Last minute walk-in, late on a Sat. night and everything was amazing!
- delicious food with an incredible presentation
- all dishes were new and interesting twists on great French favourites
- the service was spectacular
- loved the great environment with exposed brick walls, sophisticated furnishings, and gentle jazz background music
Wonderful meal!

When we read the reviews on yelp, we had a very high expectation about this place. It was not as good as we expected, sadly. I ordered duck and it was a little too salty for me. The service is a little slow, too. We waited about half an hour just for the menu, and after we ordered it took about 40 mins to 1 hour to get our food. After we finished our main dishes, we decided to have some... more

Can't decide which was better. The service or the food. An amazing evening. The Apps were just right, the mains were outstanding and the wine was perfect. All delivered by the most charming wait staff.

I brought my girlfriend and parents here for Valentine's Day. We had an excellent time. The ambience feels warm, private, and intimate. The stonework inside feels like you are the upper crust of 19th century society but with all the conveniences of today. The entrance location is very interesting and it feels like you are accessing an exclusive place.
Servers are very well mannered and well... more

8 people at the table.. Service was a little slow. They were training a waitress and taking time to explain everything.. Nice staff nonetheless. Rating is purely based on the food.. Best steak I have ever had. Best fries, au jus.. No complaints from anyone. The cheque took a good 15-20 minutes to get together.. But regardless. I'd eat here again. And again.

A great experience

A family birthday meal that was a great end to a great day! The food was awesome, our waiter (Jason) was exceptionally knowledgeable and provided us with great recommendations. Looking forward to our next visit! Worth wandering into the little courtyard off of George Street to experience the character and warmth that this outstanding establishment has to offer.

This restaurant is a MUST

If you are visiting or live in OttAwa you have to try the Courtyard. We were there for dinner recently and we gave it a 10 out of 10. Beautiful decore and atmosphere. Great location and easy parking.
Food - excellent
Service - impressive, knowledgable and very attentive.
See you soon Courtyard
Larry B

Perfect Place

Hi there,
Made my first dinner with my nephew very special!!! Awesome food and service. Very quick, friendly and the server remembered me from being there months ago! I would recommend it and will go back.

Frank Sinatra set the tone

Standing outside looking at the menu, Frank Sinatra piped through the speakers. We knew it would be a good choice for us. We walked in and two smiling faces greeted us. We were sat at a quaint table with fresh flowers and treated to fresh scones with raspberry butter. For brunch I quite enjoyed my vanilla French toast stuffed with... more

Probably the worst service and food I have had in many years

The restaurant was empty except for the 2 groups upstairs. It took 2 hours to be served dinner and another 45 minute wait for desert. I could not eat my dinner it was so awful. I have been to the Courtyard many times in the past and was very embarrassed bringing my BOD here tonight. Never again!

Chef Extraordinaire

Upon arrival in this lovely Historically significant building we were greeted by a very welcoming tiny Hostess who accommodated us without a reservation during a crazy busy week. Both service (by Jason amongst several others) was immediate and impeccable,and food were so wonderful they're even hard to describe..but we'll try.
A parsnip soup that needed to be presented separately as... more

Excellent

Excellent food. Excellent atmosphere. Excellent service. I highly recommend the Black Cod and the Wild Boar dish, both are delicious. I took my girlfriend here for a romantic dinner and could not find one negative thing about the restaurant. Service is polite and prompt without being intrusive, the food is beautiful and delicious, and the building is gorgeous. I would... more

A hidden jewel

The Courtyard Restaurant is tucked into a courtyard - surprise- off George St in the Byward Market. I suspect it is very charming in the summer when the snow is gone. The interior features lots of wood and stone which is two of my favorite features.
I found the menu to be diverse but not huge, the quality was very... more

The Perfect Wedding

My husband and I had our dinner and reception at the Courtyard on 11 January 2014.
We were very impressed with Courtyard staff for all of the work that was put into our wedding. We really appreciated that Miranda took the time to listen to our needs to create the evening of our dreams! She was very attentive to responding... more

Great place to get married

My husband I recently got married here and I'm glad we choose this location. Before the wedding we sat down with the wedding coordinator and went over the all the little details. Throughout the planning stages I was able to talk to staff at the CY about anything and everything related to the wedding. The staff really helped to put... more

