The food was very good but there were some flaws in execution. We ordered two duck frites and only got the second one at the tail end of the meal. Our Brussels Caesar never came. The waitress never refilled our water. We had to flag her down to take our order. She never checked on drinks. The service was very subpar. The food was very good.
Mike Davis
Great food, service and atmosphere. Very cool space in a quiet area of the Glebe. Have been a number of times, and will continue to return. Cocktails are very well done.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Isabelle Laforest
My friends and I came to Erlings for my friends birthday last night. We’ve all been before and have only ever had great experiences! We all agree that it’s our favourite restaurant in Ottawa. The food is always delicious and aesthetic, and the service is always great.
Although the owner wasn’t in last night, he still ensured we had a pleasant time.
I recommend this place to everyone I know.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Julia
We had a good meal at Erling's, but a few dishes fell short. We (3 people) ordered 6 of 8 dishes on their menu, and 4 of those 6 were great. However, the rigatoni dish was inedibly spicy (I'm a medium spice level eater) and either was improperly made, OR they should have warned us, either verbally or on the menu, that it would be a very hot dish. The second issue was with their scallop dish. I did check with the server as we ordered to ensure they would be cooked through, as I'm pregnant, and she assured me they would be. However, the scallops came out seared on one side and barely cooked on the other side. I decided not to eat them to be safe, but my other guest said they were still a bit cold on the inside. The servers were very receptive and accommodating so kudos to them and they cooked them slightly more before returning the dish. I have worked in the service industry and on a menu so small, you really need to make sure you're nailing everything. Ambience was great, service was great, but overall it didn't feel worth the price when two of the main dishes had major issues for us.
Samantha Church
Rented the space for a private dinner and we cannot say enough great things about our experience. The atmosphere and staff were incredible. So attentive without being overbearing. The food was exceptional and portions were generous without being over the top. The wine pairings selected for us were delightful. The restaurant allowed us to customize the space to suit our needs. Cannot recommend Erling’s enough for an intimate, elevated event.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Church
Erling’s Variety hosted a small wedding party for my daughter and sixteen guests. We could not have picked a venue with a more accommodating and attentive staff. The service was excellent and the food presentation and quality was top drawer. I have never seen a charcuterie board so well presented. The main course and tuna appetizer were delicious and the desert was to die for. Hats off to the owners. We had a great evening. Thank you for capping a very special day.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Vanna K
I so wanted to love this place! Unfortunately, the food was extremely bland, and several dishes were not even edible, we actually had to return a couple of plates, which I’ve never done before in my life. The service was mediocre and didn’t elevate the experience. The one highlight was the wine, which was very good and cute atmosphere inside with open kitchen. Overall, it just missed the mark.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Sylvain Belanger
I recently visited this restaurant and found it to be a mixed experience. The highlight of the evening was definitely the wine selection that paired nicely with the meal. The food itself was fine, competently prepared and presented, but it didn’t leave a strong impression or bring anything particularly exciting to the table for my tastebuds.
The atmosphere and service were pleasant enough but not especially memorable, lacking the kind of warmth or energy that would make me eager to return. Overall, it’s worth a try if you’re in the area, but I wouldn’t say it’s a place I’d rush back to anytime soon.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
James Gordon
Atmosphere shines, food and service fall short
Tucked into the heart of the Glebe, Erling’s Variety has all the makings of a great neighborhood spot. Parking is manageable, the space strikes a balance between casual and refined, and the open kitchen brings a lively energy. It’s the kind of place that immediately feels welcoming.
Drinks were pleasant if not particularly memorable—well made, but lacking the spark you might expect from a restaurant with this level of ambition.
The food, unfortunately, never quite lived up to the setting. The potato agnolotti arrived in a small bowl, with the nduja sofrito pooling at the bottom. Flavor-wise, it was fine, but the presentation made it awkward to eat. Reaching for one piece of pasta meant nudging the others aside just to capture a bit of sauce. A wider plate or sauce served on top would have let the dish feel more cohesive.
The scallop plate was harder to forgive. Three scallops, priced around $35, arrived rubbery and overcooked, without the delicate golden sear that defines a well-executed scallop. The supporting kale and corn salad offered brightness and acidity, but the dish as a whole felt disjointed—as if ingredients had been assembled rather than thoughtfully composed.
