Karuna Cafe
820 Somerset St W, Ottawa
(343) 984-7855
Customers' Favorites
Beef and Assorted Vegetable Curry
Chicken 65
Masala Dosa
Appetizers
Rolls
Two pieces. Meat or vegetables combined with mashed potatoes and spices and wrapped in pancake batter.
Ulundhu Vadai
Two pieces. Savoury Sri Lankan doughnuts made with urad dal (white lentils) and spices. Comes with two pieces and a side of coconut chutney.
Curry Roti
One piece.
Bonda
Two piece. A fish or vegetable filling with potatoes in a ball of dough and made from chickpea flour.
Cutlets
Two pieces. A fish or vegetable filling, surrounded by a ball of dough and fried until perfectly golden brown state
Samosa
Two pieces. Indian pastry stuffed with potatoes and meat or vegetables.
Sambar Vadai
Three pieces. Ulundhu vadai soaked in mildly flavored sambar, mixed with Indian spices, and garnished with onions.
Patties
Two pieces. A Sri Lankan snack that features fried dough, stuffed with spiced potatoes, and your choice of vegetables or fish
Parippu Vadai
Two pieces. Fried dough made with chana dhal (chickpea flour) and spices. Comes with a side of coconut chutney.
Thayir Vadai
Three pieces. Ulundhu vadai is soaked in yogurt and garnished with Indian spices.
Pakora
Two pieces. Deep fried fritters made with onions and spinach.
Chicken Pakora
Fish Pakora
Steamed Entrees
Pittu Entree
A cylinder of rice flour and steamed with fresh coconut. Served with coconut sambal, lentils, and your choice of meat. Dish is cooked with steam and giving them a distinctive texture.
Egg Hoppers Entree
Six pieces. Made from rice flour and coconut milk, the crisp hoppers form edible bowls for the cooked eggs. Comes with six pieces. Dish is cooked with steam and giving them a distinctive texture.
Milk Coconut Hoppers Entree
Six pieces. Steamed rice flour pancakes with an extra spoon of coconut milk, center to make them soft on the inside. Dish is cooked with steam and giving them a distinctive texture.
Hoppers Entree
Six pieces. Steamed dough made with rice flour and coconut milk. These go well with any type of curry. Comes with six pieces. Dish is cooked with steam and giving them a distinctive texture.
Side Dishes
Plain Parotta
A soft and layered flatbread that goes well with any type of curry.
Egg Parotta
A soft, layered bread, and thickened with an egg.
Seeni Sambol
A side of shredded onion confit.
Rassam
Try a bowl of this tamarind and tomato soup.
Plain Basmati Rice
Side of white basmati rice to make your meal more filling.
Coconut Sambol
Finely grated coconut with red chili and other authentic South Asian spices.
Papadum
Four pieces. Fried, crispy, and thin lentil wafer. Comes with four pieces.
Fried Rice
Vegetable Fried Rice
A vegetarian fried rice dish featuring a mix of vegetables. Stir fried basmati rice with vegetables and egg.
Beef Fried Rice
Pieces of tender beef, wok fried with basmati rice, egg, and vegetables. Stir fried basmati rice with vegetables and egg.
Chicken Fried Rice
Tender chicken bites, fast fried in a wok with egg, vegetables, and rice. Stir fried basmati rice with vegetables and egg.
Shrimp Fried Rice
Juicy shrimp, stirred with rice, vegetables, and eggs in a hot wok. Stir fried basmati rice with vegetables and egg.
Egg Fried Rice
This simple fried rice dish features white rice and eggs. Stir fried basmati rice with vegetables and egg.
Noodles
Chicken Noodles
Pieces of tender chicken, fast fried with noodles, and a special blend of spices.
Beef Noodles
Delicious pieces of seasoned beef, mixed together with stir fried noodles, and vegetables.
Shrimp Noodles
Juicy shrimp, stirred with rice noodles, and Sri Lankan seasoning.
