Reviews of Prohibition Public House (Restaurant)

Jordyn Kiteley

This was my first time here but my boyfriend loves it. After this, we will not be returning. We came in and we were sat relatively quickly. There was only 3 tables on the patio and another table inside with us. There was over 5 staff on between the bartenders, host and servers. I kid you not, we sat there for over 5 minutes without one person coming to us. Not even to greet us. They were not busy and seemed overstaffed to be honest. Worst part was multiple staff members kept walking by us. It seems the staff here are more concerned with talking among themselves than doing their jobs. I ended up walking out. We will not be returning. We went across the street to Beerocracy and ended up having a lovely time.

Juliana Gomes

Beautiful patio and very friendly service. The selection of beers are local and very tasty.

Kaity Campbell

We went to Prohibition House tonight and had an amazing time with Sam at the bar. Best food in town.

Nana Chang

Service was good and atmosphere was great . But the food was just a meh.

Stuart MacDonald

A great restaurant with fantastic cocktails and delicious sharables and comfort food. Poutine tacos?! Yes please! We had a fantastic time on their patio, the waiter was fantastic and personable. Great service!

Emily R

From the first time I walked in I knew I would love the place. Cosy and rustic, the decor is outstanding. The food and cocktails are as well, both well designed and masterfully executed. The beer selection has something new or familiar for everyone, covering an impressive range of tastes. Because of this I recommend the beer flight, its a good way to sample through the menu and find a new favorite.

Richard Ly

Solid place to grab beers and good food. I was highly satisfied with my meal. I had the pan roasted duck, calamari, and Buffalo crab dip. Definitely will return.

Cynthia Carrier

Lovely time at the Prohibition Public House. Our host had great suggestions, for the food as for the drinks. Music was fun, the atmosphere warm, and the bar is located on a neighborhoody street with pretty little red houses.

Mae Stamatakos

If I could give less stars, I would. My friend was having her birthday there and staff gave us a hard time from the beginning saying that since we were only drinking we had to make sure we spent at least $1500. We said that shouldn’t be a problem. They were not welcoming at all and our waitress was rude and condescending. At the end of the night they cut us off but made us buy a $300 bottle of tequila, which made no sense. The food and drinks were overpriced for what they were. Overall horrible experience, I will not be going back as I’m sure the rest of the group we were with will not be going back either.

David Ang

Biggest standout was that the service was extremely slow. We were seated, ordered right away, and the food came 50 mins later. I would have understood if it were busy but it wasn’t even at half capacity. The food was good but under seasoned. Would give this another try when back in Ottawa, might have been a one off bad experience.

Oscar J. Acosta

Pretty awesome pub with a great selection of Canadian and local brews on the tap. A charming patio and porche with outdoor sitting either for couples or groups, I had a business meeting that was really amenable given the background that helped in our business dealings. Sara was super friendly and rightfully recommended the tuna crudo... Unctuous charred albacore tuna with charred avocado, smoked olive oil, black garlic cream, and olive dust accompanied with sesame crackers. I had two pints, one Goose Bay and one ABC Amber Ale, both perfectly aligned with the Crudo. I strongly recommend paying a visit to Prohibition, quality is top of the line. Thanks guys!

Paul

Came here with my pregnant wife. Asked the waiter if the cheese on their menu was pasteurized on the meat/cheese board. He told me they are busy and it might take a while to get an answer acting like we are inconveniencing him. We waited for over 10 minutes and then we left. No drinks, nothing. We travel quite a bit and eat out during our travels and noticed most servers know the menu. Not this place. They are trying to be too cool. Fellas, if your girl is pregnant, avoid this place. Servers are poorly trained and act a little too cocky. Not recommended.

Greg Campbell

What can I say! I've known one of the owners, Matt Loudon, for a number of years and what he's done at Prohibition House with his partners and team is absolutely outstanding. I had not been out for dinner in awhile (obvious reasons) and booked a table for 4 in early December . Service was great, drinks were perfect and food was incredible! I had the lamb and it actually came with mint sauce! Something I thought to be a forgotten art had returned, or had never left, at Prohibition House. Highly recommended for all standards of the restaurant business. Congrats to a job VERY well done! G

Dom P

We went there with a big group of people. For the price they are charging we were expecting more food. It's basically elevated pub food. Three of my friends ordered the fried chicken and they were all disappointed. There was no flavor and the chicken wasn't far from falling off the bone. The decor is great.

Josh Bloomfield

We hosted our Christmas party here. There we just 11 of us and we fit perfectly in a private room at the front. The atmosphere was great. The seating, table and decor felt like the perfect mix of class and laid-back. The staff added to the vibe and hosted us really well - impeccable service. We ordered the culinary adventure for 11 people. Chef Jesse brought out a massive board HIMSELF and introduced the food. It was delicious and we couldn't finish all the food! The board had a great mix of "adventurous" and "not-so-adventurous" choices. ALL of it was great! I can't say enough good things about this place. Hoping to go back many more times for other occasions.

Carl Cencig

A top notch pub in downtown Ottawa. The service was very friendly and warm . The server made a real effort , introducing himself by name and remembering my entire table's names throughout. Good recommendations on beverages and foods which were spot on. Seems like a well-knit team that enjoys working here. The food was delicious also. the beef and squid dishes were tried and were outstanding. truly a 10/10. The vibe is great. Music was perfect for the cozy setting. Definitely a gem of a place in the downtown area!

Ehsan H.

We had visited the establishment one evening. We had a group and we were waiting for the lady to greet us and let us know if we can be accommadated. She was just little busy with her phone until she was done with her messaging and she made a statement about not noticing us waiting there at all. We ended up going upstairs. I tried to order a drink at the bar, the staff seemed to pass by my and my friend as we waited to make the order. Others coming after us were able to get their orders. After waiting 20 minutes, we gave up. I had my other friends who were able to get the drinks and got it for the rest of us. It did not seem busy and we thought it was weird that they would ignore certian guests and not serve them timely. The staff seemed to be chatting with one or two groups and serving them more than the rest of the guests. Overall, we loved the decor of the place and we enjoyed the drinks. The service was not the same standard though and it really takes away from all the other things the establishment had to offer.

