The food is delicious, but otherwise I wasn't too impressed. They sat my group of three under fluorescent lights beside the bathrooms and the cutlery/napkin station for the servers. Bad aughts pop music played too loudly on the speakers. The decor is cheesy... "contemporary", but not in a good way. I miss Domus.

We have relied on Fraser Cafe for years for consistently outstanding food, friendly, welcoming staff, great and potent cocktails, and it's great community vibe. Tonight was a bit disappointing - not for the quality and flavours of the food, but for the very weak and mediocre cocktails and a inconsistency in the size of the main dishes. Two in our party of six had the Arctic char and said it was... more

Love this restaurant! The food is absolutely delicious and service is always good. Last time my husband and I went here we had the steak and oysters. I wanted to lick my plate is was so good. Prices are on par with other restaurants, but the quality and thought behind every ingredient on the plate is amazing. If it wasn't on the other side of town from where I live I would be here often. I... more

always fantastic food. go and enjoy. That's all I can say.

Awesome local and fresh ingredients. The atmosphere is very chill and relaxed and the staff is friendly and do a great job making you feel at home. The brunch is amazing - a great place for a mother's day or father's day treat. The food quality and creativity is a focus so the prices are in the mid to high range but it's still quite reasonable when you consider what you're getting. Will... more

Went for Sunday brunch, food was delicious, ingredients were fresh, and flavours were perfectly balanced. The staff were attentive and personable. Was a nice change from a "greasy spoons" type breakfast. Will definitely be going back. Well worth the extra 2-5$ per plate for a quality meal.

I had to go to Here for a work function and it was one of the best meals I had in Ottawa.
I know I might get some heat for writing this, but I hate reading reviews before going to eat somewhere new.
A) I want to give the place a fair shot
B) i don't care what a foodie writes. If I like it, I like it :)

Moving on, I'm glad I didn't know anything about this place. We ate at table 40, reserved... more

It's a smaller restaurant but the food is very good. I've been for brunch and dinner a few times. I've liked everything I've tried. - Def a place to try.

SOLID. Any brunch that offers to add rum to your breakfast smoothie is off to a great start. The doughnuts were an amazing choice for the end, but everything in between was super tough to choose from. Their eggs with eggplant and tomato thing was awesome, the pancakes are super decadent if you're into dessert for breakfast, and they can poach eggs like champs. On top of that - super friendly... more

This is one of the best restaurants in Ottawa. Every time we go, it's always consistent, we've never been disappointed. It's fun to sit at the bar or close to the kitchen to see the action. The servers are very knowledgable and friendly.

This is a really awesome little place in my home away from home. Some of my more adventurous friends had the surprise meals that the chef makes for you and they were blown away.

Given my dietary restrictions, I honestly couldn't have much of what was on the menu, but they were SO accommodating to my somewhat unique needs. I ended up having duck here for the first time, and it's never been made... more

Fraser Cafe is a great spot for the food and atmosphere. Always buzzing so you need to call ahead to make reservations. They'll try to accommodate you as best they can. The bar is a good option if you're two people and not too picky. Service is great and the servers are friendly. Try the Kitchen's Choice. Average going here about every other month!

Great small restaurant with impeccable service. The oysters we got as appetizers were delicious but this place is all about fine dining and trying out new stuff. I highly recommend that you take the "surprise" plate where the chef decides what you get. I got a pork chop in curry sauce while my better half was served one of the best fish I ever tasted. This place is a culinary experience and one... more

A bit pricey, overcrowded - you're almost eating on the neighbour's lap. Also noisy. The food is very good but I don't think I'll go back.

I was here once for dinner and once for brunch. Both times the food was extraordinary. The servers are very knowledgeable and while the menu is small there is certainly enough that everyone can find something they want. It is on the pricey side but well worth it. If you have an event worth celebrating or want a special treat this is the perfect spot. You wont be disappointed.

