Fairouz Cafe is a modern Middle Eastern cafe and restaurant in the heart of Ottawa's historic Byward Market. Enjoy a daily selection of fast and fresh meals in our warm and inviting cafe, or take home your favourite meals, sweets, treats and wines. In the evening, join us for an upscale dining experience, with bespoke cocktails, a uniquely curated wine list, and delicious flavours from across the Middle East.
Specialty Middle Eastern grocery items and spices, coffee beans and tea caddies, curated wine selection, and more. Visit our Food & Wine Boutique for a perfect Fairouz-at-home evening. Fast & fresh lunches, decadent dinners, bespoke cocktails, and a uniquely curated wine list - our newly renovated restaurant is the perfect spot for all occasions.
Specialty Middle Eastern grocery items and spices, coffee beans and tea caddies, curated wine selection, and more. Visit our Food & Wine Boutique for a perfect Fairouz-at-home evening. Fast & fresh lunches, decadent dinners, bespoke cocktails, and a uniquely curated wine list - our newly renovated restaurant is the perfect spot for all occasions.
Services
Our team is growing and we are looking for dynamic individuals to join the Fairouz Family! We are currently hiring all front- and back-of-house positions. Front-of-house applications can be directed to heather@fairouz.ca and back-of-house applications can be directed to justin@fairouz.ca. Please include your cover letter, resume and availability.
Our exclusive event space is bright, versatile and eclectic. Designed for unique and intimate gatherings, our space can accommodate up to 32 guests for a seated dinner, or 20 for a standing reception. In the warmer months, our covered courtyard patio provides a stunning backdrop for larger gatherings of up to 40 guests.
Reviews (27)
Ankush Verma
Jan 12, 2022
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Visited Fairouz while in town due to the good reviews however the meal was a big let down.
The service was good as the staff was quick and attentive.
The first app we got was the vegetarian kibbeh, which had no flavour and were slightly overcooked leading to a bitter taste. The next app we had was the seared halloumi which for $18 was pretty small in portion. It was roughly 3 small chunks of cheese and was served with a relatively sweet and sour cranberry compote. The dish did not flow well together and lacked on depth of flavour. The third app we got was the most popular item on their menu which
The service was good as the staff was quick and attentive.
The first app we got was the vegetarian kibbeh, which had no flavour and were slightly overcooked leading to a bitter taste. The next app we had was the seared halloumi which for $18 was pretty small in portion. It was roughly 3 small chunks of cheese and was served with a relatively sweet and sour cranberry compote. The dish did not flow well together and lacked on depth of flavour. The third app we got was the most popular item on their menu which
Emily Kenny
Dec 31, 2021
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Went to Fairouz tonight and although short staffed, the staff were beyond kind and provided the best service - above and beyond - food was all tasty and well portioned can’t wait to go back.
Highlights included the Hallomi, cauliflower, dips and the freshest pita, stuffed grape leaves, and the first cocktail on the list was amazing.
Thanks Fairouz for an amazing night!
Highlights included the Hallomi, cauliflower, dips and the freshest pita, stuffed grape leaves, and the first cocktail on the list was amazing.
Thanks Fairouz for an amazing night!
Pradyumna Gujjar
Dec 18, 2021
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One of the best restaurants to get some Mediterranean food.
The ambience is great. It’s small and cozy so yes, one would need to pre book their tables.
The appetizers, mains and cocktails are fabulous.
The appetizers- The vegetarian Kibbeh, Chicken and Artichoke Manakeesh was filling in itself and easily serves 2.
The mains very filling to the point of stuffing. Their fried Cauliflower was made to perfection. The chickpeas in the Shish Tawook was just irresistible.
The garlic sauce served with their dishes had the right balance of flavors!
Do try their cocktails- plant & society, masala
The ambience is great. It’s small and cozy so yes, one would need to pre book their tables.
The appetizers, mains and cocktails are fabulous.
The appetizers- The vegetarian Kibbeh, Chicken and Artichoke Manakeesh was filling in itself and easily serves 2.
The mains very filling to the point of stuffing. Their fried Cauliflower was made to perfection. The chickpeas in the Shish Tawook was just irresistible.
