Play Food & Wine

4.7

311 Reviews

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Canadian

Make a booking

2 people

1 Apr 2025

7:00 pm

Booked 19 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Good for special occasions
Great for fine wines
Charming

Play food & wine will make serious food fun and accessible to many types of guests by offering an inspiring menu, legendary service, outstanding values and a culinary home for our guests in which they can spend a variety of occasions.

All of our dishes are modest portions designed to share. This allows guests to sample a few different dishes without having to commit to just one main course as in a traditional restaurant. Our menu changes frequently, respecting product availability and seasonality.

We are committed to working with our many great suppliers to source the best and most flavourful ingredients possible. We use local, sustainable and seasonal products whenever possible, and believe in supporting area farmers as much as we can.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
CAN$51 and over
Cuisines
Contemporary Canadian, Canadian, Global, International
Hours of Operation
Mon–Wed, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Tue–Sat 11:30 am–2:00 pm Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(613) 667-9207
Website
http://www.playfood.ca/
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Shane Brown
Catering
Please reach out to us at info@playfood.ca for inquiries
Private party facilities
Semi-private and fully private dining spaces available. Fully private space can also be reserved for a standing cocktail style reception up to 80 guests.

Location
1 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 6Z5
Area
ByWard Market
Cross Street
Corner of Sussex Drive and York Street
Parking details
Public Parking
Public transit
Rideau Centre
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Burgundy Wine Dinner
CAD 185.00 per person
Prepaid
10 Apr 2025 only
6:00 pm
In partnership with Boires and In Wines We Trust, Play is thrilled to host Domaine du Clair Obscur. Wine Director Jordan Sabourin and Stephanie Albert from Boires will be pouring these beautiful natural wines from Burgundy alongside a 3-course menu from Executive Chef Shane Brown.

roasted sunchoke soupCAD 12.00
lemon cameline oil / orange sunflower gremolata
gem caesarCAD 19.00
black tahini caesar / bonito breadcrumb / cured egg yolk / goat cheese / duck prosciutto
seared scallopsCAD 35.00
espresso parsnip / smoked salsify / cauliflower yogurt / leek vinaigrette
falafelCAD 21.00
smoked date / babaganoush / za’atar / zhoug / pickled sunchoke
burrataCAD 27.00
roasted beet / cherry agrodolce / pistachio / red watercress

LARGER PLATES

fennel ash gnocchiCAD 26.00
pork bolognese / rapini / ricotta / ramp crumble
cedar pappardelleCAD 25.00
lamb merguez / green garlic / peas / radicchio / fried lemon / Iron Horse cheddar / grainy mustard
crispy pork bellyCAD 27.00
polenta / mushrooms / carrots / pickled scape / sundried tomato & olive vinaigrette
grilled beef striploinCAD 36.00
red eye jus / frites / herb aioli / chili oil
seared pickerelCAD 29.00
bulgar / chermoula / walnut muhammara / pickled cauliflower

Sparkling

Blanc de Beckta, Cave Spring, NVCAD 14.00

White

Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Palagetto, Tuscany, IT ‘23CAD 13.00
Verdejo, Bodegas Comenge, Rueda, ES ‘23CAD 13.00
Riesling Kabinett, "R" August Kesseler, Rheingau, DE ‘22CAD 15.00
White Blend, "Irréverence" Pearl Morissette, Niagara, CA ‘20CAD 17.00
Gewurztraminer, "Raw" Weingut Malat, Kremstal, AU ‘21CAD 19.00

Red

Cabernet Franc, "King Street Vyd" 2027 Cellars, Niagara, CA ‘21CAD 13.00
Pinot Noir, “Signature” Domaine Queylus, Niagara, CA ‘19CAD 15.00
Gamay, "Glou Glou" Jean-Baptiste Duperray, Beaujolais, FR ‘23CAD 15.00
Barbera, Vigneti Repetto, Equilatero, IT ‘21CAD 16.00
Chianti Classico, Villa Calcinaia, Tuscany, IT ‘20CAD 20.00

