The food is tasty and the hot sauce bar was fresh. If you're craving a great burrito this is the place to go.
Nothing fancy here but great food and fast service over the lunch period.
Definitely a go to spot if you want to get in and out.
I've heard mixed reviews about this place so I really wanted to see for myself... I'm personally not a fan.. The food was bland and the rice was verrrryyyy salty!
The salsa bar is a nice addition, but I don't get why everyone is raving... There are 7 options.. 2 which are repeated.. The options are spicy tomatoes and onions, mild salsa, spicy green salsa, spicy red salsa and coriander stems....
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We popped in here for lunch and it was a little less busy than before. My tacos were fine but I think some more spices could have been used in the cooking process of the steak. My friends ordered enchiladas and they loved them. The salsa bar is still there but I think they could use slightly bigger containers there.
Stopped in here for takeout on a Friday night and the place was packed. Basement restaurant. Tight quarters. Friendly staff. Good food. I went with the quesadilla de carne (crispy flour tortilla filled with steak, cheese and guacamole). The steak was well done, as expected, but tender nevertheless. The rice was also good but had a notable tomato base to it.
As for local competition, I prefer...
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Average Mexican food, neat location but don't pay with your credit card. That is all I'm saying.
Awesome food and awesome prices! I just wish they gave bigger cups for the salsa bar.
Average Mexican food...
The salsa bar was awesome and the staff were friendly. I shared the nachos with my boyfriend and got half the grande burrito it was good but nothing special....
The sangria was also nice so definitely try it!
Disappointed! Chaotic environment, so-so food, and the prices were high considering you pretty much have to serve yourself, fast-food style. I may have had high expectations.
My friend thought the rice tasted like soap.
I don't go for Mexican all that often but this place had made me a fan. Love their burritos! When I first went in I was like "we're eating in a basement" but the atmosphere is great and vibrant. Love the salsa bar and from my experience the staff are very friendly.
Ahora served Authentic Mexican food in a large portion. The most amazing thing in this restaurant is the salsa self-served bar with different levels of spicy. My friend and I walked there after visiting the Byward market. It decorated in bright color because its was basement place.
The staff was nice and served the food quickly. But she didn't inform us that side dish need extra fee!! She just...
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Ahora has become a fun go-to place for me to take a friend in town. The food is great, it's cheery decor. The service is pretty good, but it gets crowded when there's a line.
Located on Dalhousie Street within Ottawa's famous ByWard Market, the restaurant is in the basement. Though it is in the basement, the restaurant is decorated with bright colours, and it is well lit because of the natural sunlight coming in. The restaurant was half full when we arrived, and the waitress was busy cleaning tables where customers just left. Throughout our dinner, there was a... more
Nom, nom, nom!!! Delicious, despite being in a basement. Greeted as soon a we walked in, fast service and thanked when we left. Great place!
The little basement place is not wheelchair accessible. Bright paint is cheery and makes the place seem bigger. Food was tasty. Didn't even know about the salsa bar until I just read about it on Yelp!
I had a bad experience having a casual dinner with a friend here. Instead of the staff politely telling us they were preparing to close, they cranked the music so loud we were straining to...
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It was ok.
Ordered a steak quesadilla with rice and a Pop to drink: almost 13$ without tip.
I expected a bigger portion but I got a thin quesadilla and the other half of the plate was rice.
Steak was okay, not much flavour just plain. It wasn't dry, but it wasn't super tender either. Needed more cheese too. Seasoning is lacking.
The rice: came out warm which I find annoying. Is prefer it...
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Food was excellent and authentic. Excellent tacos that come with side dish es (one or two, dpending on the number of tacos you order). Free salsa bar letting you choose individual flavours.
The burrito was very good also. You can order guacamole on the side and that was absolutely amazing. Best guac I've ever had.
Then the churros with dulce de leche. Yumm!
Absolutely authentic and delicious food. Started off with the anafres which is re dried beans with melted cheese served in a clay pot, combined with nacho chips and it was great. For an entree I had the crane asada. Everything about this dish was great. The steak was well seasoned and the rice and beans were perfect. The salsa bar adds an extra nice touch and you can choose your own heat level.... more
¡Qué rico!