Absolutely Amazing Wedding

My husband and I recently got married at the Courtyard. We had an amazing experience and our guests were so happy with the food and drink. We had the chicken, duck and beef. Miranda was our coordinator and we could not say enough about her services before and on the day. She was so well organized and kept everything running... more

Great New Years Eve Dinner

We went to the early sitting on December 31, 2013. It was a fixed-price meal -- 4 courses, with 3 or 4 choices for each course, at $65/each, plus wine, tips and tax. The service was great -- attentive without being intrusive -- and the food was excellent. We will definitely return!
The last time we were at The Courtyard,... more

Great place for group parties

We recently had our company christmas party over at Courtyard Restaurant. We are very satisfied with the service we received. They are very well organized and made it so easy to plan our event. Staff was friendly and the quality of the food was excellent. Great ambiance, very cozy yet classy place.

My husband and I had our wedding reception at The Courtyard in 2012, and we also go here for special occasions. The service is always flawless: the food is always amazing, and the staff treat you like an honoured guest. We always feel very special and 'cared for' from the moment we walk in. We have never been disappointed in our choice to eat here.

I suggest asking the waiter for a... more

For a special occasion, the Courtyard is the place

Great Ambiance, Great service. Fantastic food! We celebrated our 40th Anniversary there and it couldn't have been better,

Wow

This is a fabulous restaurant. We were extremely taken well care of and the food was wonderful. The young chef has some very interesting flavour combinations which will want you coming back for more. Unfortunately I live 3000 miles away so I'll have to save up some miles or $'s to go back.

Worth every penny

Had a little mix-up with the reservation, but luckily Jason (the manager) was able to accommodate our party for a fabulous dinner! Because of the mix up, we were initially set up near the front door/reception area, but within minutes (and after a comped drink..very generous I thought), we were moved to the dining area where we enjoyed a fabulous... more

Good Food.......Do not be in a hurry

Directed to this restaurant by a local! Was not disappointed at all. The ambiance was beautiful. Sat in the courtyard for an early dinner. Ordered Sangria which was fabulous!!!! Ordered dinner & another Sangria. Waited & ordered another Sangria. OMG at this point I could have had a twinkie for dinner and I would have been good with it! The... more

Great ambience

We ate at this restaurant mid week and sat out in the courtyard. We did not expect to have live music playing during the evening and were pleasantly surprised. We told our waiter we were in no hurry and he took us at our word! We were definitely not rushed through our meal. We tried the tomato salad which was... more

We had a very nice time at this restaurant, although there were some service issues (which were very adequately addressed by the management). We came here for a nice dinner for two, and ate in the courtyard. The ambiance was very nice, with musicians playing to customers in the courtyard.

After ordering, the waiter noted that appetizers were taking a long time to arrive (without us... more

Good food and good atmosphere

Had dinner mid week here. Food was good, the waiter was attentive and the portion were good.
One person at our table had the ribs and was not satisfied as he expected a traditional style rib.
Our waiter made the occasion a pleasant experience.

Amazing Dining Experience

We went for a beautiful dinner with colleagues and had a lovely time. The staff was very knowledgeable and served without interupting the conversations. The food was presented beautifully and was very good. the food was prepared by a fabulous chef and our host was not only polite, but very well versed on wine. It was an unforgetable experience.

Beautiful evening in Ottawa for sitting on the Courtyard. Came early (7pm) and was seated right away without reservations. Started with an appetizer (tomato salad and the beef tartare) which were both excellent although a little slow being served. The main course was served faster but allowed time to relax after the appetizers. Had the duck and the trout both of which were also excellent. Food... more

Great old stone building and good food

It is easy walking distance from other downtown attractions and located, well, in a courtyard as you would expect. The ambiance in the stone structure is cozy and romantic. You can sit inside or out on the terrace depending on the weather. I attended a business function with a buffet style service which had lots of well prepared great food.... more

Lovely in Every Way

Courtyard is one of the restaurants that offers lovely patio seating, truly in a courtyard, tucked away from the main street and traffic. Brunch there was a beautiful experience of friendly efficient service, excellent food, and calm. Courtyard injects an elegance in a casual setting that made me feel well taken care of.
I liked that my eggs benedict came... more