Cocktails

CANADIAN FASHIONCAD 14.00
Our house old-fashioned using Canadian ingredients: Popcorn Maple Syrup | Wild Muskoka Spiced Maple Bitters | Pike Creek Rum Barrel Finished 10 Year
- Alberta Premium Legacy ReserveCAD 15.00
- J.P. Wiser's 18 yearCAD 24.00
CRIMSON FIELDSCAD 18.00
Hibiscus Mezcal | Cacao Tequila | Campari | Lillet Blanc | Grenadine | Lime | Grains of Selim | Angostura | Egg White
DOS COCOACAD 19.00
Tequila | Mezcal | Coffee Campari | Cocchi di Torino | Cacao Nib | Cinnamon | Chocolate Bitters
PLAY PISCO SOURCAD 18.00
Pisco | Campari | Tio Pepe | Licor 43 | Lime | Egg White
MISTRAL WINDSCAD 18.00
Olive & Fennel Liqueur | St. Germain | Dry Curacao | Crystal Lime | Citrus Olive Oil Washed Peychauds
VEIL OF ETNACAD 19.00
Vodka | Amaretto | Pistachio | Cinnamon | Ginger | Honey | Whey

Beer

Broadhead Light LagerCAD 10.00
Beyond The Pale Clean CutCAD 10.00
Beyond The Pale California CommonCAD 10.00
Collective Arts Beyond Reason Micro Pale AleCAD 10.00
Collective Arts Local Press Apple CiderCAD 10.00
Broadhead Amber AleCAD 10.00
Dominion City Sunsplit IPACAD 12.00

Spirit Free

Flora FizzCAD 13.00
Citron Calm Tea | Hibiscus | Raspberry Vinegar | Crystal Lime | Egg White | Soda
N/A BelliniCAD 15.00
Cipriani White Peach | Silver Swallow
Silver Swallow Sparkling Wine (5oz)CAD 8.00
Collective Arts N/A IPA (355ml)CAD 7.00
Collective Arts N/A Guava Gose (355ml)CAD 8.00
Perth Pay N/A Lager (473ml)CAD 9.00
Sparkling Water (750ml)CAD 8.00
Juice (Orange / Apple / Cranberry)CAD 4.00
PopCAD 3.00
Fever-Tree Tonic / Fever-Tree SodaCAD 5.00

What 311 people are saying

Play Food & Wine reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Ottawa
Great for fine wines

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Play Food & Wine offers a delightful dining experience in Ottawa's Byward Market, spotlighting "delicious food" with a "creative and unique" menu. Guests appreciate the "exceptional service" and "intimate ambiance," perfect for date nights or special occasions. The wine list is "impressive," and the small plates concept allows for sampling a variety of flavors.

311 Reviews

J
John
Toronto1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I have not had a meal this unforgettably delicious in many years. From the unique Canadian cocktail to every course of the prix fixe menu I thought the taste, ingredients and presentation were exceptional.
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S
Sylvain
Ottawa8 reviews
4.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Well executed and tasty... With a great service Go play ... you will enjoy!
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A
Aileen
Ottawa1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious food! Service was great, a little slow to get started, but addressed all questions and great wine suggestions. Great night, worth it!
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E
Elaina
Toronto1 review
5.0
Dined on 24 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
When my gem salad and chips & dips came, I was really impressed with the presentation and use of ingredients. I loved how they added duck prosciutto to the gem salad and taro chips for chips & dip. Loved it so much I said after a few bites I want to come back here. I was also very impressed with the falafel. The different combinations of ingredients was beautiful and tastes so unique and delicious together. The place was very nice and wonderful. I think my only criticism is the washrooms didn't feel as fancy. The doors were kind of old and it felt like I was using big tissues to wipe my hands. But overall I would come again for a date night!
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A
Anne Marie
Ottawa1 review
5.0
Dined on 15 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicous food, energetic vibe, excellent service, One of our favorite restaurants in Ottawa's byward market.
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R
Robert
Ottawa1 review
5.0
Dined on 15 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Outstanding food! Professional and friendly service. Definitely a favourite for a date night dinner out in Ottawa!
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M
Mary
Montreal1 review
4.0
Dined on 13 March 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The soup was excellent and the main courses were good. The staff was very careful about signalling what was non-gluten and warned that the portions were small. The wine list was excellent. A pleasant evening,
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C
Chris
Toronto5 reviews
2.0
Dined on 11 March 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
This was once my go-to place for lunch and dinner. The food was inedible on my latest visit and the visit before.
Play Food & WineResponded on 12 March 2025
I'm so sorry that you were dissapointed in the food recently Chris. I'd love to understand more and find a way to rebuild your trust in us if you would be open to sharing your feedback with me directly. I would welcome the chance to turn around this unfortunate situation for you. With many thanks, Steve Beckta
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V
Viktoria
Ottawa1 review
5.0
Dined on 8 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A little expensive..... Also the charcuterie board used to have more choices and not just salty but also sweet
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k
ken
Ottawa1 review
5.0
Dined on 8 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This was our second time visiting Play, and we were lucky enough to get the same server, Paul, who was amazing at providing recommendations and insight into the menu options. The food and flavours are to die for, they have a unique way of mixing flavours in each dish! We will definitely be back!
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FAQs

Play Food & Wine offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (613) 667-9207.

