Black Tartan Kitchen buzzing after being ranked among Canada’s top restaurants

A server brings restaurant-goers their food at Black Tartan Kitchen in Carleton Place, Ont. Dec. 12, 2025. (Camille Wilson/CTV News Ottawa)

A Carleton Place, Ont. restaurant says it’s been seeing a bump in business after claiming a spot on OpenTable’s top 100 Canadian restaurants list in November.

Black Tartan Kitchen on Bridge Street in Carleton Place has rotating menu of French-inspired cuisine, and head chef Ian Carswell says his business has seen a steady stream of customers since being named one of Canada’s top eats.

“It was definitely a nice little surprise. The whole team here works hard. It’s nice testament to all their efforts and nice to be recognized,” Carswell told CTV News Ottawa. “It’s been definitely a good, busy couple weeks because of it.”

Ottawa resident Daphne Snelgrove who was dining at the restaurant Friday, says the restaurant’s food is fit for the holiday season.

“Our son is coming back from Kelowna for Christmas, so we decided that we’ll probably bring him here as his Christmas present because he likes new, unusual restaurants,” Snelgrove said.

OpenTable’s annual list of top restaurants considers reviews, ratings, reservation demand and more, and the small 32-seat restaurant made the cut by focusing on fresh local ingredients.

“We really focus on local products. We get as much local meats, local cheeses, beer, that kind of stuff. Anything from the area we try and really showcase it,” Carswell said.

The restaurant offers four-course and seven-course menus, that alternate monthly, and Black Tartan Kitchen is currently offering a holiday-inspired menu.

“I feel like every dish that we’re putting on the table is, definitely a representation of the local area but also a good amount of heart and love goes into each dish,” Carswell said.

Black Tartan was the only kitchen in or around the capital to make the list.

With files from CTV’s Camille Wilson.

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