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Play Food & Wine

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An upscale-casual nook in Byward Market, Play Food & Wine offers market-driven small plates and an exceptional wine list in a cozy atmosphere.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

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Our wine bar

Play Food & Wine

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

An upscale-casual nook in Byward Market, Play Food & Wine offers market-driven small plates and an exceptional wine list in a cozy atmosphere.

"The food was simply spectacular, every dish a masterpiece in both taste and presentation."

TIP

Order Small Plates for Variety

Embrace the small-plate concept; order 2-3 dishes to savor a diverse range of flavors.

Book in Advance

Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends or for special occasions, as the restaurant can get busy.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 5PM

Cuisine

Modern Cuisine / Small Plates

Price

$$$

Phone

+1 613-667-9207

Address

1 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5S7, Canada

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Innovative Small Plates

Innovative Small Plates

Experience a culinary journey with market-driven, shareable plates, meticulously crafted for bold flavors and artistic presentation.

10 Fantastic Places to Eat and Drink in Ottawa, OntarioThe 8 Best Restaurants for Romantic Dinners in Ottawa [2025 ]
Exceptional Wine Selection

Exceptional Wine Selection

Explore an extensive and unique wine list, featuring uncommon pours like orange wine, with expert pairing recommendations.

Sip and Savour: Discover Ottawa's Top Wine Bars15 Best Ottawa Restaurants To Explore And Dine At In 2024 (+ What To Order)OutGoing - Canada : Ottawa (Gay Travel, Gay Guide, Gay Bars, Gay Clubs). OutUK
Attentive & Knowledgeable Service

Attentive & Knowledgeable Service

Enjoy a dining experience enhanced by staff who are friendly, attentive, and passionate about guiding your culinary choices.

Google Review+1
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Order Small Plates for Variety

Embrace the small-plate concept; order 2-3 dishes to savor a diverse range of flavors.

Book in Advance

Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends or for special occasions, as the restaurant can get busy.

Explore Unique Wines

Don't miss the extensive wine list, including rare finds like orange wine, with staff ready to assist with pairings.

Don't Skip Dessert

Desserts are a highlight; even a simple cheesecake can be an unforgettable treat.

Tips

from all over the internet

Order Small Plates for Variety

Embrace the small-plate concept; order 2-3 dishes to savor a diverse range of flavors.

Book in Advance

Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends or for special occasions, as the restaurant can get busy.

Explore Unique Wines

Don't miss the extensive wine list, including rare finds like orange wine, with staff ready to assist with pairings.

Don't Skip Dessert

Desserts are a highlight; even a simple cheesecake can be an unforgettable treat.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Play Food & Wine is highly praised for its innovative small plates, exceptional wine selection, and attentive service, creating a refined yet approachable dining experience. While most diners rave about the creative dishes and flavor profiles, a few have noted that portion sizes could be larger for the price point, and some find the flavors occasionally overpowering.

"Yesterday, I had an incredible dining experience at Play Food and Wine! I just popped in to see if I could get a table, and the hostess was very kind and accommodating. Our waiter, Faye, was fantastic—always checking in and keeping our water glasses full.

We started with the crispy Brussels sprouts with herb aioli, which were amazing. The hand-cut gnocchi and rabbit cavatelli were both outstanding as well. The grilled sourdough with caramelized butter was a must-have—absolutely to die for!

We also tried the tofu and mushroom skewers, but I wasn’t a fan and wouldn’t order that again. The scallop ceviche was decent but could have been colder and had a bit more flavor.

Overall, the atmosphere is lovely, and the service was top-notch. We didn’t have dessert this time, but I can’t wait to return and try more dishes! A must-try if you’re visiting Ottawa like us!"

Kyle Giesbrecht

"We recently dined here and had high hopes based on the ambiance and menu presentation. While the dishes were nicely plated, we found the portions on the large plates to be quite small for sharing, especially considering the price point. We spent over $200 for dinner but unfortunately left still feeling hungry. The food was alright, but overall, the experience didn’t quite match our expectations in terms of value. Just something to keep in mind if you’re planning to dine here with a group."

