Al’s Steakhouse

One of my favourite steakhouses in Ottawa. Have been going for years. Service was great even though it was super busy, our server checked in on us often. Got the ribeye steak with the loaded baked potato. The bone marrow herb butter is a must for your steak. Super flavourful, and elevates the steak. Steak was a bit underdone, but had a nice sear on it. The bread was good, starter salad was a big portion.

I first went to Al’s in the 1980s. It was a special date night: New Year’s Eve and I remember carefully picking my outfit! I was there last week celebrating my birthday with a friend… and there were at least three other tables of birthdays being celebrated that night. Comfortable seating, impeccable service, the perfect martini and delicious food make it a great place to celebrate, or meet a client, or start off girls night! Free parking out back and proximity to transit makes it easy to visit.

Classy and welcoming. The food ranks with top notch steakhouses. Starting with the warm pillowy bread to the excellent entrees to the final decadent dessert. Better yet is the service. Attentive but not intrusive and ever so accommodating.

What an amazing night! We showed up without a reservation on a very busy night. “The best they could do was to sit us on the backside of the bar. “, said the manager. She put us in the best seats in the house. She was very kind and accommodating . Delightful indeed. It was a lovely place to sit. Our server/the bartender, Elisha, was delightful. The atmosphere was amazing. The food was the best we have had in a while. The manager come
By to check on us. We were thrilled with that. It was so lovely. We have decided to make Al’s a regular stop on our visits to Ottawa.

My husband and I have been in Ottawa and area for almost a week, and this is the best dining experience we’ve had. When we walked into the restaurant, I fell in love with the atmosphere and decor. It looked like it would be a wonderful experience, and it didn’t disappoint.
Caroline was our waitress and she was friendly, efficient and attentive. I was very impressed with the bread Henry brought out at the beginning of the meal. It was a square loaf with 4 sections, 2 were a white (which is all my husband will eat) and the other 2 were whole grain, so unique and delicious.
Caroline recommended menu items that we took her advice on (and we were not in the least disappointed!).
My husband started with the French Onion Soup and I had the Escargot with mushrooms & cheese. Both were amazing.
For dinner, he had the 14oz ribeye with a twice baked potato and the blue cheese butter on the steak…which was cooked to perfection. It was so cool to see Caroline bring out the kitchen torch to melt the blue cheese butter at the table.
I had the Butterfly Baked Shrimp and I was very impressed! I’m not normally a big rice fan but the garlic rice that accompanied the shrimp was delicious. Everything was so good, I forgot to take many pictures, I couldn’t wait to dig in!
At the end of the meal, because we were first time visitors to the restaurant and area, Caroline brought us a sample of the coconut cream pie and the cheese cake. I have to say, the cheese cake is the best I’ve ever had in my life! And I’m totally serious.
Henry was the busboy who kept the water filled, served the bread, kept the tables cleared, and looked after boxing up leftovers. He was really a great worker and so sweet.
Sam is one of the owners, the son of Al who started the company in July of 1967. He told us Al’s was the first and only restaurant in Ottawa to use live charcoal to cook their steaks on and they have an onsite butcher. It was really interesting chatting with Sam.
I definitely recommend Al’s Steakhouse if you are ever in Ottawa. As it got busier, the noise level grew, but we could still carry on a comfortable conversation.

Went there with a friend for dinner. Booked table ahead. When arrived there place was very busy (Friday eve). Stuff was very friendly and welcoming. Got our table next to the window. Service was very quick and efficient. Overall impression was positive, despite very loud and crowded atmosphere, but it’s ok as it was busy eve. Waitress was attentive, gave good suggestions for starters and main course. My steak was cooked perfectly (med-well), my partner’s was bit overcooked and slightly dry. Only one thing I didn’t like it’s Fries, which was kinda awful (pic is bellow), but it couldn’t ruin experience in general. After meal, desserts were offered, but we politely declined it as we were so full.