Riviera

A wedding at Riviera feels like a glamorous big-city evening, with soaring ceilings, gleaming marble and a long bar glowing in the heart of downtown Ottawa.

The restaurant has welcomed diners on Sparks Street since 2016, just a short walk from Parliament Hill. The grand room pairs a lofty ceiling and plenty of marble with an open kitchen, so guests can watch the cooking as the celebration unfolds.

For weddings, couples can take over the full restaurant, which holds up to 140 guests for a cocktail reception or 60 for a seated dinner. Smaller gatherings, such as a rehearsal dinner or a meal with immediate family, can use the semi-private Banker's office or the private Cellar vault, each seating 12.

The kitchen is led by chef Jordan Holley, whose menus range from tartares and crudos to fresh pastas, seafood and dry-aged steak. The team works with each couple to shape the event around what they need.

The bar is a highlight, with cocktails created by mixologist Stephen Flood, including ten different takes on the Negroni, alongside a full wine list.

For couples who picture an elegant downtown dinner, clinking glasses at a long marble bar steps from Parliament Hill, Riviera offers an intimate city wedding with standout food and drinks.