive menu at Host India caters to every taste, whether you’re in the mood for chicken, beef, lamb, seafood or vegetarian, spicy or mild. Beloved Indian dishes like samosas, pakoras, tandoori chicken, saag paneer and simple curry are prepared with care and beautifully presented. Complete your meal with the doughy goodness of naan bread, served plain, with garlic, or stuffed with minced beef, onion, fresh herbs and spices.
Light of India Restaurant Inc
730 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3V4The Deb family creates a cozy and welcoming dining experience at this Glebe dining spot. Light of India’s warm and friendly service has earned the restaurant a loyal customer base who continue coming back for the pleasantly delicious dishes. The Debs are so considerate of diners’ varying tolerance levels for spiciness that they’ve arranged the menu into gradients ranging from mild, hot, very hot to extremely hot. Face off your friends in a spicy challenge or simply enjoy the diverse veggie, creamy and meaty menu options.
Haldi Indian Cuisine
449 Preston St, Ottawa, ON K1S 4N5Building on the ancient knowledge that turmeric – “haldi” in Hindi – is a spice with powerful healing capacities, Haldi creates nourishing meals around this key ingredient often. Subtle and aromatic turmeric is brilliantly incorporated into dishes like the daal soup (yellow and red lentils, lemon, cilantro). Take advantage of the (very British) curry and pint deals in the cozy and bright yellow interior in the best kind of east-meets-west amalgamation.
Mia's Indian Cuisine
917 Richmond Rd, Ottawa, ON K2A 0G8How better to run a traditional Indian restaurant than by a father and son duo who are passionate about authentic Indian cuisine? Father Samsu and son Mostafa Mia want to provide customers with the best their home country has to offer. The Mias pride themselves in their famous tandoori dishes that are prepared in a tandoor oven at high cooking temperatures. Fun fact: tandoors were originally made of clay and have a long culinary history in many western, central, and South Asian countries
Little India Cafe
66 Wylie Ave, Ottawa, ON K2B 6M4North Indian cuisine is a creamier and more well-known regional variation that often incorporates tandoor-cooked meats and naan bread, lamb, and spices like cumin, cardamom and saffron. Little India Café offers an authentic North Indian dining experience with a décor inspired by landmarks of the region, including the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal. Chef Ram Chander excels in everything he does, but the chicken dishes – butter, korma and tikka – are customer favourites.
Taj Indian Cuisine
3009 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON K2B 7Y6The Punjab region is known for tandoori cooking and for butter- and cream-based recipes. Family-owned Taj Indian Cuisine serves up the Punjabi-style cuisine in a warm and intimate dining area surrounded by brown brick walls decorated with intricate art pieces. The extensive menu includes many chicken, beef, and lamb options as well as plenty of vegetarian dishes. Bonus: the restaurant can also prepare vegan and gluten-free meals on request.
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