Tina C

"Service and atmosphere were both excellent here. The food was good, but I found the flavours of every dish we ordered too overpowering with too many competing flavours. I didn’t know what I was supposed to be tasting. Even the sourdough bread was overly flavorful - it was buttered and salted, and then we were supposed to add the caramelized butter on top of that. Felt like every dish was over seasoned. We ordered 6 dishes total, and I would say the pickerel was the best one. Interesting concept, but I think I would have liked it better if each dish showcased one or two flavours instead of 3-4."

Letty Wong

What People Like

Creative and bold small plates
Extensive and unique wine list
Attentive and knowledgeable service

What People Dislike

Portion sizes sometimes perceived as small
Flavors can occasionally be overpowering

Frequently Asked Questions

The restaurant recommends ordering 2-3 small plates per person to experience a variety of their market-driven dishes.

10 Fantastic Places to Eat and Drink in Ottawa, OntarioThe 8 Best Restaurants for Romantic Dinners in Ottawa [2025 ]

Yes, Play Food & Wine is known for its extensive and carefully curated wine list, including rare options like orange wine.

Sip and Savour: Discover Ottawa's Top Wine Bars15 Best Ottawa Restaurants To Explore And Dine At In 2024 (+ What To Order)OutGoing - Canada : Ottawa (Gay Travel, Gay Guide, Gay Bars, Gay Clubs). OutUK

Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends and during peak times, as the restaurant is popular.

Google Review

The menu features seasonal dishes, and while specific dietary accommodations aren't detailed, the market-driven approach may offer flexibility. Inquire with staff.

The atmosphere is described as chic yet relaxed, cozy, and warm, with an open kitchen that adds to the lively environment.

The Best Restaurants in OttawaGoogle Review

Diners frequently praise the gnocchi, octopus, charcuterie, and various creative small plates.

Google Review+1

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Created by the chefs behind the famous Beckta dining and wine bar, Play is a chic restaurant serving well crafted small plates that change regularly as to create a constantly engaging menu. Head there for lunch or dinner to sample seasonal dishes such as trout with lemon oil, radish and carrot, or bean salad with watermelon, rocket, pomegranate and ricotta. Or alternatively, drop in mid-afternoon for a drink and cheese/charcuteire board and indulge in a decadent rest stop at the bar.

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Play Food & Wine is a small plate open-kitchen restaurant that serves up appetizer-sized portions. Located in Ottawa’s trendy Byward Market, this modern restaurant recommends ordering 2-3 small plates for a full meal instead of one main dish. Great starter plates include the Artisanal Cheese Plate (3 cheeses, house compote, crostini), Charcuterie Plate (3 meats, house pickles, mustard, crostini), Grilled White Shrimp, and Fried Tomatillo (pickled scape pimento cheese, ancho chili, pickled peanut, cherry tomato), or the Gnocchi (kimchi, snow pea, Humboldt squid, XO sauce, black garlic, and sesame granola).

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As one of Ottawa’s premier wine bars, Play Food & Wine, found in the vibrant ByWard Market neighborhood, is a haven for wine enthusiasts and culinary connoisseurs alike. With an extensive and carefully curated wine list that spans the globe, Play Food & Wine offers an exceptional variety of vintages and varietals to suit every palate. Complementing the exceptional wine selection is a menu of artfully crafted and sustainable dishes, designed for sharing and pairing with the wines, making every visit to Play Food & Wine an indulgent and unforgettable journey for the senses.

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Play Food and Wine is a contemporary, small-plates restaurant that delivers big appetizer-sized servings of market-driven food, all cooked with care in an open-concept kitchen overlooking their second floor dining area and kitchen bar. They utilize local, sustainable, and seasonal ingredients wherever feasible, and they try to assist local farmers as much as possible. Its small-plate style allows diners to try a variety of meals without committing to a single main course as they would in a regular restaurant.