The food was really good and the price too. I tried the meat, veggie and chicken taco, as well as one quesadilla.
The only bad thing is that the music was so loud at the counter area that it was hard for me to order!
I have never been to Mexico so I really cannot say, but the food seemed much more accurate to my idea of mexican food than other places that are more into the tex-mex...
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I had the chicken burrito and it was soso I don't know why this place has such high rating but hey it's ottawa everything here is over priced and under delivered. Don't get any guacamole they go pretty cheap on it. For the price you expect a lot more from a semi serve your self
Great Mexican food! The restaurant is situated in a basement, but you'd never know it: bright colours everywhere and a nice skylight near the front.
The ambiance is nice with Latin music. They have Mexican sodas and you can also order all kinds of fruity drinks too. You're seated at your table and handed menus. When you've made your choices, you go to the cash counter, order your food and...
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Honestly, I love this place more and more every time I visit. The food is delicious, friendly to most diet restrictions. The atmosphere and staff rock.
Pretty solid meal. Found the food to be really delicious and I enjoyed how fresh the side salad was. The sauce/salsa bar was pretty great.
Not the most enjoyable ambiance. It was really crowded (on a Tuesday evening?!) when we went and we kept getting nudged by the staff trying to deliver food to the tables. Getting a glass of water was also a struggle.
I give this a solid 3 stars. Tried the quesadillas chicken and the beef taco taco. Didn't love the beef in the taco as it was a bit flavourless. The chicken quesadillas were very very salty. Both needed the salsa from the salad bar to even out the flavour. The chips and guoc were okay. As far as Mexican food goes it's not the best I have had but also not the worst. I don't know if I would go... more
The food was good, not great, but good. Relatively inexpensive so if you wanted a quick lunch it is a good place to go. The meat in my steak taco was overdone. My colleagues liked the burritos they ordered. There is no table service, you have to order and pay, and then they bring the food out to you. The... more
This little tiny place is GREAT! Food is very authentic and prepared fresh. Kids love it here as well. Great value for money. Can get very busy and it is only tiny. Atmosphere is lovely. Service is great. Staff are very helpful. Best Mexican .
FREE SALSA BAR!!!!
Need I say more? haha
The highlight of the evening was the margaritas and those heavenly steak burritos.
Will be back soon.
Great food, great prices, great staff. Nothing to really complain about for this place. For the price your paying it's a great place to get Mexican food. It's a little cramped but again for what your paying it's fairly good.
Great place. I've been there a few times and it's never been a disappointment. I'll gladly go back any chance I can. If you're in the by-ward market you have to try this little gem.
The place is quite difficult to find as only it's entrance is visible from the street. You walk down some steps to where the diner is. We ordered 2 meals which were both around 13 dollars each, cheaper alternatives were on the menu though. The meals were large and tasted delicious. It was the best meal we had had in... more
Delicious!
Unlimited fresh salsa bar, large portions, authentic food! Had a great vegetarian enchilada came which came with two sides (options are tortilla chips, salad or beans).
You order and pay first and then they bring you your food - which made it easy for our large group to "settle" our bill without a hitch. My only issue was that with a packed house the space was extremely snug.
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We came across Ahora while wandering down Dalhousie at the recommendation of the local information bureau. This is not a fancy restaurant, but it is great Mexican food and extremely good value! The place was very clean and tidy, we got service with a smile (which appears to be unusual in Ottawa!) and really enjoyed our evening.
really hard to spot, small sign and the restaurant is location downstairs, but completely worth it once you're inside, very classic mexican dishes and well-run small restaurant with delicious flavours and salsa bar. Highly recommend the nachos and go early at lunch to avoid line-ups.
Ahora's has become my default "i'm too tired to cook and too hungry to wait" restaurant. It's quick, cheap, absolutely delicious and really quite healthy. You can't go wrong with the buritto grande, chicken quesidilla, or the enchilada's. Your main course comes with an option of sides: salad, rice, beans (sometimes,) or chips. Take advantage of the free salsa bar to pump up your already... more
Ambiance, music, decor... all charming. Service and prices, excellent. Food terrific, the salsa bar is a real bonus.
Always excellent. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Ottawa.
