8 Restaurants In Barrhaven That Locals Love For Food & Vibes!

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Last updated on January 31, 2023 by Wandering our World

As a neighborhood that’s been growing exponentially over the last few years, Ontario’s Barrhaven has a bustling food scene that’s worth checking out if you’re in the area.

Greek, Irish, Italian, Pakistani – the choices between cuisines are pretty versatile here. 

So to help you choose the right places, we’ve curated a list of what we think are the best restaurants in Barrhaven, where you can experience easygoing yet delicious burgers, noodles, tacos, homestyle meals, and more.

Bon appetit!

Chef is stirring vegetables in wok
iStock.com/bgton

Our Top Eight Restaurants In Barrhaven: Food Worth Waiting For!

1. Pinelopi’s

Classy family-owned restaurant serving Greek fare in a romantic and intimate setting 

Greek food has never looked better in the Barrhaven area thanks to Pinelopi’s – a family-run gem that’s been around since 2010.

As one of the few restaurants in Barrhaven that have a very classy vibe, this is the go-to destination for date nights and celebratory dinners, though there’s no reason why you can’t savor their authentic Greek specialties on a normal Tuesday afternoon too!

And although the venue itself is small, it features accent walls, gorgeous light fixtures, and folded napkins for that upscale feel, with a few patio tables at the storefront. Dimly lit, cozy, and quiet – the whole place oozes romance. 

Just as impressive are their bougie-looking plates loaded with some of the most flavorful Greek food ever, created by Chef Daniel – the powerhouse of the kitchen force.

Staying true to the cuisine’s traditions, start with a mezze platter like the flaming Saganaki featuring seared Kefalotiri cheese, Roma tomatoes, and Metaxa Brandy.

Next up, their souvlaki skewers are always a winner, grilled to perfection and served with tzatziki, and so is the ultra-creamy gnocchi Mykonos.

The champagne scallop risotto is another all-time favorite, though their pasta dishes are no less stunning.

Everything is plated beautifully and comes in enormous portions, so you might just have leftovers for lunch the next day.

Pair your meals with some of their splurge-worthy fine wines sourced from across the globe, then finish off with Chef Daniel’s signature Greek yogurt cheesecake. 

Oh and, their phyllo pies are worth a trip alone, though you can certainly get them delivered to snack away your day.

Find them open Tuesday-Saturday from 4 pm onwards, and do try to make reservations – they’re one of the most popular restaurants in Barrhaven and often remain packed.

Address: 4100 Strandherd Dr #109, Nepean, ON

Mediterranean dishes
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/los_angela

2. Juluca’s 

Cozy local Italian eatery specializing in pasta and pizzas with an easygoing atmosphere and a roomy patio 

Not everyone can do Italian food right. At Juluca’s, though, they really know their way around this cuisine.

In fact, this place is one of the more popular restaurants in Barrhaven, where people either takeout or dine in for freshly-made rustic Italian fare, particularly the pizzas and pasta.

It’s cozy and comfortable here, with a basic layout and a warm vibe perfect for tucking into all the hearty food. Plenty of patio seating under umbrellas and string lights also makes for a good setting for dinner on warm summer nights.

What sets Juluca’s apart from others is their scratch-made food. Sauces, pasta, doughs – everything is made in-house before it’s cooked to absolute perfection. The result? People leave raving about the food and making a mental note to come back ASAP.

Although the menu mainly focuses on pizzas and pasta, it’s pretty extensive and spoils you for choice.

Start with fresh mussels in white wine with leeks, or buffalo sauce-drenched cauliflowers. Next up, you’re presented with over a dozen different pasta dishes, all swimming in creamy and flavor-packed sauces – the Juluca’s Speciale fettuccine and the gooey Lasagna being particularly good.

Just as good are the pizzas, which are sizable, with medium thick fluffy crusts and very generous toppings. Hardly anyone leaves dissatisfied with these kick-ass pies. 

Pair it with some cocktails, beers, or wines, and you’ll be counting the days till you can come back to this busy little restaurant in Barrhaven.

They’re open and ready with friendly service every Tuesday-Sunday, 4 pm onwards. 

Address: 613 Longfields Dr Unit 107, Ottawa

Italian pastas with different kinds of sauce
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Roxiller

3. Phynicia 

Charming family-owned eatery serving Lebanese cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere 

As a relatively new addition in town, Phynicia is one of the most authentic (and aesthetic) family-owned Middle Eastern restaurants in Barrhaven.

This under-the-radar eatery celebrates Lebanese cuisine unlike any other place, serving scratch-made dishes and specialties that leave guests craving more.

You won’t just love the food, but also the gorgeous atmosphere with faux hanging plants, rattan light fixtures, light wood furniture, and the overall bright vibe. It’s a small space, but that’s what makes it so utterly charming to settle into.

Their menu revolves around delectable meat pies with about two dozen varieties to choose from. They’re stuffed with fresh ingredients (that are 100% halal certified, by the way) and baked to order, so expect to wait a bit before your food comes out.