Jen Katan

Great new joint: servers need to chill out a little! I had the joy of visiting and experiencing Prohibition in Ottawa on a trip over from London (UK) in April. Being in the food and drink industry myself in a city rich with innovative food culture, I was super excited to visit one of the new gems Ottawa has to offer. We (me, my sis, her partner) made a reservation weeks in advance for 9pm as I had a late flight into the city. The menu offers and wine selection were top notch, I would highly recommend a visit just for the eclectic charcuterie board alone. We did have a few issues with our server, who again, is lovely, but had far too many disclaimers for what should have been a very easy task, as we are a friendly bunch. The art of good serving is truly making a very complicated job look effortless, breezy and leaving your customers to enjoy the food atmosphere and themselves. I won’t go into too much detail, but the service was a little over the top, perhaps as it’s a new and ‘hip’ place and management of course wants everyone to feel well taken care of. But being well taken care of can go the other way, and come off as a little artificial (at best). We were also told that the kitchen ‘stayed open just for us’ when we said we would like a bite (at 9pm!) and that they would ‘still happily serve us’. Again, we were made feel like staff were bending over backwards to essentially just do their jobs. My sister had made the reservation weeks in advance, so we of course were expecting the whole shabang with food, etc. If the kitchen closes early or runs out of dishes by 8pm, that could have been communicated beforehand, not instead making us feel guilty for ordering upon arrival. So hopefully this is a constructive review, and we will be coming back. If the service improves, I'll happily give it a 5-star rating next time. Some gentle feedback to management: sometimes when it comes to serving, less is more. And server, we didn’t really care if ‘you’ve worked for 20 hours’ - I myself had just done 20 hours of travelling and was VERY hungry and excited customer about to delight in your amazing dishes!

Dick Wong

We had the private room at the entrance of the restaurant. It was a good sized room, the drink list was long, and the menu was exactly as advertised. I had the steak, blue, which was cooked to perfection. It is not an easy task to cook a steak blue but they did a very good job with it. The service was great, they seemed always present to take drink orders. I highly recommend coming here.

Kristian Lawrence

Cocktails get better every time I go here. I don't even live in Ottawa anymore, but I come here every time I'm in town. This has a "saloon" vibe, with a cozy assortment of rooms that can suit any size group. However, The bartender will make great conversation if you do end up checking this out alone. Highly recommend ! A must do while in Ottawa.

Taylor Giddings

Brunch tacos were SO good! I’ve previously come in for dinner and the charcuterie boards are by far the best in the city. Highly recommend!!

Brian Eng doing his Theng!

They have a great atmosphere and are very accommodating. There was a great drink list and interesting food menu. The service was a little slow and forgetful but overall a great place to go

Howard P

Really fantastic place. The food was genuinely interesting (elk tartare if you're feeling brave) and the décor was really well chosen - styled without being 'themed'. Most of all, the service was genuine and helpful. Great place, highly recommended.

Adrienne Buller

Stumbled on this place by chance and it was the greatest find in the city. Go for the charcuterie alone! The plating is gorgeous and naturally suggests taste combinations to enhance the flavours of the items provided. The cocktails are delicious and perfectly mixed. Went on a Sunday and got the prime rib special; everything on the plate was delectable. They really know what they are doing in the kitchen, and if you get anything else on the menu get their burger. When we mentioned that our group has allergies, the server made sure that the kitchen knew and we were taken care of. Good news for those allergic to soy: THEY USE CANOLA OIL! YOU DON'T HAVE TO FEAR THEIR FRIED FOOD! Seriously though... their fries are done in duck fat. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun in an interior designed in an old-style public house. It is definitely aiming for that '20's speakeasy style and nails it. The soundtrack fit the atmosphere entirely and enhanced the experience. This restaurant is a gem in Ottawa, and anyone who wants a taste experience to last a lifetime should go. I'm sad I didn't get any pictures. I was too busy enjoying myself!

Tu Vuong

Exceptional experience! Great mélange of flavours on the charcuterie board from duck bacon, wild boar to truffled pecorino. Cocktails by Sam were smooth and hit the mark.

Sean Battersby

It was a great spot. We really enjoyed the atmosphere. The signature cocktails were an excellent start to a wonderful dinner!

Berkley Robinson

My friend suggested going here for her birthday and we were blessed with great patio weather to soak up the sun while enjoying some delicious food. Firstly, the service was great, out server was very nice and able to help us with the menu as we were sharing. We got a pitcher of the bubble sangria which was amazing! They have a pretty decent beer and cocktails menu as well. The pouting tacos are AMAZING- easily one of the best dishes I have had in a long time. The beef tartare was also really good. We also got the flatbread and the turkey sliders-both pretty decent as well! Overall, this was a great experience and I look forward to going back!

Marcus Werneck

Great romantic spot with incredible service and very friendly staff. Loved the charcuterie board and also great drinks.

Brandon Stackhouse

Must eat and drink place in Ottawa. Absolutely amazing food and drinks! 100% will be back

Marilyn Maguire

Oh. My. Thank you Ottawa, for not mobbing Prohibition, allowing us to have one of the most exceptional dining experiences I have had in ages! The charcuterie plate was arranged to suggest pairings! The duck bacon was exquisite. Everyone should spend their summer evening on their patio having a Hooch cocktail, and Sunday Night's prime rib special was incredible. Finally, the outrageously delicious venison boar burger should be on your bucket list to have before you die. Aren't you getting a table yet.

Jean Johnstone

Dinner and drinks on the patio, safety protocols in place, great experience! Our servers were amazing, the place was busy but they always knew when to check in. I've been hesitant to do the whole patio thing during COVID but i took a chance and I will go back. Crab cakes and shrimp tacos hit the spot!