If you're looking for authentic mexican food that isn't greasy, then Ahora is the place to go. There menu has quite a bit to choose from including some vegetarian / vegan options and the food is fresh.
It's also very cost effective (between $8 and $12 for a main course)
Head downstairs to Ahora for good food in a colourful Mexican restaurant. A couple of tacos makes a nice lunch and a burrito plate is a filling supper. Everyone can pick their salsa -- from mild to fuego -- at the salsa bar. The tacos are the soft corn kind. Service is always cheerful and attentive. You order at the... more
Great food at a very reasonable price. It's not the Mexican I am used to being from the southern US but it's the best I've had in Canada. We will be going back!
Definitely the best mexican cuisine in Ottawa! The prices are reasonable as well as the food protions. The staff is very attentive and friendly. It's always packed in there and it is small but well worth the wait.
Headed here for lunch a few weeks ago and was not terribly impressed.
First of all, we arrived to an empty restaurant and opted for a table under the overhead skylight/window. We were immediately asked to move to a 2 top in the interior of the restaurant. This restaurant is a basement so less light/people watching... Seemed pretty arbitrary considering nobody else arrived the whole time we...
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As someone who spent a year in Mexico this place brings back so many memories. People who say it's nothing special don't know that Mexican food tends to be bland to start. It's the salsa that makes the difference. And they have a great salsa bar at your disposal. So use it!
guacamole is so good, that is all. The rest of the stuff is so so.
Service is always kinda slow/fast and just random, but they seem like nice people.
Went again recently. Service was better - they got my order wrong but was indifferent about what I received anyways.
Got tacos with rice and they were alright - a bit bland. I ended up putting a lot of salsa on there which made it better.
It's a decent option in the market for Casual Mexican cuisine... If I had to choose something in the same ballpark, I'd rather go to Pancho Villa on...
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We were in Ottawa on vacation and read about this place, we almost couldn't find it but DID!! So glad. It was such a good night! The guacamole was the best I've ever had and the staff (Claudia!) was amazing! We had pitchers of margaritas and the fresh salsa bar was great. There was a line up (we read there would be) but it was worth the wait!
Tucked away, downstairs on Dalhousie, this hidden gem is worth the hunt! Authentic and original, Mexican flavours at an affordable price. Head early to avoid the rush, limited tables. Large servings, all you can eat salsa bar...what more can I say!!
Came here for a late lunch on a cold winter's day. The atmosphere is so cheerful and brightly coloured that you warm up quickly. Food was good and freshly made. Service is a little strange as you get a menu then go up to order then they bring you the food. Lots of salsa options. Would definitely recommend stopping in.... more
All the dishes are fresh and flavorful, I've never been disappointed. Huge portions. Great salsa selection!
The atmosphere is very lively. It's underground but doesn't feel dingy. The food was decent, but didn't knock our socks off. The margaritas were awful. We ordered a pitcher and we're not convinced it had any tequila in it. We didn't even finish it because we felt like we were just drinking straight cheap sugary margarita mix. The ordering process... more
A-OK for being as far away from Mexico as it is. The food was tasty, service was nice and had reasonable prices.
I didn't understand how to line up and order though. It was confusing because a server sat us, but they had people lining up in all different ways to order. I went up to the counter, and a party of five seemed to come from no where and order in front of me. I'd suggest making that a...
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Great Churros, very delicious, I have then every time I am here. They sell the soft kind not the hard kind. I like the way it is designed as well, it has a nice Mexican flavour to it. The price range is decent and the food is always fresh. I have been here a couple of times and I have never been disappointed whenever I come here. Also the #1 & # 9 go by here.
The best restaurant in all of Ottawa for sure!
Their salsa bar is incredible; all different types of salsa, and they have legit hot salsa, unlike everywhere else which gives this mild one out.
It's reasonably priced; good service, and absolutely delicious.
Go there.
It's certainly not the best plate of Mexican food I've ever had, but it's probably the best I've had since moving to Canada. The flavors are authentic and the food is pretty good. Value -- especially for this part of an already expensive city -- is fantastic.
