Vegan
American
Beer/Wine
Est. Nov. 2023. A vegan/plant-based restaurant and wine bar. Pleasant atmosphere. Serves appetizers, mains, desserts and unique cocktails. (Please send HappyCow an update with their closing time.) Open Mon-Sun 5:00pm-10:00pm, Wed-Sun 11:00am-2:30pm. Opens Tue-Sun 5:00 pm. (closing time unknown). HappyCow added when newly opened.
21 Reviews
First Review by LisaMishak
MiniVoyager
Points +974
A Vegan Wine Bar That Delivers a Flavourful Experience - Edit
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.
Read moreWhile my photos don’t 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 isn’t something you can fake.
There’s 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) it’s exceptional. Its pineapple aroma is tropical and inviting. The sweet flavour transitions to warm, spiced notes. It’s a drink meant for slow, thoughtful sipping. I’m not much of a drinker, so this cocktail was already pushing my limits—I didn’t even make it to the wine list.
For diner I had the recommended Carbonara—a 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 wasn’t my favourite (a personal stomach issue with heavy creams, even plant-based), it’s a bold addition coffee lovers will appreciate. The dessert is decadent and unforgettable.
At 5’1”, the bar stools weren’t 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 bar’s comfort experience.
In conclusion, St. Elsewhere is more than a meal; it’s a complete experience. From the thoughtfully crafted cocktails to the inventive dishes and quirky washroom decor, every detail feels intentional and memorable.
Pros: 100% Vegan, Rotating Dessert Menu
Cons: On the pricier side, more a special-occasion spot.
Guest
PauleewogMillar
Points +20
Best find - Edit
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.
Read morePros: Amazing service , Food was incredible , Private washrooms, non segregated
Cons: Not accessible to those in a wheelchair
Guest
sdomarad
Points +29
Cozy and homey atmosphere - Edit
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.
Read moreGuest
Bärbel
Points +958
Fantastic🤩 - Edit
It was really, really tasty. We had smoked tofu, Udon Carbonara and Gnocchi. It was so delicious 😋
Read moreThe stuff is friendly and the restaurant is nice too.
The best vegan food in town. Highly recommend! 🌱🤤
Pros: Menue, Friendly stuff , All vegan 🌱
Guest
Bastian.Deutschmann
Points +64
Phänomenal - Edit
Das Essen war wirklich das beste was wir bisher hatten in Kanada.
Read moreFür Fine Dining war der Preis wirklich in Ordnung und nicht zu hoch. Ich würde trotzdem von 2 auf 3 Dollarzeichen wechseln weil es im Vergleich zu einem „normalen“ Restaurant etwas teurer ist.
Die Carbonara waren perfekt.
Guest
JaceyBennett
Points +281
Vegan casual fine dining - Edit
St. Elsewhere is relatively new to Ottawa and one of the only fully-plant-based restaurants in our nation's capital. The servers are friendly, the food is delicious, and the menu seems to change frequently enough that you won't get bored.
Read morePros: Pleasant ambiance, Friendly servers, Delicious food
Cons: Lighting too low during dinner service, Parking can be difficult to find
Guest
FionaC
Points +26
Creative and delicious - Edit
I've been to St. Elsewhere twice now and it does not disappoint. Favourite small plates at our table were the tostada and the smoked tofu. We enjoyed the extensive drinks menu which boasted a good selection of wines as well as many mocktails and spritzers so non-drinkers didn't feel like an afterthought. The carbonara was rich and delicious. On my first visit I enjoyed a truly delicious stir fry that was not on the menu this week, but hopefully they will bring it back.
Read morePros: Variety, Value for money
Guest
MichaelVeganCa
Points +212
Don't skip - Edit
Delicious and fresh with fantastic bar options.
Read moreGuest
Mujer
Points +80
Delicious! - Edit
Lovely meal to end our trip to Ottawa and easily our best meal while in town.
Read morePros: Great service, Inventive cuisine, Atmosphere
Guest
hayls04
Points +450
Amazing - Edit
The atmosphere and service was phenomenal. All of the dishes we ordered were fantastic and very flavourful. Would highly recommend the carbonara which surprised us the most.
Read morePros: Fully vegan, Nice atmosphere , Great service
Cons: Pricey
Guest
XenaWarriorPrincess
Points +2621
Upscale vegan dining - Edit
I was very excited to see a new vegan restaurant pop up in Ottawa, and I wasn't disappointed with my experience at St. Elsewhere.
