Chef Joe Thottungal brings his trademark culinary genius that diners first fell in love with at Coconut Lagoon to Thali, his second restaurant located mere steps from Parliament Hill. For the uninitiated, Indian Thali is a complete meal comprised of a variety of dishes served on a single platter. The Thali features an ever-changing selection of vegetables, curries, rice, pulses, bread and dessert.

Thali is an award-winning Indian restaurant in Ottawa that specializes in traditional thali – a platter consisting of small bowls of vegetables, curries, and milk products, as well as rice, pulses, bread, and a dessert. You can also enjoy a variety of other South Indian delicacies including Kerala Style Beef Curry and Lamb Mappas. Located at: 136 O’Connor St, Ottawa

Why You Need To Go: Thali is one of the most unique restaurants on this list. The name Thali refers to a type of dish in the south of India. It consists of an elegantly displayed array of items that include proteins, rice, vegetables, sauces, and more, allowing the diner to mix and match flavor combinations in an ultimately impressive and cohesive meal.

Welcome to flavour explosion where spices and sauces are blended masterfully together. Thali serves up traditional thali consisting of vegetables, curries, rice, roti, and dessert. You have the choice of the type of protein you would like served with your Thali which includes various seafoods, beef, chicken, and vegetarian or vegan options.

Thali offers a unique dining experience rooted in Indian traditions. Meals are served on round plates known as “Thali,” featuring small bowls filled with a variety of dishes, providing a balanced nutrition concept. The menu, crafted by award-winning chef Joe Thottungal, offers 6-7 dishes daily, including vegan and gluten-free options.

This was absolutely the highlight of the trip in terms of food. Thali serves Indian cuisine from the Kerala region, and the speciality- thali, meaning “plate” – featured little tastes of several different curries. I had the vegetarian version, which included lentil and chickpea curries, eggplant, papadam, yogurt sauce, and tapioca.

Ready for a culinary journey to South India without leaving the city?. Let’s go to the vibrant flavors at Joe Thottungal’s newest eatery, Thali, a sister to the acclaimed Coconut Lagoon. Here, the star of the show is the thali: a daily-changing platter that brings the freshest seasonal delights to your table.

Thali’s menu is primarily gluten-free, with the main highlight being the Traditional Thali, a rice set with small bowls of side dishes. It’s available in vegan, vegetarian, and meat-based variations. The rest of the menu skews Indian but functions more like an Asian-fusion restaurant.

Thali is an Ottawa restaurant that’s hitting it out of the park when it comes to traditional Indian cuisine. Its name comes from the signature Indian Thali meals it serves, which include a myriad of balanced dishes like rice, vegetables, bread, meat, chutneys and more.

A vibrant spot with a lively atmosphere, known for flavorful dishes and quick service, perfect for groups with diverse dietary needs. We had an amazing dinner here with my coeliac daughter. Very aware of cross contamination.