Kiko Sushi Bar

Kiko Sushi Bar is a Japanese restaurant located at 349 Preston St in Ottawa, ON, serving appetizers, sushi, sashimi, freestyle rolls, teriyaki, noodles and donburi (specialty rice dishes) in a sit-down dining setting. The kitchen prepares its sauces in-house, including teriyaki, unagi and ponzu, which shapes the flavour profile across the menu rather than relying on pre-made condiments.

What changes the experience once you're seated

The dining rhythm at Kiko Sushi Bar follows a split schedule: lunch service runs Thursday and Friday from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm, while dinner is served Tuesday through Sunday starting at 4:30 pm. That means walk-in lunch options are limited to two days a week, so weekday diners in the Preston Street area who want a midday sushi fix need to plan around Thursday or Friday specifically, while dinner is the more flexible option across most of the week.

Ordering itself is deliberately old-fashioned in one respect: the restaurant does not process orders or reservations through voicemail, email or messaging apps. Calls are only answered during actual operating hours, so reaching someone outside the lunch or dinner windows will not connect. For anyone used to texting a restaurant or leaving a message overnight, this is a habit worth adjusting before visiting.

The Preston Street setting itself, in Ottawa's Little Italy, is a walkable strip with a mix of independent restaurants, which makes Kiko Sushi Bar a natural stop for people already exploring the area on foot rather than driving in specifically. Street parking and nearby lots serve the block, as is typical for this stretch of the neighbourhood.

What to budget for and what makes the bill move

Pricing details are not published, so the amount to budget depends on what is ordered rather than a fixed menu cost. A meal built around shared appetizers, a few specialty rolls and a donburi dish will land differently on the bill than a lighter order of sashimi and noodles. Because the kitchen makes its own sauces and works through several menu categories — appetizers, rolls, teriyaki, noodles and rice dishes — a group ordering across categories to share will naturally see a higher total than a single diner ordering one dish.

One concrete detail that affects budgeting for takeout: orders over $100 qualify for free delivery. For a group or office order, that threshold can be a useful target when deciding whether to add another round of rolls or an extra side, since crossing it removes a delivery charge from the total. Various payment methods are accepted on-site, so it is worth confirming preferred options directly with the restaurant when placing a larger order.

Seasonal demand also plays into what people order and spend. Ottawa's colder months tend to push more diners toward hot dishes like noodles and teriyaki alongside sushi, while warmer months and patio-friendly weather bring lighter orders built around sashimi and rolls. Given the Tuesday-to-Sunday dinner schedule, weekend evenings are typically when demand peaks, particularly during the fall and winter when Little Italy sees more foot traffic from people dining out after dark.

Smart habits before you order

Calling ahead during posted hours is the most reliable way to confirm availability, since messages left outside those windows go unanswered and reservations are not taken by email. Because lunch service is limited to two specific days, anyone hoping to eat sushi on a weekday should check whether it falls on a Thursday or Friday before making other plans around it.

For larger orders meant for sharing, reviewing the menu's range in advance — appetizers, sushi, sashimi, freestyle rolls, teriyaki, noodles and donburi — makes it easier to build a balanced order that covers different tastes at the table, especially for a group where not everyone wants raw fish. Keeping the $100 free-delivery threshold in mind is also useful for anyone ordering for an office or a family gathering, since it can guide how many extra items make sense to add.

Given the online ordering option mentioned by the restaurant itself, checking that channel first before calling can save time, particularly outside of peak dinner hours when phone lines may be busier.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kiko Sushi Bar suitable for families or groups?

The menu spans several categories — appetizers, rolls, teriyaki, noodles and rice dishes — which makes it workable for a group with mixed preferences, including diners who prefer cooked dishes over raw sushi and sashimi. Calling ahead during operating hours is recommended to check availability for a larger party.

Is the location accessible for people with reduced mobility?

Accessibility details are not published for this location. Anyone with mobility needs should contact the restaurant directly by phone during operating hours to confirm entrance and seating conditions before visiting.

Does it suit a special occasion?

The sit-down dinner service, running Tuesday through Sunday, and a menu built around specialty rolls and shared appetizers lend themselves to a planned evening out rather than a quick bite. Since reservations are only handled by phone during operating hours, calling ahead is the way to arrange a table for an occasion.

How does the first contact go?

Contact is by phone only, and only during posted lunch or dinner hours — voicemail, email and messaging apps are not used for orders or reservations. For takeout, an online ordering option is also available, which can be a faster first step before calling.