I can't review the food, because we didn't stay. There were several folks at tables playing games…read more So, true to its name, this is a Hangout spot for some. I wanted to try this place out because it's listed as a dessert place and I really enjoy dessert. Perhaps dessert isn't as profitable as one would want because they've "diversified" the menu and serve a few sandwiches and pre-packaged ramen. For me, though, the aroma of stale ramen on the air just doesn't help my appetite for dessert. Also, the restaurant was dark and didn't look as clean and bright as I want in my dessert place (or anywhere I eat). That might have just been my perception. Fortunately, they didn't have the dessert that I wanted. So, we left the ramen shop quickly.

The concept is great! Come together have bubble tea/shakes etc and play some games. The place…read moreitself is located in a busy area. Plenty of space inside for large groups. There is a wall full of games to choose from. I believe it's $3.00/person if you want to play any games. We all got something differently and unfortunately despite asking for less sweet. Our drinks were too sweet that we could not enjoy them. We all ended up tossing it out. They don't serve warm beverages only cold.

TL;DR/The Short Version: Italian bakery with huge and…read moredelicious Sfogliatella! Beautiful interior, would be great for a date. The Long Version: I love Sfogliatella! They are my favourite Italian pastry. So I had to try it at the newly opened Dolci Sapori. They just opened in August 2024 in the space where the short-lived Pho Bo Le was (it was the Asia Pacific restaurant before that, and where Hung Sum relocated to before it closed for good). They've really converted the space into a beautiful cafe. They had lots of pastries and sandwiches too. However, I had my heart set on the sfogliatella, so that's what I got. It was $4.80. The outside was flaky and crispy and the filling was rich and creamy. It was fantastic! And it was a good size too. My husband and I shared it and it was the perfect snack. Service was courteous. They were fairly busy. Most of the tables were full. I am thrilled to have this new bakery in the neighbourhood. We walked there, but I think there might be limited parking at the west side of the bakery (previous businesses had a few spots there reserved for their customers). Otherwise, there's street parking. (163)

Sweet Perfection in Little Italy! Francesca and her team were so warm and welcoming, che squadra…read morefantastica! Everything looked irresistible. We tried the tiramisu cup, raspberry gelato, and pistachio affogato, each one fresh, rich but light, and flavorful. The pistachio affogato? AMAZING! A must-try if you're in Ottawa! You won't regret stepping into this shop that wraps you in warmth and welcome from the moment you walk through the door. I cannot wait to return to try more!

TL;DR: A little hut in Wellington West Village that sells rolled ice cream and shaved ice. Shaved…read moreice was a nice fluffy snowflake texture. I had seen that Happy Rolls opened up recently (Summer 2024) and initially they were only selling rolled ice cream. I wasn't in such a hurry to try it because while rolled ice cream is fun, I've had it before and the novelty has worn off for me, lol. However, I recently saw that they added shaved ice to their menu. I LOVE shaved ice! But the texture has to be like fluffy snow. Not the gross coarsely crushed ice of ice cones, yuck. So I had to check them out. I am happy to report that their shaved ice is like fluffy snow! I got the Lychee Bliss ($7.99) which is lychee flavoured shaved ice (it's dairy-free) with lychee popping boba and lychee jellies. I enjoyed it. However, I think it would be tastier if it was shaved ice milk. However, I understand that they want to have a product for vegans/dairy-free people. Also I think the dessert would be more photogenic if they added some rainbow jellies or other coloured popping boba as garnish on top. While it was tasty to my mouth, visually it was a bit too monochromatic, lol. Just a suggestion for the business. The toppings are exactly those that are usually found in bubble teas, so the jellies are made of Coco de Nata and the popping boba gelatin is made of seaweed, so totally vegan. Staff were courteous. The guy was working by himself, so the wait was long on a Saturday afternoon. It's a little hut, so everything is to-go. There are a few tables and seats in front of the hut that is shared with the hut next door that sells tacos. I like the compostable paper bowls and compostable wooden spoons. Nice addition to the neighbourhood. Street parking only. (137)

What a special little spot! The two men working were extremely kind and friendly. I had the door…read morerolled ice cream and it was delicious- refreshing, tasty and perfect for this hot weather.

Located in the Byward Market this charming little dessert shop specializes in croffles (croissant +…read morewaffle hybrid). This was my first time having a croffle, but as a croissant lover, I definitely enjoyed this more than a regular waffle since it had that flaky texture of a croissant. The croffles were a treat to have, and made fresh after you place your order so it's still warm when it gets served. There are a number of flavors/toppings to choose from, and a few simple drink options (water, tea, coffee, pop) . We ordered the Strawberry and Buenos flavours. The person behind the counter was friendly, and the interior was quite cute with its black tables and chairs, and pink walls.

