Punjabi Canteen

1234 Merivale Rd, Ottawa, ON K2C 4C3, Canada
+1 613-680-5900
$$$ Indian restaurant
(730 Reviews)
Price Range $10–30

Welcome to Punjabi Canteen, a culinary gem nestled in Ottawa's vibrant dining scene at 1234 Merivale Rd. This Indian restaurant is your gateway to experiencing authentic Punjabi flavors that will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of India.

Punjabi Canteen specializes in a delightful blend of traditional Indian cuisine that showcases the rich and bold tastes of the region. The menu features a diverse selection of dishes, each crafted with love and authenticity. Start your culinary journey with a warm, comforting plate of Aloo Parantha—two pieces of whole wheat bread stuffed with perfectly spiced potatoes, served with creamy yogurt and tangy pickle for that perfect balance. If you're in the mood for something a bit cheesier, the Paneer Parantha is a must-try, featuring the same delicious bread filled with a savory paneer mixture. At just CA$10.99 for the Aloo Parantha and CA$11.99 for the Paneer variation, these dishes promise to satisfy your cravings without breaking the bank.

For those who lean towards Indo-Chinese flavors, the restaurant's Veg Hakka Noodles and Chicken Hakka Noodles deliver a fantastic fusion experience, with thick noodles stir-fried in a soy-based sauce complemented by fresh vegetables and tender marinated chicken for just CA$12.99 and CA$13.99, respectively. The crispy Veg Manchurian balls are truly a treat, pairing beautifully with the rich flavors of Manchurian sauce for CA$14.99.

The heart of Punjabi Canteen lies in its curries. For a truly indulgent experience, the Butter Chicken is a standout—overnight marinated chicken simmered in a rich, buttery tomato gravy that embodies the classic flavors of India, priced at CA$18.99. Another customer favorite is the Chicken Korma, which offers a milder creamy sauce, ideal for those who appreciate a blend of spice without overwhelming heat.

With an atmosphere that is warm and inviting, Punjabi Canteen is not just a restaurant; it’s a place where conversations flow as freely as the aromatic spices. The attentive service received, as noted by patrons like Larissa S., adds to the experience—where servers are knowledgeable and eager to ensure your dining experience is exceptional. The thoughtfulness in service is evident; diners have expressed admiration for the staff's attention to detail in remembering orders and ensuring every spice level is accurate, making each visit memorable.

Customer reviews resonate with the authenticity of the flavors, with many stating that the food here rivals their experiences back home. One satisfied customer shared, "It strikes very close to what you get in Delhi," confirming Punjabi Canteen's commitment to delivering genuine Punjabi fare.

Whether you’re a local looking for your next favorite spot or a traveler craving a taste of home, Punjabi Canteen should be your first stop. Come, indulge in the vibrant flavors, and experience a slice of Punjab in the heart of Ottawa. You won't be disappointed!

For reservations or inquiries, you can reach them at +1 613-680-5900. Enjoy your culinary adventure at Punjabi Canteen!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
No wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Has all you can eat
Serves coffee
Serves halal food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Has counter service
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Popular with university students
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts cheques
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Openings Hours

Monday

10:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Tuesday

10:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Wednesday

10:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Thursday

10:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Friday

10:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Sunday

10:00 AM - 09:00 PM

730 Reviews
Larissa S

17 Nov 2025

Wonderful intense flavours, really some of the best Indian food we've enjoyed in a while. Also, our server deserves five stars just by himself. He took our entire (large, complicated) order by memory and repeated it back to us completely accurately, down to the spice level for each dish. He gave us a bell to ring to request his attention, but we never needed to ring it because he was the perfect amount of attentive. We are visiting from out of town, and have joked about extending our stay just so we can return to Punjabi Canteen for more! It's that delicious.

JB JB

30 Oct 2025

We have been traveling for few days and wanted to eat Indian food. We have been craving for some spice, herbs and delicious food. We came across this restaurant when we were in Ottawa. Food was very delicious and well cooked. It is nice they ask you what level of spiciness you want. We were super hungry. We emptied the plates. We very much enjoyed the food

harshit chourasia

20 Oct 2025

I want to communicate this to the owner. I’m one of your regular customers. One of your employee I don’t know her name but nxt time i will update her name too. Everyone else is nice to me accept her she doesn’t smiles , very very very rude to me always this was the second time me and my friend observed. I get it sometimes you are not in good mood but that not how you deal with customers. For example i was at counter at 9:01 pm (29 sept 2025) she was like you need to go with takeout only. On the other table i can see people sitting and placing order. Thats not how you treat a regular customer. I don’t want to put one star because of this . Everything else i love about your place. I don’t know whether you are gonna check with her or not but.

Tejveer Singh Kohli

30 Sep 2025

Having been in Toronto for the past 7 years never have I had desi Indian Punjabi Mutton. Ordered for the first time from Punjabi Canteen and it strikes very close to what you get in Delhi. A bit oily, but that’s definitely not stopping me from ordering again.

Imran Khan

21 Aug 2025

Best place For indian food in Ottawa, You gonna love it 100%

Myra S

30 Jul 2025

We went here after lunch and got a table with no wait. It’s an unassuming atmosphere, simple and casual but nothing special. The service was friendly but a bit slow likely due to the fact that there was only one server and she was doing her best, as many more people came in after us. The food, however, was definitely 5-star. At first though the bowls were a bit small for the price but it was deceiving! We ordered aloo tikki chaat, garlic naan, eggplant bartha and goat rogan josh. Absolutely so delicious! Three of us barely finished half even though we kept eating after we were full because it was so tasty. The flavours were wonderful. Highly recommended.

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