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Vineyards Wine Bar Bistro
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11:30 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11:30 am - 11 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
11 reviews for Vineyards Wine Bar Bistro
11 reviews in English
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Review from Rick B.
12/5/2011
I've long been a fan of this basement level Wine Bar in the heart of Ottawa's often tourist-infested Byward Market. Despite the location, it seems popular with locals.
It has a good selection of wines (and specialises in themed tasting "flights"), and also beers from around the globe, and a varying menu that is well prepared.
After years of visiting I made a chance remark to one of the staff - who turned out to be the owner - that it reminded me of my favourite wine bar in London - which is also a basement level establishment near the tourist centre of the city. You mean "Cork & Bottle", he asked? Which I did. It turns out he had visited that London venue years before, and modeled his establishment on it!Comment from Barbara M. of Vineyards Wine Bar Bistro 12/7/2011
Hello Rick! Thank you for your posting on Vineyards Wine… More » -
Review from Adam D.
Ottawa, ON
5/25/2012
As good as it gets. Great service with a good variety of different appetizers and entrées. With over 200 different beers and million wines by the glass this is the best bar ever. Live jazz three night a week as well.
Going here for over 10 years. -
Review from Coy W.
10/23/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I did not even know this place existed until my friend told me about his Groupon for here. I went with them to check it out and I'd definitely not come in here if someone had not told me about it!
It's located in the basement floor of the building and feels like a cold storage room/large wine cellar when you walk into it. It's actually pretty cool.
I knew I was going to get the steak frites and a beer but I had no idea that they had such a large beer menu. It's about the size of Pub Italia's beer menu, if not larger.
The food was alright and I did enjoy having a beer I haven't found elsewhere in town.
Service was solid and I would probably come back again with the beer menu and atmosphere.
I forgot to menu that they had a large section with cheese and crackers that you could help yourself to. I think this was around happy hour.Listed in: Ottawa: Breweries and beer…
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Review from Spike D.
3/21/2011
Three stars for a great experience.
Fourth star because I expected it to be a touristy cliche of a wine bar (Overpriced and underwhelming is the hallmark of Byward Market dining.)
Would've given it a fifth star except I didn't actually eat there.
Format is you don't order wine from the server, you have to go have a chat with Bill the sommelier. He's knowledgeable and friendly. Not pretentious. Gives you a few slurps of this and that till you find your 'friend' among the bottles. All sorts of Wine Spectator awards suggest that Vineyards is the real deal.
Great place for an after work chat. Rumours of live jazz a couple nights a week. From 4-7 p.m. the well stocked cheese bar is complimentary. (Fellow Canadians, free cheese. How great is that? Usually you have to mortgage your house for a sliver of stilton.) -
Review from Dolly P.
Chilliwack, BC
4/15/2011
The food here was amazing! Presentation was lovely and good variety on the menu. The wine list was one of the best I have ever seen.
It was unusual that you go up to the bar to order drinks and a server comes to the table to take your food order.
Service was very good and I enjoyed the dimly lit atmosphere.Comment from Barbara M. of Vineyards Wine Bar Bistro 8/25/2011
Thank you so much for the kind reveiw!!! Hope to see you… More » -
Review from Chris J.
Greely, ON
4/14/2011
I personally do not go there to eat, but I do go for a good nights drinking. A tad expensive but the selection of beers and wines is fantastic (Still managed to ask for one the didn't have though).
Bar staff are friendly and the people that go there seem to be a friendly, chatty bunch.
Will go back :) A tad expensive is my main gripe!Comment from Barbara M. of Vineyards Wine Bar Bistro 8/25/2011
Thank you for taking the time to comment..... please come by… More » -
Review from C E.
Port Moody, BC
1/21/2011
Terrible service. Terrible food.(who cares if the steak is 12 dollars-no one at my table that ordered it could finish it -tough and flavorless).
We sat down just before 7:30, our meals came out at 8:40. How is that possible?
Good selection of beer and wines though(that's what why this place gets a star).
Is this what Ottawa considers a good restaurant??Comment from Barbara M. of Vineyards Wine Bar Bistro 1/25/2011
Thank you CE. We are looking into your comment and will… More » -
Review from Christopher H.
Halifax, NS
I would say the price is a touch expensive, but the food is very good and it is important to note that the meals do come with fresh bread with dipping sauce. There is also a cheese bar included in the cost of any meal, which is a great value added for those who are cheese lovers.
I particularly enjoyed the ambiance which included light jazz music in the back ground, candles and a 'wine cellar' feel.
Overall, I would say that this restaurant is worth checking out, particularly if you are looking for a relaxing evening to share a great meal with some wine and cheese.Comment from Barbara M. of Vineyards Wine Bar Bistro 3/4/2011
Thank you Christopher H. for your comment. Our complimentary… More » -
Review from Jess A.
Ottawa, ON
12/22/2008
Great live Jazz on certain nights, fantastic mussels and fries (as well as other food). A great place to try out a variety of wines.
If you're there before a certain hour (7pm?) you can get a flight of 3 different wines to taste for a good price.
Great atmosphere and friendly service. -
Review from Devon B.
10/9/2008
This place is an absolute gem.
Walk down the stairs into The Vineyards and you will be walking into another world. The atmosphere alone will bring you back, but that is just the beginning.
The dark colours on the walls and the dimmed lighting set the mood, and then the live music kicks in and you know you're in wine heaven.
It's a different experience from most places with a great win selection. You go to the bar to order your wine (by the glass, or bottle) then you sit to order your food. The menu is obviously full of food to munch on that goes well with wine. Great cheeses, apricots etc. The food and wine selections go together incredibly well.
The servers can help those who aren't wine experts (ie. me), and even novices will have a great time. It's very mellow and relaxing. Time flies by, and before you know it you're done two bottles of wine and you completely forgot about your other plans. -
Review from Andrey B.
2/16/2010
This place has hundreds of beers from all over the world - some are on tap, but most are bottles. You can also get the beer sampler of their tap beers for $9.99. The food was very fresh and I thought the prices were pretty good too! Highly recommend the mussels!
Oh, by the way, the restaurant is located in the basement if you have trouble finding it like we did