The Hubby brought me home a Nutella croffle and it was DELICIOUS. I've never had anything like this…read morebefore. The bottom was crispy and caramelized with tons of Nutella drizzled on top. When he showed me what he got me, I put my nose up to it and said "just a waffle" This is not just a waffle , it's croissant pastry baked in a waffle iron, which takes it to a whole other level in the dessert game. By the time I devoured it, it was cold, but I think I prefer it this way. Def going to make a stop in when I'm in the area.

Icing was good which there was lots of it but the cake is very dense and didn't taste fresh. I…read morewould expect a moister fresher cupcake for the amount I paid. My daughter wanted them for her birthday but I was disappointed. Next time I will go somewhere else!!!

I've had cupcakes at this Cupcake Lounge in Westboro and also at the one in the Byward Market…read more(which was the original location (opened in 2011), the Westboro one is the second location - it opened in 2013) and I have to say that I like the cupcakes at the one in the Byward Market better. The cake seems to be softer and fluffier there. My main complaint about both locations (although some might find this a positive instead of a negative) is that there is way too much icing on the cupcakes, lol. The icing is like half of the cupcake! And it's so rich and buttery! Again, many people may like this, me not so much. I don't enjoy cakes that are too sweet nor frosting that is too buttery. So take this review for what it is, haha! I do find the more "creative" flavours (e.g. coconut key lime pie, apple dulce de leche, lemon raspberry, etc.) to be tastier than the more generic flavours (chocolate, vanilla, birthday cake, etc.). Admittedly, the last time I actually bought cupcakes from The Cupcake Lounge was way back when they first opened. Ever since then, I've just had their cupcakes when colleagues bring them into work or family/friends bring them to parties or other events. They are very pretty and photogenic :) just too sweet and too rich for my taste buds :( This location is in the heart of Westboro. Street parking only.

kind staff, really expensive. very sweet - unique flavors. pretty clean!…read moreWould recommend to only get one or two cookies.

I had preodered 2 cookies as a gift for a friend having a bad day to cheer them up but my order was…read morelisted as completed despite never showing up. Stick to the Orleans location at least they fufill theyre deliveries.

The Short Version: Kuwaiti juice shop now in Westboro. Loved…read morethe unique soft serve ice cream/sorbet combinations. They also have smoothies, crepes and other desserts in addition to juice. The Long Version: When the big Bridgehead coffee shop at the corner of Richmond Rd and Golden Ave closed down, the space was vacant for a while, and I was very curious as to what would go in. Well, in the autumn of 2025 Aseer Time opened up. Aseer Time is a Kuwaiti company founded in 2011 and is known for their juices, smoothies and desserts. This is the first (and as of the writing of this review, only) location in Ottawa. The first Canadian location was in Mississauga and there are only a handful of locations in Canada so far, all in Ontario. I love trying new places, so I was excited to check it out, but they are too popular, and everytime I walked by they were crowded with lineups and I don't do crowds or line ups, lol. I lucked out in early November on our first snowfall of the season, the place only had a few customers and there was no lineup. So I ducked in from the snow to get an ice cream (!) lol. I got The Havana ($6.99) which is a soft serve swirl of mango sorbet and berry ice cream. The berry ice cream is blue and reminded me a bit of the Smurf ice cream I'd get at Canada's Wonderland when I was a kid. The berry flavour was subtle, but it complimented the mango sorbet which had a more potent flavour. I liked the creaminess of the ice cream contrasting the more fruit puree texture of the mango sorbet. I enjoyed the swirl. The space is large with lots of seating. They have lots of tables so great for groups. People were spaced out everywhere so I couldn't get any good pictures without people in it. Service was courteous and efficient. Street parking only. Looking forward to trying their other items. Review #219 (2025)

We stopped in after visiting the barber shop across from this bakery, they treated us to a piece…read morewhile we were there and we had to give this place a try! Baklava is yummy, the lady who served us patiently explained the sweetness & flavours since it was our first time buying these sweets. Can't say if it's better than other places because we haven't been to other bakeries yet, but for newbies... we're happy with the quality!

I'm pretty sure this is the second branch of La Brioche (the first being the one on Bank St at…read moreThornton in the Glebe). They sell lots of different pastries but specialize in Middle Eastern pastries. I love their Znoud El Sit, and I went on a Thursday and they had them! Some places only have this on the weekends. They are $2 each and are shorter but fatter than other places - more delicious creamy filling! The cream is a little clumpier and not as smooth, but I don't really mind. They have macarons for $1.50 each. I haven't tried them but they looked good. The bakery is really clean and well lit. Staff were nice. It's in a strip mall (right next door to Capital Buns Bakery). Lots of free parking.