A polished service, a stellar cocktail and wine program, and a warm atmosphere in one of the city’s most beloved restaurants.
Gitanes
361 Elgin
Tuesday to Thursday 5:30 PM to 10 PM
Friday & Saturday 5:30 PM to 11 PM
Closed on Mondays
Gitanes opened its doors in 2019 on Elgin Street, taking over the address where Oz Kafe charmed Ottawa for more than a decade. With a distinctly French-inspired sense of style, Gitanes quickly became one of the city’s most beloved restaurants and earned recognition on the national stage as one of Canada’s best.
To understand Gitanes’ identity, one must first consider its lineage. At the time of Gitanes’ conception, its sister restaurant (Common Eatery) had existed since 2016, a block away. That restaurant served excellent food and some of Ottawa’s best cocktails. Back then, smoked cocktails were all the craze. I remember Common Eatery’s bartender Jason Frederick’s perfectly concocted bourbon-forward tea-smoked cocktail “For the Love of Wakanda” which won People’s Choice at the 2018 Made With Love competition.
Common Eatery eventually ceded its place, transforming first into a Gitanes Burger pop-up before becoming GBurger, which recently relocated to Westboro. But their spirit of experimentation and respect for craft cocktails was a precursor to today’s cocktail program at Gitanes.
The space is divided into three sections — the main dining room, a semi-private champagne room, and a cocktail area.
The dining room is anchored by a dramatic pink quartzite waterfall island, where the kitchen staff puts finishing touches on dishes in plain view of diners. Watching the chefs move in sync, working with the precision of a skilled surgeon, is as much a part of the experience as the meal itself. There is electricity in the air, the noise of a room working at capacity.
The cocktail area is a masterpiece, designed with both form and function in mind: a shiny brass bar counter, heavy wooden shelves backlit to showcase an extensive selection of spirits, and tea candles glowing at each table. The atmosphere is intimate. The soundtrack alternates between smooth jazz and the Buena Vista Social Club, lending a charm that softened the restaurant’s sleek edges.
Patrons reflected the same balance: some are dressed to the nines, others in casual attire, yet the restaurant felt cohesive. It is not easy to design a restaurant where champagne drinkers and sneaker-wearers both feel at home, but Gitanes succeeds.
The service at Gitanes is impeccable, hors pair. The staff’s attire is sharp, with the kitchen team uniformly in black.
At the bar, Cory Contini attentively guides guests through the flavour profiles of various cocktails to help decide what to drink. A veteran in Ottawa’s bar scene, Cory is behind one of Ottawa’s most iconic and Instagrammed cocktails of all time: “The Statesman” at Zoe’s Lounge. I can’t count how many times I’ve seen that particular cocktail in my feed over the years!
The seasonally changing cocktail menu is built on premium spirits and several in-house syrups, infusions, and tinctures, such as cob bitters, root beer bitters, corn syrup, and more. The menu includes seven signature drinks priced between $16 and $23 and three no-ABV options ($9 to $15). Each cocktail is accompanied by tasting notes, and all are served in appropriate, often striking glassware with garnishes that are as intentional as the recipes themselves. Gitanes also has an extensive selection of wines and spirits.
Among their craft cocktails are some interesting riffs on the classics: the Kill Dill Vol. 2 (19$), a dirty martini made with vodka infused in-house with dill, garlic, black pepper, and bay leaves alongside in-house chili and blue cheese oil; the Shawinigan Handshake (from the summer 2025 menu), a seasonally-available Manhattan made with Ottawa distiller’s North of 7 whisky and infused with local strawberries; and the Nouveau Riche (18$), a spicy margarita with in-house serrano and pomegranate syrup.
East of Eden (23$): this cocktail balances fruity and sour notes with a touch of sweetness. The mezcal lends a smoky profile to the drink, while the absinthe adds a licorice scent before the first sip. Crushed ice keeps the drink refreshing, while a grapefruit wedge garnish adds brightness.
Art Basil (18$): An elegant cocktail. Gin infused in-house wth butterfly pea flower gives the drink a purple hue. The basil’s fresh herbaceous punch pairs seamlessly with the gin’s botanical notes, balanced by floral and citrus undertones. Garnished with a fresh blossom, it is both playful and elegant. Conceptually, it made me think of a basil smash, strained into a coupe glass.
In the dining room, drinking needs are cared for by Bernard Joseph Lemoyne, Gitanes’ sommelier and general manager. Known in Ottawa dining circles as “Mr. 2 AM,” Bernard is a rising star whose reputation was built at Atelier, where he worked with award-winning chef & owner Marc Lepine. His wine knowledge is encyclopedic, but what sets him apart is his ability to translate that knowledge into approachable, memorable recommendations. We enjoy exploring his wine recommendations at Stolen Goods, and it’s great to have direct access to his wine knowledge at Gitanes.
While their à la carte menu features standouts like their popular steak frites ($45), opt for the tasting menu ($105) to get the full experience: seven courses designed to showcase the kitchen’s range. The progression is thoughtful, alternating richness with brightness:
Beef Tartare — robust, sharpened by grated parmesan, crunch, and a small amount of aged cheese on the side.
Cacio e Pepe — a nod to Italian simplicity, rich yet balanced.
Tomato Salad — refreshing acidity, a palate cleanser. Served with candy-red bacon and a bit of blue cheese.
Foie Sundae — an audacious day-one item at Gitanes: Foie gras reimagined as dessert.
Nice to know: Every Thursday, Gitanes serves 30$ steak frites and a $12 glass of Pot de Vin.
[…] found within casual fine-dining restaurants rather than standalone bars. Places such as Riviera, Gitanes, Le Poisson Bleu, Sussex & Co., Ember, and Mati are good examples of a model that pairs refined […]