Who Needs Michelin Stars? One Ottawa Restaurant Serves a 40-Course Tasting Menu

A place in the Michelin Guide is one of the most prestigious things a restaurant can earn. Yet, there isn't a single Michelin star in the entire city of Ottawa. Why not? And are any of the city's restaurants worthy of a Michelin star or two?

The French tire company began rating hotels and restaurants in the early 1900s to spur tire sales. As the list grew, Michelin expanded into more areas, but only some areas In North America have made their way into the guide. Toronto is a recent addition, giving hope to local food lovers that Ottawa may be on Michelin's list in the future.

Since the Michelin Guide hasn't made its way to Ottawa, we tracked down a few restaurants that are worthy of Michelin stars. They've made it to Canada's top 100 restaurants, their chefs earning high marks for creative presentation and delicious food. These restaurants serve their clients with the type of culinary distinction that deserves attention—and dare we say a Michelin star someday?

540 Rochester St. Ottawa, ON K1S 4M1

Atelier is a fine dining establishment known for its 40-course tasting menu. Chef Marc Lepine's food is an unforgettable experience, weaving a tapestry of flavors into gorgeous dishes. He's been named Ottawa Chef of the Year twice, since opening Atelier in 2008.

At a cost of $250 per person plus alcohol pairings, Atelier is a fine dining experience that will cost you a bit. The menu changes depending on ingredient availability during the season. Still, you might enjoy a garden tomato salad with lemon confit and green garlic mayonnaise, or citrus-cured tuna in smoky avocado purée with verjus confit. Be sure to save room for their outstanding foie gras mousse with brioche and black mission figs.

226 Nepean St, Ottawa, ON K2P 0B8, Canada

Eastern Ontario's produce and local specialties combine with Northeastern Italian cuisine at North & Navy. Their playful dishes are innovative and the creativity matches the upbeat atmosphere at this fine-dining Ottawa restaurant. North & Navy was named on Canada's 100 Best restaurants list and is a culinary destination for locals and tourists alike.

Starters include polpette, charred eggplant, and Montasio flan. You'll find braised lamb and pork tenderloin on the main dish menu, but don't forget dessert! The affogato and tiramisu are staples—a fine way to finish a delicious meal.

62 Sparks Street, Ottawa, ON K1P 5A8

Riviera is also on Canada's Top 100 list of restaurants. Within walking distance of beautiful areas of the city, Riviera is in a renovated banking building on Sparks Street. Chef Jordan Holley's food is as beautiful as it is delicious, and changes with the seasons.

The restaurant's style is a classy, nuanced take on classic steakhouse dishes. Samplers may feature fresh oysters with mignonette sauce or white fish caviar with crème fraîche. Depending on availability, main dishes may include lobster spaghetti, roasted duck breast, or braised lamb shank, but if you're smart, you'll save room for a dessert of meringue and sea buckthorn pie when it's on the menu.

150 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L4, Canada

Focusing on Canadian cuisine with a twist, Beckta is featured on Canada's "100 Best." The restaurant sources ingredients locally and takes traditional recipes to a new, elegant level. Beckta offers a five-course chef's tasting menu featuring a special wine pairing for the experience. Speaking wine, their selection is more of a collection that restaurant guests can experience with their meals.

Snacks and small plates grace the menu, which includes charcoal grilled quail, roasted sweet potato soup, and a charcuterie board. Other outstanding choices include lingcod, duck confit, and beef striploin, which you can follow with desserts like choux au caramel—a delicious cream puff with coconut crème, pineapple jam, and vanilla mascarpone Chantilly cream. This restaurant deserves Michelin consideration—when they finally make it to Ottawa.

40 Adeline St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3L3, Canada

You might think you've gone through the looking glass when you eat at Alice. This unique restaurant features a fermentation and vegetable-based menu, curated by Chef Briana Kim. In 2023, she won the Canadian Culinary Championship her restaurant is included on Canada's 100 Best restaurants list.

This fantastic menu includes charcoal-grilled maitake mushrooms with sunchokes, served in a fermented green tomato and strawberry salsa. Enjoy the maitake mushrooms with one of their naturally fermented beverages with flavors like red pepper and sea buckthor. Everything on their menu varies according to seasonal availability, so what's on the menu today may be completely different tomorrow.

Alice shares their current menu items on their Instagram page, so if you're curious, this is your best option for menu research. Michelin is missing out on this gem of a restaurant, hopefully they'll make it to Ottawa soon.

Steven and Jennifer Wall own and run Supply and Demand and the restaurant emphasizes community and culinary mentorship in the local area. Supply and Demand is firmly entrenched on Canada's 100 Best list, which raves about their raw-bar offerings and phenomenal service. Their menu features local, sustainable ingredients and changes depending on availability and season and defines the very name of the restaurant.

Whether you're looking for a simple, classic beef tartare or albacore tuna crudo, the menu is outstanding. You can't go wrong with their squid ink rigatoni or bucatini with duck ragu and rosemary. When you're ready for something sweet, baked Alaska for two or their almond, pear, and chocolate tart.