I was with my collegues which one was from Nicaragua and i asked : is it like as good as when you where living in your village. She said that Ahora is the best maxicain ( not nicaraguaian) food she ever had in a restaurant. Very good ambiance but the restaurant is located downstairs. It is half a cafeteria and... more
Very good Mexican restaurant! It's easy to miss it as it is located in a basement. The decor is very colorful and has paintings of Mexican artists such as Frida Kahlo. The service is fast, prices are good, portions are big and the food is great! They have a salsa bar for those who enjoy spicy sauces. The only downside... more
Great Mexican restaurant that tastes like food in Mexico, which is rarely the case with Mexican restaurants. On top of this, they'll have your favorite Mexican beer. Don't get distracted by the lame setting. Sit down and enjoy the authentic Mexican taste, it's priceless. It might even remind you good memories of Mexico.
Good value, friendly service and beer and wine available. Burrito meals are served with rice and salad, and well marinated meats and vegees, with a salsa bar on the side.
It's easy to walk right by this place located in the basement on a building on Dalhousie Street. The restaurant has a fun, family eatery feel with absolutely delicious food. Portions are generous and their salsa "bar" offers an amazing range of salsas for all level of tolerance for heat. The staff is friendly and service is quick.
My husband and I try to stop here every visit to Ottawa. It's hard to find good Mexican food and this is one of our favs. We always look forward to our next visit.
Very authentic Mexican food and plenty of it....meals are quite large and everything is homemade and delicious, served efficiently and with friendly staff. Decor is also warm and colourfully authentic. Located in a cozy cellar, with reasonable prices.
A truly wonderful experience!
I think I'll get some angry messages/unfriendings from this review but whatever. I'm just going to come out and say it: I think I am the only person in the city who isn't crazy about Ahora. Not even close, in fact. I'd go as far as saying I don't really like it. :O woooah! I went there! Anyway. Like the other reviewers have all mentioned this place is cheap cheap cheap and I think its pretty... more
Oh dearest Ottawa,
I rebut any favourable arguments, yet I still come back to you!
I am without a clue of what authentic mexican cuisine is. I still consider 'Burrito Day' at work to be IT.
The establishment is depictive although sapiently subtle in it's caricature of mexicana. Our dishes (black bean burrito and pollo ensalada) we're copiously portioned. The many proposed salsas we're most...
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Visited for lunch during the week, had a craving for Mexican I was not dissappointed. Took a minute to understand how to order, first you go to the counter and then they bring your food to your seat once it is ready. The guacamole was great! The food delicious. I had the ENCHILADA MIXTA, so good! Try their sauces and... more
Every dish is better than the last. Having been to Mexico, Texas, and many other plays touting authentic Mexican cuisine, this is truly the best Mexican food I have ever had. Wonderful servers, fair prices, and excellent vegetarian options.
Me boyfriend and I wanted a nice Mexican dinner. Thanks to Tripadvisor we payed attention and found the entrance (watch out, its a small door and you have to go into the cellar). It was a bit confusing because apparently you have to wait to be seated, but there was no sigh. The waitresses where all a bit nervous, but... more
First time visit. Very friendly staff, helpful and quick. We had a group of four and tried a few of the dishes. We were all very impressed with the meals. Great taste and lots of food. Had to watch a bit to understand the "system". Seating is tight, and the decor is very colorful. You need to order at the... more
Just got back from this place. It is hard to find, we walked right past it the first time around, but man, oh man, is it worth tracking down. The best black beans i've ever had. The chicken tasted like it was charcoal grilled; amazing. The chips, the salsa bar, just incredible. Maybe it is because I'm from Vancouver and... more
I was so impressed with Ahora. The food is extremely flavourful and fresh. You can tell the owners are Mexican :) i especially love the salsa bar they have which allows you to serve yourself to a number of delicious homemade salsas (watch out for the spicy ones!!) The tray want is definitely not the poshest place in town, but... more
My first time there. We were lucky to arrive early before the lineup began on the stairs leading down to the restaurant. The food was really good, and the service was friendly & unobtrusive, except we lingered a long time at our table talking, and eventually someone asked if we wanted to order another drink or food. There was a... more
Small restaurant with friendly staff and very relaxed atmosphere. We have never had a bad meal here although the food is not haute cuisine - tasty, good sized portions and lots of options. The meals are flavourful (love the enchiladas) and the condiments offer a variety of heat. We go every time we are in Ottawa.