Read moreThe atmosphere is casual-chic and the interior is well-decorated. The menu is small but versatile, with creative twists on wholesome plant-based ingredients.
In terms of the small plates, I've tried the kale salad (16$) and the blooming onion (14$). The kale salad was good but quite ordinary and lacking in the promised sausage crumbles, while the blooming onion was perfectly crispy and well-seasoned.
For the main dish, I highly recommend the gnocchi with sausage and almond ricotta (26$) - the gnocchis are pillowy and soft, the almond ricotta is creamy and tangy, and the kombu sauce is quite unique. I've also had the udon carbonara (26$), which was also delicious but I prefer the gnocchi. The portion sizes are decent; they will leave you satisfied but not overly stuffed.
The dishes are a bit on the pricier side but I enjoyed the upscale vegan dining experience, which is hard to come across in Ottawa.
Updated from previous review on 2024-02-20
Pros: Gnocchi was amazing, Beautiful plating
Cons: Pricey
Guest
AnickD
Points +24
Délicieux! - Edit
Tout était bon! Belle ambiance, service impeccable. Les prix sont raisonnables. Nous y retournerons c’est certain😄
Read moreGuest
olivie
Points +96
Amazing, among the very best! - Edit
My wife and I eat at every vegan restaurant we can find, and during a short trip to Ottawa we stumbled upon St.Elsewhere. what a discovery! This was one of the best restaurant meals we've had in a long time. Starters were awesome (beet tartrate, and a kale salad to die for). Then we had the gnocchis which surprising and delicious. But wait, the lion's mane main dish... OMG. I still can believe how amazing this dish was. It was like an explosion of flavor in my mouth. Then for dessert we had the sticky toffee pudding, which completed a 10/10 dinner. Service was especially great too, our hostess was so nice and caring. Really I mean, I know this review sounds over-the-top, but it genuinely was this great. We'll be back for sure.
Read moreGuest
acd-ott
Points +62
Great lunch options - Edit
We stopped in for lunch and had the lunch box special (soup, salad and sandwich) and the Philly cheesesteak with fries. The food was very good. The French onion soup was nicely flavored and the sandwiches were yummy. We can’t wait to come back for dinner and try something else!
Read moreGuest
SusanAC
Points +125
Excellent - Edit
Hours
Read moreDinner every evening 5 pm to 10 pm
Lunch Wednesday to Sunday 11 am to 230 pm
The place is beautiful with interesting art. The service was excellent. The wine list is extensive. I had the smoked tofu and it was delicious.
Guest
zedix
Points +449
Great new plant based spot in Ottawa! - Edit
Awesome atmosphere, super reasonable prices and the food is spot on! Highly recommend!
Read moreGuest
JaniLÉcuyer
Points +25
Hail to the Hail Satay ! - Edit
J’ai choisis le hail satay et je n’ai pas été déçue du tout! Vraiment bon, bien piquant avec une texture à s’y méprendre avec celle du steak saignant. Je le recommande. En dessert j’ai commandé le Rocky Road brownie qui est malheureusement ce qui fait descendre la note à 4 au lieu de 5. Trop cher pour ce que j’ai eu (11$). Toutefois l’idée du chocolat canne de noël était excellente en cette période de l’année. Mais j’aurais juste voulu plus de ooey-gooey. Ambiance et employés A1!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-12-29
Pros: Employés , Ambiance, Hail Satay
Cons: Rocky Road Brownie
Guest
rtnc68
Points +655
Very good - Edit
Lighting was a bit too bright.
Read moreRisotto was great. Burger and jackfruit were ok. Has potential for 5 star. Just opened would definitely try again.
Guest
MariaLaflèche
Points +181
Great date night - Edit
Had cocktails, plates and desert. I enjoyed everhthing and the carrot cake was perfection.
Read moreWould come back for sure.
Updated from previous review on 2023-12-08
Guest
illson81
Points +12
Perfection - Edit
Just opened (Oct/23) every plate I tried with friends was fantastic. Many vegan twist to some classics. Sauces are unreal.
Read moreStaff was knowledgeable and took great care of us. The place is beautiful to boot!
Pros: Risotto, Gnocchi, Beet Tartare
Guest
LisaMishak
Points +148
Loved this spot - Edit
We all had different meals and all were exceptional- had fancy cocktails that did not disappoint
Read morePros: Food taste and presentation , Great atmosphere , Excellent service
Cons: Parking is a bit challenging but not horrible
Guest
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