Review The Moonroom

Michelle Lee

Moonroom was a great experience. Currently no dine-in and no reservation, it offers patio dining at the back. Patio has heaters installed so cold wasn’t a problem. They seem to be able to make all the classic cocktails, and deliciously! I would love to come back again.

Gabrielle Bishop

Had a lovely experience at the Moonroom! Went for 6pm on Friday night (was a bit rainy; no wait for a table) before going to the 8pm show at Absolute Comedy. Hadn’t been to Moonroom since moving to Ottawa in 2014, and 7 years was too long to leave in between visits. Service was warm and friendly, and the atmosphere was so cozy. No indoor seating is available right now, so all seating is on the patio. We were seated in the covered section, which was very intimate and pretty with the lights. Food and drinks were amazing. I had the Cocoa Caliente cocktail, which will definitely warm you up! Also had the grilled cheese, which was fantastic. Need to come back more!

Fiona Pinard

The staff was really nice and the atmosphere really cool. I just found it really expensive. $18 dollar drink, however, I think because of the alcohol in the drink that's why it cost more. The food is meant to be shared so you'd have to order a lot I think to be full. Definitely don't get a full meal option.

Radka Kvasnica

Last year it was awesome, but unfortunately I cannot say the same about our last visit. Basically we got a drink we didn't like and returned it without really drinking it, were told it was our fault for ordering it and were still charged for it... read more details below. The ambience is still great but after we sat down it went downhill. We were browsing drinks but then also asked for the food menu, we were told that we get it after we order the drinks. Then we ordered drinks and while waiting we asked again for the food menu, again, we were told that we can look but the order will be taken after the drinks arrive. (It is basically their policy that drinks sometimes take longer so you won't end up with food first. The whole situation was just weird and very unpleasantly answered when we asked.) Then we ended up with a cocktail that was not good, it was a sour drink topped with egg white, which we usually really like but in this case the smell of the whites was overpowering the whole drink. After mentioning it to our person, the drink was taken away and we were told that is basically our fault, because the drink is exactly what it says on the menu and we were also told that if we want another cocktail, it will take long time but if we want beer, that will be quick. The way it was handled it was just weirdly rude. In the end we were charged for the whole cocktail, it was the first time we did not leave a tip in a bar.

David K

Sadly our most recent visit to the Moonroom will be our last. To keep it brief, for some reason our server was really patronizing and unpleasant to us. I ordered an egg-based drink with several interesting ingredients/liquors (I forget the name), all of which I like. The drink ended up tasting and smelling awful, which my wife also confirmed. The smell was probably coming from the egg, but I've had egg-based drinks many times and it's never been a problem. I brought it up with the server, and they said they'll check on it. When they came back, they said they used eggs they prepared that day (which was an odd thing to mention, why wouldn't they use a fresh egg when it was ordered...), and that there was nothing wrong with the drink otherwise and it's my fault for ordering it. They then said it would take a really long time for another cocktail, basically telling me I couldn't order another. At the end, they ended up charging me for the drink. It's unfortunate they treated us like this since their other drinks and food were really great. Luckily, there are other good cocktail bars in Ottawa to frequent instead.

Amanda Bergin

I love this place but the prices have been really taking me aback recently. Their back patio is romantic and magical. Go prepared to spend a pretty penny for drinks, but is is an atmosphere like no other.

Emma

Really good and inventive cocktails! Cozy outdoor space and really friendly staff.

Taylor Robert

The ambience will literally transport you, it's so moody and cozy, like being in a blanket fort on vacation. That being said, in the summer, with all the candles inside and little ventilation, it was deliriously hot. The service was almost non-existent until we asked for help multiple times just to been initially seen. When we were seen the staff were very pleasant and apologetic. We had asked for the first available spot on the patio while waiting inside but watched as 3-4 other new arrivals got sat outside and we were forgotten about again (we never got to go outside). It seemed chaotic (maybe understaffed or way too small of a space for the volume of people). There were 5 people behind a tiny bar at one time literally climbing on the countertops to get around each other - it was actually wild. The drink prices are insane. I'm a bartender/mixologist and none of the ingredients warrant that price gauging. The biggest issue for me is the lack of variety in the drink bases. Everything is citrus based. As someone who doesn't like citrus, there was nothing creamy/floral/nutty/tropical, etc for me. Everything is with lime/lemon/orange juice and sour/bitter pretty much. In conclusion, I think it's overrated but the atmosphere was esthetic, intimate, and cozy. The staff seemed friendly. White guy there with cornrows is a bit in poor taste but he was friendly enough.

