Best Cozy Restaurants in Downtown

Went to this restaurant for a date. Upon arrival, the waitress was very kind and got us seated fairly quickly. The ambiance and atmosphere of the place was magnificent and gave a very romantic mood. I have to say, the lighting was very dim but in a good way that gave the perfect vibe for the date to set the mood. We were seated at a small table which included a real burning candle and a rose which smelled amazing. Although the tables are very close together and the noise level was fairly loud when we arrived, it was still a great mood and experience overall. The music which played in the background was R&B. As for the food, I had the Spaghetti Pomodoro and my date had the Spaghetti Meatballs. We were not disapointed with the quality of the food and the price. The food tastes fantastic and the prices are just right. Our waitress was also very attentive and consistently refilled our waters and took our orders for dinner and dessert at the right times. Overall, Cantina Gia is a fantastic restaurant for a romantic evening with that special someone. It does not disappoint.

Great smaller menu and fantastic drink options, would highly recommend

Fabulous time was had with my wife for an impromptu brunch and afternoon tea. A welcome surprise to have a green shakshuka? Very interesting and quite delicious. Reminded me of back home. Nice scones too. Will be back.

Excellent, attentive service from start to finish. I loved the personal call to confirm our reservation and that our server already knew about our dietary restrictions before we even sat down. Food was delicious - I’m still thinking about that scallop tartare. Our party of two ordered a snack, an app and two mains. Everything was thoughtfully prepared and presented, with creative flair but no pretentiousness. The dishes were well-portioned - we did not go home hungry and next time would save room for dessert. I understand that Arlo boasts a well-curated selection of wines, but the sober and sober-curious will be interested to know that they make super yummy non-alcoholic cocktails too. Finally, the ambiance and decor create a dining experience that feels cozy and comfortable but unique. Arlo does everything right. Can’t wait for our next visit.

Excellent as usual! Our favourite pizza place in Ottawa