T Dub

Me and my mates were in Ottawa for a days and wanted a nice supper. Came across this place on the web and the name caught my attention! Decided to check it out and was not disappointed. The staff and ownership were awesome, accommodating our special request to sit upstairs in a special location. My group had a few people with craft beer interests before attending, and loved selection of beers available. The atmosphere was very cool with a vibe that was a modern roaring 20’s feel. The food was absolutely delicious. My table probably ordered about 80 percent of the menu and it was incredible. If you have time and are in the area definitely check this spot out. Needless to say we had a great time and everyone in my group loved it.

Clement Law

Nice patio, feels cozy even when appropriately spread out. Loved the food, the cod croquettes were amazing. The sangria is dangerously good

Mary Hulme

My husband and I were trying to find a charcuterie board and good drinks at 5PM on a Saturday. We were so happy to find this place and it didn’t disappoint! It’s in such a cute neighborhood and the place itself is an abandoned mansion. We did the pick 5 and were blown away! We got the wild boar, cured salmon, mussels and shrimp, Brie, and another cheese. It was so surprising! They are masters at pickling! I ate a piece of cantaloupe thinking it was sweet and it was pickled! The peaches were warm and like a big hug! Everything was well seasoned and so flavorful. There was such a great balance of richness, vinegar, and sweet. We devoured this board! We will have to come back for the 10! We also tried the tacos. The shrimp tacos were delicious and had a crispy batter. The poutine tacos were like a warm hug, but I wish they had some crunch to them. It was all soft in texture. This place was awesome and service was great! We can’t wait to come back!

Melanie Beauchamp

Love the decor, the ambiance, the service and the wide selection of beers on the menu. Our friends had made a group reservation and the service by Emily and other staff was impeccable. Kudos! The food, however, was disappointing. The tartare and the burger were decent, but some of the other options on the menu, such as the tacos, the flatbread and the zucca pasta failed to meet expectations (especially portion-wise for the latter two, given the price). The bottom line: would go back for drinks, but would skip on the food.

Bill McBay

What luck that we stumbled across this gem. Beautiful inside. I took many pictures for a future bar in my basement. This is a living breathing Pinterest post!!

Julian Fernandes

The atmosphere is great and the menu isn't too pricey. The staff is really friendly too. I would definitely recommend this place to others!

Krista Kilrea

Great selection of beer and food. A word of caution - the wine list can be pricy so pay attention to your ordering to avoid a bit of a surprise with the bill. The poutine tacos were exactly as described and quite a tasty treat. The server was lovely and attentive.

Kristine Fife

Amazing…atmosphere, food, cocktails and service! Sam was very friendly and very formative about the menu items! The charcuterie was delicious and was a great size for an appetizer for 4. The stuffed quail was larger than expected for a small plate item. The ambiance was a beautiful mix of Victorian charm and rustic chic. We will return!

Nathan Loyer

The tartar was fantastic, the mule was alright and the music was way too loud. The barman Logan: very good service, attentive and quick with names.

Bogdan Kunovac

Great drinks, great food. All local and homemade.

Måns Löfhede

Enjoyed the food a lot, and the atmosphere was great. Not for people wanting a quiet place for dinner though.

Erin McClanahan

On vacation from Florida and came here after looking at menus. Food was great! As a bartender, I was impressed the waitress knew as much about the cocktail menu as she did. I was unfamiliar with some of the liquors and she helped me pick a drink-which was very good! Only took one star off because I felt the wait time was a little long, but it wasn't a big deal.

Timothy Ace

Great twist on classic cocktails, beer selection was good (many locals), ambiance was great; very rustic and reminiscent of the 1920's. Bartender was friendly & knowledgeable! Definitely recommend, we will be back!

Dolceyul

This place not only is expensive but they sell 16oz beers, which is a pint, in glasses that are not even 16oz. Can you believe this? My partner bought a tall can (473ml, a pint) and she not only filled her glass but had a significant amount of beer left in her can....where talking about the same glass in which ive been served a draft "pint". Add up all the clients they serve, they do save some beer! Im disappointed. I dont mind paying, but if it says that im paying for 16oz on your menu, im expecting to get that. Never coming back again Wayyyy over rated

Aaron Fisher

The boar/venesin burger was amazing. They split it in half for us. Their menue changes often. Can't wait to see what to try next time ???????? Something about those fries too. Very tasty meal indeed! We will be back ❤

Alicia Barreno

I sit at the bar, single diner. Food is incredible, everything on the menu I've tried is great, you cannot go wrong. I had tuna carpaccio, worth it. Also had the mushroom flatbread, couldn't eat it all but was worth ordering them both to have leftovers. El Capone was a great cocktail (dark and stormy).

James Milks

Beautifully renovated to capture the prohibition era feel. Nice location. Can't reserve online so I called. Person who answered said that they were "in the weeds" and that they would call me back. They didn't. A second call was needed. Service was friendly and attentive , but felt a little disingenuous.maybe it had been a long day. Owner is charismatic and friendly and solicits feedback, but basically tells you that you are wrong. Not unlike in many of the reviews here. Unapologetically caters to a younger clientele. Dim lighting adds to atmosphere but makes reading brown text on black background menus a challenge. Very loud and would benefit from acoustic dampening features. Most importantly, the poutine tacos were great, the steak was good, but not spectacular. Nice beer selection and good product knowledge by the server.

Dor B

Brisket was amaaaazing! Somerset Sour was sub par (but looked great). Expected better drinks than food but nope, opposite. Good, quick service Saturday late afternoon!

Ramsey Wright

Good service for a crowd. Lots of beer on tap and in bottles with good craft selection. The custom cocktails looked good too. Didn't try the food but heard good things.

Marc 13

A nicely done setting with good spacing for covid-19 protocols. The gnocchi was tasty and the croqueitas were nicely different, but the stand out was the boar and venison burger. Simply excellent. A really well put together dish and the flavours complimented each other superbly. Our server Logan was great and super friendly and made an enjoyable patio experience. 1000 island beers were a good recommendation!