Good food & service, a bit pricey

Our family of 3 went there for breakfast in January of 2014. We sat at the bar as we didn't have a reservation, but found it quite comfortable.
Would give it 5 stars if it was more reasonably priced. $60 for breakfast for 3 is not something we will choose very often.
That said, the food is fresh and tasty,... more

Excellent Food, Average Restaurant

I chose to have a business dinner at Fraser Cafe recently based on the overwhelmingly positive reviews online, and the recommendations of some friends.
Overall, the food lives up to the reputation. The menu was slightly limited, but very quite creative and inspired. I greatly enjoyed my appetizer, and my entree - pictures attached. Among the very best.
The service... more

My new favourite

Well, I lucked into the Fraser Cafe when looking for somewhere for an ex-co-worker and I to have lunch together - somewhere in the middle. Neither of us had been there before, and we were beyond pleasantly surprised - the food was delicious. Perfectly seasoned, I love that the chef is not afraid of salt. And you could see the... more

What a find

This restaurant is very unassuming! We arrived after trying to find a restaurant in the Byward Market and I would encourage you to make the seven (7) minute drive from the market to this gem! The restaurant is small; however, very quaint and the food is fabulous. I had the gnocchi and meatballs which were both homemade! The food was... more

Can I just move in

I've lost count of how many times I've been to Fraser Cafe, but I know that I want to be there a lot more. I've been lucky enough to eat brunch, lunch and dinner there, with just two of us up to a group of eighteen of us, and every visit has been incredible. The decor, the service and the... more

Excellent service - amazing food

My wife and I, together with another couple decided to try Fraser Cafe on the recommendation of a friend. We were not disappointed! Our wives each ordered the Seared Sea Scallops and they both loved their meals. The 'males' ordered the soup of the day as a starter. It was a roasted celery root that was absolutely perfect. I often... more

Great

Very good variety of dishes. Everything our table had was delicious and well presented. Reservations suggested. Parking an issue.

Absolutely loved this brunch spot

This was probably one of the best brunches I've ever had! Coming from Toronto, we have a lot of decent brunch spots ourselves. We ordered 4 plates of food for 3 people because everything looked so good and we wanted to try the most that we can while we're there. I got the eggs benny, it came with potatoes and... more

A Lovely Experience

I have had brunch at the Fraser Cafe but this was my first time for dinner. The food was delicious and the ambience and service excellent. My husband and daughter deemed the chef's surprise to be wonderful while my steak was cooked to perfection. Reservations are definitely a must! Will definitely return!

soo good

Went here with my wife and it was one of the best meals we have had in Otttawa. The resturahte in not to big nor to small and the atmosphere is nice. We got seated right away without reservation. We got tuna for our app and then we decided to leave it to the chef on what to eat. They... more

Went for brunch. I enjoyed scrambled eggs, as well as the atmosphere. I recommend reserving a table before going to the cafe, as you might miss the good spots.

Very Good Brunch Venue

Very good brunch venue within a short distance from the byward market.
Food: Menu is seasonal and creative, yet there is comfort food for brunch (which I always welcome). The whole wheat & yoghurt pancakes were delicious. Recommend the daily smoothie as well.
Service: Above average. Reservation strongly required. We had to change table 10 minutes after sitting down as... more

Awesome food

This restaurant was recommended by a friend and we were not disappointed! Loved the menu options dishes were creative and very tasty. Restaurant was busy so recommend to make reservations in advance. Service was very good! We will be back :)

Good cauliflower soup

Bustling warm little restaurant to go to on a snowy winters night. Tasty items to order from the menu which were attractively presented and served nice and hot. Coffee however was only luke warm and a bit of a disappointment at the end of the meal. Recommend ordering tea instead of coffee. It was hot and served in a teapot.... more

Took my husband for his birthday and although the food was decent, it was not memorable by any stretch of the imagination. Good quality of ingredients, presentation is clumsy at times, attentive service; perfect for an evening with friends in a warm and lively (not to say noisy) atmosphere. It was ok bistro food with a limited menu which gave me the impression that it was meant to fool you into... more

Great restaurant

We have gone as two couples to this restaurant several times. It is across town but we think it is great so don't hesitate to drive over to it. Meals are good with appropriate portions. The place is always busy. Seating can be tight and could be noisy if a larger group is on one side. However we always have... more

The food at this restaurant was to die for, 5 stars. I went for dinner with a friend and both of us were blown away at how delicious everything was. Fresh, seasoned and cooked to perfection. Probably one of the best restaurant dinners I have ever had since I moving to Ottawa 12 years ago.

