RIVIERA
Downtown, Ottawa
Restaurant in Ottawa, Canada
Book with PearlThe Read
Bar-Anchored Modern Canadian
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
RIVIERA is the Ottawa pick for a polished Sparks Street dinner when the group wants a central address and national recognition without a hard-to-book process. It is stronger for dinner, dates, client meals, small celebrations than for a casual meal; compare Cocotte Bistro for softer bistro energy and Akira Back Ottawa for a more scene-driven night.
About RIVIERA
For Ottawa diners considering RIVIERA, it is an evening restaurant with a smart casual dress code and national recognition: Canada's 100 Best Restaurants listed RIVIERA at #88 in 2025. Specific cuisine, menu, chef, pricing, seating, service-format details are not available, so the safest way to plan is around the basics: Ottawa location, evening hours, that 2025 recognition.
An Ottawa choice for an evening visit
RIVIERA's hours are evening-only: Monday to Wednesday from 5–10 PM, Thursday to Saturday from 5–11 PM, Sunday from 5–10 PM. That makes dinner the appropriate planning window; lunch service is not available.
RIVIERA is in Ottawa, has a smart casual dress code, has a placement at #88 on Canada's 100 Best Restaurants in 2025. With cuisine type, chef, price, room details, menu details not specified, first-timers should avoid assuming a particular format or signature dish. Plan with the available information in mind rather than relying on unconfirmed specifics.
Where it fits among other Ottawa options
If you are comparing RIVIERA with other Ottawa options, keep the decision practical. Café Laurier, Bier Markt, Cocotte Bistro, Akira Back Ottawa, Émilie's Terrace are other names to consider depending on the kind of outing you want, but detailed claims about how each one differs in food, price, or service style are not available.
For timing, dinner is the move: RIVIERA opens at 5 PM every day, with later closing times Thursday through Saturday. Those later evenings may be more convenient for diners who want a later visit, while Sunday through Wednesday follows a 5–10 PM schedule.
The decision is simple: consider RIVIERA when you want an Ottawa dinner plan with smart casual expectations and a 2025 Canada's 100 Best Restaurants placement. For more planning around the city, use our full Ottawa restaurants guide, plus the Ottawa hotels guide, Ottawa bars guide, Ottawa wineries guide, Ottawa experiences guide.
Planning details
- Location
- 62 Sparks St., Ottawa, ON K1P 5A5, Canada
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- dineriviera.com
- Phone
- +1 613-233-6262
The take
The Take
The Vibe
RIVIERA presents a confident, urbane energy that lands squarely between formal and casual. The Sparks Street address gives the room a civic-minded social character: the table beside you could be occupied by politicos, business types or locals celebrating a moment. The dining room feels polished without stiffness, and the menu—ranging from tartares and crudos to freshly extruded pastas—reinforces a refined, contemporary identity. A substantial spirits list keeps the bar lively, so the evening can unfold at table or at the bar with equal credibility. Overall, it reads as an elegant, sophisticated, and talk-about-it neighborhood destination.
Best For
RIVIERA suits an array of evening occasions. Business dinners land comfortably here—its proximity to Parliament Hill and the presence of suit-and-briefcase crowds make it a natural choice for work-related meals. Couples and groups find it appealing for date nights and special occasions; the room’s calibrated tone accommodates celebration without ceremony, and families or locals can gather to mark milestones. With a menu that supports both focused plates and shared moments, and a bar that can anchor a full evening, the restaurant works well for polished yet relaxed gatherings of different sizes.
Ordering Tips
Start with the raw preparations—beef tartare or one of the crudos—to get a sense of the kitchen’s precision, then move to a freshly extruded pasta such as the lobster pasta for a richer course. The mushrooms on toast offer a flavorful, textural counterpoint and make a good intermediary plate. If you’re with a group or celebrating, the seafood tower is a signature shareable that suits the occasion. Don’t overlook the spirits list: it’s substantial enough to support pre-dinner cocktails at the bar or to pair with a multi-course evening.
Venue details
Ambiance
Elegant and glamorous with tasteful decor, retro touches, high ceilings, and a lively yet conversational atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Large
Signature Dishes
- beef tartare
- lobster pasta
- mushrooms on toast
- seafood tower
Planning details
Location
62 Sparks St., Ottawa, ON K1P 5A5, Canada · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Where to go if this is not the right fit
Book Cocotte Bistro if the group wants a softer bistro atmosphere. Choose Akira Back Ottawa if the night calls for a more contemporary, scene-forward dinner.
Restaurant context
How it compares in Ottawa
RIVIERA is the stronger choice for a polished downtown dinner than Café Laurier or Bier Markt. Café Laurier is better for a simpler café-style decision, while Bier Markt makes more sense for casual drinks or a larger low-pressure group. For a special occasion, RIVIERA carries more dining credibility, helped by its Canada's 100 Best Restaurants #88 placement in 2025.
Cocotte Bistro is the better cross-shop if the group wants a warmer bistro mood rather than a sharper downtown room. Akira Back Ottawa is the better fit for diners who want a more contemporary, image-forward night. Choose RIVIERA when conversation, centrality, occasion-readiness matter more than a scene.
Émilie's Terrace is the alternative when terrace atmosphere is the draw. RIVIERA is easier to justify when weather, group dynamics, or business-dinner needs make an indoor, composed room the safer call.
Explore Ottawa
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full RIVIERA guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare RIVIERA
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| RIVIERA | Ottawa | 2025 Canada's 100 Best Restaurants · #88 |
| Cocotte Bistro | Ottawa | No published awards |
| Akira Back Ottawa | Ottawa | No published awards |
| Café Laurier | Ottawa | No published awards |
| Émilie's Terrace | Ottawa | No published awards |
| Bier Markt | Ottawa | No published awards |
How RIVIERA Ottawa compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to RIVIERA?
RIVIERA's dress code is smart casual. Plan for an Ottawa dinner setting rather than a very casual outfit.
What should a first-timer know about RIVIERA?
Go in expecting an evening restaurant in Ottawa, open daily from 5 PM and closing at 10 or 11 PM depending on the day. Its Canada's 100 Best Restaurants #88 (2025) placement is a notable recognition.
Can I eat at the bar at RIVIERA?
Is RIVIERA good for a special occasion?
It may suit diners looking for an Ottawa evening plan with a smart casual dress code and a Canada's 100 Best Restaurants #88 (2025) placement. Specific private dining, seating, menu, service-format details are not available.
What are alternatives to RIVIERA in Ottawa?
Cocotte Bistro, Akira Back Ottawa, Café Laurier, Émilie's Terrace, Bier Markt are other Ottawa names to consider. The right choice depends on the occasion, timing, details confirmed directly before visiting.
Is lunch or dinner better at RIVIERA?
Dinner is the primary option. The listed hours are evening-only, starting at 5 PM every day and running to 10 or 11 PM depending on the day.
Can RIVIERA accommodate groups?
Group accommodation details are not available. If you are planning for a group, contact RIVIERA directly to confirm availability and booking requirements.
