Where to Eat Russian Food in Ottawa: 5 Top Spots

Ottawa has a solid Russian dining scene. Here are the best bets for borscht, pelmeni, and vodka rituals:

1. Troika Restaurant – Classic, cozy. Borscht, pelmeni, beef stroganoff, blini, kvass. Live music weekends. (Centretown)
2. The Russian Tea Room – Tea-focused. Russian teas, pirozhki (stuffed buns), syrniki (cheese pancakes), pastries. Light fare, cultural vibe. (Centretown)
3. Café Pouchkine – Modern, elegant. Blinis with caviar, vareniki (dumplings), updated classics. French-Russian fusion. (ByWard Market)
4. Stolichnaya Restaurant – Casual, hearty. Borscht, pelmeni, golubtsy (cabbage rolls), shashlik. Vodka flights. (Nepean)
5. Russian Soul Food – Comfort food focus. Borscht, pelmeni, pirozhki, kasha. Unpretentious, generous portions. (Kanata)

What to Order

• Starters: Herring under fur coat (shuba), zakuski (vodka snacks), Olivier salad.
• Mains: Pelmeni (meat dumplings), vareniki (potato/cheese/cherry), stroganoff, kotlety (cutlets), holubtsi.
• Drink: Vodka (chilled, straight), kvass (fermented bread drink), mors (berry juice).

Tip: Check hours—some close Monday/Tuesday. Reservations recommended weekends.