BYOW restaurants in Ottawa
You've got your favourite wine and your favourite dish, and wouldn't it be nice if you could pair them? In Ottawa, you can do that. Since Ontario made bring-your-own-wine legal a little over a decade ago, it has become an option at many worthy establishments here. Go out and add your own wine to the wine-and-dine scene in the city on the canal.
La Roma
430 Preston St, Ottawa, ON K1S 4N4The menu at La Roma changes based on what is available from local farmers, making it seasonal – of course – but also fresh and inventive. Come and start with shrimp or deep-fried lake smelts with oregano. They've got a dozen different pastas as well as six delicious variations on veal, including the standout veal scaloppine with cremini mushrooms. The corkage fee here is $20, but is waived on Thursdays.
Beckta Dining & Wine
150 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L4Beckta is interested in the tradition of fine dining: white table cloths, understated and precise service, all in the historic atmosphere of a converted mansion in downtown Ottawa. From butter-poached Ile de la Madeleine scallops to venison strip loin, the cuisine is skillfully presented and prepared. If you're looking for refined food with refined service, you should't miss it. There's a $20 corkage fee per 750ml bottle of wine.
Play Food & Wine
1 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5S7Play Food and Wine was started by Stephen Beckta, and can be thought of as the more affordable cousin of Beckta Dining & Wine. From the delicious charcuterie selection – the pork creton with pickled fennel is a must – to the wonderful cheese plates, the focus here is on small portions and big flavours. There is a $15 corkage fee per 750 ml bottle.
Il Primo Ristorante
371 Preston St, Ottawa, ON K1S 4M8If you happen to visit Il Primo Ristorante on a sunny day, bring a bottle with you and sit outside on the patio. Let the friendly staff fill your glass while you indulge in the menu of Italian classics. If you're in search of something slightly different, try the Fettuccine Bombay: It's fettuccine with apple in a curry cream sauce. For dessert, the Frangelico-Hazelnut Tiramisu beckons. The corkage fee is $10 here.
Caffe Mio
1379 Wellington St W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 3C2Caffe Mio, in the Westboro neighbourhood, is a spot beloved by locals. They have their favourite dishes, and soon you will, too. The calamari fritti is notoriously tasty, but the shrimp diavolo is stiff competition. When you're ready for your main, a large selection of pizzas, pasta and other entrees await. How about chicken stuffed with pancetta, spinach and pine nuts? Arrive with your own bottle of wine and you'll leave with a good feeling: all corkage fees here are donated to a cancer charity.
Must
41 William St, Ottawa, ON K1N 6Z9The focus at Must Wine Bar and Kitchen is tapas-style small plates. Come here to share salmon gravlax that is beet root and vodka cured and dill-scented. The rabbit confit crispy dumplings and the elk tartare should also not pass unnoticed. If you simply must have a main, bison short ribs, heritage Angus flank steak or mushroom asparagus Wellington should keep you busy. There's a $5 corkage fee.
Mekong Restaurant
637 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 5K3The black floors, red walls and dim lighting create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere for you to enjoy the expansive menu at Mekong, which specializes in Cantonese, Szechuan, Vietnamese and Thai food. Come for the Hunan dumplings, the Crispy Beef, the Hot and Sour Soup and so much more. The service is friendly and prompt. A $15 corkage fee applies.
Flipper's Seafood Restaurant
819 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3V9At Flipper's you'll find charming maritime decor accompanied by skillful and succulent fish dishes. The mussels in white wine and garlic is a favourite, as well as the New England-style seafood chowder. For a main, try the Marinated Jumbo Shrimp or go for the Seafood Platter and treat yourself to a little bit of everything. There's a $15 corkage fee.