Good food...slow service

Lovely restaurant, interesting menu. Food was very good but service was very, very slow. Seemed to take forever for first course to arrive and I thought after that the entree would be more timely but not so. Long interval between salads and entree. We had a large group but the restaurant wasn't that busy.
Elk was delicious as was the... more

Ambiance and food vie for top spot

Group of about 20 people in a private bar/dining area on the second floor. Service was excellent and the food was equally so - well prepared, quality above reproach and the friendly staff rounded things out nicely. Located in a quiet courtyard off a main street its easy to fine and has an air of exclusivity. Nice!

Great food

We came here for dinner one night on our trip to Ottawa. We sat outside. It was a very beautiful night. I ordered the beets as my appetizer. The beets were incredible. Very delicious! There was five different types of prepared beets. All of us enjoyed the beets. For our main course I ordered the Gnocchi. It was extremely delicious.... more

Group dinner

We had a group dinner in their private dining room. Great room to carry on a dinner conversation amongst many guests. The food was very good and the service was great. This is one of the few dining rooms which is great and easy to carry on a conversations.

Lacking luster

The setting is gorgeous, the restaurant is rustic and romantic, and the staff is great. The prices, compared to the food received, was just okay! I had a chicken sandwich, and it tasted great, and the portion size was just enough. I couldn't have the fries but it was my fault for not mentioning it. My friends had the Potato... more

Nice historic restaurant

We had a business dinner in the private room upstairs. The food was good for this type of an event with a menu just for our company with 3 choices for starter, main and dessert. Not amazingly original dishes but well presented and cooked. The Chablis and Italian red offered were both very drinkable wines served at the correct temperature... more

Below Expectations

Arrived on a Wednesday night, the place was mostly empty when nearby restaurants were bustling. Waiter was quick to pretend he knew about bourbon but was sketchy on 'facts' that were speculative (wrong actually) and he recommended two mediocre wines as being great. The food was 'meh', took forever to arrive, and was barely warm. There was no evidence of... more

A Beautiful Wedding

It has been one week since my daughter's wedding and finally I have the time to write a short note to thank the Courtyard restaurant. We held the complete event at the Courtyard and it was extraordinary! The service was excellent - a huge thank you to Miranda (event/wedding coordinator) who made each step of the way a great experience,... more

Lovely Ambiance, Okay Food

My husband and I wandered to this attractive restaurant in the Byward Market. It had exposed stone walls and old wooden beams running high above. The room was intimate, ( a little cool,so bring a cardigan, or an extra layer) , the service was great, but the food was just good, not fantastic.
For a higher end restaurant, I like... more

Good ambience with middling food

I dined at the Courtyard as a part of a small symposium last week. The restaurant had great ambiance and service, but unfortunately the food was only so so. I had a salad for appetizer and steak for the main course. The salad was adequate but not particularly memorable. The steak, although medium rare as requested, had quite a bit... more

A favourite in a special location

The Courtyard restuarant is recommended first for its location, history and atmosphere and where the meal is well presented and of good quality. Occupying a wonderfully restored heritage building it is great to see the interior with the natural stone walls and wooden beams, etc. The restaurant is well furnished with a decor to match its historic setting. The menu... more

Take your time

Yummy wine and cheese pairing platters. Great atmosphere! If you want to take your time here.....then do so! Staff are not pushy at all.

Elegant but comfortable, delicious food

The atmosphere is lovely, with old stone walls and an all-Canadian playlist. Great food and cocktails, artfully presented and unique. The menu changes often and everyone in our group greatly enjoyed their meals. The staff are very attentive and friendly. This is a great place to go if you're looking for a special meal.

Amazing food and service

We recieved a gift certificate for the Courtyard so decided to use it for our Anniversary. It was some of the best food we have ever tasted and the service was amazing. They truely go above and beyond. Highly recommend for a special occasion or if you just really want to treat yourself!

Regular eating destination

I go here for lunch on a regular basis with a group - lunch and speaker. I took a group here from the Women's Worlds Conference in 2011 and suffice to say - they did Ottawa proud and the women took pictures of the food it looked so good!

