SemSem Menu

Welcome to SemSem, a delightful brunch restaurant located at 2430 Bank St, Ottawa. Here, the menu celebrates the rich flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine, offering an array of delicious options that are sure to please any palate.

• Sandwiches on the Go: Indulge in the Duplex Crust, featuring marinated meats and a mouthwatering blend of four cheeses. Each bite bursts with flavor, making it a standout dish at CA$19.00.
• Desserts: Don’t miss the Mirage, a cultural gem that adds a unique SemSem twist to the classic Namoura, priced at just CA$3.75.
• Artisan Breads: Try the Popie, a light vegetarian delight with marinated spinach, or the Cheese Overdose, a 16” loaf with a cheesy topping, sure to satisfy any cheese lover for CA$28.50.

With friendly service and generous portions, SemSem offers an inviting atmosphere perfect for families. The positive reviews praise not only the food's deliciousness but also the impeccable hospitality, making every visit a cherished experience. Come for the flavors, stay for the hospitality!

Sandwiches on the Go

• Duplex Crust, Lahem-Ajeen & Mixed Cheese

  A freshly baked (9 inches) dough topped with in-house marinated meat, tomatoes and spices and a lower layer of a mixture of 4 Cheeses with sprinkled sesame and black seed. Experience the magical combination of flavors as our Ground Meat and Mixed Cheese harmonize in every bite.

  CA$19.00

• Duplex Crust, Lahem -Ajeen & Halloumi Cheese

  A freshly baked (9 inches) dough topped with in-house marinated meat, tomatoes and spices and a lower layer of Halloumi Cheese with sprinkled sesame and black seed. Experience the magical combination of flavors as our Ground Meat and Halloumi Cheese harmonize in every bite.

  CA$19.00

• Semsem Crust Halloumi

  A freshly baked (10 inches) dough topped with white halloumi cheese with sprinkled sesame and black seeds. [Vegetarian]

  CA$12.00

• Semsem Crust Zaatar

  A freshly baked (10 inches) dough topped with zaatar (thyme). [Vegan]

  CA$8.00

• Duplex Crust, Zaatar & Halloumi Cheese

  A freshly baked (9 inches) dough topped with Thyme a lower layer of a Halloumi Cheese with sprinkled sesame and black seed. Experience the magical combination of flavors as Thyme and Halloumi Cheese harmonize in every bite.

  CA$19.00

• Semsem Crust Labneh

  A freshly baked (10 inches) dough topped with our in-house prepared labneh and garnished with dried mint and olive oil. [Vegetarian]

  CA$10.50

• Falafel Sandwich

  Falafel wrapped in pita bread and topped with tarator (tahini sauce), pickled turnips, pickled cucumbers, radish, tomatoes, parsley, mint.

  CA$10.00

• Lahem-Ajeen

  A freshly baked (10 Inches) dough topped with Marinated meat, tomatoes and spices

  CA$14.00

• Semsem Crust Mixed Cheese

  A freshly baked (12 inches) dough topped with a mixture of four cheeses with sprinkled sesame and black seeds. [Vegetarian]

  CA$12.00

• Sojok Sandwich

  Baguette bread filled with sojok (spicy beef sausage), sauteed tomatoes, sauteed bell peppers, sauteed onions, assorted pickles, and mayonnaise.

  CA$14.50

• Duplex Crust, Zaatar & Mixed Cheese

  A freshly baked (9 inches) dough topped with Thyme and a lower layer of a mixture of 4 Cheeses with sprinkled sesame and black seed. Experience the magical combination of flavors as Thyme and Mixed Cheese harmonize in every bite.

  CA$19.00

• Halloumi Sandwich

  Pita bread filled with pan spread halloumi cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, and mint. [Vegetarian]

  CA$12.50

Desserts

• Mirage

  Mirage may be better known as "Namoura" a cultural dessert with a semsem touch.

  CA$3.75

• Homemade In-House Display Selection

  (As per availability) anise cake, tahini cake, lazy cake, sesame bites.

