Restaurants near Lowertown

So we only order the starters which were crazy good! We had crab bites that I 100% recommend !!, we had whipped feta , gyosa and the sliders ! Overall a good 9/10 for all of those. We were filled! The portions were generous and Arianna, our waitress was so quick and friendly. The Dj was doing his thing too.

Amazing, interesting food and so many gluten-free options! I have to go back because I wanted to order everything. The gluten-free bread with the wonderful smoked eggplant dip was shockingly good. The cabbage-tofu dish was lovely, as was the brown butter halloumi. I'd suggest sharing the halloumi and pairing it with something lighter, as it is a lot of cheese. The prices were reasonable and the service friendly. And they let you make a reservation for the patio. Ember sets the bar high and then surpasses it. I hope that other restaurants take a page out of their book.

Far too noisy for a group of friends wanting to chat.

Great menu and their happy hour is the best happy hour in terms of food and beverage offerings. The dining area attendants are exceptional and the kitchen staff is equally good because the food is pretty and delicious.

We stumbled into Bar Ocelli on a date night in January—and it instantly became a favourite. Tia welcomed us with the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like you’re a regular, even if it’s your first visit. And then there’s Isaac—the bartender who quickly became our absolute favourite in the city. Watching him craft cocktails is like witnessing poetry in motion. You can feel how much he loves what he does, and that passion shows up in every pour, every garnish, every sip. We went back a couple weeks ago before heading to Ember (also incredible), and again last night with girlfriends, and every single time the moment we walked through the door, Tia and Isaac greeted us like old friends. That feeling? It’s rare—and we love it. Bar Ocelli is a gem in the Byward Market. Cozy, stylish, soulful—and home to two of the best in the business. We’ll be back again and again.