Courtney Leduc

The MoonRoom is adorable. The staff are sweet as pie and very attentive. The cocktails are very well made; they make one of the best old fashions in the city. I had the popcorn, mac and cheese and bacon wrapped olives all of which were exquisite. My only complaint is that the location is very small. Looking forward to going back!

Adam Zav

The drinks are amazing, food tasty and staff are cool beans! The mood is also on point, nothing like it in the city.

Shelley Srdarev

Great atmosphere, staff, cocktails and eats! Loved this place from the first step inside.

Dina MacLeod

Always a favourite place to go in Little Italy. Wonderfully made cocktails, delicious food to nosh on, and you can count on some great conversation with other patrons and staff. Coupled with the ambiance and playlists. the place just strikes the right chord.

Jean-Philippe Doyle

Found a new favorite in Ottawa! Friendly staff, excellent food, love it! Very recommended.

Pauline So

One of the coolest places in Ottawa!! Almost don't want to share it, it's so good. AMAZING staff, great food, great drinks, an atmosphere like no other!

Paul Boisvert

great staff amazing food what an awesome place :))

Marika Ly

Favourite place for a girls night � great drinks and good food!

Rodrigo Jose

Great atmosphere, great music (particularity love the throwback hits when they are on), awesome food, fun and friendly staff. S great place to spend your evening!!!!

Sarah Tresidder

Our cocktails were fantastic, but the most impressive aspect was the service! Despite it being *expletive* BUSY (at capacity), each new guest (many, it was a Friday night and the litteral walk-in’s, including us, were constant) was graciously greeted by a member of the staff and explained the situation regarding wait times... I couldn’t believe how attentive our service was considering how busy it was! It would have been excusable and obvious to rush things, but each staff interaction was genuine and inviting. This combined with authentic, well-made cocktails made the experience one to remember!

Véro Gratton

The service is excellent. Love the ambiance as well every time I go. The portion sizes of tapas though compared to the prices are a little high for my budget. I feel like it attracts a certain kind of clientele. Apart from that, I thoroughly enjoy the place for sure every time.

Aoife Ni Shiochain

Great atmosphere, friendly staff and delicious drinks and snack options. One of my faves in Ottawa!

Marlene Thorne

Fabulous cocktails and incredibly friendly, knowledgeable staff. Definitely a gem!

Erika Burbidge

Great atmosphere and even better food. The pairings and bar food is prepared at the bar, incredible creations. Highly recommended, small venue.

Matúš Dúbrava

You should expect exactly what title says. This place is for sure different than mainstream bars ... (Making it amazing )

Véro Marengère

Favorite place for a drink. 🍸🥃🚀

Michael Hull

Always good music playing, great little menu, and very welcoming staff. My favorite place to go in Ottawa.

Guy Ouellette

Extremely Quaint little lounge in the heart of Preston. Love going there with my friends

Vince Johnson

my second home :) ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Jess

Its good here small and cute. Do not go here starving. Does take long to prepare the apps. Drinks are all freshly made. Cute date spot or girls night.

Jennifer Van De Vooren

Fantastic cocktails. Intimate, chill setting like being at a friend's party. Watch the wait later in the evening because it gets packed. Food is limited but quite tasty

Cpjh

Lovely little tapas bar, tucked into a corner of little Italy. Gave the server free rein to select our meal choices for us. Was an excellent experience with superb wine pairings. And I truly mean experience, as the ambiance was a match to the freshly prepared food offerings. Menu changes regularly. Well worth several return visits.