Vegetable Noodles
A mix of fresh vegetables, stir-fried with rice noodles, and a special blend of seasoning.
Chicken Dishes
Deviled Chicken
A chicken stir fry with tomato sauce, vegetables, and spice Sri Lankan seasoning. Dish feature chicken and prepared in a number of traditional Sri Lankan styles.
Chicken 65
Marinated fried chicken, tossed in yogurt, and flavorful spices. Dish feature chicken and prepared in a number of traditional Sri Lankan styles.
Chicken in Coconut Milk
Flavorful chicken curry made with delicious and healthy coconut milk. Dish feature chicken and prepared in a number of traditional Sri Lankan styles.
Chicken and Cashew Curry
Chicken and cashew nuts and cooked together in a blend of curry spices. Dish feature chicken and prepared in a number of traditional Sri Lankan styles.
Tandoori Chicken
A chicken dish prepared with yogurt and Indian spices cooked in a tandoor (clay oven). Dish feature chicken and prepared in a number of traditional Sri Lankan styles.
Curried Chicken
Tender chicken, cooked in a blend of curry spices for a spice, and delicious dish. Dish feature chicken and prepared in a number of traditional Sri Lankan styles.
Karuna's Fried Crispy Chicken
Tender chicken, coated in a blend of spices, and South Asian grains then fried to a crispy perfection. Dish feature chicken and prepared in a number of traditional Sri Lankan styles.
Chicken Pepper Fry
Tender chicken marinated in spices and pepper with a touch of lemon blended with aromatic Indian spices. Dish feature chicken and prepared in a number of traditional Sri Lankan styles.
Chili Chicken
Battered chicken, seasoned with chili, garlic, and ginger. Dish feature chicken and prepared in a number of traditional Sri Lankan styles.
Chicken and Assorted Vegetables
A chicken stir fry with an assortment of vegetables and a special blend of seasoning. Dish feature chicken and prepared in a number of traditional Sri Lankan styles.
Chicken and Spinach Curry
Fresh spinach and added to a chicken curry for a distinctive taste. Dish feature chicken and prepared in a number of traditional Sri Lankan styles.
Chettinad Chicken
Delicious chicken bites, cooked in yogurt with a special blend of Chettinad spices, including poppy, cumin, and fennel seeds. Dish feature chicken and prepared in a number of traditional Sri Lankan styles.
Curry Roti
Curry roti with potatoes and spices wrapped in the roti with your choice of chicken, beef or vegetables. Dish feature chicken and prepared in a number of traditional Sri Lankan styles.
Beef Dishes
Beef Fry
Delicious beef bites, coated in spices and Indian grains and then fried until a crispy deliciousness. Dishes feature tender pieces of beef.
Curried Beef
Pieces of tender beef and cooked in a special blend of curry spices. Dishes feature tender pieces of beef.
Deviled Beef
Fresh and tender beef, stirred together with tomato sauce, vegetables, and spice Sri Lankan seasoning. Dishes feature tender pieces of beef.
Beef and Assorted Vegetable Curry
A flavorful beef curry and prepared with a delicious assortment of vegetables. Dishes feature tender pieces of beef.
Beef in Coconut Milk
Aromatic beef curry and made with delicious coconut milk. Dishes feature tender pieces of beef.
Beef Curry
Mutton Dishes
Mutton Pepper Fry
Tender pieces of mutton pan fried in a special blend of peppers and spices. Curry made from goat mutton for a fresh and exotic experience.
Curried Mutton
Tender pieces of mutton and cooked in a special blend of curry spices. Curry made from goat mutton for a fresh and exotic experience.
Egg Dishes
Fried Egg in Curry
Perfectly fried egg cooked in a creamy spiced curry sauce.
Boiled Egg Curry
Perfectly boiled egg cooked in a creamy spiced curry.
Vegetable Curries
Eggplant Curry
Pieces of eggplant and cooked in a blend of curry spices until perfectly tender texture.
Mixed Vegetable Curry
A mix of vegetables and prepared in curry spices.