If you like quiet and/or spacious restaurants, this place is not for you. The atmosphere is quaint,... more

Always a gem

My wife, friends and I had a pre-Christmas dinner at Fraser, always in our Top 5 in Ottawa. Once again, stellar food and service. It's one of the only places I've ever done the Chef's Choice for the main and each time they've outdone themselves... This time around, a lingcod with mussels in a coconut, red pepper broth. My wife... more

Great food & ambience + excellent service

We went for brunch on the recommendation of friends. The food, ambience and service were all top notch! Definitely a place to visit but make reservation as it was busy!

Table 40 at Fraser Cafe

This is a review of the place next door to Fraser Café that is only open on Monday nights and serviced by the same kitchen. The idea is to have a casual meal in a communal setting. The food and service are of a very high standard though and the meal scores extremely highly on the value for money scale.... more

If you love great food you MUST try this place

I ate here at a special function so I don't know the price but the food is worth skipping a mortgage payment if you have to.

Post Holiday Find

We went here on the recommendation of good friends and were not disappointed with service or food. Our waiter was a very engaging gentleman who suggested the "kitchen surprise". It was excellent as we were in the capable hands of the chef and our server!
We even went with his suggestion for a wine pairing which not only complimented two... more

More good food than I had anticipated

We had an excellent lunch the other day. Although the menu has only about ten items on it, there is something for all tastes, and the helpings are more than adequate. We had excellent service.

Lunch

Stopped in for lunch and ordered the Hamburger, which came with a side of fries ( perfect not greasy) and mixed green salad in a light vinaigrette. Partner ordered salad with pancetta, which was excellent. Service was good, friendly and not rushed. Good wine/drink selection. Noticed many other dishes being served around us that all looked great. Small restaurant, reservations... more

Tasty Lunch Exceptional Service

Arrived on a Friday for our 1pm resevation. 10 at the table enjoyed every dish ordered, including dessert. Service was exceptional. No complaints here. Will be returning next week.

Excellent Food and Service

Three friends dined here and all of us enjoyed our food very much.The menu is rather limited but all our choices in appetizers and mains were very well prepared and presented.The restaurant was very busy when we dined there and it was a Tuesday night.That alone is unusual in Ottawa! Service by a young wait staff was friendly, and efficient.... more

Nice Brunch Menu, Not Much Taste

I finally got a reservation at Fraser's for Sunday brunch after trying for several weeks. It was not worth the effort. The place was packed at 11:30 when we arrived. Nice interior with three separate eating areas including the bar. The acoustics are poor as it was very noisy from all the conversations. Nice waitress, very friendly and helpful. The... more

too salty

Went here in Sept. for dinner second time at restaurant. The first time was great not the second one though. Apps were good but had the surprise main course wife,s was okey but my Pickerel was way too salty which destroyed the dish. Complained to the server and she said she would tell the chef which did not help me... more

This place gets better with every visit

This was my third meal at Fraser Café, all for dinner. Service is efficient and very knowledgeable. The food is beyond reproach with generous but not overwhelming portions. The drinks menu offers some very interesting (read: unusual) cocktails that are worth a try. The place is very popular so dinner reservations, even for a Wednesday night, are a must. The... more

Table 40 is an Experience (A Wonderful one

We took friends for dinner to Table 40 (Monday nights at Fraser Cafe). The menu is fixed but is available on line a month ahead of time. The food is local and very special. The staff are well trained and friendly and EXCELLENT.
Food is served by course on massive trays made of wooden slices from large recovered trees (as... more

What a brunch

My family had an excellent breakfast / brunch this Sunday at Fraser Cafe. The staff were friendly and efficient despite the fact the place was packed. Make a reservation.
I got to try the Poached Eggs Benedict as well as the Huevos Rancheros, and the food was delightful. The plates were colourful and well-balanced, a pleasure to see as well... more

What a find

Tucked away in a suburb of Ottawa and looking from the outside, just a café, once inside, well decorated and comfy with a buzz about the place. We went early but still very busy and staff very attentive.
Food great but quite dear, wine list dear.
Small menu but everything freshly cooked and the chef has also a mystery menu... more

Great brunch

We went for brunch on the weekend and quite enjoyed it. The menu had a nice selection and all of us enjoyed our choices; the huevos rancheros and the eggs Benedict were excellent. Service was fine, she gave us enough attention but didn't crowd us.
Would go back for another brunch some weekend!