Chuck Wilson

In one word: amazing! This was the first time in a long time where I was truly surprised and amazed by the flavors going on in my mouth. It started with the Bollywood Chevre. That was something different and amazing. The Artisinal, to Earth, Fin, and Fire boards were fantastic. The bacon wrapped olives made olives edible for me (everything is better wrapped in bacon, thought) The cocktails were also fantastic. Had a proper egg white whiskey sour, a delish old fashion, and a stiff Manhattan. They're not chincy on the booze :) Service was great: very attentive, very chill and they explained the boards as they arrived. Ambiance was very chill with good music. Very reasonable prices for the quality of food and tastes you're experiencing. The bill could get out of hand quickly if you keep ordering the cocktails.

Listophile

My favourite place to eat in this city. Romantic, great tunes, the food is delicious and the drinks (especially the Sidecar) are so so good.

Michelle

My friend and I went here for cocktails and snacks about a month ago and I have been trying to find an excuse to go back ever since! I loved the atmosphere, service and drinks. Our waitress was so friendly and so helpful. You could really tell the quality of the drinks, so I wasn't surprised when she told us that everything is made from scratch, no mixes here. The cheese and snacks were good, nothing too exciting. I had the grilled cheese and my friend has bacon wrapped olives, but the drinks were amazing. If you're looking for a place to catch up with friends, with ambiance and a friendly vibe I highly recommend you try The Moonroom.

Costa

Great setting. Snacks are simple and fine enough Very reasonably priced. But key here is the cozy factor - nice lighting and cool music. Drinks are good and the vibe stylish.

Jennyran

Every time I'm not quite sure where to go I head to the moonroom. Never disappoints. Rustic, intimate, dimly lit space, long and narrow so best for couples unless you make resos. That being said have gone as a gaggle of girlfriends and overtook the bar and they didn't mind one bit 👍. Now that I have sampled so many of their well-thought out tapas, I usually start with the artisan plate and follow up with the Adventure Plate, which is made up of 3 surprises from the chef... Just this week the surprise was a lovely tart/sweet tomato salad, smoked tofu bahn mi sandwiches (perfectly balanced), and the most incredible ice cream that tasted like 'la tire a la sainte-Catherine' pulled taffy. Spot on. Now for you Caesar drinkers out there take note that she uses local clamato that is a thicker tomato juice consistency, more like V8, and a generous heap of horseradish. Don't let that stop you thought. I couldn't stop sipping! The service and the whole atmosphere here is refreshingly unpretentious. Just good service. They don't try to be your best friend, upsell every order, or make eyes at your date. Great food that looks simple but has been fine tuned to perfection. Made with love and served at the right pace. $60 for two with tip. Will return again and again.

Sebastian O.

Great cozy place for friends or dates. Classic cocktails, done right. Creative and tasty small plates and snacks. Staff and management are all excellent.

Tasha Kathryn

Great drinks and creative menu options. Perfect for drinks and appies! Rustic and quaint atmosphere. Laid back, didn't seem to have a kitchen, everything is prepared behind the bar! Nice staff

Julia Kent

LOVE this place for cocktails and a light snack. It's always interesting and the staff are friendly and happy to make customized drinks just for you. It's got an awesome intimate atmosphere, in winter or summer. Definitely a favourite!

Sara Darvish

Sweet little cocktail bar. Best negronies in town, dimly lit & awesome music, the mood is very hip & dreamy. It can get cramped in there because it's really tiny, but if you find space it's so much fun to mingle. Adrian the bartender is amazing, so friendly, great style, and knowledgable. Also, they have their own organic herb garden!

Spoons

So were strolling on Preston and decided to give this tapas-style restaurant a try. We grabbed a table at the back of the restaurant and each had a drink. As we were waiting for our first few plates, we noticed a waitress go outside and pick some herbs out of the backyard! She came back in with a small bowl filled with herbs. How fresh is that!! We had the sexy grilled cheese (best damn grilled cheese ever!) and the stuffed dates. We also had the boubon and the mytie for drinks. Everything was just perfect! The service was also excellent! Our waitress gave us the impression that she was passionate about the menu describing the plates. We had quite the first experience at the Moonroom!!! Well done, Moonroom people, well done!!!

Ana.mcvae

Great atmosphere. Love this place. Cool staff, cozy corners, good selection of beer. Perfect place for a date. Would come here again.

