A 44-course culinary journey at Ottawa's Atelier

Prepare to take your taste buds on a culinary journey. Ottawa’s Atelier offers an interactive 44-course tasting menu unlike anything you’ve experienced before. 

Atelier has a CAA/AAA Four Diamond rating, distinguishing it as one of the best in North America and the Caribbean. It is one of only three restaurants in the Ottawa region to get the prestigious rating this year—and it’s not the first time Atelier has either, for good reason.

Diamond rating

The Diamond rating is based on anonymous inspections. CAA/AAA reviews hotels and restaurants for exceptional experience, creativity, and cleanliness, and they must meet outstanding standards to win this incredible achievement. Four Diamond ratings are amongst just seven per cent of hotels and restaurants reviewed by CAA/AAA in North America and the Caribbean.

The venue

It's no secret there's magic happening inside the walls of Ottawa's Atelier. But the exterior might make you think you're in the wrong place. From the sidewalk, you'd never guess that one of Canada's best restaurants is concealed behind the grey door. But one tiny sign that reads

Once inside, the minimalist, gallery-like space is the perfect backdrop for the 44 individual, flavour-packed masterpieces.

The food

A meal at Atelier will have you feeling like a kid again, as each bite is a new, exciting surprise. So get ready to smile nonstop as you play with innovative dishes, from cooking noodles in dry ice to popping a delicious edible balloon with your teeth.

Owner and executive chef Marc Lepine is the mastermind behind the dining experience and is renowned in the culinary world. Lepine is a highly acclaimed chef who has won the Canadian Culinary Championships twice and was named Canada's Most Innovative Chef.

When you visit, make sure to have your phone ready. One unique part of the dining experience is the use of technology. Each course has its own story, which you discover by scanning a QR code.

The 44-course menu blind tasting lasts approximately four hours. If you have dietary restrictions, allergies, or dislike certain foods, notify the restaurant when reserving a table, and they will adapt the meal for you.

You'll dive into the deepest depths of the culinary world right from the start of service. A dish you need to experience for yourself is Snail Caviar. It's not one you can quite put into words. The pop of a caviar bubble met with the crunch of plantain. This dish has to be on your bucket list if you're a lover of escargot.

A not-to-miss dish is the Nitro Noodles, which feel like a science experiment. You get to squeeze the red noodle paste into the dry ice to craft your noodles. After a few seconds, the dry ice has "cooked" the noodles, and they're ready to add to your soup.

Another memorable dish of the night was Burnt. It's a fiery plate with shishito peppers and a tiny bowl of fire. Your job is to char the shishito pepper as much or as little as your burning heart desires. Don't be afraid of overcooking; char is a great flavour enhancer.

For the grand finale and in celebratory fashion, you get a balloon. The edible balloon has a gourmet fruit roll-up as its string. You'll end your meal with one of these treats and laugh the night off while you take turns with your fellow diners inhaling the helium and talking in high-pitched voices.

If there's one word, to sum up dining at Atelier, it's extraordinary. Whether it's to celebrate an anniversary, a birthday, or just a spontaneous night out, Atelier's is your answer.