Ottawa's steak scene runs from a family-run Elgin Street institution older than the Rideau Centre to a ByWard Market newcomer built around a live-fire grill. This list was put together from restaurant websites, Google reviews, Tripadvisor and OpenTable listings, and local coverage, checking each business for a working link, a real location, and specifics that customers and owners actually confirm.
1. Al's Steakhouse
Area: Centretown, Elgin Street · Specialty: charcoal-grilled steak · Rating: 4.4 on Google · Since: 1967
Al's opened in 1967 and is still family-run, now by the founder's son, daughters and grandson. It was the first restaurant in Ottawa to cook its beef over live charcoal, which regulars point to as the reason the steaks taste different from anywhere else downtown. It suits anyone who wants an old-school steakhouse experience without the newer, flashier price tag, and the back patio and free parking make it easy for a casual weeknight visit as well as a special occasion.
2. Riviera
Area: Sparks Street, downtown · Specialty: dry-aged Alberta striploin steak frites · Rating: 4.6 on Google (1,631 reviews) · Since: 2016
Riviera occupies a former 1869 bank building on Sparks Street and has been on Canada's 100 Best Restaurants list since shortly after opening. The dry-aged Alberta striploin steak frites with bordelaise sauce is the dish most reviewers single out, alongside the restaurant's cocktail program and dramatic Art Deco dining room. It works best for a night out where atmosphere matters as much as the plate, though a few reviewers note the prices run high relative to portion size.
3. The Shore Club
Area: Rideau Canal, near ByWard Market · Specialty: bone-in ribeye and seafood · Rating: 4.4 on Google (900+ reviews) · Since: N/A
Set inside the Westin hotel steps from the canal, The Shore Club pairs steak with a strong seafood program, and reviewers consistently call out the bone-in ribeye, crab cakes and mashed potatoes. Service is repeatedly described as attentive, though some diners mention the dining room can get loud on busy nights. It's a fit for visitors staying downtown or anyone who wants a hotel-restaurant level of polish with a canal-side view.
4. Sussex & Co.
Area: ByWard Market, Clarence Street · Specialty: steak and raw bar · Rating: 4.7 on Google (81 reviews) · Since: 2025
Sussex & Co. opened in spring 2025 in a former 19th-century carriage house and is led by chef Shawn Arbuckle. Reviewers who say they've tried every steakhouse in the city have called the steak here the best in Ottawa, praising the marbling and seasoning, and the raw bar and bone marrow get repeat mentions too. As a newer opening it has fewer reviews than the older names on this list, but early feedback has been strongly positive, and it suits diners chasing the newest room in the ByWard Market rather than a long track record.
5. Rosebowl Steak & Seafood
Area: Preston Street, Little Italy · Specialty: steak and seafood medley · Rating: N/A (614 OpenTable reviews) · Since: 1976
Rosebowl has served Preston Street since 1976 and is currently run by chef Danny Skaff. The seafood medley, a mix of shrimp, scallops and lobster ravioli in cream sauce, comes up often alongside the steaks, and OpenTable reviewers describe the food as consistently outstanding with friendly, on-point service. It's a solid choice for anyone wanting a neighbourhood steakhouse with decades of history rather than a downtown scene.
6. Harmons Steakhouse
Area: Elgin Street, Golden Triangle · Specialty: premium cuts and Japanese Wagyu · Rating: 4.8 on Restaurant Guru (618 reviews) · Since: N/A
Harmons is an upscale steakhouse in the Golden Triangle known for its Japanese Wagyu and crispy Brussels sprouts, with reviewers praising knowledgeable, attentive service. Ratings vary by platform, Tripadvisor puts it lower than Restaurant Guru, and multiple reviews flag the prices as steep, but most say the quality backs it up. This one suits a special-occasion splurge more than a casual dinner.
7. The Keg Steakhouse + Bar, Ottawa Market
Area: ByWard Market · Specialty: prime rib · Rating: 4.5 on Google · Since: N/A
This Keg location sits in the heart of the ByWard Market at York and Dalhousie, an easy walk from Parliament Hill. Reviewers most often single out the prime rib and other steak cuts as cooked to order, and the location makes it a default pick for visitors and locals alike. Some reviews mention slow service on busy nights, so it's better suited to a relaxed evening than a tight schedule.
8. Chop Steakhouse & Bar
Area: Hunt Club, west end · Specialty: Black Truffle Butter Sirloin · Rating: N/A · Since: N/A
Chop's Hunt Club location, next to the Sandman Signature hotel near the airport, offers a seared-steak menu that includes a Black Truffle Butter Sirloin alongside a broader chain-steakhouse lineup. It's a practical choice for anyone in the south end or near the airport who wants a reliable steakhouse without a downtown drive. It leans more mainstream chain than the independent spots on this list, which suits diners who prioritize convenience and consistency.
9. Ember
Area: ByWard Market, Clarence Street · Specialty: Argentinian charcoal-grilled steak · Rating: N/A · Since: 2024
Ember opened on Clarence Street in June 2024 and builds its menu around an Argentinian-style charcoal grill and a wood-fired pizza oven. Reviewers describe the steak as tender and cooked exactly as ordered, often served with truffle parmesan herb fries, and local coverage has flagged it as a fast-rising favourite in the market. It fits diners who want live-fire cooking and a newer, buzzier room over a traditional steakhouse setting.
10. Bâton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar
Area: Downtown, Hunt Club and Kanata · Specialty: grillhouse steaks · Rating: N/A · Since: N/A
Bâton Rouge runs three Ottawa-area locations, downtown on Albert Street, in Hunt Club, and in Kanata, making it one of the more accessible options no matter what part of the city you're in. It's a chain grillhouse rather than an independent kitchen, which means a predictable menu and pricing across all three rooms. It suits groups spread across the city who want the same reliable steak options wherever they land.
How We Built This List
This list is compiled from public web sources, including restaurant websites, Google, Tripadvisor, Yelp, and OpenTable reviews, current as of the writing date. It is not a paid placement, and ottown has not tested or visited these restaurants to compile it. Ratings, review counts and founding years are included only where they were confirmed in a source; anything not verified is marked N/A. Last reviewed: August 2026.
Sources: Al's Steakhouse, Riviera, The Shore Club, Sussex & Co., Rosebowl Steak & Seafood, Harmons Steakhouse, The Keg, Chop Steakhouse & Bar, Ember, Bâton Rouge, plus Google, Tripadvisor, Yelp and OpenTable review listings for each business.