FoodFan

Love it. Awesome drinks, great atmospheere. treats are tasty, we've been several times and will continue, Vesper here I come.

Daniel

The Moonroom is one of if not my favourite place to go in the city for drinks and nibbles. Reviews that say the service is bad couldn't be further from the truth! The servers here are always friendly and make excellent drinks!

Cookingwithkelly

Cool vibe, great wine list. The place to go in Ottawa for drinks/cocktails. Great bartending skills, good food, magical space.

Kel_n15

Disappointed. Nice place but I was very disappointed they mistakenly overcharged me on my bill by $20. I did not realize until I had gotten back to my hotel, I called them twice the next day and left a message and they never got back to me. Very annoying. I would not go back or recommend it.

Masson.mp

Fun and delicious. Moonroom has a great vibe and was full of great people on a Thursday night. Service was just right. No hovering but checked in on occasion. No pressure to order. Bacon wrapped olives were yummy. 420 Argentina is a must try! Delicious. This is a fun and trendy place, especially for Ottawa!

Felix

Couldnt be better. The service, atmosphere, food, drinks, make this the best place to bring your loved one or even just to grab a drink and a snack and hangout with the staff at the bar. Why other places dont follow this example is beyond me. Try the Pinxos !

Mer

I ate at the moonroom last night with my partner. Both of us are restaurant people. Myself a manager and him a sous chef. I felt it was important to write a review in this situation as we were both absolutely blown away by just about everything about the moon room. The food is not only creative and beautifully presented but it is delicious. The owner brought us over a few bacon wrapped olives as well.. Bacon wrapped. Need I say more? The server was brilliant and knew everything about the food and drinks. We left satisfied and full. We will be back soon!

Brownguy

Hot crowded very slow service. Over priced menu. Food is tasty.

MD

Small and Pricey. If you want to be in a small, hot crowded restaurant and pay a premium for drinks, this is the place for you. If you can get here on a night that is not crazy packed it is actually a very fun atmosphere. Unfortunately, most times I have been here it is hard to get a spot to sit down.

Ariddles

Great atmosphere, hideously overpriced. The atmosphere was very nice. But we paid $25 for three of the cheese plates and the portions looked like the leftovers from someone else's snack. There were three wafer thin slices of cheese for an average of $8 per portion. So I would say the Moonroom is fine as a place to meet up but don't think about eating there unless you have money throw away after eating a proper meal somewhere else.

Blanketsmasher

Don't GO!. Bad Service, Terrible Beer, Snobby Owner, No class

Sarah

Nice atmosphere. Went here for drinks. Very intimate setting, love the hand written reciepts. We ordered the cheese and meat plate, so goood.

Moltofoodo

Very good concept a little small but great for a quick bite and glass of vino

Food Awakening

Fail. While having great ambiance and a really original concept, the execution fails. Servers, while friendly, are in way over their heads. Drinks are inconsistent (order the same one twice, it will be completely different if you have a different bar tender). Going for one drink is fine, but stay away from the food. It's terrible and you'll wait a good 45 minutes for it. Meanwhile, you'll have finished your drink and they will not come to check up on you for a refill - remarkably I guess they just don't like to make money! Also, some manager cardinal sins, such as accounting at the bar while staff are serving a full house. The idea is there, but they've got a long way to go. And after two disappointing experiences we won't be going back.

Ang

Great spot! I love this pla.... Great spot! I love this place. Always great music and relaxed vibe. Great place to go with friends or a date for drinks. Excellent service too.

Coupe613

Nice atmosphere but portions pretty tiny (I understand it's tapas, but for the prices they're asking it's TINY) and the staff, although courteous enough, were incredibly slow and completely forgot about us. We waited for over 2 hrs for our server to come and check if we wanted food. I wouldn't go back, unless it was for 1 drink, as those were pretty pricey too. The wine mark up is pretty ridiculous. The liquor menu, though pricey at $13/drink, at least it's 2+ oz/drink. Food was just mediocre, didn't blow me away.

Lolo

GOOD.