Went there based on huge numbers of good reviews in various places, and it was just fine. Not spectacular and we were left feeling a little underwhelmed. The ambiance does feel like a late night Mexican taqueria - crowded tables, lots of noise, ordering at the counter.
The food was mostly good. The steak enchiladas were good; the chicken tacos...
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The place is small, but damn it's good.
At affordable student prices, you get healthy and hearty food, always served with a smile, in a tiny colorful place.
They have a salsabar from mild to suicide hot ... a good choice of latin beverages.
The enchilladas and burritos are generous and the frijoles the best I've had in the Capital....
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Lots of choices of salsa fire your chips..appreciate the options
With all of the great reviews, I was excited to try Ahora, but my experience was just what the two-star review says: Meh.
It's in the basement, so it should feel cozy and warm, but it felt a bit claustrophobic. Perhaps I hit it at a bad time because the restaurant was taken over by two groups of more than 6-8 students. Once you find a seat, a waitress brings over a menu and then you go up to...
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Great place, great prices. The food is amazing and the flavors are unbeatable. Food is order at the counter, delivered to your table, there is a lot of sauces and condiments to tried self -serve. I tried the Ahora plate, michelada and alfajores and everything was fresh and tasty. For sure I'll repeat this place on my next trip to... more
Ahora is a great spot. Loved my vegetarian burrito. Their black beans are delicious. Loved the hot sauces and salsa on the side. Easy on the pocket big on taste.
I liked this restaurant a lot, even though it's a little unconventional (or perhaps because it's unconventional). The unconventional part is, as others have noted, that you order at the counter, and a variety of sauces and condiments are self-serve. I hadn't notice the condiments until the person at the cash desk pointed them out to me when I placed... more
Very casual, upbeat atmosphere, in colourful surroundings, offering tasty Mexican fare at very reasonable prices. Food is ordered at the counter, then delivered to your table; self-service also for the salsas, cilantro and marinated peppers. Not a romantic spot by any stretch, but a nice place to enjoy great food in a relaxed way, halfway to a fast-food place. My... more
The food here was ok at best, but again I was eating Mexican food in Canada. Probably not the best idea. Of course the reviews made it sound like it was the best Mexican food around, which it may be. The reality is that it is a long ways away from some of the other Mexican food places where I have eaten.
I did like the nachos.
I ordered the shrimp burrito, which was ok.
We were looking for Mexican food and found this place by chance. Like many other restaurants claiming to serve authentic food this was a disappointment. The food was a bit tasteless and a bit expensive for what we got. They have a weird system that is bothersome: a server brings a menu to your table but you have to go... more
Ahora is an awesome little place in Ottawa! It's a bit hidden if you ask me, but it's definitely worth a visit if you spot it.
We arrived at Ahora just as the dinner rush started pouring in. We were seated almost instantly, but a few minutes more and we would have been waiting quite a while for a table.
That night, I ordered a plate of nachos with chicken to share with a friend and I decided...
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Ahora is the best value for money in the market. I don't know anywhere else you can get a meal for two and a half liter of wine and end up with a $32 bill. The food is, I would say, baja style mexican = fresh. Cozy, underground and always a good eat.
We had our second experience at this restaurant in a few weeks and it did not fail to satisfy and make us feel we were in Mexico.
The food is really quite authentic and tasty. Our only negative was the margarita on the rocks that did not taste like a margarita at all but the food was excellent and very...
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Yummy! A friend of mine told me to come to Ahoras, and I've been recommending it as cheap eats ever since. This colourful little basement celebrates it's divergence from fine dining with a pared down menu, delicious tacos and drinks. It's fun to come sit in the corner and chat - you order at the cash so you're never rushed once you've sat down and you have a selection of delicious salsas at the... more
It was close to an average rating, but the atmosphere, the good value for money and the paintings of Frida Khalo made me rate it 4 stars.
It's not the most refined restaurant but there's a real Mexican feel to it. The Nachos were pretty good. The real deal. The Ahora Steak Burrito was good, but not excellent. The Chicken...