As for our recommendations, we suggest trying the creative shawarma pie, which is basically stuffed with all ingredients that are shawarma and sealed with pita dough.

The sujuk and cheese pie and the Mhamara pie (a sweet and spicy variety) are known for being pretty great too, alongside vegetarian options like Zatar.

Other popular choices include falafels that are crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, served with tahini sauces, veggies, and pita. 

And if you’re up for an Arabic-style breakfast, come early for a glorious spread of labneh, fatteh, and eggs with sujuk to start your day off on the right foot. Finish off with some Arabic tea and one of their signature desserts.

You’ll find the owner and his family busily running the place every day from 9 am – 8 pm. 

Address: 605 Longfields Dr Unit: 9, Nepean, ON 

Arabic traditional cuisine. Middle Eastern meze with pita, olives, colorful hummus, falafel, stuffed dolma, babaganush, pickles, vegetables, pomegranate, eggplants. Mediterranean appetizer party idea
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/jchizhe

4. Greenfields Public House 

Cheerful pub featuring elevated bar eats, entrees, an extensive beer menu, and live music with a spacious patio and outdoor bar 

There’s never a dull moment at Greenfields Public House, where an eclectic menu of well-presented bar eats and 101 rotating local craft beers take center stage.

This 1994-established gastropub is a cornerstone in Barrhaven, where locals go for the delicious food and stay for the lively atmosphere.

Inside, you’ll find yourself within a well-lit hip interior with a bar, plenty of comfy seating, and a huge stage to host the regular live music events.

Even better is the patio scene which is considered as one of the best in the area, complete with an outdoor bar, TVs, heat lamps, and cute potted plants under string lights.

There’s something for everyone to enjoy munching on with their comprehensive and inclusive menu. Begin with some apps to share, such as the sticky calamari covered in an orange-ginger glaze, the charred honey-ponzu edamame, or poutine for french-fry lovers.

And if you have a knack for blue cheese, you have to try the GPH burger that’s loaded with blue cheese crumble, horseradish cream, roasted tomato, and of course, the juiciest, freshly-grounded patty. Pretty much all of their burgers are huge and stacked high, and you can’t go wrong with any of them.

Taco fans can try a different variety each day of the week, with vegan tacos available every day. They’ve also got an impressive Philly cheesesteak.

If you’re not in for the handhelds, get the 35-day aged grilled ribeye or the decadent bacon truffle mac and cheese. Yep, they’ve really got it all on the menu. 

The best part? They’re open every day from 11 am to as late as 2 am, with the kitchen dishing out great food till 1 am. You might have to reserve a table on weekends, as this place stays quite busy considering it’s one of the most popular restaurants in Barrhaven.

Address: 900 Greenbank Road, Ottawa, Ontario 

guitar player at a live music show
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Pro2sound

5. Khokha Eatery 

Pakistani cuisine served in a dining area with vibrant traditional art and a pleasant patio 

Khokha Eatery is the brainchild of Zermina and Zubair, who started this venture just a few years ago. Since then, it has been all the rage in the area, with its thrilling flavors and modern take on traditional Pakistani cuisine.

From the moment you enter till you leave, you’ll be shown warm hospitality, which truly gives off that family-owned neighborhood eatery vibe.

You won’t just leave licking your fingers clean, but will definitely enjoy their ambiance that pays homage to Pakistani culture. Vibrant truck art with elaborate floral patterns and calligraphy adorn the walls here, along with colorful kites hanging from the ceiling. It’s quite cozy (and casual) here, but they’ve also got a nice little patio during summer for those who want to dine alfresco.

Start by treating your taste buds to the region’s street food like bun kabab or the ever-so-popular Khokha rolls made with homemade flatbread. But don’t fill yourself too much, because their main courses are irresistibly good.

Stuff like the strictly Pakistani chicken biryani and an enticingly creamy butter chicken are all worth trying (especially if you pair it with some of their garlic naans). If none of that catches your eye, get the Pak-Chinese fusion of spicy Hakka noodles – it’ll surely win you over. Save space for the creamy and cardamom-infused rice pudding (aka kheer) too. 

And if you’re up for the heartiest breakfast experience of your life, come on weekends to try their traditional breakfast platter consisting of chickpea curry, a decadent semolina halwa, and poori bread.

Find this halal eatery open on Tuesday from 4 pm onwards, and Wednesday-Sunday from noon onwards. 

Address: 605 Longfields Dr Unit 13, Ottawa

Indian/Pakistani cuisine dinner: tandoori chicken, biryani, red lentil curry dal with rice naan, palak paneer and basmati rice on wooden background
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/AnastasiaNurullina

6. Chilicraft Pizza

Humble joint serving unique Indian-style pizzas and handhelds for takeout and delivery

Ever heard of a butter chicken pizza? Yep, you read that right. Such unique takes on the classic pizza can only be found at Chilicraft Pizza, which has mastered the art of ‘desi’ style Indian pies that are bold, vibrant, and downright delicious to munch on.

This humble little pizza parlor only found its way to the city’s dining scene in 2020, but the news of their strangely delectable food spread like wildfire, giving them a chance to open a second location in the area to cater to the growing clientele.