Jessica Parent

They have some great cocktails, but they are on the pricey side. I asked what was in the blue sangria, and they couldn't tell me, which was a little disappointing, as I was intrigued, but without the slightest hint as to what is in it, I'm not going to chance it. Service was fairly slow but good, which is not unexpected or unusual for a place like this, as you don't feel rushed. Tried the charcuterie and cheese board to share as a group. The duck pastrami, and blueberry gin salmon were fantastic, the duck rilette was also quite good, but the salami felt like something you'd get at any deli counter. The cheeses, as I'm not fond of blue cheese, and 2/5 options were blue cheese, felt a little lack luster. Came with some decent compotes,mustard and pickles. I tried their wild boar and venison burger, and I'd assumed the 2 meats would be ground together but it was (I believe) a ground venison patty, with slices of wild boar on top. The burger was very juicy and messy to eat, and the boat was super juicy and tender. Very delicious. The fried were dusted in a slightly sweet seasoning that was pretty good, but for a place so focussed on the little details and flourishes, it felt weird to have it served with what was almost certainly Heinz ketchup. Their bullets dessert were essentially just timbits. They were fresh, hot and soft, and a lot better than anything you'd get at Tim Hortons or basic donut shops, for sure, but they also weren't anything special. Overall, a great spot with good food and well thought out cocktails, but a bit pricier than I think I could justify.

F M

Excellent menu selection -- great variety. Reccommend the venison and wild boar. Fantastic Martini. Attentive service. Would gladly return.

Alyssa Carroll

My partner and I stopped by one Monday evening, after finding out most of the restaurants surrounding were closed. We ended up trying a charcuterie board, which also comes with different compotes and jams, and loved it. Stephanie, our lovely server, sold us on trying a pitcher of the watermelon sangria, and it was perfect for the hot summer evening! Will be back again sometime soon!

Susan Steeves

The Brunch Charcuturie was delicious! Wait staff attentive and engaging. A lovely way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon. First visit but I’ll be back ????

Matthew Campbell

We waited an hour to get our $36 plate of food to have enough food to be considered an appetizer. The adventure meal is NOT worth the money. The best part of it all was the fries. They're good

Maggie Clarke

I went with my family and we all left feeling that we had one of the best dining experiences that we have ever had. The drinks, food and service were second to none, and we really enjoyed the friendly atmosphere. Sam and our waitress went out of their way to talk with us and my family can't wait to go again when they come back to Ottawa!

Ryan Resmer

Hilarious /unacceptable uninspired flavorless menu. So SAD that they pawn off a flavorless flatbread with arugula, and max 2oz of “duck” as a gourmet appetizer. And for $19!!! Calamari - same frozen stuff you can get from no frills. $16. A flat gin and tonic - even when the replacement drink came out, and a terribly unattentive waitress that made so many excuses for why her three tables were each taking 30+ min to get drinks (in a more than half empty restaurant). Please everyone - there are a dozen other better places with GREAT atmosphere, location, far better drinks and reasonable prices. I also had the $24 burger ... over cooked and not nearly as good as even a fast food place like South street burger or the like. Skip this place.

Michel Routhier

Really cool ambience and vibe. Great cocktails and beer selection, service was very good but they seem under staffed the night we were there, but there was a big group. The side car I hade was very nice. The scallops and belly was soooo delicious. The tartar was good but too salty for my taste.

Bechthold Lieselotte

We were there for brunch. The services and food was excellent. The staff were very friendly.

Daniel Laprise

Great ambience and people. The place is huge there were many parties at the same time and it did not feel crowded. I was in a vegan challenge month and they actually had great choices and it tasted fabulous. Also they had many beers on tap from local and far microbreweries. This is what I'm fond of, helping local businesses helping other businesses. It's a must if you're looking for great food. The taco poutine were a nice twist to the classic... Maybe I had a taste and cheated a bit, just don't tell anyone!

Karl Patton

I've been here a couple times now, and I have to say that I love everything about it. The staff here treat you as if you're in their own home, especially Steve and Matt (the managers/owners?) who are always around making sure everything is okay. There are some beautiful, well-designed spaces that are perfect for large parties. My friends and I had a birthday celebration here recently and everyone loved the venue, the food, and the well-priced beer. Great experience, highly recommended.

Andrea Black

Love this place. They have a nice selection of cocktails and good food. Great service, vibe and aesthetic :)

Karl Azrak

Had an enjoyable dinner here a few weeks ago. A burger with wild boar delighted, deliciously savoury and with a great bun and accompanied fillings. The fries were also great, and the overall burger meal was both filling and satisfying. On the other hand, the duck dish didn't excel, the duck itself was well cooked, but neither the mash nor the sauce paired very well. The presence of wheat and a singular chili was also a bit odd, atleast for me. Overall, it was a good meal, with the burger being an especial standout and I'd definitely visit again to see if there were any changes to the menu.

Kayla

Very nice, rustic patio with a great atmosphere, service was great, food and beer was very good. The small plates really are small, there were 11 gnocchi on my plate and a small amount of shredded duck. If we didn’t get a sharer plate as well I would have left hungry for sure and I’m a small girl. My boyfriend got the boar and venison burger under the mains and he was full with some fries to spare. Will be back, and will get a main next time!

Sarai

Came in this weekend and had a couple great cocktails. Big beer selection. Had the charcuterie .... best in town. Boyfriend had the salmon it was crazy good. Loved the vibe / patio and my server Paige took great care of me.

Karina Kisselite

Not the largest selection of food, but a better selection of cocktails and wine. A bit chaotic with a bunch of waiters around, and even though everything took quite a long time, but all of them were friendly. I had gnocchi with duck and they were not similar to any gnocchi that I had before, mostly because of lack of traditional creamy sauce. The dish was still good though. Also had a glass of Malbec which was pretty good.