The garlic sauce served with their dishes had the right balance of flavors!
Do try their cocktails- plant & society, masala
J.
Nov 18, 2021
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Ordered the shish taouk platter. Brought it home for dinner only to find out there was no bread or rice to go with this. The chicken was very very dry, it said it came with vegetables but only came with 3 peppers and and 2 cherry tomatoes! Overall chickpeas, 4 pieces of chicken 2 cherry tomatoes and 3 peppers was NOT worth $25 for this. The place looked beautiful but food was not good at all. Won’t recommend
Elvis A.
Aug 24, 2021
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This was a planned outing as this spot can get real busy over the weekend. We had made called in and booked a table.
The ambiance is nice and gels well with the food. Being a scorcher of a day we decided to stay inside for dinner. After much of debate we decided on the feast platter as it had a bit of everything. A word of caution though there are no substitutions for this feast platter.
The dips are very good muhamra being a standout as its unlike other versions I have had before. Nice chunks of cashews and good combo of flavor profiles. Labneh and Baba ganouh were good as well.
The olives had
The ambiance is nice and gels well with the food. Being a scorcher of a day we decided to stay inside for dinner. After much of debate we decided on the feast platter as it had a bit of everything. A word of caution though there are no substitutions for this feast platter.
The dips are very good muhamra being a standout as its unlike other versions I have had before. Nice chunks of cashews and good combo of flavor profiles. Labneh and Baba ganouh were good as well.
The olives had
Anna V.
Aug 21, 2021
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I had a great experience at this restaurant. Service was very good and the food was delicious. It’s a great place to share plates with your friends as you would want to try as many items from the menu as possible. They have a very cute patio and their inside decor is welcoming. I would be definitely be back to try their meat platter next time.
Sarah Zaman
Aug 11, 2021
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Sam M.
Aug 10, 2021
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Amazing food! The back patio is so cute, especially at night with the lights in the alleyway. The dip trio is a must. The baba ghanouj has an amazing smoky flavour, one of the bests I've ever tried. The meat platter is also great for sharing and the quantity and quality was amazing. All of the meats were so juicy and flavourful with every bite. Our server was also very attentive and personable and definitely elevated our experience here. I definitely will be back to try more delicious items off the menu, and enjoy the great ambience.
Victoria B.
Aug 10, 2021
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Amazing food, best service & cool atmosphere! Our server was very personable and friendly. She gave us some recommendations based on what we were interested in. The bar manager came over to chat about our drinks, he was super knowledgeable and the drinks were spectacular. We got 2 dips, some fresh pita and 2 burgers with fries. We finished every last bite on our plate. Could have stayed there all night!
John D.
Aug 08, 2021
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This was the first time since the pandemic that the whole family went out for dinner at a restaurant and my daughter suggested this place. I was excited because I love the cuisine and they are very highly rated. We sort of all go to our table at different times but once everyone was at the table we were able to order. The pitas with humus and their pulled lamb was pretty good but I found the portions on the small side for the price we paid and at no point was I "wowed" by the food.
Overall the food was alright but it was the service that was the most off--putting. Service was slow,
Overall the food was alright but it was the service that was the most off--putting. Service was slow,
Louay Gammo
Aug 03, 2021
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Upscale indeed. Very high prices, very little food. Awful big plates with tiny dabs of food in the middle.
Service is a bit slow. We ordered kofta and it was over loaded with cumin. I am native to this food and cumin is never added to this dish meat. It was awful.
It's a very stingy restaurant. We got two very small loafs of very sour under cooked pita bread.
Sad.
Service is a bit slow. We ordered kofta and it was over loaded with cumin. I am native to this food and cumin is never added to this dish meat. It was awful.
It's a very stingy restaurant. We got two very small loafs of very sour under cooked pita bread.
Sad.
Alexandra Haddad
Aug 01, 2021
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Such an original cocktail menu with really great drinks but the size of the drinks were pretty small for the price. I got the bouquet de Maghreb which was full of flavor. The Mandarin fizzy bubbly is also a nice fruity light drink. Nice patio seating in front and behind the restaurant right in the heart of Byward.
