Barrio Ottawa

I cannot recommend this place enough. Called them to ask if they were celiac safe & proceeded to make a reservation, when we went in the server was informed by someone from the staff that it’s a celiac issue. This was before we even sat down, that’s how professional they are. Then coming to the drinks and food, our server was JP , he was just brilliant , he offered recommendations, told me what was safe to order, the Colombian empanadas and shrimp in garlic butter sauce are outstanding , it’s a must try, even their cocktails were delicious. It was a Sunday and they have salsa classes for free If anyone wants to sign up. The vibe was immaculate, cozy and not a single step was missed where you could say you’d be let down. The entire staff was very aware of celiac which tbh is such a relief. My husband got the Cuban sandwich which he raved about. It was great service from before we even sat down to the moment we left. Will be visiting whenever I’m back in Ottawa. So my fellow gluten free friends, this should be your new favourite spot. Thanks to everyone at Barrio for making it a great experience, to the person who took our reservation, to the bartender, and JP you were just fabulous.

So cozy the lighting creates such a warm vibe, and the food is genuinely comforting. The cocktails are well made, and the menu pulls flavors from so many countries, so you either discover something new or it reminds you of home. Definitely cozy food at its core. The service was great, and I’ve heard they host events sometimes with that atmosphere, I bet they’re amazing.

Popped in recently for an impromptu brunch with a friend, and I was absolutely delighted. The food was delicious and fresh with great nuance and flavour. We shared the egg rolls that were stuffed with a flavourful chicken filling, each ordered an eggs benny on fresh cornbread with a yellow pepper hollandais sauce that was perfectly cooked and delicious– even the salad, so simple, was dressed in a simple oil vinaigrette and lightly salted, which was surprising but honestly it made a huge difference. We were quite full but agreed we just had to try the tres leches cake — the perfect sweet bite to finish our visit, it had a simple, clean flavour that was absolutely divine.

Our server was kind, attentive, and very friendly, and the space was cute, modern, and very welcoming.

Definitely recommend checking out this spot!

I’m a big fan of the branding and the concept, especially knowing what the sister restaurant represents. The drinks and service were good, both friendly and well executed. However, the food fell a bit short of my expectations. It’s been a few months, and unfortunately, the paisa empanadas still don’t quite capture the authentic flavor — the taste and texture are noticeably different from what they should be. I truly hope to see the menu evolve, because the place has amazing potential.

recently stopped by Barrio for brunch, and it’s in such a great location, making it a really convenient spot to pop into.
The highlight of our visit was definitely the service. We really appreciated that they were family-friendly and had high chairs available for our little one. The food was good, but it just didn’t quite hit that “wow” factor. It needed something else to make us really want to rush back. The portion sizes could have been a bit more generous for the price.
Overall, Barrio is a fantastic spot if you’re in the area and looking for a place with amazing service and a welcoming atmosphere.

I’ve been to Barrio twice and have been able to try a few drinks and dishes. The Spicy Margarita ($16) had a well-balanced kick of heat, served in a tumbler, on the rocks, with a paprika-salt rim. It started off excellent, but the drink became a little too salty by the end. The Caipirinha ($17), though not on the menu, was made upon request and was delicious! Tart, refreshing, and with the cachaça shining through, it was true to its roots, though served with a lime wedge instead of the traditional quarters.

All the food was delicious. We started with an apetizer: Colombian Empeñadas (12$) which were savory, filled with sauce and seasoned beef. the Cubano sandwich ($25) was savory, greasy in a good way, with just a touch of sweetness. The Asado Criollo sandwich (26$) was delicious, and full of tender and nicely seasoned beef slices. The bread was grilled perfectly, giving it a satisfying crunch. The salad on the side was fresh and bright, with a sour/salty vinaigrette.