Kyle Armstrong

This review is more so regarding my dish as opposed to the establishment. The service and overall experience was fine. I was stuck choosing between the Enright Cattle Smoked Brisket and the Wild Bore and Venison Burger. Decided to go with the brisket and I was really underwhelmed. The menu states that is smoked for 72 hrs and while the brisket was tender it significantly lacked flavor when compared to other smoked briskets that I’ve had. The side dishes while more flavorful than the brisket were small in portion and could not make up for where the brisket fell short. Being that this dish is one of the more expensive items on the menu I was expecting more from it. I did see other people with the burger and the all seemed to enjoy it so I’d suggest that over the brisket.

Andrew Blakeley

Great beer and service. Chicken pot pie was just okay.

Remy G (Frenchmanremy)

Great food, great setting! Staff was attentive and friendly. Something you don't see often is the mention of the chefs involved on the menu! Overall was only a 4/5 as some of the food left a little to be desired. Everything we had was super tasty(cod bites, shrimp tacos), I'm just super picky with brisket and found it to be a little overdone as the fat wasn't fully rendered.

Cassie Stead

Ate here for the first time last night after hearing great things. Did not disappoint. Great staff, good selection of drinks, and amazing food. The charcuterie board can be customized too, so highly recommand.

CiDYYJ

Character experience, quite pricey, but all handmade selection of food. Includes selection of game, e. g., rabbit, elk, and creative desserts (separate menu for desserts). In an old house, the lounge/bar is on the first level and dining spaces in the various 'rooms' and a second level (where the washrooms are located). The second level also has a bar/lounge area. Lively atmosphere, friendly and attentive service, and really like decor and appointments related to the Prohibition era. The menu is quite eclectic and looks like repeat visits would provide opportunity to try some interesting menu offerings. Prices are moderately expensive, expect to pay about $70-75 per person for full meal drinks. In the Centre Town neighbourhood, the Prohibition Public House is a 1/2 block from Banks Street with transit stops for routes #6 and #7 nearby. Must be very nice on a warm summer evening. Reservations recommended - especially for groups (two-or-more) to get a semi-private space.

Craig Lindsay

Really friendly people. Great menu and beer selections. Boar and venison burger is very good! One of my favourite places to go when traveling through Ottawa.

jenn webster

Really great atmosphere, staff are all amazing they are very attentive when your drink is almost done dont worry one of the awesome ladies are around to refill your drink .... and they remember your drink choice too thats a nice bonus.

Aislinn Conway

Great spot and atmosphere - very dog-friendly and accommodating. The owner and all of the staff were friendly and welcoming. Delicious food - best fish and chips in Ottawa and the burger was great. Will return.

Benjamin Segall

Had an amazing late lunch! Ordered the Brunch charcuterie board and the watermelon sangria, both of which were absolutely delicious. Everything was so intentional and well made. The vibe here is so fun and casual. Would definitely recommend it to anyone.

Thiago Neres

I almost never have a charcuterie plate when I'm eating out, but this one was out of this world. Drinks and service were superb too!

Antonya De La Cruz

I can't begin to describe how amazing this place place. I'm both sad and pleased about the changing menu. Sad because some things are amazing and pleased because it's fresh, current, and seasonal. Their choices are bold and push the envelope and the epitome of how Ottawa's food scene is finally evolving and catching up with the rest of the world. Atmosphere is great. Lighting, seating, music are all on point and service is great. They care about the food they put in front of you.

Christelle Girard

Great service! From the host to our barter, they were very attentive, friendly and helpful. A must when in Ottawa

David Roffey

Great atmosphere with friendly helpful staff. Good selection of beers with a guest local craft brew on rotation. The food was awesome. Went for a retirement party, and a lot of us had steak. They all came out (20+) together, and were cooked perfectly. Desert was also a treat for the senses. Will be going again for a date night soon. Highly recommended.

Emma Colson

I had a dream about the carbonara after I left, it was THAT good! Amazing service and drinks too. Looking forward to sitting inside this beautiful restaurant next time.

Catherine Proulx

Great place! Good vibe and tasty food! Brunch or dinner … they take normal dishes and make them extra! ???????? Staff are super nice service is great!

Fredy

A mixed bag. The wild boar and venison burger was fantastic, hearty and well worth the price. The chicken corndogs were tiny, lack luster and not worth the price. The margherita style flat bread wasn't bad at all. The watermelon sangrias were pretty awesome. Decent red wine list but certainly over priced. $19 for 9oz of 19 Crimes Shiraz is a little much in my opinion considering that bottle costs $18. Overall, worth a visit if for nothing else, that freaking burger!

HM Kim

A cute place. I enjoyed their cocktails and some of their burger menus.

Joe Skyfall

Im am tottally blown away from the service here. Super friendly and engaging staff and they pay attention to the smallest details. The food is full of flavour and spice, I had the taco nachos which was roughly 15 before tax for 3 tacos. The decor is very fitting and makes this bar very unique. Great place to impress someone.

Darshil Vora

The lady who greeted me, talked to me in a dumb way. But the guy who was my server, was absolutely amazing. The food was nice, something new.

Mathieu Provost

Charcuterie, Tacos, Burgers, Gnocchi, and Drinks. Need I say more? Lovely evening and great service too. Thanks!

Christine Burnside

The server was attentive and pleasant. The tacos were delicious, the rest was ok. The atmosphere is for a younger crowd...younger than our group. When asked how our evening was, after giving a good review of the food, I mentioned the darkness of the room and the challenge reading the menu (said in good humour with a laugh), the owner's response was "that's the vibe the we're going for" and then he continued to let us know there is a bar upstairs etc., etc.

Vanessa Herman

Food is ok. I think it's a bit overpriced for the quality and serving size. Great patio extended patio. Friendly servers.

Celine Toth

Superb service and unique atmosphere!! Love the "make your own" charcuterie board option and the alcoholic beverages are worth every penny!

