Middle Eastern restaurants

El Mazaj

4.7 973 reviews Closed 5307 Canotek Rd Unit 100, Ottawa, ON K1J 9M2, Canada

Discover this place

El Mazaj, located in Ottawa, is a gem among Middle Eastern restaurants. Visitors rave about its vibrant atmosphere and mouth-watering cuisine. One common highlight is the restaurant's BBQ, which many locals claim is the best in town. The establishment is celebrated for its family-oriented ambiance and lively Arabic music performed by a talented band every weekend, making it an ideal spot for gatherings.

The menu features a stunning array of dishes, with the mezza receiving particular acclaim. Customers like Sacha Mitri have expressed their love for the authentic flavors, stating they prefer El Mazaj's tabouli and fatoush over any others. While some diners noted minor discrepancies, such as overly lemony fatouch, positive feedback far outweighs any criticism.

Events at El Mazaj, including a recent lively party featuring entertainment from Tony Hadshity, have left guests praising both the quality of the food and the attentiveness of the staff. With prices set around $65 plus tax for unlimited food and entertainment, visitors feel they get tremendous value for an unforgettable experience. If you seek a restaurant that melds delicious Middle Eastern flavors with vibrant entertainment, El Mazaj should be your next culinary destination.

Photos

Amenities & More

Service options

Curbside pickup
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights

Fireplace
Great tea selection
Live music

Popular for

Lunch
Dinner

Dining options

Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities

Bar onsite
Restroom
Wi-Fi

Atmosphere

Casual
Trendy

Crowd

Family-friendly
Groups
Tourists

Note: Amenity details are aggregated from verified visits, the venue's website and Google. They may change without notice. We recommend confirming key details (pet policy, accessibility, reservations) directly with El Mazaj before visiting.

Reviews for El Mazaj

4.7

973 reviews

100%

Review highlights

Based on 973 reviews

El Mazaj is widely praised for its authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, lively atmosphere, and family-friendly environment. Reviewers consistently highlight the exceptional food quality, particularly the mezza and BBQ offerings, as well as the attentive and welcoming service. The restaurant’s vibrant entertainment, including live Arabic music events and special performances, adds significant value to the dining experience. While some note that certain dishes, such as fatoush, may vary in taste, the overall consensus is positive. Pricing during events can be on the higher side but is generally deemed worthwhile due to the unlimited food and engaging ambiance. El Mazaj is regarded as a memorable and culturally rich dining destination in Ottawa.

mohamed Alqasemy

Jul 22, 2025

Best BBQ in town, nice place for a weekend, family oriented, and awesome arabic music band every Friday and Saturday night.

Emma Turpin

Jul 11, 2025

Really great meal and service.

Sacha Mitri

Jun 11, 2025

Omg I love everything about this place. The food, the environment, the music, the waiters. The mezza is AMAZING and I swear I hate store bought tabouli/fatoush or restaurant tabouli/fatoush but I always go back for their dishes. It's very expensive when there's an event (around 90$ per person) but it's worth it. Invite your friends over ????????????????

Zee Man

Jun 09, 2025

The place that takes me back home. Unlimited food and a full show. The food was mostly good (fatouch was too lemony and cheese sambousik was not great . Other than that everything was good the owner was around asking if we need anything all the time . I had guests they all had good time with food and entertainment. The price is 65$ plus tax that includes unlimited food and the show. I recommend!

Raed

Jun 07, 2025

I had an amazing time at Almazaj Restaurant during Tony Hadshity's party. The atmosphere was vibrant and full of energy, making it a perfect spot for such a lively event. The food was good, with a good selection of traditional and modern dishes that were full of flavor. The staff was attentive and made sure everyone was enjoying themselves. The entertainment was top-notch, and Tony Hadshity's performance was the highlight of the evening. If you're looking for a place that combines great food, excellent service, and unforgettable events, Almazaj is definitely the place to be.

Hussein Tohme

Jun 05, 2025

What a beautiful venu at Al-Mazaj for Ali and Lydia beautiful wedding. Amazing food and service from Sousou.

ghaidaa arbash

May 22, 2025

I think this is on of the best restaurant in Ottawa! The food is always excellent, especially the makanek. The service is amazing, and Mr. Jane is very kind and professional in hospitality

Mike Kellerman

May 14, 2025

We had a family event today and the servers were very attentive and the food fresh and delicious. A great place for a family event.