TRATTORIA CAFFÈ ITALIA, Ottawa - Updated 2024 Restaurant Reviews, Menu & Prices

Is this restaurant good for brunch?

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Details

About

Trattoria Caffe Italia is a family-owned and operated establishment located in Ottawa's Little Italy. With an award-winning wine list and extensive menu, you'll enjoy the best in Italian hospitality.

PRICE RANGE

$10.00 – $50.00

CUISINES

Italian

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Drinks

FEATURES

Takeout, Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available

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4.0

287 reviews

Excellent

122

Very good

92

Average

28

Poor

18

Terrible

27

Daly B

Ottawa5 contributions

Superb Valentines Supper

Feb 2021 • none

We ordered and picked up their special 4-course Valentines menu: cognac shrimp, gnocchi, 4 hr roasted veal and veggies in gravy, finished with Frangelico/fudge cheese cake. One of the best meals we have had in a long time! Everything was superbly cooked, seasoned and presented. It was absolutely amazing! Thanks for a memorable meal

Written February 16, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tratt

Hi Daly, Thank you so much for supporting us this Valentine's Day. We are so happy you enjoyed your meal. We put so much preparation time in so that we could really show our guests how much pride we take in our authentic Italian cuisine. We hope to see you soon for a meal at the restaurant. Thanks, management

Written February 18, 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

fhutch

62 contributions

I hope it is not slipping downhill!

Mar 2023 • none

This restaurant is not inexpensive, but it is almost always worth the trip. It is a place we save for special events and occasions. We went a couple nights ago and the service was attentive, as always, but my veal parmagiana was sort of "so-so". The veal tasted like something you'd get at any cafeteria, and the accompanying spaghetti was just sort of thrown on the plate next to it. It just didn't seem very imaginataive or festive, and I had the mental image of someone slapping food onto plates like in an average place. I hope this was a one-off occurance and not the start of a trend.

Written March 9, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tratt

Hello, Thank you for providing us with this feedback. I promise you, we are not slipping downhill! I am sorry your veal parmigiana was not up to par. Let us know next time you come in, and we will make sure everything is perfect. Thank you

Written March 13, 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Safari01270035057

1 contribution

Always a great experience, both the service and the food are highly recommended.

Aug 2022 • friends

My husband and I have been coming here for years. We used to go for lunch with a friend who had difficulty walking, they always offered assistance and opened the back door so he could avoid the stairs. For the past few years we have been going with a group midweek for dinner. It is well sheltered and they take reservations for the rooftop patio.The food is always wonderful as us the service.

Written August 4, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tratt

Thank you for the lovely review. It always a pleasure to host your group on the patio!

Written August 9, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Nancy1129

Ottawa13 contributions

Average!

Sep 2020 • none

I was disappointed with the food. For starters the Caesar salad seemed like it came from Costco. No home made croutons no fresh Parma. Very ordinary. The bread was stale. The white sauce on my chicken was probably scooped on from a pot that was prepared in the morning. I won’t be back. We were seated in the back. Very dark. No candles. The restaurant needs a facelift. I was happy with the service. Very friendly and attentive.

Written September 2, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tratt

Hi Nancy, our staff would be happy to seat you in another area closer to the windows next time if you let us know. Our croutons are made in house and the caesar salads are topped with croutons and freshly grated Grana Padano cheese. We have no candles at the moment due to COVID-19 guidelines and are not permitted to set tables before customers are seated, including salt and pepper, candles, and place seetings. We hope to see you back in the future. Thank you - Jasmine, event and operations manager

Written September 3, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Ctggal

Ottawa3 contributions

Great food

Aug 2022 • none

I had lunch at the Trattoria Caffe Italia on Friday, August 19th. We started off with bread warmed and brought to our table shortly after we sat down. We then ordered an appetizer Caesar Salad for both of us. The salad was awesome, just the right amount of dressing/garlicy without being overpowering. Our main courses were excellent as well, I had the rigatoni with chicken in a rose sauce and my lunchmate had chicken with a lemon sauce. Everything was hot and tasty. I have a big appetite and can tell you that i did not leave the table hungry. We finished off the meal with creme brule for my friend and i had a mixed berry slice of cake. Our server Sophia was wonderful, swinging by promptly when required but was not intrusive. The bathrooms were clean and our water glasses were kept full, [pet peeve of mine when i have to flag down a server]. Sophia was very knowledgeable when it came to the wine list making suggestions till we settled on a pinot grigio. Although this was my first visit it definitely won't be my last. Highly recommend this establishment, Give it a try!

Written August 25, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

norman18

Ottawa298 contributions

Old style Italian

Oct 2022 • couples

A serenader with an accordion, checkered tablecloths and Sophia a wonderful experienced waitress. Yes the resto has been around for 39 years, obviously successful so why go with nouvelle cuisine? Dishes are prepared simply any you get exactly what is expected. Three veal piccata,rainbow trout and an off menu eggplant parmigiana which was a not so heavy version found too often elsewhere. Also a fried zucchini appetizer and salads for the table. Bravo!