Erik D.
Jul 19, 2021
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Very good food, service was great! I would say I enjoy middle eastern food but it's not the default meal I go for. However, the combination of really interesting menu options, a unique wine selection (ordered a white wine from Jordan), excellent service and great location (we sat at the back patio which opens to a quiet courtyard) really made this place shine. I would go again!
Kal Sukkar
Jul 13, 2021
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Farid S.
Mar 11, 2021
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Lucca V.
Jul 01, 2020
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Drew K.
Mar 07, 2020
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We sat upstairs.
Nice quiet part of the restaurant (only open on weekends).
Great music and lovely atmosphere.
Service was verbose, descriptive and friendly.
Lots of mentions of 'Palestine' to ensure a political statement with every morsel.
But I digress.
We tried almost every appetizer.
Dips and pita
Beets
Artichokes
Liver
Olives.
Everything was good to very good. Lots of mentions of Palestine, again.
Chicken and lamb were both good. Nothing spectacular but very tasty and well prepared, if not a bit dry.
Desserts were interesting. Wifey loved them and she's an expert
Nice quiet part of the restaurant (only open on weekends).
Great music and lovely atmosphere.
Service was verbose, descriptive and friendly.
Lots of mentions of 'Palestine' to ensure a political statement with every morsel.
But I digress.
We tried almost every appetizer.
Dips and pita
Beets
Artichokes
Liver
Olives.
Everything was good to very good. Lots of mentions of Palestine, again.
Chicken and lamb were both good. Nothing spectacular but very tasty and well prepared, if not a bit dry.
Desserts were interesting. Wifey loved them and she's an expert
Anzor A.
Feb 22, 2020
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The place is three stars because:
1. Their food is really expensive for the amount they serve, I ordered a dip combo and three pitas. They were small.
2. The service is ok, but the waitress did pour me still water first and then another waitress poured me sparkling water when I was in the bathroom. Btw, it happened 3 times until I asked not to.
On the other hand, the food was great and their chef is Turkish, which means that meat will be great and Halal
1. Their food is really expensive for the amount they serve, I ordered a dip combo and three pitas. They were small.
2. The service is ok, but the waitress did pour me still water first and then another waitress poured me sparkling water when I was in the bathroom. Btw, it happened 3 times until I asked not to.
On the other hand, the food was great and their chef is Turkish, which means that meat will be great and Halal
Ajara B.
Feb 21, 2020
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Rachel N.
Dec 21, 2019
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We had a great meal at Fairouz, all the food was delicious! I did think the service was a bit lacking for a place that says right there on their menu that they value high service and hospitality. Compared to other places in the city at similar price points there is room for improvement here. My only real complaint was the water. At the beginning of the meal they came to the table offering still or sparkling water from identical carafes. We chose sparkling thinking nothing of it but then when our bill came we were charged $3 each for the sparkling water. I found this to be a really cheap move. If
Nadiya S.
Apr 02, 2019
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Fairouz is trying to be creative with Mediterranean tastes. But often both the "Mediterranean" part and the "creative" part fail. I enjoyed the dips, but the salmon dish and the chicken were lower boundary average, especially for the price you are paying.
The waiters are attentive, but they treat you like a child who was raised by wolves in deep woods and has never tasted basic foods before. In the most patronizing way possible, they will describe the food to you as if their chef discovered the cure for Alzheimer's, but trust me, he just chopped the fennel.
The waiters are attentive, but they treat you like a child who was raised by wolves in deep woods and has never tasted basic foods before. In the most patronizing way possible, they will describe the food to you as if their chef discovered the cure for Alzheimer's, but trust me, he just chopped the fennel.
Gurvinder K.
Feb 21, 2019
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A group of us went to Fairouz as a work dinner and we absolutely loved it, that's if you have a palate for Middle Eastern food. We had a set menu, and they were very easily able to accommodate any dietary restrictions. We started off with an assortment of appetizers; warm olives, 2 house dips, halloumi, fava bean and hummus crunch; everything was so well done.
