St. Elsewhere
826 Somerset St W, Ottawa
(343) 588-1537
Recent Reviews
Sort by
Atmosphere: {{ item.info.Atmosphere }}
Food: {{ item.info.Food }}
Service: {{ item.info.Service }}
Recommended dishes: {{ item.info['Recommended dishes'] }}
Went there for a second time after learning it is closing at the end of August 2025 đ Bold flavours, well plated dishes and surprising combinations of cuisines. You will be missed!
The menu is so interesting with different flavours and unexpected combinations. Food is really fresh and delicious. But each dish is about 25% more expensive than it should be. I know the price for some vegan ingredients especially has risen, but not to the prices seen here for the portion sizes. That said, that doesn't keep me away, but this is definitely more of a special birthday type place than a weekly night out.
Amazing food, nice atmosphere: great dining option for a date or with friends
A classy place with delicious food. All the menu items were tempting and intriguing. The drink menu is extensive and the service was impeccable. A splurge-worthy meal, but an occasional one at that. Favourite dishes were the broccoli and the carbonara Updated from previous review on 2025-05-04
Great service, yummy comfort food, anyone can find something to love here.
Incredible food, ambience, drinks, service. I had the grilled tofu, which was amazing with the pickled carrot and curry sauce. The broccoli was also a star. I had a non-alcoholic wine, and the mocktail menu looked awesome. The interior was beautiful and comfortable. Bathrooms selfie-worthy. Would be nice in the summer with the sunny front patio.
We didnât have reservations (just arrived in town for the weekend) but they gladly accommodated us. Great space. Good ambience. We shared an entree, Bourguignon, and 2 smaller plates of the beets and spinach dip. The entree was okay, the beets were very good, but neither of us really cared for the spinach dip (not enough spinach) though the grilled naan was very good.
My first time visiting St. Elsewhere and, if you donât mind the pun, it wasnât like anywhere else Iâd been before. The ambience was exceptional and the food was spectacular. I will admit that I was unsure of ubon noodles in a carbonara but it exceeded my expectations. Staff were friendly and very welcoming. I would go back in a heartbeat. Updated from previous review on 2025-01-30
They have an amazing menu. Varied and delicious. Very cool paintings on the wall as well. Best vegan food in Ottawa. Try the balls, They are the best on the menu!
Walking into St. Elsewhere felt like stepping into a small secret. A reservation is essential, even for solo diners. I was lucky to secure a bar seat by booking just hours in advance as I was not going to leave Ottawa without a visit. While my photos donât do the plating justice, the bar offers a private, intimate feel with dim lighting and a cozy atmosphere, while the dining tables bring livelier energy, brighter lighting, and a bustling crowd, creating two distinct moods to suit your preference. The staff is beyond excellent. They know the menu inside and out, and offer spot-on recommendations. They make you feel welcome and well taken care of, which isnât something you can fake. Thereâs a playful surprise in the washrooms with bright colours, pop-art wallpaper, and pink accents that add a fun, quirky energy. I enjoyed the Clove-R Me with JP (Niagara rum, amaretto, clover/anise syrup, lime, pineapple, ginger beer) itâs exceptional. Its pineapple aroma is tropical and inviting. The sweet flavour transitions to warm, spiced notes. Itâs a drink meant for slow, thoughtful sipping. Iâm not much of a drinker, so this cocktail was already pushing my limitsâI didnât even make it to the wine list. For diner I had the recommended Carbonaraâa unique twist with udon noodles, soy curls, shaved parmesan, parsley, and tarragon. The soy curls were perfectly textured, and the parmesan added a rich, savoury depth that balanced the soy curls. It was pure happiness. However, the dish felt heavy with the udon noodles, leaving little room for dessert. Still, nothing stopped me from enjoying dessert. The dessert menu is not listed as it rotates. I went with the Sticky Toffee Pudding, what a highlight. A warm raisin sauce and coffee-flavoured cashew ice cream accompany this dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth pudding. While the coffee ice cream wasnât my favourite (a personal stomach issue with heavy creams, even plant-based), itâs a bold addition coffee lovers will appreciate. The dessert is decadent and unforgettable. At 5â1â, the bar stools werenât ideal. There was no reachable footrest which left my legs numb after an hour. Adding a foot bar, or a few at different heights, and maybe a purse hooks would certainly enhance the barâs comfort experience. In conclusion, St. Elsewhere is more than a meal; itâs a complete experience. From the thoughtfully crafted cocktails to the inventive dishes and quirky washroom decor, every detail feels intentional and memorable.
