Really cool spot with awesome food and drinks! Came to Datsun for dinner with a friend. The cucumber salad was so tasty and refreshing with the sesame oil dressing and tons of fresh herbs. The brussel sprout leave salad was also very good, a bit on the saltier side because of the pork belly but still very enjoyable. My friend got the chicken bao and the beef brisket bao; both of which were amazing in her opinion. I got the tofu bao and chicken bao, and they were exceptional! Especially the tofu! We both got their matcha cocktail to drink and it was spectacular! A tad bitter from the matcha but it did pair nicely with the citrus in the cocktail.
Service was very prompt and attentive.
All in all, had a great time and would recommend a night out at Datsun!
Arunabh Kalita
Very disappointing and discriminatory experience.
We came here looking forward to a nice meal, but were met with what felt like discriminatory behavior. Even though there were plenty of open tables, we were told there was a 30-minute wait. Strangely, two groups that arrived after us were seated right away.
When we decided to get takeout instead, we were finally offered a table — but then told we couldn’t dine in because the order had already been billed as takeout. The whole experience felt dismissive and unwelcoming, and the staff showed little willingness to make things right.
It’s unfortunate-either the staff behaves this way as instructed or the management isn’t aware of this! Because we were genuinely excited to try this place, but we left feeling overlooked and disrespected. Definitely not returning.
Hanson Nguyen
Overall 3.5 stars - Food: Was delicious no doubt but very small portions and too expensive for myself. If I wanted to have a fulfilling meal, I would need to buy $50 or even more of food. Not what I was expecting. The bao were very little and not worth the price in my opinion. Even the main meals were very small. In my opinion, would only come here for a little hangout after a dinner at home or if you don't eat too much or you don't mind spending a lot. - Service was perfect, explained their menu and asked for food restrictions. - Atmosphere was fine, no problem with that. - No wait time if booked a reservation
Manuel Murillo
Really cool spot with solid vibes and a nice aesthetic 🍸 The drinks were legit—definitely try the cucumber one if you go 🥒 Had a great time! great convo. ❤️
Heads up though, it’s not easy to get a table, but we grabbed a spot at the bar and it worked out just fine.
Tamsin Fitzgerald
One of our favourites! The crispy tofu bao is the thing of dreams, highly recommend!
Alina
Datsun is hands-down my favourite restaurant in Ottawa. Whether you’re going with a group or just dining as a pair, the atmosphere is always lively without being overwhelming. The food is consistently incredible—I’ve never had a bad meal or experience here. Standout dishes for me include the pork belly bao, the tuna tartare, and the kabocha squash dumplings. If you’re planning to go on a weekend, I definitely recommend making a reservation—it fills up fast. Every visit feels like a treat, and it’s the kind of place you’ll want to keep coming back to.
Parham
A friend recommended this place, so I gave it a try and ordered three dishes. The kabocha squash dumplings—though only nine pieces for $20 before tax and tip—were the best of the three. The pork belly was average, and the dandan noodles were incredibly salty.
The service left much to be desired. While the bartender was friendly, the waitress’s attitude was… something else. 🫣
All in all, one person and a drink came to $65. The decoration was nice tho, if you’re going to a restaurant to eat their decoration! 😬
Boris Varshavsky
Amazing experience, had the most delicious Asian fusion food! Service was great too! And ambience was really nice for a Monday night!
Frank Franczyk
Despite a busy Saturday night at Datsun, the food and service were excellent. The pork belly bao and chicken boa are delicious and the kohlrabi salad is fresh and prepared with pretty edible flowers. The menu is limited but the menu items are well done and consistent in quality as well kept ordering more. Great vibe with the music and the service friendly and attentive. We will return.
Mina C. Trandafilovski
Worth the hype. The pork belly bao bun is my favourite in Ottawa. The ramen was also delicious and filling. The interior of the place is gorgeous and modern.
Loved the lace dumplings and tofu bao. Great atmosphere and service!
Hungry Robb
If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Ottawa, look no further than Datsun. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a warm, inviting atmosphere that sets the stage for an incredible meal.
We kicked off our evening with margaritas, the perfect balance of citrus and tequila, refreshing and just the right amount of kick to get things started. Paired with a crisp Sapporo beer, it was the ideal combination to set the tone for the rest of the meal.
As an appetizer, we tried the cucumber salad, which was a refreshing burst of flavors — light yet packed with a beautiful mix of crunch and tang.
For the mains, Datsun truly shone. The tuna tartare was melt-in-your-mouth tender, with layers of flavor that left us wanting more. The shrimp wontons were a perfect bite—crispy on the outside and wonderfully juicy on the inside, complemented by the perfect dip. And don’t even get me started on the baos. Soft, pillowy buns wrapped around succulent fillings — it’s hard to describe how delicious these were, but they definitely did not disappoint.
The real star, though, was the spicy sauce. It brought the perfect amount of heat without overpowering the other flavors, making every bite feel like a new discovery. And the kimchi—wow! It had the perfect balance of fermentation and spice, adding an incredible depth to our meal.
Datsun truly delivers a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Whether you're there for a casual bite or a night out with friends, the food and drinks are sure to leave you wanting to come back for more. Highly recommend!
Tia
Zach behind the bar was a shining star. We tried a handful of cocktails and were blown away. Tofu bao was another highlight. Definitely check out this cool spot!
