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
Parking: We’ve consistently found available parking on Metcalfe Street. Alternatively, you may find parking in the neighborhood.
Hours: Gitanes closes between 10 PM and 11 PM, depending on the day of the week. Visit here early if you plan to bar hop on Elgin Street.
Gitanes opened in 2019 on Elgin Street in Ottawa’s Golden Triangle neighborhood, in the very space where Oz Kafe charmed Ottawans for over a decade. With its own brand of French-inspired sophistication, it has established itself as 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.
The space is divided into three sections — the main dining room, a semi-private champagne room, and a cocktail area. Each feels distinct yet cohesive.
The dining room is anchored by a dramatic pink quartzite waterfall island, where the kitchen staff put 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 an electricity in the air, the noise of a room working at capacity without tipping into chaos.
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, tea candles glowing at each table. The atmosphere feels intimate but never claustrophobic. The soundtrack alternates between smooth jazz and the Buena Vista Social Club, lending a nostalgic 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 room 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. On entry, we were greeted promptly and guided to our seats. Water is offered immediately and refilled with quiet attentiveness throughout the evening. The staff’s attire is sharp but not ostentatious, with the kitchen team uniformly in black.
At the bar, Cory Contini was attentive and guided us through the flavor profiles of various cocktails to help us 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 carefully curated, with no repetitive or bottom-shelf spirits used. It 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, priced between $16 and $23, includes seven signature drinks 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$), a spicy margarita with in-house serrano and pomegranate syrup.
Highlights from our visit included:
East of Eden (23$): this cocktail balanced fruity and sour notes with a touch of sweetness. The mezcal lent a smoky profile to the taste of the drink while the absinthe added a licorice scent before the first sip. Crushed ice kept the drink refreshing while a grapefruit wedge garnish added brightness.
Rumble In The Jungle (18$): this cocktail sat somewhere between a mai tai, a piña colada, and a New York sour. The crushed ice and mini-umbrella gave it tropical vibes, as well as the combined coconut milk and orange juice, which resulted in a pineapple-coconut flavor. The float of red wine was a beautiful touch, mimicking a sunset. A rum “sunset” to rival the tequila sunrise.
Art Basil (18$): This was an elegant cocktail. Gin infused in-house wth butterfly pea flower is employed, giving the drink a purple hue. The basil’s fresh herbaceous punch paired seamlessly with the gin’s botanical notes, balanced by floral and citrus undertones. Garnished with a fresh blossom, it was both playful and elegant. Conceptually, it made me think of a basil smash, strained into a coupe glass.
After the bar, we made our way to the dining room. There, our drinking needs were 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 enjoyed exploring his wine recommendations at Stolen Goods, but it’s so 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), we opted for the tasting menu ($105): seven courses designed to showcase the kitchen’s range. The progression was thoughtful, alternating richness with brightness:
Salmon Crudo — clean, silky, lifted with orange slices and fresh dill as a garnish.
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.
An evening at Gitanes feels like stepping into Ottawa’s culinary maturity. It is rare to find a restaurant that so easily balances refinement with playfulness. The space is striking yet welcoming, with a brass-and-wood cocktail lounge that feels intimate without pretension and a dining room that hums with energy. The service was exemplary: attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in the guest experience, with Bernard offering some of the city’s finest wine guidance. The cocktail program is clever without being gimmicky, delivering balance and elegance in every glass. We look forward to spending more evenings at Gitanes’ brass bar, enjoying the music, the libations, and the steak frites.