North & Navy
Restaurant in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
North & Navy is an Italian restaurant located in the Centretown neighbourhood of Ottawa, Ontario.
Adam Vettorel[1]
| North & Navy | |
|---|---|
| |
 Interactive map of North & Navy | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | February 13, 2015 |
| Owner(s) | Christopher Schlesak Adam Vettorel[1] |
| Head chef | Adam Vettorel[1] |
| Food type | Italian |
| Location | 226 Nepean St., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Coordinates | 45°25′0.33″N 75°41′57.73″W |
| Seating capacity | 55[2] |
| Website | northandnavy |
History
The restaurant was opened in February 2015 by business partners Christopher Schlesak and Adam Vettorel, seeking to replicate the ambiance and design of a bacaro, a traditional Venetian wine bar, and specializes in Venetian cuisine, emphasizing small plates and regional flavours.[3][1][4] Vettorel also serves as the restaurant's head chef.[1]
Most Italian restaurants in the Ottawa area primarily feature cuisine from southern Italy.[5] The owners of North & Navy sought a name that would intentionally distinguish their establishment from these restaurants while emphasizing its focus on northern Italian cuisine, ultimately selecting North & Navy.[2]
From its conception until early 2025, North & Navy foregoed a tasting menu, instead serving its cuisine a la carte.[6] In May 2025, the restaurant began offering the option of a tasting menu to guests.[7]
In January 2022, Ottawa was subject to a three-week occupation of its downtown by demonstrators opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions. The protest, initially led by truckers, evolved into a broader anti-government movement, causing significant disruptions to residents and businesses in the city’s core. Counter-protesters emerged in response, including individuals who gained online recognition for their actions against the convoy, such as by obstructing vehicles attempting to expand the occupation.[8] As the protest ended and businesses began reopening, North & Navy expressed appreciation for the counter-protesters and invited several "internet famous" figures in the counter-protest to dine at their establishment free of charge.[9][8]
Recognition
Peter Hum, restaurant critic for the Ottawa Citizen, praised North & Navy for its refined take on Venetian cuisine, highlighting its creative approach to small plates and house-made pastas. He noted that while the menu steers away from the tomato-heavy Italian dishes common in Ottawa, it offers well-executed, culturally specific fare to the Venetian region, such as cicchetti, bigoli, and torteletti. Hum also commended the restaurant’s inviting ambiance and knowledgeable service, describing it as a unique addition to the city’s dining scene.[5]
Montreal-based culinary magazine Tastet praised the restaurant as a must-visit Italian restaurant in Ottawa, offering refined Northern Italian cuisine with top-quality Canadian ingredients. Highlighting the fresh house-made pasta and expertly crafted cocktails.[2]
In 2025, restaurant reservation system OpenTable ranked North & Navy among the 100 most romantic spots to dine at in Canada, which are available on its application.[3]
Canada's 100 Best Restaurants Ranking
North & Navy has occasionally ranked on Canada's 100 Best Restaurants list since its opening.[10] It reached a peak of #40 in Canada in the 2022 publication.[11] As of 2024, the restaurant was ranked #95.
| North & Navy[11] | ||
| Year | Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 74 | new |
| 2019 |  No Rank | |
| 2020 | ||
| 2021 | No List | |
| 2022 | 40 |  re-entry |
| 2023 | 96 | 56 |
| 2024 | 95 | 1 |
| 2025 | No Rank | |
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