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Conceptualized by the same team behind Beckta Dining & Wine, Play was made to be warm, homey, and a whole lot of fun. The small-plates restaurant places emphasis on local, sustainable, and seasonal products without a hint of pretension or stuffiness. The open concept kitchen and bar feed into the playful environment by allowing guests to take a peek at the play that goes on as chefs and mixologists craft the artful sharing dishes and cocktails that the restaurant is known for.

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Oenophiles flock to Play Food & Wine (1 York St), a market-driven restaurant-cum-wine-bar that pairs delicious plates with unusual pours. Favorite dishes include the grilled octopus with black rice risotto (try sipping Barbera d’Alba with each bite), and beef tartare, apricot mostardo, egg yolk and taro chip (enjoyed best with a small batch Ontario Syrah from Medville Winery). Glasses come in 3oz or 5oz sizes, allowing guests to taste before, during and after their meal.

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Located in the Byward Market, Play Food & Wine is a modern, open-concept restaurant that offers seasonal small plates and a rotating selection of wines and cheese to pair with. You’ll be able to explore as many different dishes as possible without having to commit to just one main course in a traditional restaurant with their small-plate format. Come by, sip wine, and enjoy the fare in their cozy dining room or the bustling kitchen bar now!

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Another great spot for a delicious lunch is Play food & wine, located in the core of the city in the Byward Market on York street. Beside their savoury eats, the restaurant has quite the attractive setting with their open concept kitchen overlooking their dining room. Similarly, to Riviera, Play also changes their menu regularly, introducing new small-plates and market-driven cuisine using local products constantly.

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Play Food & Wine is part of the ByWard Market a casual chic eatery with two buzzing bars majoring on small plates, each paired with fine wine tasters, set in an historic building. The Market is a hub of outdoor farmers� stalls and specialty food shops with Canadian cheese and maple-infused chocolate. It�s known for its colorful street art and hip stores filled with crafts and clothes by local designers.

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US News recommends Play Food & Wine to anyone in the mood for a fun, approachable dining experience that’s a world away from fussy fine dining. With a focus on small plates, sharing, and superb wine pairings, this contemporary venue is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed evening with good food and good company. The menu has a firm focus on sustainable, seasonal ingredients.

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If Datsun and El Camino are young and hip, Play Food & Wine would be better described as “adult contemporary.” This ByWard Market address attracts a crowd of diplomats and government officials for lunch and happy hour. To eat: well-executed small dishes to share, as well as some light snacks. To drink: a nice selection of wines by the glass, beers, and house cocktails.

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Play Food & Wine is a modern, small-plates restaurant with dishes made from ingredients that are local, sustainable and seasonal. This is one of the best restaurants in Ottawa to visit with a group so that you can order a variety of small plates to try. On average, most guests order three small plates at dinner for a full meal.

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Address: 1 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5S7, CanadaPhone:+1 (613) 667-9207Website:playfood.ca/Home/tabid/4161/Default.aspxDetails: $$$, Restaurant. Play Food & Wine in Ottawa is a romantic restaurant that offers an amazing dining experience. The staff provides excellent service, ensuring that guests have a memorable time.

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Play food & wine offers generous small plates to share, with a solid selection of sweet and savory dishes, charcuteries and cheeses, and the perfect wines by the glass to accompany them. Local, sustainable and seasonal products from local farms are used in the kitchen. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 5 p.m.

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Play Food & Wine serves appetizer-size portions of haute cuisine to allow guests to sample various dishes. Meals are cooked with seasonal and sustainable ingredients sourced from local farmers and paired with a rotating selection of curated wines. Location: 1 York Street, Ottawa

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Lunch suggestion: Fun with food at Play Food & Wine. Well priced sharing plates prepared from scratch in an open concept kitchen. Wine pairings are offered on the menu under each item. 1 York St. (613) 667 – 9207

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