Good place for a Wedding

In summer, probably the most memorable and eye-pleasing surroundings to be experienced in the Market area. The food is ok too. The AMBIENCE though makes the experience.

Hosted a party for 50 people

Excellent location, food and service. We hosted a memorial lunch here and found the planning and ease of working with the excellent staff a pleasure. It was a very succesful event.

Fantastic Wedding Venue

We got married at the Courtyard in July 2011. Everything was fantastic from the food, to the service to the on-site coordinator who managed the whole event. For smaller weddings (20-75), this venue is awesome.

Hang out spot

I've actually never eaten here. I might one day. I rated this because the courtyard itself is cool too. There are a few shops that open up into the courtyard. A french bookstore, a paper store (I believe), and a restaurant. I used to hang out in the courtyard sometimes when I was a teenager.

all it needs is a grace note of simplicity

Dinner here was superb - cosy and wonderful ambiance, sympathetic and skillful service, and inventive cuisine. Clearly a talented chef in the house!
My only quibble is that absolutely every dish was complex - so to my dining companion's taste, in particular, nothing simple to include in her meal. An example: several seasonal soups, all of which sounded wonderful -... more

Food is to die for, ambiance to match

The food is impeccable and the staff and service are unmatched. You won't be disappointed! I've been to a wedding at the Courtyard as well, and have nothing but amazing things to say about the coziness and professionalism of the venue and staff. Everything they serve tastes like the best you've ever had.

Amazing

Went to the Courtyard for a wedding. Was absolutely beautiful! The decor was amazing, great romantic cozy atmosphere. Dinner was delicious, the servers were also very professional and friendly!
Would recommend this place to anyone looking for a great time!
Jamie J

What a massive disappointment

My office had an event at Courtyard and it was my first (and last!) experience at this place. What a massive (and ridiculously expensive) disappointment. I don't mind paying good money (even more than I think is fair) for superb food (ie. Play Food and Wine, for instance), but this was beyond unacceptable.
Our fixed menu was set at $61/person... more

Great location

Went to this location for a wedding the food was amazing the people very friendly. Located downtown and worth a stop to relax and eat.

Food and service outstanding

The only reason I didn't give it a 5 was that it has been so many years since we visited, and there's been an accident with the dessert flambe machine.
I recall the food and service being outstanding.

I LOVE This Restaurant

This is probably my favorite restaurant in Ottawa, and this is my home town so I know it well. The market location has good points and bad, but the atmosphere and the food inside this restaurant are excellent. I have never had a bad meal here, but once, I had have poor service. The Beef Wellington is superb, as are... more

A small slice of Heaven in the Market

I shop in the Market on the weekends in the summer and anyone who has can tell you it can leave you frazzeled with all the vendors and crowds. The Courtyeard is just that, a secluded little courtyard that during the summer lets you unwind is a turn of the century setting steeped in local history (ask about the ghosts!).... more

25th Anniversary Dinner

Very nice and professionally run restaurant. Wide menu options, reasonably priced but certainly higher scale ...food was prepared perfect and presentation was tops. Overall great experience...we sat upstairs which was quieter vs outside in courtyard.

'twas a lovely night for a dinner on the patio. Actually, three unbelievable days of nice weather for Ottawa in September. The stone-walled courtyard was shared by four restaurants making for a great scene, the ambience spoiled only by an extremely noisy exhaust fan somewhere.

The service was friendly and the menu interesting. The food, however, was 3 for 4.

My cauliflower soup was delicious,... more

Situated in an old beautiful stone building that is rumoured to be haunted, the Courtyard can be counted on for a different dining experience. It feels as if you are dining in another era, another period of history.

This is an upscale restaurant, so expect to pay higher prices. The food is decent, though not spectacular. During the summer months, its definitely worth checking out the patio,... more

As per it's name it is nestled in a Courtyard with a rather non-descript sign on the street directing you to it.

Easily missed unless you know about it, this hidden gem is absolutely amazing. There's a reason it's been around for over 28 years.

Their various rooms with stone walls make you feel like you're dining in a medieval era building. The Dawson room feels like a grand hall which is... more