Stéphane Fréchette

First time at Prohibition, great place! Had a seasonal from Ashton Brewery Company “awesome”, we also shared a plate of Nachos tacos poutine style which we enjoyed ;-). Surely not the last time for this place, we will be back. If looking for some great beers and catching up with friends I highly recommend

Jodi Turner

The food was amazing! We had the kale Caesar salad, the mushroom pasta and the donut holes. We also had an amazing waiter! His name was Sam and he was lovely!

Sara Avoledo

This place was amazing! I happened upon it while on business in Ottawa. I had a delish rose watermelon sangria on the patio (the sign advertising the drink brought me in!) and then I had an amazing striploin wrapped in bacon, with rosti potato. I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO MAKE THIS PLEASE! I would come back just for the rosti potatoes alone!

Erin Sauve

If I have anything to say it is: GO. TO. THIS. PLACE! Hands down some of the best drinks (shoutout to Sam) and food in Ottawa. You cannot go wrong adding this to your next night out! Service was nothing short of amazing (Thank you Emma!!!). Highly would recommend to anyone looking for a fun night in Ottawa!!

Scott L

We always look for creative food choices and Prohibition has quite a few. We had the poutine tacos and not only was it delicious but very filling! Glad we shared this and then shared the bullets for dessert! A couple of Capone cocktails and it was a great night out. Friendly and attentive staff were fantastic. Looking forward to going again.

Titilola

Beautiful rustic pub. I loved the stone walls. Good service, can't comment about the food. Seems like a good place to have drinks with friends, not so much for corporate events. It will be good to have a ramp here, for accessibility.

Julie Lechasseur

We had the best time!! Thank to Sam our service was incredible, the food was also incredible. Best evening in a while.

jason fraser

The food is out of this world, has great combinations of flavoring using locally grown ingredients. Great vibes, awesome service, you can tell the owners really have a passion for what they are doing around this place. I highly recommend this place!

Dennis Denev

This was not planned ! I came here because the place next door was closed for a private party. Already annoyed, and hungry , I pulled over . The seat at the bar was all I needed to reclaim and order almost everything on the menu. The place looks like a three family house that has been converted to a restaurant / bar. The place offer a very unique atmosphere . Bring a date here. The menu is divided in two sections , heavy meaty dishes and lighter section with tapas attempt. I tried a few of the smaller dishes and they did not disappoint . Except maybe the pumpkin dip which was too flat tasting and heavy on the bread . The duck breast sliders pair well with beer. I needed to wash off the aioli layer of flavoring. August , the bartender , gets an extra bonus point ! This bars integrity depends on him! Thank you Sir ????

SilverLight

While bustling and vibrant, the staff were amazingly attentive and interactive. Chef Jesse Bell puts so much love into each dish (wish I had 4) This is truly one the the best uo and coming places in Ottawa. Well more than worth a visit!

Tom Christie

This place is awesome. When the lockdown lifted we made a reservation the first Friday because we wanted some cool music and good food and this is the best place in town for it. Charcuterie was incredible as usual, cocktails were perfect, service was awesome and we had a blast. Not my first rodeo at prohibition but it never disappoints. We'll be back soon.

H M

Pretty good food! Loved the charcuterie board here. Has good selection on beer and wine.

Jessica Wilson

Great cocktails, friendly staff, and a lovely covered patio. Never had a bad visit to Prohibition :)

Nadia Larouche

Food and service were a solid 5 stars. Collectively we had the Gnocchi, mushroom carbonara and shrimp tacos and we all enjoyed the food tremendously. The only reason why I give 4 stars is that the section in which we were seated did not at all respect social distancing - seated in our chair there was about 2 feet distance from diners at our backs (on both sides of the table). Not all tables were this close and I appreciate what a difficult time it is for businesses, but it did impact my overall enjoyment of the evening. I’ll definitely be back based on the quality of the food and the great service but it will only be once the pandemic no longer impacts social distancing.

Chris Pallen

This is great place to go when dinner is the main event. The beer selection is decent and the bottles of wine reasonably priced. We started with a charcuterie board. All the little extras were yummy. Main courses were the zuccapasta with shrimp and Duck with pork belly. The desert was the homemade donuts. As well as great food, the setting was warm and lively and the staff were excellent.

Dustin Windsor

One of the prettiest Charcuterie boards we have ever seen! Our server spent so much time with us, kudos to him. French Fry Taco...not something we would usually go for at a restaurant, but it was fantastic (or that was the cocktails talking). Speaking of Cocktails, we went off menu for at least 8-10 of them. We told the bartender to keep them coming, and surprise us...yet another fun night. $30 a cocktail rounds can add up, but worth it. Great cozy atmosphere.

Julien Michel

Long wait for food but it was great. Not a great place for huge groups, went with 6 people and we were sat beside a table of 12+ coworkers having a Christmas party that we felt like we were intruding. Multiple small rooms, I would not plan a loud "drunk cheering" type party here. Staff is great, atmosphere seems like it would usually be cozy.

Danylo Swider

A must try!!! Went with a large group and tried almost everything on the menu and there wasn't a single thing that we didn't love. Don't wait GO NOW

Jason Lawson

Food was a big improvement over the last times we were here. Cocktails were really solid. Service was good. Vibe was good!

Sonia Myre

The food was delicious. The mains were very disproportionately sized however: some had huge portions while others had barely anything on the plate. Our server James was amazing. Very tasty drinks too.

Kaitlyn Brant

Had the Moscow mule, spicy margarita and dark and stormy. Drinks were good. We also had the large charcuterie board. Everything on the board was delicious. Others at the table ordered the Margherita pizza and did not like it at all.

Jennifer Luck

What a gem of a restaurant! Beautiful heated patio and amazing attention to Covid protocols. We had the fish tacos and the brisket burger. To die for. Oh and the old fashioned was one of the best I've had. Food came out fast too! Can't wait to go back!

Zoya Tereshchenko

Great spot to visit, but a little overpriced. We had a smoked brisket and shrimp tacos, very tasty! Definitely recommend! Will be back for sure!

