Tucked away in a cozy brick building with half moon windows, Black Tartan is a must-go in Carleton Place.
The restaurant, known for its French cuisine and casual fine dining is among Canada’s 100 best restaurants this year, according to OpenTable.
OpenTable’s list of best restaurants is produced by analyzing diner reviews and ratings, as well as reservation demand, five star reviews and other factors.
For 2025, Black Tartan made the top 100.
Black Tartan opened its doors on Bridge Street in November 2016 and has since taken the community by storm.
In 2017, the restaurant received the Entrepreneur of the Year and the People’s Choice awards at the Carleton Place and District Chamber of Commerce’s Business Awards. In 2018, it was given the Community Involvement Award for its support of the Lanark County Food Bank, followed by the Customer Service Award in 2019. Just last month it was crowned Business of the Year.
“From day one, we have wanted this little restaurant to be a space where everyone can feel comfortable and welcomed,” the restaurant’s website states. “Like a good friend’s house, this is a great place to feel cared for.”
The food is also something that keeps guests coming back. The website describes it as “consistent, familiar and even nostalgic” French flavours with a touch of “whimsy”.
Black Tartan chef Ian Carswell — who also owns the establishment with his wife — is a Petawawa native and previously held the position as executive chef at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. He has also worked at high end establishments across the globe.
Carswell says on the restaurant site that the menus feature local ingredients from Lanark County and the Ottawa Valley. The restaurant features four and seven course tasting menus on Friday and Saturday evenings, a three-course table d’hote menu on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and a lunch à la carte menu Thursday through Saturday.
This is Black Tartan’s first year on OpenTable’s best 100 list. No Ottawa restaurants were on the list this year.
Dining and Cooking