One of the best meals ever

We ate at the Fraser Cafe last year with our friends who were visiting from overseas. Wow! It definitely exceeded our expectations. My husband and his friend went for the chef's special which is a surprise creation made by the kitchen. They received 2 different dishes which were both outstanding and in presentation and taste! The only complaint I would... more

Never a disapointment

My boyfriend and I have visited Fraser Cafe several times now for brunch, lunch and dinner and everytime has been wonderful. The staff are helpful and attentive. The dishes are great, weve had a variety of different dishes like the crock monsieur, eggs benedict, huevos rancheros, okonomiyaki, house cheeseburger, scallops, duck and others. We've enjoyed every single one of them,... more

Great Food

A recent dinner at Fraser's was excellent. I have the scallops which were perfectly done served on a curry sauce with assorted vegetables and baby potatoes. Just the right serving size. And everything was extremely tasty. Dessert was a fruit crumble served with ginger ice cream. Yummy as well. My friend was equally impressed. This is not the first time... more

Friendly Fraser

We recently enjoyed a delicious brunch at the Fraser Cafe! My husband and daughter had the huevos rancheros and my son-in-law the breakfast sandwich. They all said their food was delicious and the portions generous and nicely presented. I had the whole-wheat, yogurt pancake with fruit compote which was truly yummy! Service was friendly and casual and the ambience Inviting.... more

Great food and service in an unexpected neighbourhood

We heard about this cafe, so wanted to try it. We read about the roast chicken for 2 and how wonderful it was so this was on the menu for us. We were told that it takes 45 minutes from ordering to arrival at table and it worked exactly like that. We had oysters for starters while we waited. Presentation... more

Great time w/friends

Ate here on Saturday evening with friends. Oysters were excellent to start, and 3 of 4 ordered "chef surprise" and received outstanding, different meals not on the menu. Definitely worth a chance if you are not leaning toward a particular dish...we received coconut crusted salmon, braised Cornish hen & short rib braised in broth with mixed veggies. All awesome!
Service... more

Pretty happy, will return

I have heard such great reviews of this place so I was pretty excited to give it a try. Unfortunately, we were a bit late on making reservations so we got 'table' (high and miniature table) by the bar, but I guess it's our fault for not reserving earlier. Good thing for them obviously, especially on a Tuesday night. The... more

Superb food and service

We had a meal with family in this restaurant and it was by far the best meal we had in Ottawa. My sister had the 'Kitchen surprise' which was delicious, I had a wonderful striploin steak. All four meals were excellent. The service was friendly and efficient. Definitely five star.

Really enjoy the brunch at Fraser Café -- the huevos rancheros are just one of many excellent choices. I'd highly recommend checking it out, it's an excellent little spot.

Excellent food quality and flavor

Very nice atmosphere, not too crowded. Very nice and simple menu. Always go for the chef's surprise, they will consider your allergies and preferences, but you never know what you will get. Never been disappointed. Brought friends and family and most went back. Would highly recommend.

Worth a visit 3.5 stars - Funky choices on menu

Went with friends and had a pretty decent brunchish meal. I had the Okonimiyaki which was not very well described and so a bit of a surprise, heavier and larger than I anticipated/wanted but tasty .
It was a (thickish) veggie and bacon pancake with miso-dressed salad, hoisin and an egg on top. My companion had Huevos Rancheros which were... more

Actually 2.5 to be generous

Way too much going on on each plate. Kitchen would fare a lot better by reducing number of ingredients at play in every menu item. This is nouveau gone wild. Local sourcing is good. The ambience is extremely loud, mostly due to music played way too loudly which detracts from not adds to the atmosphere; and because of all the... more

Lovely Brunch Location

I was in the Beechwood Village area on a recent Saturday and stumbled on the Fraser Cafe. What a delighful surprise. I had the Japanese pancake and it was delishes - a light, savoury pancake made with vegetables and bacon with a sweet hoisen sauce, served with a fried egg and a green salad with miso dressing, The bacon was... more