Then came the mains! Zatar crusted Lamb with aged beets, sumac glazed chicken and grilled fish. With a very flavourful and nicely plated vegetarian dish for me! They had lentils, rice, eggplant stuffed in collard greens with mushrooms
Then came the mains! Zatar crusted Lamb with aged beets, sumac glazed chicken and grilled fish. With a very flavourful and nicely plated vegetarian dish for me! They had lentils, rice, eggplant stuffed in collard greens with mushrooms
Hilori K.
Feb 17, 2019
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The cocktails were great and the service was wonderful but the food was over priced and trying to be more adventurous than it needed to be! We started with the labneh and pita. The pita was warm and fresh and the labneh was light. Thereafter, the meal went downhill. We had the seasonal haloumi which came with coconut cake and some strange gummy bear thing. We also got the fava bean and hummus which had hardly any flavor.
The place is trendy but I would like it if they stayed true to just making a great Mediterranean dish instead of being so adventurous. Staff was amazingly kind though even after
The place is trendy but I would like it if they stayed true to just making a great Mediterranean dish instead of being so adventurous. Staff was amazingly kind though even after
Michelle N.
Jan 30, 2019
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My favourite restaurant in Ottawa. The service and creativity of all the food they serve is unbeatable. Fairouz offers a fusion of middle eastern foods and their menu never stays the same (a blessing and a curse for someone who loves their meat platters).
The last time we went, we had the zaatar seasoned lamb but my far, the most unique dish was the fried hummus and "fool." "Fool" are fava beans but uniquely presented and seasoned!
A great place to visit and experience friendly staff, creatively presented food and leave with a satisfied stomach every time!
The last time we went, we had the zaatar seasoned lamb but my far, the most unique dish was the fried hummus and "fool." "Fool" are fava beans but uniquely presented and seasoned!
A great place to visit and experience friendly staff, creatively presented food and leave with a satisfied stomach every time!
Debasish C.
Nov 20, 2018
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One of the Best evenings I ever had after a long long time. Other than slightly high on the noise(bar conversation) level, everything was amazing here. Right from the Server (Taylor) to her suggested drinks. (Arak) to appetizers, grazing menu, main entree to the dessert it was perfect. The food was so amazing that I don't have enough words of appreciation in my vocabulary. Would go there anytime and HIGHLY RECOMMEND everyone go there at least once. Can guarantee that you'll go there again and again.
Nisha N.
Sep 08, 2018
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Mr. H is always on the look out for restaurants that are on "lists" of some sort and this was one of them. As soon as we arrived and I was in awe of the location which is a house converted into a restaurant and it's ambience.
It's a small plates kind of place and hence we ended up trying almost everything on the menu. Muhammara, pita plate, salmon, halloumi, sabanekh, artichoke and the lamb dishes were all amazing! I must say I enjoyed the vegetarian fare a lot more than the meaty dishes. What took the cake was the dessert, the rose water muhallabieh. It had a honey water
It's a small plates kind of place and hence we ended up trying almost everything on the menu. Muhammara, pita plate, salmon, halloumi, sabanekh, artichoke and the lamb dishes were all amazing! I must say I enjoyed the vegetarian fare a lot more than the meaty dishes. What took the cake was the dessert, the rose water muhallabieh. It had a honey water
Mimi J.
Aug 29, 2017
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I was super excited to try this place since it was on the list of best restaurants in Canada.
I came after work on a weekday, right after dinner hours started, and got a seat inside as it was windy (but they also have a great patio)!
What I tried:
- Monforte halloumi: I think I meant to get the dessert version, as this one was not as "Instagram-worthy". However, it was deliciously dense, and I really enjoyed the cheesiness.
- Salmon Pastourma (anchoby, olive, aioli): Mmm...if you love smokey flavours, get this! Smoked salmon is one of my favourite food groups (along
I came after work on a weekday, right after dinner hours started, and got a seat inside as it was windy (but they also have a great patio)!
What I tried:
- Monforte halloumi: I think I meant to get the dessert version, as this one was not as "Instagram-worthy". However, it was deliciously dense, and I really enjoyed the cheesiness.
- Salmon Pastourma (anchoby, olive, aioli): Mmm...if you love smokey flavours, get this! Smoked salmon is one of my favourite food groups (along