Curried Lentils
Lentils provide both protein and flavor in this delicious curry.
Curried Chickpeas
Curried chickpeas contain many essential amino acids.
Cashew Curry
This curry features cashew nuts and vegetables in an authentic mix of spices.
Curried Squash
Pieces of delicious, tender squash, and prepared as a spiced curry.
Cabbage with Coconut
Cabbage, sauteed with coconut, coconut milk, and curry spices.
Curried Potato
A twist on a potato curry with flavors from the South of India.
Eggplant Cooked in Coconut Milk
Pieces of tender eggplant and cooked in coconut milk with curry spices.
Curried Yucca
Pieces of yuca (cassava root) and cooked slowly in a special blend of spices.
Okra Curry
Pieces of nutritious okra (ladies fingers) and cooked in authentic Sri Lankan curry spices.
Seafood Dishes
Curried Fish
Pieces of tender fish and cooked in a delicious blend of curry spices. In Sri Lanka, fish, and seafood are the most popular proteins.
Curried Shrimp
Juicy shrimp and cooked in an authentic blend of curry spices. In Sri Lanka, fish, and seafood are the most popular proteins.
Deviled Shrimp
Delicious shrimp, rapidly sauteed with vegetables in tomato sauce, and flavored with Spice seasoning. In Sri Lanka, fish, and seafood are the most popular proteins.
Shrimp with Vegetable Curry
Succulent shrimp, mixed with vegetables, and cooked slowly in a blend of curry spices. In Sri Lanka, fish, and seafood are the most popular proteins.
Shrimp Cooked with Coconut
Fresh shrimp and cooked in coconut milk with a special blend of South Asian spices. In Sri Lanka, fish, and seafood are the most popular proteins.
Curried Squid
Delicious squid rings and cooked in an authentic blend of curry spices. In Sri Lanka, fish, and seafood are the most popular proteins.
Deviled Squid
Delicious squid, stir fried in tomato sauce with vegetables, and Spice Sri Lankan seasoning. In Sri Lanka, fish, and seafood are the most popular proteins.
Squid with Vegetable Curry
Succulent squid rings and cooked in a mixture of curry spices with vegetables. In Sri Lanka, fish, and seafood are the most popular proteins.
Squid with Eggplant Curry
Tender squid rings and sauteed with eggplant in a special mixture of South Asian spices. In Sri Lanka, fish, and seafood are the most popular proteins.
Deviled Fish
Fast fried fish with tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers, seasoned with Sri Lankan spices. In Sri Lanka, fish, and seafood are the most popular proteins.
Curried Crab
Pieces of succulent crab and cooked in an authentic blend of Sri Lankan spices. In Sri Lanka, fish, and seafood are the most popular proteins.
Crab Fry
Fresh pieces of crab, rubbed with spices, and South Asian grains then fried until deliciously crispy texture. In Sri Lanka, fish, and seafood are the most popular proteins.
Kothu Roti
Chicken Kothu
Curried chicken, stir fried with vegetables, egg, and shredded rotti bread. Dish in Sri Lanka, made with chopped roti and combined with onion, chili, egg, and your choice of curried dish.
Mutton Kothu
Generous pieces of curried mutton, stir-fried with egg, vegetables, and shredded roti bread. Dish in Sri Lanka, made with chopped roti and combined with onion, chili, egg, and your choice of curried dish.
Beef Kothu
Spice, tender curried beef, fast fried in a wok with vegetables, egg, and shredded roti bread. Dish in Sri Lanka, made with chopped roti and combined with onion, chili, egg, and your choice of curried dish.
Puttu Kothu
Vegetable Kothu
Curry spices and vegetables and stir fried with small pieces of roti bread. Dish in Sri Lanka, made with chopped roti and combined with onion, chili, egg, and your choice of curried dish.
Egg Kothu
Simple kothu with eggs and chopped roti bread. Dish in Sri Lanka, made with chopped roti and combined with onion, chili, egg, and your choice of curried dish.