Written October 16, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

twinmamabear2020

3 contributions

Excellent Patio Dining

Jun 2020 • none

This restaurant never disappoints. Choosing only one meal is the hardest part. There are always multiple items on the menu that I want to try. Every trip to Ottawa includes this restaurant. An excellent meal, nice wine selection and second to none service.

Written June 23, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tratt

Thank you so much! We are always to happy to welcome you back when you are in town. So glad you enjoyed your patio experience this summer with us.

Written September 3, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

David B

Barrie9 contributions

A Gem of a Restaurant

Jul 2022 • couples

My wife and I has a wonderful Italian dinner at this recommended restaurant. The establishment is on Preston street in Little Italy, not too far from the main tourist areas. The restaurant is picturesque and has that Italian charm. There is ample seating and has a rooftop patio. The food is delicious and modestly priced. Our server, Maggie, was delightful and treated us extremely well. We never felt rushed to order or complete our appetizers or main courses. To top it off, the owner dropped by to chat and asked how we had enjoyed our meals. He was a real gentleman. We all toasted one another and walked out to stroll in the lovely, warm Ottawa night.

Written July 29, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tratt

Hi David, Thank you for the lovely review. We are thrilled that you enjoyed everything. We hope to see you back soon :)

Written August 2, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

catcher1958

Ottawa22 contributions

We will return.

Aug 2021 • none

After patronizing this establishment through take out delivery, my spouse and I decided to venture out to this establishment. I would just like to express our sincere gratitude to the amazing time we had. The restaurant atmosphere, the server we had and more importantly the meal were all amazing. We ventured from our usual take-out order to try something new and we were not disappointed at all. We will definitely recommend to family and friends.

Written August 21, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Josh Rachlis

Ottawa71 contributions

My lucky place, with a lovely rooftop patio

Jul 2021 • solo

It’s a beautiful restaurant. On July 14, 2021, I was a contestant in the Yuk Yuk’s standup comedy contest on the rooftop patio. The food everyone was eating looked delicious. And the patio was beautiful, with romantic lights hanging. And I won first place - So it’s a lucky place!

Written September 9, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

elaine h

Ottawa67 contributions

30th anniversary dinner

Jun 2021 • couples

It was our first visit and we will be back. Food was tasty and good size portions. Substitutions for allergies were accommodated with no issues. We had the Beef Carpaccio and Bococcini Trattoria x 2. Our waitress Sue was knowledgeable and friendly.

Written June 29, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lynn M

West Chester326 contributions

Very pleasant and a wonderful meal

Aug 2023 • couples

A lovely Italian restaurant. Extensive wine list, lots of appies and salads and soups. The lasagna was wonderful as was the veal with lemon and white wine sauce. For dessert we ordered coffee drinks and crème brûlée- not as custardy as some but creamy and delicious. If we lived here, it would be a regular go-to place.

Written August 3, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dominic Carrozza

Thank you for the lovely review. We hope you stop by to see us next time you are in Ottawa!

Written August 7, 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

321carolynn

Ottawa41 contributions

Worse than Mediocre

Dec 2023 • couples

The wine was good. The bread was good. The salad was good. Here's what I think happened to my dinner. I'm guessing it was ready before my date's. I suspect my linguine pescatore aglio e olio got put under the broiler to rewarm. The bowl was so hot I couldn't touch it. The pasta was so leathery for the first inch that it wouldn't twirl on my fork. The shrimp and muscles were good. The scallops were smaller than pencil erasers...so small I could hardly find them; the crab hardly there. No one came to check about satisfaction. I did my best so as not to make trouble for my date. I did mention it as my half eaten bowl was cleared from the table, and a got a "Oh, sorry." My experience at this trattoria is mixed. I've had a few good dinners here, and others like this one. I think it best not to order anything here that is not well covered in tomato sauce.

Written December 3, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

321carolynn

Ottawa41 contributions

Worse than Mediocre

Dec 2023 • couples

The wine was good. The bread was good. The salad was good. Here's what I think happened to my dinner. I'm guessing it was ready before my date's. I suspect my linguine pescatore aglio e olio got put under the broiler to rewarm. The bowl was so hot I couldn't touch it. The pasta was so leathery for the first inch that it wouldn't twirl on my fork. The shrimp and muscles were good. The scallops were smaller than pencil erasers...so small I could hardly find them; the crab hardly there. No one came to check about satisfaction. I did my best so as not to make trouble for my date. I did mention it as my half eaten bowl was cleared from the table, and a got a "Oh, sorry." My experience at this trattoria is mixed. I've had a few good dinners here, and others like this one. I think it best not to order anything here that is not well covered in tomato sauce.

Written March 13, 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mary P

Ottawa11 contributions

Food great. Service terrible

May 2022 • none

We arrived at 6pm and didn't finish our meal till 9pm. We waited 1hr 15min after ordering our food for it to arrive. And another half hour for dessert. If the kitchen can't keep up, they should not accept the reservation. Our complaints fell on deaf ears. Such a shame as the food was very good. We won't be back.

Written May 30, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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