CaptainPorkchop

MoonRoom rocks!. Puttering around Westboro on a beautiful Saturday, we decided to grab a glass of vino and we weren't disappointed. We love the Trio and this is it's "sister" wine bar. Great set-up, service and drink selection. The food menu isn't as extensive as Trio however they do offer apps and nibblies. We did the charcuterie plate and bacon wrapped olives...yum!

Worstedcdogg

Awesome. Very fun time at the moonroom, good drinks good atmosphere. Love their packs of matches.

Laurence

Flawless!. WOW! Wonderful experience I had on Friday night. The atmosphere is nice, the service is impeccable, the food is excellent and made on the spot(!), and finally, a place in Ottawa where the music is good! They have a great wine selection! And it’s open late!

Jabber Wock

Excellent music and a lovely owner, but.... ...somewhat uncomfortable seating for long-term lounging. Also a pretty tiny joint, perhaps just a bit claustrophobic when packed. Otherwise very hip. I think I prefer its sister lounge, Trio. [Update after more visits: Moonroom features some fantastic staff with a good sense of humour, and a wide knowledge of food and drink. Its an expensive joint, but the atmosphere and music is so premium that it may just be worth it.]

Frequent Diner

For a very nice time... ..if you are looking for something a little different, and really enjoyable, they have great food and wine, the ambiance is nice, the staff has always been friendly, helpful, polite and attentive, great range of clientele, and gosh, I have been going there even when they were constructing with plastic sheathing on the walls, +many times since, and have yet to be disappointed, or feel the urge to whine... If you are a chef critique wannabe, or just an everyday run of the mill whiner, suggest going back to your Big Mac...

AmyC

I love this place. The atmosphere was killer. The tunes were amazing. Love the vibe. The drinks were fabulous, my husband and I had Beau's on tap and whiskey sours. we had bacon wrapped olives that were to die for. Slightly on the expensive side but great if you want small plates and great drinks. Enjoy!

Waiter

Not worth the pricetag.. My girlfriend and I wanted to go have some drinks and try some new stuff so we decided the Moonroom would be a good choice. They have a great selection of Liquor. However, that, and the ambiance, are the only positives they have going for them. The drinks were waay overpriced, the staff didn't know a whole lot about what they had on the shelf, and they didn't know much about the individual liquors they were selling, which is crucial in that kind of establishment at the prices they are demanding. Additionally, I found the waitstaff generally rude and dismissive. I wouldn't go back, they didn't offer much, and they wanted a lot of money for it.

MissS

One word: delish! Finally a quaint place in Ottawa where you can enjoy a nice bottle of wine with morcheeba playing in the background. We tasted a few small plates which were all delicious. A variety of cheeses, the smoked salmon ( real salmon) was amazing! And my fave was the goat cheese and roasted tomato dish. Will definitely be back very soon!

Erin

Amazing. The moonroom is by far the greatest place I have very been to and will continue going to! Roasted tomato and goat cheese THE BEST! Staff really nice! Love Love Love!!!

BH

HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM.. I've heard so much about this "hidden gem", how whimsical it is, great food, cool beats etc but after one visit I couldn't DIS-agree more. First impression, it's dated and needs a good cleaning. Fabric swinging from ceiling is like a teenagers bedroom, chalk board menus are not convenient (Come on, is it so hard to print on a piece of paper or hang one behind the bar?). I have no problem at all spending money on good food however, portions are embarrassingly small, charcuterie is sliced paper thin, house made hummus excessively garlicky, spiced almonds mushy (could have been served warm as an improvement), house pate over salty and all were way too pricey for portion sizes. Wine menu was a bit heavy on the Cab's, the food doesn't pair with their offerings. Service was average and I am being polite. I had good company with me for the inaugural visit but @ $150 for 3 glasses of red, a martini + above mentioned food "samplers" not entrees is too much. Nope won't return and wouldn't recommend it.

Tara Lynne Cairns

Best hidden gem in Ottawa. By far my favorite place in all of Ottawa. The owner, and the rest of the employee's are not only delightful but very quick at getting out both drink and food orders even on a busy night, and come by quite often to check how everyone is doing---which is a pleasant change from every other place I've ever been to. The cocktails are amazing (a must try is the Mamatini--liquid candy that goes down in pretty much one sip) the cheeses are to die for, as well are the rest of the apps (a couple more 'must try' items are the bacon wrapped olives, and their freshly made hummus) they don't have a kitchen so they do all the work in front of you at the bar, which is extrordinary.

