Gitanes
Golden Triangle, Ottawa
Restaurant in Ottawa, Canada
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$100–150per person
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Gitanes is a strong Elgin Street pick for a polished Ottawa dinner, especially when wine is part of the reason to go. Star Wine List recognition in 2026 gives it a clearer trust signal than casual nearby options, making it better for dates, celebrations, and business meals than quick weeknight grazing.
About Gitanes
In Ottawa, Gitanes is best considered for an evening dinner when the plan calls for a more deliberate outing. Its smart casual dress code, Tuesday-to-Saturday evening hours, and Star Wine List recognition in 2026 make it a strong fit for that kind of plan. Menu, price, and service details are worth checking directly before committing if those specifics will shape the night.
Gitanes works best as the anchor for the evening rather than a stop before another plan. It is closed Sunday and Monday, opens at 5:30 PM Tuesday through Saturday, and closes at 10 PM Tuesday through Thursday and 10:30 PM Friday and Saturday. For a first visit, plan around those evening hours and the smart casual dress code.
Use it for a considered Ottawa dinner
The strongest reason to shortlist Gitanes is the Star Wine List recognition in 2026. That does not spell out every detail of the beverage list, menu, or price point, but it is a useful outside signal for diners who care about wine as part of an Ottawa dinner choice.
A practical comparison strategy is simple: choose Gitanes when the evening should feel more planned, and look to other options when the mood is more casual. For a different kind of outing, Gburger - Gitanes Burger, El Camino (Elgin), Rosetti Pizzeria, Elgin Street Diner, or Pure Kitchen Elgin may fit better depending on the occasion.
Where it fits in an Ottawa night out
For readers building a fuller Ottawa shortlist, Gitanes belongs in the city's more deliberate dinner lane. For broader planning, use Our full Ottawa restaurants guide, then pair dinner with Our full Ottawa bars guide if the evening continues elsewhere.
The decision is direct: choose Gitanes when an Ottawa dinner should be planned around evening hours, smart casual dress, and a recognized wine-list signal. Skip it when the night calls for lunch, Sunday or Monday dining, or a quick, highly flexible meal.
As with any dinner choice, match the venue to the job. Gitanes is worth shortlisting when the job is an Ottawa dinner and the details line up with your timing and expectations.
Planning details
- Location
- 361 Elgin St Unit #6, Ottawa, ON K2P 1M7, Canada
- Reservations
- Book on the venue's website
- Website
- gitanes.co
- Phone
- +1 613-562-0699
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Gitanes presents an understated, wine-forward take on French dining tucked into Elgin Street’s quieter stretch. The writing highlights a considered wine list — awarded a Star Wine List White Star — which shapes the room’s personality: restrained, attentive and geared toward guests who linger over glass and plate. The menu nods to classic bistro fare, with signature dishes such as steak frites and crab spaghetti anchoring a steady, familiar backbone. Overall the impression is sophisticated and quietly confident rather than flashy, a place where provenance and curation matter as much as the cooking.
Best For
This is a restaurant for lingering dinners and measured wine exploration. The White Star recognition signals depth and range on the list, so Gitanes suits diners who want to spend time with bottles, taste deliberately and let the staff guide selections. It’s well suited to intimate evenings, date nights and special-occasion dinners where a two-hour table and thoughtful pairings are part of the plan. The format favors slower-paced meals rather than quick lunches or late-night drops, making it a destination for evening reservations and wine-focused visits.
Ordering Tips
Approach the meal with the wine list in mind: allow extra time to browse or ask the floor team for guidance on regions or producers that complement your choices. The kitchen’s classics—steak frites, crab spaghetti and the seafood platter—are reliable anchors for sharing and pair well with versatile white and red selections; consider ordering them family-style so everyone can sample. Because the program prioritizes curation, be open to by-the-glass suggestions or a bottle recommendation that introduces lesser-known producers; the experience rewards attention to the list.
Venue details
Ambiance
Cozy, intimate Parisian bistro atmosphere with romantic charm, clean open-concept design, and warm lighting that feels luxurious yet relaxed.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Intimate
- Kitchen
- Modern
- Menu Format
- A la carte, Tasting menu
- Wine Program
- Curated
- Drinks Focus
- Wine, Cocktails
- Dietary
- Vegetarian friendly, Allergy accommodating
Signature Dishes
- steak frites
- crab spaghetti
- seafood platter
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 361 Elgin St Unit #6, Ottawa, ON K2P 1M7, Canada
Planning details
Location
361 Elgin St Unit #6, Ottawa, ON K2P 1M7, Canada · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Elgin Street Diner, Notable alternative
- El Camino (Elgin), Notable alternative
- Gburger - Gitanes Burger, Notable alternative
- Rosetti Pizzeria, Notable alternative
- Pure Kitchen Elgin, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How it compares on Elgin Street
Choose Gitanes when the dinner needs to feel polished and wine-led. Compared with Elgin Street Diner, it is the more occasion-ready call; the diner is better for low-pressure comfort food, late casual meals, or a group that does not want a formal-feeling plan.
El Camino (Elgin) and Rosetti Pizzeria are stronger picks for a livelier, more casual night where sharing and flexibility matter. Pure Kitchen Elgin is the better cross-shop for a lighter or more plant-forward meal. If the priority is value, speed, or an easier group compromise, those options may fit better.
Gburger - Gitanes Burger is the obvious fallback when the craving is casual rather than celebratory. Gitanes is the better reservation for a date, anniversary, or business dinner; Gburger is the better move when the night should stay simple.
Explore Ottawa
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Gitanes guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Gitanes
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Gitanes | Ottawa | Star Wine Lists 2026 |
| Elgin Street Diner | Ottawa | No published awards |
| El Camino (Elgin) | Ottawa | No published awards |
| Gburger - Gitanes Burger | Ottawa | No published awards |
| Rosetti Pizzeria | Ottawa | No published awards |
| Pure Kitchen Elgin | Ottawa | No published awards |
How Gitanes Ottawa compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to Gitanes?
Gitanes lists a smart casual dress code, so aim for neat, dinner-ready clothing rather than anything overly casual.
What are alternatives to Gitanes in Ottawa?
For a quicker or more casual option, Elgin Street Diner, El Camino (Elgin), Rosetti Pizzeria, Gburger - Gitanes Burger, and Pure Kitchen Elgin may be easier fits. Choose Gitanes when its evening hours, smart casual dress code, and Star Wine List recognition match the plan.
Is Gitanes good for a special occasion?
It can be a good fit for a special occasion if the plan is an evening dinner in Ottawa. The details to know are its smart casual dress code, Tuesday-to-Saturday evening hours, and Star Wine List recognition in 2026.
Is lunch or dinner better at Gitanes?
Dinner is the best fit. Gitanes is open from 5:30 PM Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday, and closed by 10 PM or 10:30 PM depending on the day.
Does Gitanes handle dietary restrictions?
Ask the restaurant directly for allergy, dietary, or menu-accommodation details.