String Hoppers Kothu
Chicken String Hoppers Kothu
A generous portion of chicken curry, stir-fried with onions, chili, eggs, and rice noodles. A bed of rice noodles with chopped onion, chili, egg, and your choice of curried meat.
Beef String Hoppers Kothu
Tender beef, stir-fried with rice noodles, egg, and Sri Lankan seasoning. A bed of rice noodles with chopped onion, chili, egg, and your choice of curried meat.
Dosa
Beef Masala Dosa
A fermented crepe, made from rice batter, and lentils with a beef filling. The dish is served with a coconut chutney.
Chicken Masala Dosa
A fermented crepe, made from rice batter, and lentils with a chicken filling. The dish is served with a coconut chutney.
Cheese Dosa
Masala Dosa
A fermented crepe, made from rice batter, and lentils with a curried potato filling. Served with coconut chutney and coconut sambar.
Plain Dosa
Fermented crepe, made from rice batter, and lentils. Served with coconut chutney and coconut sambar.
Ghee Dosa
Fermented crepe, made from rice batter, and black lentils roasted in ghee. Served with coconut chutney and coconut sambar.
Egg Dosa
Fried egg, added to a fermented crepe, made from rice batter, and lentils. Served with coconut chutney and coconut sambar.
Onion Dosa
A fermented crepe, made from rice batter, and lentils. Topped with fried onion. Served with sambar and coconut chutney.
Mutton Masala Dosa
A fermented crepe, made from rice batter, and lentils with a mutton filling. The dish is served with a coconut chutney.
Shrimp Masala Dosa
Fish Masala Dosa
Tuna
Rice Dishes
Rice with Meat Curry
Your choice of beef, chicken, or fish is simmered slowly in curry spices, and served over rice.
Butter Chicken with Rice
Chicken is prepared in a mild and creamy sauce and served over rice.
Rice with Dhal Curry
Your choice of legume, slowly simmered in South Asian spices, and served over rice.
Rice with Chickpea Curry
Your choice of legume, slowly simmered in South Asian spices, and served over rice.
Rice with Vegetable Curry
A special mix of vegetables are cooked in special curry spices and served over rice.
Rice with Egg Curry
Boiled eggs served in a delicious curry over rice.
Biryani
Chicken Biryani
South Asian rice dish and featuring deliciously seasoned chicken. Served with yogurt salad, cucumber, onions, coriander, and a boiled egg. Tender chicken, cooked with special spices, layered with basmati rice, saffron, and cardamom.
Beef Biryani
Pieces of beefand layered onto specially seasoned rice. Served with a refreshing yogurt salad, cucumber, onions, coriander, and a boiled egg. Tender chicken, cooked with special spices, layered with basmati rice, saffron, and cardamom.
Mutton Biryani
Spice curried mutton and layered onto specially seasoned basmati rice. Served with a delicious yogurt salad, cucumber, onions, coriander, and boiled egg. Tender chicken, cooked with special spices, layered with basmati rice, saffron, and cardamom.
Vegetable Biryani
Curried vegetables, layered onto seasoned basmati rice with saffron, and cardamom. This comes with a yogurt salad, cucumber, onions, coriander, and boiled egg. Tender chicken, cooked with special spices, layered with basmati rice, saffron, and cardamom.
Shrimp Biryani
Juicy curried shrimp and layered onto specially seasoned basmati rice. Served with a boiled egg, a yogurt salad, cucumber, onions, coriander, and a boiled egg. Tender chicken, cooked with special spices, layered with basmati rice, saffron, and cardamom.
Karuna's Special Biryani
Special masala and spices finely ground, fried with ginger, garlic, and layered into rice. Served with eggplant curry, boiled egg, cucumber, coriander, an onion, and tomato salad. Tender chicken, cooked with special spices, layered with basmati rice, saffron, and cardamom.
Thalis
Beef Tali
Delicious beef curry. Served with rice and the chef's choice of three vegetable dishes.
Beverages
Sarbath
591 mL. A drink made with syrup, condensed milk, and pineapple.
