An Ottawa staple will be returning to Chinatown this fall. Yukang Li, president of the Chinatown BIA, tells CTV News that Yangtze restaurant will be returning to its former location at 700 Somerset Street West. Li says the restaurant is going through a “major renovation” and is expected to open its doors in either September or October. “Coming soon” signs were put up on the door of the vacant property at 700 Somerset Street West overnight. Li says the business will carry on with the same name and will feature similar dim sum, Cantonese, northern Chinese and Sichuan-style cuisines as before. Yangtze served its final meals after more than 40 years in business in November 2024 after its owners decided it was time to close the family-run business. The massive 9,600 sq. ft. building, one of the biggest restaurants in the city, has sat vacant since. The property sold for $3 million in 2024 but a deal for a “high-end seafood restaurant” to move into the property didn’t come together, and it was listed for lease this year. The signs on the door say the restaurant is currently hiring new staff, including front of house, kitchen and management positions.