Dan McManus
Bumping little place. Can get a bit cozy at times. Drinks are good here too.
Really cool spot with awesome food and drinks! Came to Datsun for dinner with a friend. The cucumber salad was so tasty and refreshing with the sesame oil dressing and tons of fresh herbs. The brussel sprout leave salad was also very good, a bit on the saltier side because of the pork belly but still very enjoyable. My friend got the chicken bao and the beef brisket bao; both of which were amazing in her opinion. I got the tofu bao and chicken bao, and they were exceptional! Especially the tofu! We both got their matcha cocktail to drink and it was spectacular! A tad bitter from the matcha but it did pair nicely with the citrus in the cocktail.
Service was very prompt and attentive.
All in all, had a great time and would recommend a night out at Datsun!
Very disappointing and discriminatory experience.
We came here looking forward to a nice meal, but were met with what felt like discriminatory behavior. Even though there were plenty of open tables, we were told there was a 30-minute wait. Strangely, two groups that arrived after us were seated right away.
When we decided to get takeout instead, we were finally offered a table — but then told we couldn’t dine in because the order had already been billed as takeout. The whole experience felt dismissive and unwelcoming, and the staff showed little willingness to make things right.
It’s unfortunate-either the staff behaves this way as instructed or the management isn’t aware of this! Because we were genuinely excited to try this place, but we left feeling overlooked and disrespected. Definitely not returning.
Overall 3.5 stars
- Food: Was delicious no doubt but very small portions and too expensive for myself. If I wanted to have a fulfilling meal, I would need to buy $50 or even more of food. Not what I was expecting. The bao were very little and not worth the price in my opinion. Even the main meals were very small. In my opinion, would only come here for a little hangout after a dinner at home or if you don't eat too much or you don't mind spending a lot.
- Service was perfect, explained their menu and asked for food restrictions.
- Atmosphere was fine, no problem with that.
- No wait time if booked a reservation
Really cool spot with solid vibes and a nice aesthetic 🍸 The drinks were legit—definitely try the cucumber one if you go 🥒 Had a great time! great convo. ❤️
Heads up though, it’s not easy to get a table, but we grabbed a spot at the bar and it worked out just fine.
One of our favourites! The crispy tofu bao is the thing of dreams, highly recommend!
Datsun is hands-down my favourite restaurant in Ottawa. Whether you’re going with a group or just dining as a pair, the atmosphere is always lively without being overwhelming. The food is consistently incredible—I’ve never had a bad meal or experience here. Standout dishes for me include the pork belly bao, the tuna tartare, and the kabocha squash dumplings. If you’re planning to go on a weekend, I definitely recommend making a reservation—it fills up fast. Every visit feels like a treat, and it’s the kind of place you’ll want to keep coming back to.
A friend recommended this place, so I gave it a try and ordered three dishes. The kabocha squash dumplings—though only nine pieces for $20 before tax and tip—were the best of the three. The pork belly was average, and the dandan noodles were incredibly salty.
The service left much to be desired. While the bartender was friendly, the waitress’s attitude was… something else. 🫣
All in all, one person and a drink came to $65. The decoration was nice tho, if you’re going to a restaurant to eat their decoration! 😬
Amazing experience, had the most delicious Asian fusion food! Service was great too! And ambience was really nice for a Monday night!
Despite a busy Saturday night at Datsun, the food and service were excellent. The pork belly bao and chicken boa are delicious and the kohlrabi salad is fresh and prepared with pretty edible flowers. The menu is limited but the menu items are well done and consistent in quality as well kept ordering more. Great vibe with the music and the service friendly and attentive. We will return.
Worth the hype. The pork belly bao bun is my favourite in Ottawa. The ramen was also delicious and filling. The interior of the place is gorgeous and modern.
Restaurantji Recommends
Loved the lace dumplings and tofu bao. Great atmosphere and service!
If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Ottawa, look no further than Datsun. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a warm, inviting atmosphere that sets the stage for an incredible meal.
We kicked off our evening with margaritas, the perfect balance of citrus and tequila, refreshing and just the right amount of kick to get things started. Paired with a crisp Sapporo beer, it was the ideal combination to set the tone for the rest of the meal.
As an appetizer, we tried the cucumber salad, which was a refreshing burst of flavors — light yet packed with a beautiful mix of crunch and tang.
For the mains, Datsun truly shone. The tuna tartare was melt-in-your-mouth tender, with layers of flavor that left us wanting more. The shrimp wontons were a perfect bite—crispy on the outside and wonderfully juicy on the inside, complemented by the perfect dip. And don’t even get me started on the baos. Soft, pillowy buns wrapped around succulent fillings — it’s hard to describe how delicious these were, but they definitely did not disappoint.
The real star, though, was the spicy sauce. It brought the perfect amount of heat without overpowering the other flavors, making every bite feel like a new discovery. And the kimchi—wow! It had the perfect balance of fermentation and spice, adding an incredible depth to our meal.
Datsun truly delivers a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Whether you're there for a casual bite or a night out with friends, the food and drinks are sure to leave you wanting to come back for more. Highly recommend!
Zach behind the bar was a shining star. We tried a handful of cocktails and were blown away. Tofu bao was another highlight. Definitely check out this cool spot!
Bumping little place. Can get a bit cozy at times. Drinks are good here too.
Liking the menu change.
Looking forward to with visit in the future
Their laksa was ❤️
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