Service matched the food: average at best. Staff were polite but not particularly warm, and the 30-minute wait for two dishes felt longer than it should have. Nothing was egregious, but nothing elevated the experience either.
When measured against nearby restaurants like The Belmont, which deliver polished service and carefully executed plates at similar prices, Erling’s Variety struggles to justify its value.
Bottom Line: Erling’s Variety has a wonderful atmosphere, the kind of room you want to linger in. I only wish the food and service rose to meet it. Until they find that missing finesse, it’s a place better suited for drinks with friends than for a full dinner.
I make it to Ottawa a few times a year from the US. Erling's is my go-to restaurant every trip and what I consider to be the best restaurant in the city (and rivaling the best restaurant in any city I've traveled to). Liam and Che are always cooking up a storm in the kitchen, and I find watching them cook is almost as much of a treat as actually tasting the food. Each time I go, I tend to experience an entirely new menu, my wife and I tend to splurge and try one of everything (or one of most things). It's like having your own personal tasting menu and a fantastic culinary experience. (I'm a bit behind on my review as this is from a few months back, but I have a reservation coming up and wanted to share the excitement of my last few visits). Great restaurant, highest recommendation!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sierra S
Absolutely one of my favourite spots in Ottawa.
Great food, incredibly knowledgeable staff, and relaxed yet elevated atmosphere.
Another plus is you can almost always find street parking around, even on a weekend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Angelica Gavaris
Erling’s is an absolute hidden gem—easily one of my favorite spots in Ottawa. The menu is creative and always changing, with dishes that are unique, beautifully presented and always delicious. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the decor has such a cool, distinctive and cozy vibe that makes Erling’s such a standout place.
The guys at Erling’s really know what they’re doing and it shows in every detail—especially the food. I’ve never had a miss, each dish is super unique, tasty and creative. More people should know about this place, because they’re def missing out! ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tazim
The food was great. Portions were odd size. Cost was not commiserate with the portion. Outside patio was open to the street - no camouflaging.
Martin Pham Dinh
OMG. In just a few words: my first time, my new favorite restaurant in Ottawa...just go with 3-4 people and order the entire menu.
owner is a great guy, great service, great food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was very good but there were some flaws in execution. We ordered two duck frites and only got the second one at the tail end of the meal. Our Brussels Caesar never came. The waitress never refilled our water. We had to flag her down to take our order. She never checked on drinks. The service was very subpar. The food was very good.
Great food, service and atmosphere. Very cool space in a quiet area of the Glebe. Have been a number of times, and will continue to return. Cocktails are very well done.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My friends and I came to Erlings for my friends birthday last night. We’ve all been before and have only ever had great experiences! We all agree that it’s our favourite restaurant in Ottawa. The food is always delicious and aesthetic, and the service is always great.
Although the owner wasn’t in last night, he still ensured we had a pleasant time.
I recommend this place to everyone I know.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had a good meal at Erling's, but a few dishes fell short. We (3 people) ordered 6 of 8 dishes on their menu, and 4 of those 6 were great. However, the rigatoni dish was inedibly spicy (I'm a medium spice level eater) and either was improperly made, OR they should have warned us, either verbally or on the menu, that it would be a very hot dish. The second issue was with their scallop dish. I did check with the server as we ordered to ensure they would be cooked through, as I'm pregnant, and she assured me they would be. However, the scallops came out seared on one side and barely cooked on the other side. I decided not to eat them to be safe, but my other guest said they were still a bit cold on the inside. The servers were very receptive and accommodating so kudos to them and they cooked them slightly more before returning the dish. I have worked in the service industry and on a menu so small, you really need to make sure you're nailing everything. Ambience was great, service was great, but overall it didn't feel worth the price when two of the main dishes had major issues for us.