Perrier Water
1 liter.
Bottled Drinks
473 mL. One of these refreshing bottled drinks to your order.
Soft Drinks
355 mL. A refreshing soft drink to your order.
Juice
One of these delicious juices to go with your Spice food.
Lassi
591 mL. Your choice of salty or sweet yogurt drink.
Mango Lassi
A popular mango smoothie made with yogurt.
Amira Nectar
1 liter. Thicker fruit nectar is one of the best ways to beat the heat from your Spice food.
San Pellegrino Mineral Water
Turmeric Ginger Refresher
Refresher made with turmeric ginger and lemon syrup along with chia seeds.
Faluda
Desserts
Payasam
A delicious South Asian rice pudding.
Waddalappam
A popular Sri Lankan coconut custard pudding.
Sri Lankan Fruit Salad
A delicious fruit salad made with popular Sri Lankan fruits and sweetened with honey.
Gulab Jamun
A popular dessert made with milk solids and glazed with honey.
Curry Roti
Curry Roti
Meat cooked with potatoes and spices neatly wrapped in roti and cooked to perfection
Sri Lankan/South Indian
Full Puttu
Served with coffee or tea.
4 Appam (egg or plain) with dhal, masala and Sambol
Served with masala, chutney and coconut sambol
5 pcs String hoppers
3 Dosa (plain or egg) with vadai
Served with sambar, chutney and masala
String Hoppers with dhal hothi with egg, masala and sambol (6)
Served with coffee or tea.
Combination Platter
Idly (4)
Served with coffee or tea.
Upma with masala and chutney
Served with coffee or tea.
3 Appam (egg or plain) with dhal, masala and Sambol
Served with coffee or tea.
2 Dosa (plain or egg) with masala, sambar and chutney
Served with coffee or tea.
String Hoppers with dhal hothi with egg, masala and sambol (10)
3 Quarter Puttu
Served with coffee or tea.
Idly (6)
Served with coffee or tea.
Thayir Vadai
Served with coffee or tea.
Sambar Vadai
Served with coffee or tea.
Chapathi with dhal gravy, masala and sambol (2)
Served with coffee or tea.
Chapathi with dhal gravy, masala and sambol (3)
Served with coffee or tea.
String hoppers with dhal sothi and coconut sambol
quantity 4
Combination Platter 3 Dosa 2 Idli and Vadai
3 Dosa and Vadai
3 Appam
Canadian
2 Eggs, sausage or bacon
All served with toast, coffee or tea and home fries
3 Eggs, sausage and bacon
All served with toast, coffee or tea and home fries
3 Pancakes or Waffles
All served with toast, coffee or tea and home fries
Breakfast sandwich
4 Pancake or Waffles with sausage or bacon
Photos
+27 photos
+26 photos
Add a photo
Order Online
Recent Reviews
Honestly have no idea why this place is only 3.6 stars. Because they have my favorite masala dosa and vada in the city. It's one of my favorite dishes ever, and I have tried Masala Dosa at pretty much every place that offers it in the city, and none have beaten Karuna Cafe! Their Vada too. I enjoy eating on their patio, it's right on Somerset and is nice and sunny and quiet. The inside needed some work done atmosphere wise, but I heard that they recently did renovations...
April 2024
We had dinner at this place & all the preparations were made fresh to order & loved the food. Puliogare was great and so much Chicken Biryani. The quantity was great. Loved fresh masala in Masala Tea! Overall would surely recommend this place!
December 2022
Visited this place with friends. Taste and quality of beverages and food items seriously need improvement. Quality of South Indian breakfast items were not good. Also taste was off.
October 2021
You May Also Like
St. Elsewhere - 826 Somerset St W
![]()
Wine Bar, Vegan, Vegetarian
Vietnam Palace Restaurant - 819 Somerset St W
![]()
Vietnamese, Vegetarian
Palais du Vietnam - 335 Alexandre-Taché Blvd
![]()
Vietnamese