O'Brien's Roadhouse

It's okay, service was a bit slow but not outrageous. Portions are large enough that you may not finish your meal. Taste of food was pretty good. The beer could of been a bit colder.

First visit to this place. The chicken sandwich was fantastic – really delicious! The fries, however, were a letdown – not crispy and needed more seasoning. Service was really good.

Wanted to try a new place with my daughter, boyfriend and my father. So we came here. 10/10 would recommend! For a place that isn't a pizza spot, you nailed it for the amazing pizza!nThe fries were way better than expected as well!nGood overall came out amazing! Also the server for the night, I think her name is Alicia, excellent service. Took the time to explain everything to us, made us feel really welcome. Will definitely make our way back there.

Just visiting Ottawa 7/11/25 for the first time from the US. Thought I’d try this place for an early dinner and a beer. The food was not fancy but was delicious. Which is the important thing. I had the Hot Rod Beef Dip. With a side of onion rings. My server, Beth, was great. Recommend this place!

I’ve always liked O’Brien’s Roadhouse. It’s in a great, convenient location, and over the years it’s been a reliable spot to grab a bite, hang out with friends, or enjoy some casual drinks. One of the highlights for me has always been the patio, it’s a solid setup and one of the nicer ones in the area, especially when the weather cooperates. It’s the kind of place I’ve recommended to people and returned to multiple times.nnThat said, I have pretty mixed feelings about the recent changes. The new menu just doesn’t hit the mark the way the old one did. I’m all for trying new things and switching things up, but in this case, most of the new items just haven’t delivered. I’ve gone out of my way to try a number of the updated dishes, and unfortunately, I found most of them lacking in either flavor or overall appeal. It’s not that they’re inedible, but they just don’t live up to the standard the restaurant used to have.nnFunny enough, I accidentally ordered the Roadhouse Nachos, not something I would’ve usually picked based on the description, but to my surprise, I actually loved them. They were completely unconventional, with ingredients like corn yes, corn from a corn on the cob and BBQ sauce, which you wouldn’t normally associate with nachos. But somehow, it worked. That’s the one standout I have continuously returned for!nnAs for our most recent visit, which was just this past Victoria Day long weekend, it was unfortunately disappointing. The place seemed unprepared for the holiday crowd. From the moment we walked in, things felt off. The host, although polite, was incredibly soft-spoken. In a busy, high-energy environment like that, I had to keep asking her to repeat herself, it got awkward fast. Small detail, but important, especially when setting the tone for guests walking in.nnWe opted for the patio, which I normally love, but we weren’t given a heads-up that there would be live music. While I do enjoy live music in general, it felt mismatched with the vibe of the restaurant that day, almost like the genre didn’t quite fit. And it was loud. Loud enough that conversation was tough and my guest, who already wasn’t enjoying their meal, felt even more put off. We ended up cutting the visit short and heading out early, which is rare for me at a place I usually enjoy.nnIn the end, I still think O’Brien’s has potential. The staff are competent, and the atmosphere can be great when everything aligns. But right now, between the hit-or-miss menu and the inconsistencies in the guest experience, it feels like it’s lost a bit of its charm. I hope they find their groove again soon, because when this place is good, it’s really good.

Directions to O'Brien's Roadhouse with public transportation

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