If Michelin came to Ottawa tomorrow — who would earn stars?

Ottawa has never been rated by the Michelin Guide — but the city’s dining scene is stronger than ever. Here’s our running watchlist of who would likely earn stars, Bib Gourmands, and a mention in the world’s most famous dining guide.

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Michelin stars aren’t about glitz — they’re about precision, consistency, and the ability to deliver a world-class dining experience every single night. Here’s who we think would make the cut if Ottawa were under the Michelin spotlight right now.

Predicted One Stars⭐ Atelier — A modernist tasting-menu restaurant and the city’s most ambitious kitchen.⭐ Stofa — Technical execution meets quiet elegance in Wellington West.⭐ North & Navy — Venetian soul food, beautifully executed.

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Possible One Stars⭐ Arlo — Progressive, ingredient-driven plates and a deep wine program.⭐ Riviera — Elevated brasserie cooking with capital-city polish.

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Bib Gourmand CandidatesMichelin’s Bib Gourmand recognizes restaurants offering excellent food at more moderate prices.
🍽️Sundari's Kitchen🍽️Fauna🍽️Jfuse🍽️Town

🥂 What do stars actually mean?

Michelin stars are awarded to restaurants offering exceptional cooking, worth a special journey.⭐ One Star: High-quality cooking, worth a stop.⭐⭐ Two Stars: Excellent cooking, worth a detour.⭐⭐⭐ Three Stars: Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.Ottawa currently has no Michelin-rated restaurants, but Toronto, Vancouver, and the province of Québec do — meaning Ottawa could be next.

⭐ Updates

September 2025 — Ottawa Michelin Watch is live.
We’ll be tracking which restaurants in Ottawa are most likely to earn Michelin stars (or Bib Gourmands) if and when the Guide arrives. This list will be updated regularly — check back for predictions, new contenders, and local dining news.