Kitchen's Choice did not disappoint for a special occasion

My husband and I came here in March for my 30th birthday. Full disclosure: we know one of the kitchen staff and he has been encouraging us to come for a while but we have kids and getting out of the house can be challenging... We finally decided to try it out, and we weren't disappointed. When we mentioned that... more

Absolutely remarkable

One of the most memorable meals in Ottawa since I moved here in 2005. The food and service was nothing short of amazing. The menu was limited but well rounded. I chose the "kitchen's choice" for my main and was pleasantly surprised. What was served to me was two lamb medallions served on asparagus and homemade pasta. This was served... more

Top Experience

I have never eaten better than I have at Fraser's Cafe. I thought I hated white beans - then I found myself wanting to lick my plate clean which had contained white beans (it went with my fish). I held back from licking my plate - painstakingly. If you have not been here before, it is absolutely worth the visit.

Try the kitchen's choice

I went here June 2013. We started with an imported cheese plate and it was delicious. I ordered scallops for my entree and it was decent, I found the scallops to be a bit cold. My boyfriend ordered the kitchen's choice and it was delicious! He received: perfectly cooked lamb on top of a crepe that had goat cheese and... more

Wonderful food

As others have noted there is a noisy, busy atmosphere. That said, it is the happy noise of people enjoying good food and the company of friends. We loved the food...fresh ingredients...perfectly prepared. It is expensive but a nice treat.

Fraser has a great buzz about it: fun to be there

Went there for lunch. It was my second time and the place doesn't disappoint. There is a wonderful buzz there. It is noisy but a good noisy. Service is excellent as is the food. There were 4 of us and we all had something different and everyone was happy with their choices.

Fabulous place

I've been to Fraser Cafe a number of times, mostly for brunch, and it's always been excellent. But what prompted this review was my last visit on Mother's Day for dinner. It was just spectacular.
It started with the appetizers. My wife had a beet salad that she loved. I tried and thought it was pretty good. What makes pretty... more

Little place with great food

I tried this place for the first time a coupe of days ago. This is a nice little local place located between Vanier and Rockcliff. The place is quiet small so it is better to reserve if you are a large group or if you intend to visit during a busy time. All items on the menu appear very interesting... more

Adjoined to Fraser's Cafe but NOT THE SAME VENUE.

Full review coming soon.

Decor is nice and they make a very credible martini. Food is mostly excellent but the jam-packed tables make the place too darned noisy. Neighbours with voices like Foghorn Leghorn on either side of us made it impossible for my friend and I to hear each other, even seated 24 inches apart. We sat mutely, drinking, until the din subsided. I guess this is an efficient way to get drunk, but didn't... more

I must declare a bias before reviewing Fraser Cafe. I have grown to love this place after three visits and a bonus trip to Table 40 a few months ago. It starts with the service (shouldn't it always start there?). Waiters and servers are comfortable with themselves, they know their menu and they are always up for some banter, if that's what you need to do. Before finally ordering, I have a very... more

Well, this place was certainly a surprising delight to me! We got to this neighbourhood around 5:15pm - too early for our planned 7:00pm evening get together, so decided to try out this unassuming little restaurant beforehand, especially as it was recommended by one of our colleagues who would be in attendance at our later event. This restaurant doesn't have a lot of curb appeal - meaning that... more

I can't comment on anything more than the Sunday Brunch as that's all I've tried. We try different brunch locations around the City every week, so I'm only comparing to what it's competition seems to provide that they don't. Sat in a tiny table for two next to the door, every single person coming in the door slammed, a tad annoying but whatever. There was a lovely table for 2 literally right... more

Just go. It's worth it. A reservation is always best, but sometimes they can slip you in at the bar.

Get the Chef's Special!

Excellent food, great service and good wine. The weekend brunch is also excellent. Only downfall is it can get a bit loud.