Restaurantji Recommends
Walking into St. Elsewhere felt like stepping into a small secret. A reservation is essential, even for solo diners. I was lucky to secure a bar seat by booking just hours in advance as I was not going to leave Ottawa without a visit. While my photos donât do the plating justice, the bar offers a private, intimate feel with dim lighting and a cozy atmosphere, while the dining tables bring livelier energy, brighter lighting, and a bustling crowd, creating two distinct moods to suit your preference. The staff is beyond excellent. They know the menu inside and out, and offer spot-on recommendations. They make you feel welcome and well taken care of, which isnât something you can fake. Thereâs a playful surprise in the washrooms with bright colours, pop-art wallpaper, and pink accents that add a fun, quirky energy. I enjoyed the Clove-R Me with JP (Niagara rum, amaretto, clover/anise syrup, lime, pineapple, ginger beer) itâs exceptional. Its pineapple aroma is tropical and inviting. The sweet flavour transitions to warm, spiced notes. Itâs a drink meant for slow, thoughtful sipping. Iâm not much of a drinker, so this cocktail was already pushing my limitsâI didnât even make it to the wine list. For diner I had the recommended Carbonaraâa unique twist with udon noodles, soy curls, shaved parmesan, parsley, and tarragon. The soy curls were perfectly textured, and the parmesan added a rich, savoury depth that balanced the soy curls. It was pure happiness. However, the dish felt heavy with the udon noodles, leaving little room for dessert. Still, nothing stopped me from enjoying dessert. The dessert menu is not listed as it rotates. I went with the Sticky Toffee Pudding, what a highlight. A warm raisin sauce and coffee-flavoured cashew ice cream accompany this dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth pudding. While the coffee ice cream wasnât my favourite (a personal stomach issue with heavy creams, even plant-based), itâs a bold addition coffee lovers will appreciate. The dessert is decadent and unforgettable. At 5â1â, the bar stools werenât ideal. There was no reachable footrest which left my legs numb after an hour. Adding a foot bar, or a few at different heights, and maybe a purse hooks would certainly enhance the barâs comfort experience. In conclusion, St. Elsewhere is more than a meal; itâs a complete experience. From the thoughtfully crafted cocktails to the inventive dishes and quirky washroom decor, every detail feels intentional and memorable.
Amazing little spot. Service was top notch, food was incredible and the wine list was full but not too extensive. Small, modern, crisp decor with original artworks well displayed. We went on a recommendation and I can clearly see why. I will be returning at some point to explore more of the menu. Oh reservations are recommended. We (2 of us) were lucky to get a table, the whole place was almost booked out before we arrived.
The food was delicious , well presented , flavourful and served hot. All 4 of us loved our food and agreed worth returning . The carbonara was a hit , â things on toast â soo tasty and unique ingredients . A birthday lunch that was excellent . 2 vegans and 2 not vegans and we all agreed we would return.
Parking: It was a busy Sunday afternoon and free street parking spots were throughout the neighbourhood within a short walking distance .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bloominâ Onion, Gnocchi and Carbonara Pasta, Jackfruit Pulled Pork, Jerk Jackfruit Tostada, Things on Toast
Took a friend of mine there for a birthday dinner. The food was exquisite - very heavy on different types of fungi, which I appreciate. Everything was very well seasoned. Some of the dishes I wanted (dessert), they ran out of but they were able to make me similar option. Staff was lovely. Highly recommended.
Love the plant-based options - all unique enough to make them feel special, yet familiar enough to feel like comfort food. The Blooming Onion was delicious, fries nicely spiced, risotto had a nice flavour profile, only the jackfruit was a little disappointing. Service was great, lots of parking on the street, prices were reasonable.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Bloominâ Onion, Vegan Mushroom Risotto, Jerk Jackfruit Tostada
Loading...