PANDA123

So/so food. Do not go if you are hungry. They have small mini plates of food to snack but that is it, nothing to absorb the alcohol. They don't have a kitchen which is why they don't have any food. The wine and drinks are good however pricey.

Sailor Moon

Great Cocktails!!. Absolutely loved the cocktails!! The food was decent as well but the cocktails are a must! The service was nice and attentive however a bit slow as the cocktails are quite laborious and go down quickly! Definitely will be back!

Wilma

The Moonroom is a really good spot if you want to relax, have some drinks, some snacks and listen to good music with friends. It feels like a livingroom and hosted in a similar manner. Some people get it and some don't. I like the bacon wrapped olives. :)

Sara Ay

Absolutely horrible service. The owner and waitresses are very rude and slow. Overpriced, horrible menu options, but good music.

B-lo

Really solid place. While few of the small plates i've ordered here are "blow-your-mind-fabulous" ... they are allllllllll, without exception, very good! its really a consistent place. the service is friendly and quick, and i like the atmosphere there too (nice decor, music, etc.) i think its really an under rated place! the plates are reeeeally small though. if we go for dinner, to feel full, my husband and i have to order 8-10 of them...

BreakfastBabe

Hummus!. The presentation of all their dishes is fantastic- although it adds to the wait time so I was a little unimpressed since no cooking is necessary. However, their wait staff was incredibly friendly and professional. Their 'marinated olives' (has anyone ever had an olive that wasn't?) are slightly over-marinated for my taste- I believe they drizzle a second marinade over them and it's a little over done. Their spiced almonds are amazing- but be warned- they are actually spicy to those with low-tolerance. The item that really shone was their hummus- one of the BEST I have ever tasted- with more lemon than I would have expected but garnished with whole roasted garlic cloves- YUM! My only comment on that would be that there weren't nearly enough of the bread crackers to finish the hummus so I ended up scooping it with the knife and eating it off that... Overall, the portions were small and could be a little larger. However, the atmosphere was great and the drink prices were quite reasonable.

OttawaFoodAddict

Great tapas and wine. It's a great place for friends to gather or for after dinner chilling. Decor is eclectic and awesome.

GastroGuru

Great decor, TINY portions, and unknowledgeable service. The portions were tasty, but incredibly small. It would have been nice to have been offered some bread - we inevitably went home hungry. The wine list itself was not that hot. We had some questions about the wine, and sadly, our server could tell us nothing but pass on a photocopied and ratty-eared print out of information on the wine we were inquiring after. I guess we didn't expect expert wine knowledge, but we had hoped that at least our server had tried and formed an opinion on the wine - I don't go to wine bars to read. The strength of this place is undoubtedly its atmosphere and location - beautiful wood high tables, and an interesting and avant garde interior make it a place you'd like to stay for a while ... if only your food would last! The wine was also EXCEEDINGLY expensive for what you were getting. I don't know if that's due to poor selection, or an egregious mark up. Either way, it's disappointing.

Cuiscenes

You'll find The Moonroom in Little Italy, a small, intimate tapas restaurant/bar that provides a nice little escape from reality, have a bite or two, and enjoy a drink. The place is very cottage-y (a running theme we've noticed in a lot of Ottawa restaurants but hey, no complaints), playing a quite charming playlist of 60s rock music (according to our music major friend so trusting her word on that). We ordered the featured cocktail, The Bee's Knees ($13), which consists of orange bitters, honey and lemon juice, orange juice, and 2 oz. of gin, a rather boozy drink that went down surprisingly easily. Morbier Reserve, France ($7) To snack, we ended up going a little crazy and ordering the Artisanal Board ($15), Jalapeño Honey Popcorn ($6), Beef Tartare ($14), and the French Morbier Reserve ($7). Everything was amazing (hence why kept ordering) but the Morbier Reserve cheese stole our hearts paired with its beet and apple chutney and spiced pecans.

Review The Moonroom - Ottawa