Rented the space for a private dinner and we cannot say enough great things about our experience. The atmosphere and staff were incredible. So attentive without being overbearing. The food was exceptional and portions were generous without being over the top. The wine pairings selected for us were delightful. The restaurant allowed us to customize the space to suit our needs. Cannot recommend Erling’s enough for an intimate, elevated event.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Erling’s Variety hosted a small wedding party for my daughter and sixteen guests. We could not have picked a venue with a more accommodating and attentive staff. The service was excellent and the food presentation and quality was top drawer. I have never seen a charcuterie board so well presented. The main course and tuna appetizer were delicious and the desert was to die for. Hats off to the owners. We had a great evening. Thank you for capping a very special day.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
I so wanted to love this place! Unfortunately, the food was extremely bland, and several dishes were not even edible, we actually had to return a couple of plates, which I’ve never done before in my life. The service was mediocre and didn’t elevate the experience. The one highlight was the wine, which was very good and cute atmosphere inside with open kitchen. Overall, it just missed the mark.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
I recently visited this restaurant and found it to be a mixed experience. The highlight of the evening was definitely the wine selection that paired nicely with the meal. The food itself was fine, competently prepared and presented, but it didn’t leave a strong impression or bring anything particularly exciting to the table for my tastebuds.
The atmosphere and service were pleasant enough but not especially memorable, lacking the kind of warmth or energy that would make me eager to return. Overall, it’s worth a try if you’re in the area, but I wouldn’t say it’s a place I’d rush back to anytime soon.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Atmosphere shines, food and service fall short
Tucked into the heart of the Glebe, Erling’s Variety has all the makings of a great neighborhood spot. Parking is manageable, the space strikes a balance between casual and refined, and the open kitchen brings a lively energy. It’s the kind of place that immediately feels welcoming.
Drinks were pleasant if not particularly memorable—well made, but lacking the spark you might expect from a restaurant with this level of ambition.
The food, unfortunately, never quite lived up to the setting. The potato agnolotti arrived in a small bowl, with the nduja sofrito pooling at the bottom. Flavor-wise, it was fine, but the presentation made it awkward to eat. Reaching for one piece of pasta meant nudging the others aside just to capture a bit of sauce. A wider plate or sauce served on top would have let the dish feel more cohesive.
The scallop plate was harder to forgive. Three scallops, priced around $35, arrived rubbery and overcooked, without the delicate golden sear that defines a well-executed scallop. The supporting kale and corn salad offered brightness and acidity, but the dish as a whole felt disjointed—as if ingredients had been assembled rather than thoughtfully composed.
Service matched the food: average at best. Staff were polite but not particularly warm, and the 30-minute wait for two dishes felt longer than it should have. Nothing was egregious, but nothing elevated the experience either.
When measured against nearby restaurants like The Belmont, which deliver polished service and carefully executed plates at similar prices, Erling’s Variety struggles to justify its value.
Bottom Line:
Erling’s Variety has a wonderful atmosphere, the kind of room you want to linger in. I only wish the food and service rose to meet it. Until they find that missing finesse, it’s a place better suited for drinks with friends than for a full dinner.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
I make it to Ottawa a few times a year from the US. Erling's is my go-to restaurant every trip and what I consider to be the best restaurant in the city (and rivaling the best restaurant in any city I've traveled to). Liam and Che are always cooking up a storm in the kitchen, and I find watching them cook is almost as much of a treat as actually tasting the food. Each time I go, I tend to experience an entirely new menu, my wife and I tend to splurge and try one of everything (or one of most things). It's like having your own personal tasting menu and a fantastic culinary experience. (I'm a bit behind on my review as this is from a few months back, but I have a reservation coming up and wanted to share the excitement of my last few visits). Great restaurant, highest recommendation!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely one of my favourite spots in Ottawa.
Great food, incredibly knowledgeable staff, and relaxed yet elevated atmosphere.
Another plus is you can almost always find street parking around, even on a weekend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Erling’s is an absolute hidden gem—easily one of my favorite spots in Ottawa. The menu is creative and always changing, with dishes that are unique, beautifully presented and always delicious. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the decor has such a cool, distinctive and cozy vibe that makes Erling’s such a standout place.
The guys at Erling’s really know what they’re doing and it shows in every detail—especially the food. I’ve never had a miss, each dish is super unique, tasty and creative. More people should know about this place, because they’re def missing out! ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was great. Portions were odd size. Cost was not commiserate with the portion. Outside patio was open to the street - no camouflaging.
OMG. In just a few words: my first time, my new favorite restaurant in Ottawa...just go with 3-4 people and order the entire menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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