Erica Hunt

I hosted a birthday party in the upstairs at Prohibition last weekend. Management was super accommodating and our server took great care of us. We shared a culinary adventure board which had a variety of meats and veggies etc... the lamb and duck were to die for! .... I had heard this place is awesome for groups and now I see why.

Jimmy Callaghan

This is our go-to restaurant when visiting Ottawa, and it never disappoints. Located in beautiful Somerset Village, this restaurant offers a large patio great for enjoying a warm summer’s evening. The cocktails are amazing and the pappardelle and gnocchi are our favourites from the summer menu. The servers are very knowledgeable and attentive with a special shoutout to “Paige” who goes above and beyond to ensure a great evening.

B C

I got the elk tartar and it was so good but it was very salty. I like my salt for sure but definitely if it was dialed back a little it would be perfect. The service was good and staff were nice.

Caitlin S

Food is delicious and service was great. It is on the pricier side.

Andrew Bury

Had my first patio experience yesterday (Friday June 11), first evening of re-opening, and loved it. We had sneaked in one of the last 8PM reservations before the place was no longer accepting reservations passed 7:30. They fully accommodated our 8:00 pm reservation, and we had even showed up early. The patio was jam packed with a decent line up, and they still treated us with priority and had a nice table set aside. Our server, Emily (my girlfriend caught her name) was phenomenal. Although wait times were much longer than normal, which was completely understandable and expected, she was very friendly, apologetic of wait times, engaged in conversation although all staff were very busy, and most importantly was very accurate with her service. I've worked in the restaurant industry before and understand how critical it is to have a full team effort to pull off a successful busy night. Big thank you to the servers, staff, management/owners for making a great first night back. I will return frequently.

C Arm

I had a great evening with friends and family. I wasn’t sure if I wanted the burger or the shrimp tacos. The waitress enthusiastically recommended the burger and I was not disappointed. The meat is the star of the show as it should be. Cooked perfectly and oh so juicy. I don’t drink, but my party was OBSESSED with the watermelon sangria. We had an amazing evening out and I want to give a shout out to our waitress who was so attentive and friendly. Thank you for an amazing experience!

Audrey T

Nice yummy spot on Somerset! Went here since Union 613 was closed that evening, and did not regret it! Had a lovely watermelon sangria, their shrimp tacos as the main (comes with 3, $5 for an extra one), and the pavlova for dessert. Enjoyed their patio and quick service. Heads up for fall weather - their heat lamps weren’t the warmest!

Andrew Gudgeon

Burger is to die for. Fries can either be too salty or perfect.

Rob Foster

The waiter and bartender were great. Didnt have a reservation, so we were seated in the bar. The food was incredible. I'd give it more stars if I could. Definitely going back but next time I'll make a reservation.

Mark Bouwmeester

This restaurant is absolutely amazing. Tonight was the third time I ate here and I have always had a great experience. Every experience I had was better than the last. The food was exquisite. So far I've tried the curry, the venison and boar burger and the rack of lamb. Each and everyone of these meals was nothing short of fantastic. Prohibition also offers a unique ambiance which enhances your dining experience. I would highly recommend this establishment to anyone in the Ottawa area.

Timo Scheiber

I can only comment on after dinner cocktails, which were excellent as was the service. recommended

Nathalie Monk

Awesome service, great vibes, delicious food and drinks. Food portions are fairly small for the cost.

A HM

Was hesitant to try this place after reading the reviews and the way the Owner responds to comments that they don't agree with, but my friend said it was her favourite. Our Server was nice and the decor and ambience was nice overall. The sangria and other drinks we tried were good as well. 2 stars because we found the rest of the food underwhelming. We ordered the burgers since most reviews suggested those, and the poutine tacos to start. The poutine tacos were tasty, nothing extraordinary that I would order again though. The burger was also just an average burger.. my friend was disappointed in hers and didn't even finish it. Where we were really disappointed is when we both ordered truffle fries and the fries came.. and zero truffle. There was no smell or taste or any trace of truffle oil. It was just parmesan on top of fries. Overall, wouldn't come here again. The food was average and it just irks me supporting a business that leaves finger pointing comments on reviews instead of being open to the feedback. Google reviews are meant to see people's unbiased personal opinions.

Kristeen Lynch

Just had dinner at prohibition and everything was cold and bland. Out of the 8 meals we ordered I was the only one to complain about the tartare. The waitress proceeded to come out of the kitchen with the tartare ingredients to prove to me it wasn't bland lol? Even though she took the plate away she still charged me for it. Pretty disappointed.

Andrew Boychuk

I had an amazing meal, the service, decor and ambiance is perfect, all in all a must!

Michelle Lee

We thoroughly enjoyed our experience at Prohibition. The server named Sara and her service was extremely sweet and nice, making the experience more memorable!

Barb Ross

Always wonderful food choices and staff are confident in helping with menu selections Beautiful comfy warm and inviting atmosphere and a great vibe Have enjoyed the summer patio a few times for cocktails as snacks. This visit we really enjoyed the creative dinner options. Saved room for dessert and was not disappointed. Until next time .....

Clare Pihlainen

I had a very disappointing experience at this restaurant for multiple reason. Our large group had a reservation for 8 and upon arrival were split between two tables. We were not informed that this would be the case when making the reservation. The quality of the food was very poor and some people in our group didn’t even bother finishing their plates. The $4 pretzel bun was incredibly stale and inedible. The volume of the music made it impossible to have a conversation with the anyone other than the person sitting directly next to you. The service was lacking. Half of our group was offered another round of drinks while the other half was ignored. I will never go back to this restuarant/bar and would not recommend it to anyone.

portal

Really Good Food, this place is a must go to if you are visiting the downtown area of ottawa with its amazing presentation and taste. Plus all the food is made fresh from that day, very good i recommend!