My husband and I went to Ottawa to visit friends for the weekend. Our friends made a reservation at the Fraser Cafe and sent me a link so I could look at the menu. I was dubious -- there was nothing vegetarian among the mains, but apparently there was always a vegetarian pasta (not on the menu) and a vegetarian "special surprise". As I do not like to be reduced always to pasta at restaurants... more

Ate here once for dinner (so far) - had the chefs special (you leave your meal choice completely at the discretion of the chef/kitchen) - it was AH-maz-ING! I would tell you all about what I ate - but its was one of a kind - so even if you wanted to order it you couldn't... so why should I tease you - that wouldn't be fair ;)

Have no clue about the rest of the menu but how can it possibly be... more

What a really nice fun spot. When you walk through the doors you get to see the kitchen on stage. This focal point is surrounded by a cool, relaxed atmosphere.

We were sat promptly and water was delivered. Service seemed a little bit too relaxed at first but I think it was actually just a non stiff version of attentive. We were offered drinks but just grabbed a sparkling water and ordered our... more

We had a reservation at Fraser Cafe recently and I was excited to check it out for the first time ever.

I'll start by saying our service...was a little sketchy the whole day. The place was kind of busy but not really if you know what I mean?

Huevos Rancheros on the menu? SOLD! It's one of my top 5 breakfasts with eggs and they didn't have any home made bacon to try so its automatic for me.
... more

My favorite restaurant in Ottawa. I tried it 1.5 years ago, so I don't know if the service/quality has changed. I will say I had an amazing meal. I tried several appetizers and two main dishes and one dessert as well as sipped on a great bottle of wine.

Everything was cooked to perfection and the dishes were a bit creative. The ingredients were all top notch. The lamb sirloin was the best lamb... more

3 1/2 stars really - this is a decent neighborhood place but nothing to write home about.

On the positive side, the restaurant itself is nice. It has a modern, sleek industrial feel and great ambiance. The service is great too. My husband enjoyed his chicken and rib entre and pasta and meat ball appetizer.

Now, for the not so positive:
I wasn't excited by the entre items on the menu. But, not... more

Fraser Cafe is a nice spot. It's overrated. One of the alleged selling points is the chef's choice menus. Staff portrays this option as the product of a burst of on-the-spot creative energy. It's not. It's a series of rotating specials that, for whatever reason, the restaurant chooses not to describe as such.

The first point, then, is that you might be disappointed when you're served exactly... more

My favourite place for brunch. Fresh, ingenious breakfast with a mimosa? Yes, please! The look is cool and fresh and the staff is friendly and clear. The chocolate chip banana bread is a must.

Excellent service! Great food! Unfortunate to have a voluble blowhard sitting at the adjacent table. He was very loud! Recommend you reserve in advance.

Read the reviews had the kitchen choice for both app and main. Fan-frickn-tastic, probably one of the best meals in a long time. i had the chef's special - basically he picks what he wants to make me....hehe....he sent me curried lamb chops.....mmmmm....so good. gotta go back soon.

I love this restaurant for several reasons. First for it's proximity to my house! I haven't had such find dining so near before--and it is nice to have a restaurant in a neighbourhood-type area.

The Fraser Cafe uses seasonal and fresh ingredients in it's dishes-hence the slogan "a seasonal kitchen".

I went here for brunch-my favorite meal. My friend, who is a sommelier, ordered us kir and... more

Okay, back up to 5 stars. Great dinner the other night. Absolutely spectacular meal. Start to finish.

Excellent resto in the heart of New Edinburgh village. Worth the 20 min walk from the downtown/Byward Market core. This is a happening spot with great food and ambiance. Reservations may be required.

Excellent food (although small selection) - you won't be disappointed by your meal! I loved the soup, and the brownie dessert. The scallops were quite good (but not the best I've ever tasted). The restaurant is small and casual, so reserve early. Recommended!

A wonderful eclectic restaurant with a small menu that should have something for everyone. If you are adventurous, do not hesitate to get the kitchen specials. Each one was unique and very flavourful. Great service and nice ambiance.

A breath of fresh food!

What a delight it is to try a new restaurant and leave singing its praises. That’s exactly what happened when a colleague and I decided to take a chance on a place that we had not been to before but had been hearing the buzz about for some time. The Cafe is a real gem. The Fraser brothers have created an island of exotic tastes in the heart of New Edinburgh’s trendy resto/shopping street and... more