Ciao Italia

4.7 ( 406 reviews )
641 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 5J6, Canada
+1 613-238-3230

Ciao Italia, located at 641 Somerset St W in Ottawa, stands out with its warm ambiance and welcoming service. Patrons rave about the delightful dining experience, beginning with complimentary hot breads paired with balsamic vinegar and oil. Reviews highlight the delicious bruschetta as a must-try starter, while pasta dishes, particularly the manicotti and seafood risotto, shine with perfectly cooked textures and rich, flavorful sauces.

Guests have consistently praised owner and head chef Alessandro for his attentive service, enhancing the overall dining experience. The restaurant manages to maintain its charm even during busy nights, despite the heat waves affecting the atmosphere. The mention of halal options adds an inclusive touch to its menu, making it suitable for diverse diners. Desserts like the pistachio ricotta cheesecake leave a lasting impression, rounding out a satisfying meal perfectly.

Ciao Italia is celebrated not just for its exquisite cuisine but also for creating a sense of community. Whether it’s a romantic dinner or a family outing, this gem encapsulates the essence of authentic Italian hospitality, making it a must-visit destination for any food lover in Ottawa.

Amenities and More

  • Service options
    • Offers kerbside pickup
    • Has no-contact delivery
    • Offers delivery
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
  • Highlights
    • Serves great cocktails
    • Has great wine list
    • Good for watching sport
  • Popular for
    • Popular for lunch
    • Popular for dinner
    • Good for solo dining
  • Offerings
    • Serves alcohol
    • Has all you can eat
    • Serves beer
    • Serves cocktails
    • Serves coffee
    • Serves halal food
    • Serves healthy options
    • Serves late-night food
    • Serves small plates
    • Serves spirits
    • Serves vegan dishes
    • Serves vegetarian dishes
    • Serves wine
  • Dining options
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dinner
    • Has catering
    • Has counter service
    • Serves dessert
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has bar on site
    • Has toilet
    • Has Wi-Fi
    • Free Wi-Fi
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Quiet
    • Romantic
    • Trendy
  • Crowd
    • Family friendly
    • Good for groups
    • LGBTQ+ friendly
    • Popular with tourists
    • Transgender safe space
  • Planning
    • Dinner reservations recommended
    • Accepts reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
  • Parking
    • Free of charge street parking
    • Paid street parking
    • Plenty of parking

Reviews For Ciao Italia

Roxane Matin
Jul 1,2025
Complimentary hot breads and oil/balsamic vinegar were offered. We ordered bruschetta as well which was very nice. Also opted for some pastas and wines (Chianti and Pinot Grigio). It was during the extreme hot wave last night so the AC was probably struggling to keep the place cool. Plus it was a full house which means the kitchen was cooking non-stop as well. We got lucky to be seated as we didn’t have a reservation and I it two tables of two were remaining at 5:45 PM
Vee Fox
Jun 9,2025
Amazing food! I had the manicotti and it was fantastic. The pasta was cooked perfectly and the sauce was delicious and very flavourful. I would completely recommend this place to anyone looking for a nice dinner out.
Blackwidow68 Blackwidow68
May 27,2025
First time dining at this restaurant and I have to say..Amazing! From the time we opened the door and entered, we felt very welcomed. During the whole dining experience we loved it all. Must visit restaurant!
Taha Zaidi
May 19,2025
Hands down one of the best Italian spots in Ottawa. We had their bruschetta appetizer, seafood risotto and gamberetto linguini as the entree and the pistachio ricotta cheesecake. They were all exquisite. The gentleman serving us kept checking up on us and was very helpful in explaining that they had halal chicken and meatball options. Would definitely recommend.
Louis Cormier
May 2,2025
Alessandro, the owner and head chef, took amazing care of us on a late Sunday night. We were extremely impressed by his service, and the food was spectacular. All the flavours for our mains were on point, I loved the ceasar salad and the bread too. There is nothing I can fault here, we will be back very soon! If you love italian food as much as I do, you should make this your next destination!! I can honestly say Ciao Italia is one of my new favourite restaurants in Ottawa!
Sam Mohr
Apr 25,2025
Absolutely blown away by this charming Italian gem! The lasagna was hands-down the best I’ve ever had—layers of rich, savory sauce, perfectly cooked pasta, and creamy cheese that melted in every bite. And the tiramisu? Pure heaven—light, velvety, and just the right amount of sweetness. What truly set the experience apart, though, was the incredible hospitality. The owner personally welcomed us, made thoughtful recommendations, and made us feel like family. You can really feel the passion and pride in both the food and the service. A true taste of Italy with heart. I’ll be back again and again!
Princess Espiritu
Mar 24,2025
Me and my partner celebrated our first anniversary here and its the best choice. The food was fantastic, the server was great, very friendly and has a great customer service.. Very nice and accommodating owner.. Definitely will be back here.
Frederick Tremblay
Mar 18,2025
This is the closest we've found to recreate our beautiful trip to italy that we had last year. The service was impeccable and we will be returning soon with family and friends. Our waiter was very passionate and we were happily surprised to find out he was also the owner. Great restaurant.

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