Play Food & Wine is rated 4.7 stars by 311 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

1 Apr 2025

7:00 pm

Booked 19 times today

Experiences are available.

1 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 6Z5

Additional information

Cross Street
Corner of Sussex Drive and York Street
Area
ByWard Market
Hours of Operation
Mon–Wed, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Tue–Sat 11:30 am–2:00 pm Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
CAN$51 and over
Cuisines
Contemporary Canadian, Canadian, Global, International
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Public Parking
Public transit
Rideau Centre
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Shane Brown
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.playfood.ca/
Phone number
(613) 667-9207
Catering
Please reach out to us at info@playfood.ca for inquiries
Private party facilities
Semi-private and fully private dining spaces available. Fully private space can also be reserved for a standing cocktail style reception up to 80 guests.

Play Food & Wine

Make a booking

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Additional information

Burgundy Wine Dinner

FOR THE TABLE

fritesCAD 9.00

Le Coprin mushroomsCAD 12.00

chips & dipCAD 12.00

warm marinated olivesCAD 11.00

crispy Brussels sproutsCAD 11.00

fried mushroom dumplingsCAD 10.00

grilled sourdoughCAD 5.00

CHEESE & CHARCUTERIE

featured charcuterieCAD 21.00

artisanal cheeseCAD 23.00

mixed cheese & charcuterieCAD 42.00

RAW

veal carpaccioCAD 23.00

rainbow trout crudoCAD 21.00

SMALL PLATES

roasted sunchoke soupCAD 12.00

gem caesarCAD 19.00

seared scallopsCAD 35.00

falafelCAD 21.00

burrataCAD 27.00

LARGER PLATES

fennel ash gnocchiCAD 26.00

cedar pappardelleCAD 25.00

crispy pork bellyCAD 27.00

grilled beef striploinCAD 36.00

seared pickerelCAD 29.00

Sparkling

Blanc de Beckta, Cave Spring, NVCAD 14.00

White

Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Palagetto, Tuscany, IT ‘23CAD 13.00

Verdejo, Bodegas Comenge, Rueda, ES ‘23CAD 13.00

Riesling Kabinett, "R" August Kesseler, Rheingau, DE ‘22CAD 15.00

White Blend, "Irréverence" Pearl Morissette, Niagara, CA ‘20CAD 17.00

Gewurztraminer, "Raw" Weingut Malat, Kremstal, AU ‘21CAD 19.00

Red

Cabernet Franc, "King Street Vyd" 2027 Cellars, Niagara, CA ‘21CAD 13.00

Pinot Noir, “Signature” Domaine Queylus, Niagara, CA ‘19CAD 15.00

Gamay, "Glou Glou" Jean-Baptiste Duperray, Beaujolais, FR ‘23CAD 15.00

Barbera, Vigneti Repetto, Equilatero, IT ‘21CAD 16.00

Chianti Classico, Villa Calcinaia, Tuscany, IT ‘20CAD 20.00

Cocktails

CANADIAN FASHIONCAD 14.00

CRIMSON FIELDSCAD 18.00

DOS COCOACAD 19.00

PLAY PISCO SOURCAD 18.00

MISTRAL WINDSCAD 18.00

VEIL OF ETNACAD 19.00

Beer

Broadhead Light LagerCAD 10.00

Beyond The Pale Clean CutCAD 10.00

Beyond The Pale California CommonCAD 10.00

Collective Arts Beyond Reason Micro Pale AleCAD 10.00

Collective Arts Local Press Apple CiderCAD 10.00

Broadhead Amber AleCAD 10.00

Dominion City Sunsplit IPACAD 12.00

Spirit Free

Flora FizzCAD 13.00

N/A BelliniCAD 15.00

Silver Swallow Sparkling Wine (5oz)CAD 8.00