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I walked past this restaurant too many times to count before finally going in to eat. The restaurant doesn't look like much on the outside, or really on the inside for that matter, but the food was delicious! I really enjoyed the extra fresh pico de gallo and hot sauces available at the counter to add to your meal. I... more
This is the first Ontario Mexican restaurant I have been to that I really enjoyed my meal. The food is simple, but fresh and well done.The chicken burritto was served with a nice fresh basic salad. My wife and daughter had the chicken Quesidilla, both really good. Pricing was very reasonable for the quality and quantity. It was very similar... more
I am a snob about Mexican food, and while Ahora wasn't as authentic as I normally like, it was very good for what it is. The atmosphere was awesome, and the staff were busy but extremely friendly. Also, you can't beat the prices. I would definitely eat here again the next time I'm in Ottawa.
Ahora is a fantastic restaurant. I used to live in Texas and love good Mexican food. I find that its almost impossible to get decent Mexican food in Canada. Ahora is the exception to that.
Its a very casual place where you order and then they bring you your food. They also have takeout.
My only complaint is that I...
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We just ate here a few days ago and had a great meal! We were warmly greeted by a very friendly girl who spoke Spanish and who seated us and explained how to order at the till when we were ready and to help ourselves to the various salsas and toppings while we waited. We ordered guacamole & chips to... more
This is a great place. My husband and I really enjoy coming here. It is below ground in a brightly painted small space decorated with Mexican items. At night it is usually crowded but we have never waited long for a table. There are a lot of younger people here since the food is very economical and the atmosphere light... more
While it is a bit disconcerting to see Mexican food items en francais on the menu, the experience at Ahora is well worth the leap of faith required. This little basement restaurant offers very tasty, authentic Mexican dishes, a cool vibe and friendly service. The experience gets even better when you find out how inexpensive it all is.
My favorite Mexican restaurant! Every time we travel from Vancouver to Ottawa we love stopping by! Their quesadillas are excellent. Only downfall, it is too small, in a basement, no stroller or wheelchair access :-(
I went here after a few friends recommended that I give it a try. My boyfriend wasn't keen on the idea (it was for our anniversary and he seemed underwhelmed by the idea of tacos for diner.) It was colourful when we went inside. The ordering system is different where you have to order at the cash register - we... more
On first blush, this basement restaurant on Dalhousie Street in the Byward Market looks unimpressive: chintzy decor, basic seating, and counter service (servers deliver the food to your table after you order and pay for it).
But Ahora offers the best Mexican food in the Ottawa area. My favourite dish is the Ahora Platter, which consists of a large, well-stuffed...
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Splendid atmosphere, good portion size. The vegetarian burritos were full flavored and filling. The tables were pretty crammed but it added to the atmosphere. The staff were really friendly. You have to order at the front desk and not at your table which we weren't told right away we got the food really quickly once ordered.
Chicken was burnt. Overall the food seemed dry. There are a lot of better places for good mexican food, I wouldn't visit this place again.
Ahora is my favorite Mexican restaurant in the Byward Market area. The tortillas are nice and fresh, the salsas fresh and available in many heat levels and the staff is friendly.
The only drawback to this venue might be the size which is cozy.
Ahora is hands down the best Mexican food you can buy in Ottawa. It's reasonably priced and the atmosphere is really cute. It's a little tricky to find though, as it's in the basement of a building on Dalhousie but there is still a sign on the street and you can see down through the windows.
Be careful when making...
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We stopped in for supper on Thursday May 10th with a friend visiting from Oaxaca, Mexico. It had been two years since we last visited Ahora. We were very disappointed with our meals, two Plato Rancheros (chicken) and one Chicken Enchiladas. The meat was all dark and tough. The Plato Rancheros were especially bad, the meat tasted of too much vinegar or lime. The tomatoes on our plate had hard... more
Ahora Restaurant Mexicain offers these services: restaurant.
Grab a bite at this friendly, charming Mexican restaurant and you are guaranteed to come back for more. None of the usual Americanized grub can be spotted at this ground-level eatery, which is decorated in bright hues to cheer the spirits. Hot, satisfying portions of burritos and tortillas arrive with a host of sauces that you can use liberally to dress up your meal. The service is prompt,... more