Reed Parsons

Food was excellent and eclectic, definitely a unique combination of flavors. Beer list was varied but not overwhelming. Unfortunately service was slow even though it wasn't very busy. I would definitely go back for the food if nothing else.

D. Williams

This restaurant is a GEM! Excellent food, had one of the best meals in my entire life! I could go on and on about this amazing food forever. Fresh, flavourful, and prepared with tons of passion. Service is great too. Definitely eat here at least once!

jjcousine

Great find. Atmosphere outdoors was wonderful. Small but interesting menu. Drinks were unique and delicious. Fish and chips was good but nothing special. Pasta was homemade and very good, but again, not great. We enjoyed both but felt it should be better for the price. Server was wonderful and made excellent wine recommendations. Would return for drinks and to try the charcuterie board which looked fantastic.

Taylor Trott

Came for the curb appeal, the patio looked amazing and had been wanting to try this place out for a while. Great service for as long as we were there, drinks were reasonably priced as well. Given the name I assumed there would be a blue collar menu, but the menu is very ... eclectic? (Probably the wrong word) Some of our party of four couldn't find something they were interested in ordering so we ended up heading somewhere else after drinks. While it's a great spot and a beautiful patio to check out for a drink, I would definitely suggest you take a peak at the menu before deciding to go just because this isn't one of those spots that has "something for everyone".

L L

Came here for brunch before stage 2 and it was delicious. The service was pleasant. Scones were nice, warm and buttery. They have the absolute best charcuterie I’ve had in Ottawa, the different pickled vegetables were definitely one of the highlights on the board. The different varieties of meat and cheese were great as well as the presentation. I tried the watermelon sangria and it is now my favourite. The prohibition Benny was good but the sauce was a bit bland. I had also ordered the creme brûlée which was good but too firm for my liking, it did however come with home made biscotti which was a very nice touch.

Mark

My girlfriend and I eat out frequently, and I was a Keg server in Toronto for 7 years. We came here with a group of 6, and when we arrived the restaurant seemed very quiet. We were sat promptly, and greeted by our server who was very pleasant. After getting our drinks and placing our dinner orders, we waited for over an hour to receive any food at all (including appies), or to get an update from staff about meal times. Prompted by the group, I went out to the hall to try and catch our server to inquire. Over an hour without an update seemed odd to me, and I was concerned our meals might not have been punched in. Another staff member saw me and he asked if everything was okay, to which I explained the situation in a very polite manner, making no assumptions. His response was along the lines of "it is what is is, what do you want me to say? Not much I can do about it". The answer I was hoping for was more along the lines of: "let me check your meal times", or even jut "sorry, we're running a little behind tonight, meals should be out shortly". It may not seem like much but it kinda rubbed me the wrong way. I had the shrimp tacos and shared a squash dip, and overall found the food the be very average. For the cost, I expected a better experience.

Jamie Seguin

Please give a huge thank you to our waiter Sam.. He was unreal. So funny, so knowledgeable about the menu also. He didn't hesitate to answer all our questions. He also made sure we felt right at home since it was our first time there. The food was the cherry on top, amazing venue and amazing staff. Definitely going back.

Dawn B

We sat outside and had the most refreshing watermelon rose sangria! A pitcher for $26 or glass for $10. The service was memorably good. Shout out to Sam who usually works the bar, he made us feel very welcome. I ordered the tuna nicolaise which my husband proceeded to take over. So good!

Raja Johnpulle

The menu is overpriced and there is nothing original or interesting. The duck flatbread is $19 and I honestly would not pay more than $10 had I known what I was going to get. The ambience is probably the best part. Service was average, considering it was not busy. Food was very bland and tasteless. I would not recommend it unless you're desperate and out of options.

Rob Errington

Great service, lovely decor and a delicious brunch menu!

David F.

Looking to have a drink with a few buddies, this is an excellent choice. Their patio is massive and their beer choices are good too. The food is good if you like an interesting menu. Book a meeting for after work...and have a wonderful time

Kelcey Brown

This restaurant is one of the coolest places I’ve been in Ottawa. It was busy and the Service was still fantastic, the staff were super friendly and efficient, the food was cooked to perfection and the drinks were excellent. If I could give this place 50 stars, I would. 10/10 recommend. I will definitely be back!

Charlène

Very pleasant setting. The food was delicious but for small appetite. Also too bad there was so much ice in the sangria so I tasted more like water.

Michelle Kaleta

A not-so-hidden gem. The food is incredible and drinks are always perfectly mixed. Best Old Fashions in the city! The patio is so quaint and a perfect place to spend a nice summer evening out with friends. Make sure to order their sangria! We celebrated a birthday here this evening and Stephanie took care of our table of 10. She was so kind and pleasant. Keep an eye out for her ninja-like reflexes! One of our party knocked over a glass of water and Steph appeared out of nowhere with a napkin within seconds. Very impressive and a great experience overall.

Jeremy Beaumier

Food is good. Had the burger which is amazing. Just wish it came with more fries as I was still hungry afterwards. Shouldn't be hungry after a $20something meal in my opinion.

Victoria Webber

Great experience. Very friendly service! The food was amazing. My husband and from I are from out of town and we will be sure to come back to the resto the next time we are in Ottawa.

Nicole Del Monte

I coordinated a work event for a group of executives fairly last minute. The staff at Prohibition was extremely accommodating in reserving the Gangster room for us. Everyone was extremely impressed and satisfied with the service and quality of food and drink. Ally & Paige took great care of us, ensuring an optimal experience! Thanks to the team at Prohibition. Your staff not only ensured we had a great time, but accommodated our teams needs last minute and were extremely attentive.

Chris Whiting

What a wonderful find this restaurant was. There was something on the menu for everyone with unique items like wild bore, venison and Elk. Vegetarian options are also available. Take some time to review the menus before you go. Atmosphere was cozy and perfect for a celebration. Nice upbeat music and a super selection of beers and wines from the bar. Service was attentive and reliable with recommendations. Seating available upstairs and downstairs with bars on both levels. I would certainly go back again.