Fontenelle Restaurant

Reviews

• Kelly M.

  star star star star star 13 June 2026

  Went there for a quick Sunday morning breakfast with the family. Our server was prompt and courteous throughout the meal. We had French Toast which was tasty, lightly battered and fully loaded with cinnamon. Our Ultimate #2 breakfast was a hearty meal that filled you up with a variety of sausage and bacon. The toast served with the meal just right.  If you want a great meal at friendly restaurant at a fair price, this is the place to visit! We'll definitely visit on our next trip to Ottawa!

• Dixie Q.

  star star star star_border star_border 12 June 2026

  It's an alright neighbourhood diner. I first came on a weekday and the server was very attentive. I ordered the regular breakfast. I liked the fact it wasn't greasy.
  
  Fast forward to a recent weekend breakfast. The place was packed and after waiting for over 7 min after I sat down, I had to wave to the server. It was not the first nor last time I had to wave to catch her attention. There was a table next to me which she checked on regularly. She could have pivot over to me.
  
  I enjoyed the French toast better than the regular eggs breakfast dish. I think they were made from scratch. I might have to try the pancakes one of these days.

• Mark T.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 8 June 2026

  Extremely slow, inattentive service for Sunday morning breakfast. Food, when it did arrive, was mediocre at best. Strangely, each bacon strip was crispy on one end and barely cooked on the other. Do yourself a favour and find another local, owner-run establishment to enjoy.

• Océane C.

  star star star star_border star_border 28 May 2026

  I ordered Ultimate 2 on the breakfast menu, the french toast was a bit cold, bacon and ham were dry.

• Jeff S.

  star star star star star 23 May 2026

  This is a perfect example of where Yelp helps connect people with great local businesses through word of mouth -- amplified. The proprietors of the family business are serious old school. They have been doing steady business forever & day, the good old-fashioned way: customer service and great simple food.
  
  I am pretty sure the only reason Fontenelle is not an Ottawa institution is it's location - Vanier. Don't get me wrong, I lived there and love it, but there's been an unfair long standing stigma against the area.
  
  Fontenelle is open 7 days a week, breakfast begins at 4 am. Expect regular customers to greet you at 4am. There have been many occasions where regulars have offered me a drink and poured me a coffee while the boss was in the kitchen. Don't worry if this sounds shady... there's likely a minimum of six police officers sitting in the corner from the OPP, RCMP and Ottawa Police, waiting for their brekkie.
  
  Fontenelle was a short walking distance from my former Vanier abode, and is my favourite breakfast spot. It's an authentic greasy spoon, and I mean that in a complimentary way. They serve breakfast and lunch in an authentic 1950's diner. The place has a very relaxed, neighborhood feel to it. The service has always been very prompt and friendly.
  
  I continue to visit a couple times a year. Parking can be found across the street, in designated spots adjacent to the bingo hall.
  
  Regular as clockwork, I am greeted by one of the charming waitresses, who asks me about my kids and if I want the usual.  Prepare to have your mind blown, as the same waitress effortlessly takes your request details, repeats it back to you - without writing any of it down. Be ready, as the food will be at your table prompty and as ordered.
  
  This is my comfort food spot.
  
  When my wife was sent away from the hospital because of false labour, where did we go? Fontenelle.
  When my beautiful baby girl was born, and my wife wanted to rest, where did I go with my son's? Fontenelle.
  Where do I go for a hearty, filling nostalgic breakfast, and leave with a smile & a skip in my step? Fontenelle.
  Fontenelle is great local business at it's best.