The place only offers takeout at the moment, and you can certainly get it delivered for the ultimate pizza party at your house.

Out of the dozens of gooey and stretchy pizza varieties, the superhit options are of course the spicy and exciting Indian-flavored ones.

You’ll find pizzas like Tandoori Chicken, beef seekh kabab, and creative fusions like Paneer Hawaiian with Madras sauce and sweet corn.

There are other varieties like Thai chili chicken, Mediterranean, and a very hot Red Alert pizza for the adventurous, while familiar flavors like pepperoni and vegetarian picks are also up for grabs.

These flavor combos might sound wrong, but taste oh-so-right and spot on, especially with their medium thick, soft and fluffy, freshly-made dough.

You can also try innovative burgers like the Aloo Tikki that’s stuffed with spiced potatoes, veggies, truffle and chipotle, or the Indian vegetarian sandwich layered with green chili sauce, cheese, veggies, and more. It’s no wonder their customers are practically drooling after tasting their food.

Find them open every day from noon onwards at both locations for a pizza unlike anywhere else in Barrhaven.

Address (1): 68 Wylie Avenue, Nepean, ON

Address (2): 1 Tartan Drive, Nepean, ON

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/tabishere

7. Heart & Crown 

Family-owned Irish pub chain serving Irish specialties and whiskies in a casual yet beautiful ambiance with patio seating and live music 

You haven’t lived if you haven’t dined in an Irish pub yet. Thanks to Heart and Crown, though, Barrhaven locals have been enjoying the comfort fare and enjoyable vibe of an Irish eatery for many years.

This small family-operated chain has 11 locations in Ottawa with over 30 years in business and tends to be one of the most lively venues for drinks, hearty food, and live music that lasts late into the night every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Come here for savoring authentic Irish dishes like shepherd’s pie in an ambiance that’s authentically Irish too. Their luxurious interior with magenta hues, dark wood works, and an elaborate bar feels slightly more upscale than you’d expect, with every bit of the decor imported from Ireland for an authentic experience.

The patio is heated, roomy, and just as good to settle into. It’s an experience well worth taking out time for!

As for their menu, it features bar eats like loaded nachos, wings, and poutine, alongside an Irish spice bag platter of spicy chips, fried chicken, chili oil, and sauteed peppers. If you’re in for one of their ‘proper meals’, try the braised lamb shank with a peppercorn demi-glace, the cider-braised beef stew, or the perfectly seasoned shepherd’s pie.

With dozens of craft beers, cocktails, and of course, some Irish whiskeys, you’ll be absolutely hooked on their food and drinks in no time.

Oh and, happy hours last every day of the week from 3-5 pm with a $5 menu that’s pleasing for the taste buds (and your pockets).

The Barrhaven location remains open every day from 11 am to 2 am, and the kitchen operates till 1 am with a late-night menu.

Address: 3161 Strandherd Dr #300, Nepean, ON

beer with food
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Drazen Zigic

8. Barrhaven Vietnamese Restaurant 

Comprehensive menu of Vietnamese delicacies including pho served in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere 

There are quite a few Vietnamese restaurants in this area, but in our opinion nothing quite beats the authenticity and freshness of the food at Barrhaven Vietnamese Restaurant.

Don’t be hesitant with its humble strip mall location – the food and atmosphere here are a bunch of big fat five stars. As a family-owned business, they truly care about the food they put out, which reflects in their scratch-made meals and good service.

Aside from the food, their dining space is pretty pleasant to settle into, consisting of well-spaced-out tables, warm colors, and an overall relaxed vibe.

With a menu that’s far more extensive than you’d expect, you can savor everything from pho to wrap-it-yourself Banh Hoi at this Barrhaven staple.

Appetizers include some refreshing shrimp summer rolls served with peanut sauce and deep-fried squid that might just get you drooling.

Highlights from the sprawling list of mains of course include their beef pho with rice noodles, which you can customize with toppings like brisket and beef balls before slurping it up.

There are dozens of stir-fried meat and veggies to choose from that are tossed in some of the most flavorful sauces you’ll taste. The crispy egg noodles, pad Thai, and Com Chein (Vietnamese fried rice) are all worth trying too, and come in hearty portions, so order accordingly.

Complementing these savory delights with some of the beers and wines they’ve got is a good idea too. Find them open Tuesday-Sunday from 11 am onwards for some of the best Vietnamese food you’ll experience in this area! 

Address: 3777 Strandherd Dr, Nepean, ON

Traditional Vietnamese soup Pho bo with herbs, meat, rice noodles, broth. Pho bo in bowl with chopsticks, spoon. Space for text. Top view. Asian soup Pho bo on wooden table background. Vietnamese soup
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/thesomegirl

The Best Restaurants In Barrhaven: Our Final Thoughts 

There’s a lot to taste and experience in this unassuming suburb, and we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find some amazing food at our selected restaurants in Barrhaven.

Don’t hesitate to try them out!

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  • Wandering our World

    Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe.