Cadena Spanish Cafe

It’s rare to find a Spanish restaurant in Ottawa, so we wanted to give it a go! I was impressed with the portion sizes: the traditional Paella was MASSIVE it says feeds 2-3, but it can feed 4-5 with a side dish or two, and the tapas generally had good portions. The only point I have is that the paella tasted a bit like minute rice and the grains were a bit too hard for my liking - maybe it was rushed when we went. The mixed drinks were delicious, and the staff was friendly and responsive. We had a great time and will be back to try new dishes!

Quite disappointed with our meals quality of food as it’s a recently opened since 2021 restaurant and it’s opening had received great reviews. Here is our experience. Table of 4. Ambience : it’s a cozy, a bit rustic chic, simple and family style dining space. Not fancy but comfortable to sit in and lay back. Live music: there was a musician with his guitar played the whole night. Soft and nicely calibrated sound sets a nice background for a relaxing dinner. Food: they keep on calling it tapas bar but I see the menu has combination of “ tapas” and Italian dishes. Honestly, tapas is their way of calling for smaller plates charged at full price. Mussels were sandy ….. not cleaned properly before cooking. Odds bucco was too salty, dry on the surface and burned….. how is that possible given it is cooked in red wine???? Potatoes tapas was simple and basic in taste…… Personally I would not go back there to eat again giving low quality food presentation and taste. But maybe that was an apprentice day we had!??? There are many other ways I know how to burn my money . This concludes my overall rating of 3. 2 for the food and 4 for the ambiance.

Went for a girls night with my friends and everything was delicious! The service was amazing, the food was impeccable and the sangria just right. The paella you need to order in advance so that they can prepare it ahead of time. It’s so worth it!

I went here for dinner with my wife and the quality of their paella and empanadas were fantastic. Their beef and bacon & mushroom empanadas were our favourite. Their personal Paella was flavourful and was cooked properly. Overall, it was a really great place and atmosphere. We would be coming here again!

Delicious, delicious, delicious! Went for lunch and ordered tapas. Waiter was friendly and helpful; restaurant was cozy and comfy; did I mention the food was good? . I like the beef empanadas the most of what we tried. Ceviche was brimming with shrimp and delightfully tangy. Patatas Bravas was crunchy on the outside and pillowy on the inside. Prices on the $$-$$$ range. I would love to try the dinner menu sometime, on a special occasion.

I went to La Cadena restaurant last Saturday with my husband and another couple. We ordered seafood paella …. I have to say that It was the best paella that I ever had since I live in Canada almost 20 years !! The staff is super nice and friendly and the restaurant is owned by a Spanish family! Fresh seafood, Great food! I definitely recommend it !!

We were so impressed by both the friendly service and the amazing food at this delicious tapas place in Westboro. Four of us shared possibly too many plates, but in our defence they were so good we just couldn’t stop. The red sangria was a perfect accompaniment, although they do have a great selection of cocktails, wine and beer. It was fun to watch the locals come in and hang out chatting with the owners/staff as the evening progressed. This place has a rare groove - highly recommended by two generations some of whom have experienced tapas in Granada and Seville!

**please try the Tony Montana meets Tony Soprano sandwich** Just stopped into Cadena to try this really great looking place out. Was on my list for a while, and I'm glad I did. Great location. Many in Westboro would be familiar with the former Baker St diggs. They've done a great job - nice inside and very friendly vibe and greetings. Welcoming. The menu is nice, and lots of great tapas - will have to come back with my wife and some friends. Ordered the Tony Montana meets Tony Soprano sandwich - totally exceptional. Meatballs were so great, and the bread - could go on about that for a while. The tomato sauce was perfect. Paired that with a fantastic Americano coffee. It was just what the doctor ordered - and a really great lunch on a fall day. So great. Will be bringing friends next time, and trying some tapas or paella with some red wine. Highly recommend trying this place out.

We decided to stop here as we saw tapas on the sign. We ordered a few dishes and a glass of wine each, and it was delicious. The Latin music and vibes were delightful. There were a few other things on the menu I would love to try, so we will be back.

From the moment we walked into the restaurant we were so warmly welcomed that we knew we were in for a treat. The food is so thoughtful and delicious, you can taste the love and work that goes into every dish. What a hidden gem here in Ottawa, worth every penny and more. Make time to go enjoy the paella and the company, you will leave smiling and incredibly full!