Ресторан · Ottawa · ⭐ 9.3/10 · 3302 reviews · $$ · updated: 2026-06-30 17:59:17
Address: 137 Murray St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7E3, Canada
Chez Lucien: A Free Jukebox, a Famous Burger and Zero Pretense
Every city needs one bar that refuses to change, and Ottawa’s is Chez Lucien. Tucked into Lowertown on the quiet edge of the ByWard Market, “Chez-chez” — as regulars call it — has spent roughly two decades perfecting the same three things: a legendary burger, a free jukebox heavy on French chanson, and the kind of candlelit, elbow-to-elbow warmth that no designer can fake.
The Concept
Part bistro, part neighbourhood bar, entirely bilingual — Chez Lucien is one of the few rooms in the capital where French and English conversations tangle naturally over the same tables. There is no theme, no rebrand, no tasting menu. There is a kitchen that respects a burger and a jukebox stocked with francophone classics and 60s–70s hits, and both are free of irony.
What to Order
The Lucien Burger is the object of pilgrimage: bacon, mushrooms and cream cheese on a patty that regularly enters “best burger in Ottawa” arguments — and often ends them. Around it, a short card of honest bistro plates and a well-kept lineup of local beers. Order at your table, stay for one more song.
The Space
Small, dim and glowing: candle wax, wooden tables, art-cluttered walls and the jukebox holding court. It gets loud when full — which is most nights — and that noise is the point. Kitchen and taps run late, well past the hour most bistros surrender.
Who It’s For
Night owls dodging the louder ByWard Market circuit, francophones missing a proper piaule, first dates that need conversation fuel, and anyone who believes a great bar needs character more than a concept.
Good to Know
Can I book a table? It runs as a walk-in room — arrive early on weekends or expect a short, sociable wait.
What’s on the jukebox? French chanson, plus a healthy shelf of 60s and 70s hits — and playing it costs nothing.
How late does it go? Late — the room keeps serving long after standard dinner hours, most nights toward the small hours.
Is it English-friendly? Completely — the staff switch languages mid-sentence without blinking.
Is there more than the burger? Yes — a compact bistro menu and local beer, but skipping the burger on a first visit is a rookie mistake.
Opening hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 11:00–02:00 |
| Tuesday | 11:00–02:00 |
| Wednesday | 11:00–02:00 |
| Thursday | 11:00–02:00 |
| Friday | 11:00–02:00 |
| Saturday | 11:00–02:00 |
| Sunday | 11:00–02:00 |
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Visitor reviews
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Strolling through the ByWard Market, we decided to get off the beaten path and try Chez Lucien. It turned out to be a wonderful choice!
The scallops were wonderfully cooked, the duck was tasty, and the Croque Monsieur w…
Reviews last updated: 2026-06-30 17:59:17
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It’s very deceiving from the outside but the minute we stepped inside, the vibe was charming and warm. It wasn’t busy as we went for a late lunch on a Wednesday but it has a homey comfortable feel. The menu is not huge,…
Visited Ottawa on a Friday. We arrived for lunch around noon. It was already fairly crowded, but we were quickly greeted with a smile. The server, very friendly, tried to speak French. We ordered the burger of the day fo…
Absolutely tasty pasta!
They were out of mussels that day, but I got extra ingredients instead
The sauce was creamy and rich, the pasta was cooked perfectly, and the scallops were huge and tender in the middle
A…
It was a rainy Monday evening, but this place was fun. It took a little while, but we found seats at the bar. The servers and bartender worked hard but were friendly. It seemed like every dish from the kitchen was a burg…
Tasty food and drinks, good draft beer and cider.
We ordered the Dijon chicken and the steak fettuccine, and both dishes were wonderful. Very good value and wonderful service.