welcome to SEMSEM
Levantine Breakfast Cuisine
Modern Twist on Traditional Dishes
Authentic Palestinian
A traditional layered Palestinian fatteh. Soft chickpeas and pita bread are drenched in a smooth hommos sauce and garnished with toasted almond nuts, fresh parsley, and pomegranate seeds.
about us
SemSem is dedicated to more than just baking; we create the warm, inviting aromas and textures that make a Levantine breakfast a cherished daily ritual.
The day begins in the soft glow of the kitchen, where our team reunites with the quiet understanding that comes from years of shared purpose. We work in a seamless flow, regulated, yes, but alive with the energy of fresh breakfast foods and shared goals. We pour our love into the work, stay true to our standards, and lift each other up with genuine appreciation. This harmony, this pride in our craft, is the secret ingredient we serve to every guest.
Cheese Sunflower
The Cheese Sunflower is our signature, modern creation. It masterfully combines a soft, golden pull-apart bread with white halloumi cheese and Fresh zaatar (thyme)
$12.50
Pocket pie
Our signature golden-brown pastry is braided into a perfect half-moon, its soft crust gleaming with toasted sesame and poppy seeds. Break it open to reveal a steaming, generous filling of your choice.
$9.95
Fattet Al'Quds
A traditional layered Palestinian fatteh. Soft chickpeas and pita bread are drenched in a smooth hommos sauce and garnished with toasted pine nuts, fresh parsley, and pomegranate seeds.
Served with assorted pickles
$18.50
Kaak Al'Quds
Experience a taste of Palestine with this iconic Al Quds sesame bread. Celebrated for its perfect contrast of textures, a fluffy interior with a lightly crispy crust, each long, oval loaf is generously coated in aromatic sesame seeds.
$4.50
Majdoul
Tear and share our legendary loaf, a masterpiece of soft, baked dough twisted with gooey cheese and earthy thyme. Designed for dipping, it comes with a trio of your choice: our tangy Zaytoon, smooth White, or vibrant Tomato dip.
$16.50
fatteh tahini with meat
A levantine dish built on layers of fried pita bread, chickpeas, and marinated tahini with cumin topped with Top Sirloin meat (served with assorted pickles)
$21.95
Popie
A savory golden pastry, featuring a fluffy dough infused with marinated spinach, aromatic herbs, and baked halloumi cheese. A fan favorite with regulars to SemSem.
$12.50
sojok sunflower
Arabic spicy sausage on our homemade dough with mozzarella cheese, sauté green pepper, onion, and herbs. (served with Grandpa’s tahini dip).
$14.50
Shakshouke
A hearty and wholesome plate featuring four sunny-side-up eggs with rich, runny yolks, nestled into a savory mix of sautéed onions, peppers, and tomatoes. Accompanied by a freshly baked pita bread to scoop up every delicious bite.
$11.95
Fattehs
Fattet Al'Quds
$18.50
A traditional layered Palestinian fatteh. Soft chickpeas and pita bread are drenched in a smooth hommos sauce and garnished with toasted almond nuts, fresh parsley, and pomegranate seeds.
Fatteh Tahini
$16.95
A levantine dish built on layers of fried pita bread, chickpeas, pomegranate seeds and marinated tahini with cumin (served with assorted pickles).
Fatteh Tahini with meat
$21.95
A Levantine dish built on layers of fried pita bread, chickpeas, pomegranate seeds and marinated tahini with cumin topped with Top Sirloin meat (served with assorted pickles)
Speciality In-house Drinks
SemSem Drink (Karak Tea)
$4.25
Our premium tea complemented with milk, sugar, cardamom and saffron.
SemSem Coffee
$4.50
A delicious coffee blend with whipped cream topping and a sprinkle of sesame.
Yoghurt Drink (Ayran)
$3.95
A cold beverage of blended yoghurt prepared and cooked in-house.
Open Hours
- Weekday
- Mon-Thur 10.00 am - 4.00 pm
- Weekend
- Fri- Sun10.00 am - 04.00 pm
our locations
Visit us
We look forward to serving you.
Semsem
- 2430 Bank Street Unit #11, K1V 0T7 Ottawa, Ontario
- (613) 733-5736
semsem in ottawa
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start your day with Semsem today
Explore our menu and taste the tradition.
testimonials
Google reviews
Nice little cozy restaurant with excellent food. We went for breakfast and ordered eggs with sojok, cheese sunflower, Fattah chickpeas with meat. They were tasty, fresh and perfect. Accommodating and welcoming staff.
Usman
Very friendly and considerate service, the waiter recommended a different bread to pair with the fatteh. The food its self was tasty and the portion was generous, but the tea will be on my mind for a while. Such a perfect milk tea with strong tea and spice notes and just enough sweetness!
Thanh Food is delicious, authentic taste. The sunflower cheese pastry is so good, especially with their kark tea. A combination that will melt in your mouth.
Moe On our visit to Ottawa, tried the food from SemSem. We were impressed with the quality of food, Veg options at a reasonable price tag. Given a chance we will visit again on our next visit….
Sureshfrequently asked questions
Find quick answers
We offer a variety of vegan and gluten-free options. Please inform us of any severe allergies, and our staff will be happy to assist you.
Yes! Make your next gathering unforgettable. SemSem offers authentic Levantine catering for private in-house events (up to 40 guests) or for pickup and delivery. Explore menus and start planning on our Catering page.
At SemSem, we celebrate sharing. Our dishes are crafted to be enjoyed together, family-style. Don't hesitate to ask your server for recommendations on creating a perfect shared meal.
Yes, we offer a “click & collect” service. Place your order online and pick it up at SemSem, 2430 Bank Street Unit #11.
Yes- many of our dishes contain nuts and dairy. Full allergen details are available upon request — please ask our staff before ordering.
Yes, we offer catering for small events, meetings, and celebrations. Contact us for custom packages.
While we welcome walk-ins at anytime, we highly recommend reserving your table ahead of time even during weekdays. To secure your spot, call us at 613 730-5736.
At the heart of SemSem are the generational recipes brought from the Levant, passed down through our family. These are the authentic, time-honored dishes we grew up with, prepared with the same love and care.
We also believe that tradition is a living thing. While our core flavors are deeply rooted, our chefs have lovingly crafted modern interpretations of classics and created exclusive, original dishes you won't find anywhere else. Every plate we serve, whether a centuries-old recipe or a new SemSem original, is our way of sharing our heritage with a contemporary palate.
We are proud to be the only SemSem, located in Ottawa, Canada. You can find us at 2430 Bank Street, Unit #11. We look forward to welcoming you!
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Always an amazing experience at Semsem! Truly the best fattehs I've ever enjoyed! And the cheese overdose is incredible!! Can't wait for my next visit!
Jennah Customer