  CA$4.25

Caza Maza

• Olives

  [Vegetarian; Gluten-free]

  CA$4.00

• Grilled Halloumi

  Halloumi cheese served with pita bread, tomatoes and cucumbers. [Vegetarian; Gluten-free]

  CA$14.50

• Shakshouke

  Three sunny-side-up eggs fried on a bed of sauté vegetables, served with two pita bread. [Vegetarian; Gluten-free]

  CA$14.00

• Grandma's Breakfast

  A blend of mini dishes comprised of fresh labneh, cheese, za'atar, olives, tomatoes, cucumber, jam, and Halawa. [Vegetarian; Gluten-free]

  CA$24.00

• Service Plate 2

  Tomatoes, cucumber, and olives. [Vegan; Gluten-free]

  CA$6.00

• Halawe

  A sweet confectionary made with sesame. [Vegan; Gluten-free]

  CA$4.00

• Fig Jam With Sesame Seeds

  In-House Fig Jam. [Vegan; Gluten-free]

  CA$6.00

• Labneh

  Our in-house made labneh with virgin olive oil. [Vegetarian]

  CA$4.50

• Dibis With Tahini

  Carob molasses topped with tahini (sesame paste), served with 1 pita bread. [Vegan; Gluten-free]

  CA$6.50

• Meat Maqla

  Top sirloin meat stewed with tomatoes, onion, red bell pepper, and traditional spices (served with pita bread).

  CA$26.50

• Service Plate 1 (Served With All Our Soul-Full Dishes - Except With Falafel)

  Turnip pickles, radish, cucumber, tomatoes, chili pickles, and onion. [Vegan; Gluten-free]

  CA$6.00

Drinks

• Cappuccino

  Regular.

  CA$4.25

• Brewed Coffee

  CA$2.50

• Hot Chocolate

  Regular.

  CA$4.95

• Semsem Drink (Karak)

  Our premium tea complemented with milk, cardamom, and saffron.

  CA$5.00

• Semsem Coffee

  A special semsem house-coffee.

  CA$5.25

• Yogurt Drink (Ayran)

  Yogurt drink is a cold beverage of blended yogurt prepared and cooked in-house.

  CA$3.95

• Latte

  Regular.

  CA$4.25

• Mocha

  Regular.

  CA$4.75

Artisan Breads

• Popie

  A light fluffy dough baked with marinated spinach, halloumi cheese, and herbs. [Vegetarian]

  CA$14.50

• Cheese Overdose 16"

  This is a 16" cheese overdose loaf of bread from our oven, topped with black seed and sesame seeds. Served with your choice of dip: tomatoe, zaytoon, or white dip. [Vegetarian]

  CA$28.50

• Semsem Twist Plain

  Simit Bread. [Vegetarian]

  CA$4.50

• Semsem Twist With Feta

  Simit bread served with feta cheese, cucumber, and tomatoes. [Vegetarian]

  CA$11.50

• Majdoul

  A freshly baked twist of cheese and thyme, served with your choice of dip: zaytoon, white, or tomato dip. [Vegetarian]

  CA$18.50

• Eggcellent With Sojok

  Three eggs on a pie with sojok meat (Arabic spicy sausage). [Halal]

  CA$16.00

• Cheese Overdose

  Order this five cheese overdose in a small or 16-inch loaf, topped with black seed and sesame seed. [Vegetarian]

  CA$6.50

• Sojok Sunflower

  For spicy sojok lovers, topped on our homemade dough with sauté vegetables and mozzarella cheese, served with "Grandpa's dip". [Halal]

  CA$17.00

• Eggcellent With Cheese

  Three eggs on a pie topped with four cheeses (halloumi, white cheddar, yellow cheddar, mozzarella). [Vegetarian]

  CA$14.00

• Cheese Sunflower

  White cheese with fresh green thyme. [Vegetarian]

  CA$14.50

Soul Full

• Classic Beans

  Mashed fava beans dish spiced with lemon and garlic (served with assorted vegetables, pickles, pita bread, and olive oil). [Vegan; Gluten-free]

  CA$16.00

• Veggie Beans

  Mashed fava beans dish mixed with tomatoes, parsley, coriander, and onions (served with assorted vegetables, pickles, pita bread, and olive oil). [Vegan; Gluten-free]

  CA$18.00

• Fatteh Yogurt With Meat

  A Levantine dish built on layers of fried pita bread, chica Levantine dish built on layers of fried pita bread, chickpeas, and marinated yogurt with garlic topped with top sirloin meat (served with assorted pickles). [Halal]

  CA$23.50

• Fatteh Tahini With Meat

  A Levantine dish built on layers of fried pita bread, chickpeas, pomegranate seeds, and marinated tahini with cumin and minced lamb meat (served with assorted pickles). [Halal]

  CA$24.50

• Fatteh Tahini

  A Levantine dish built on layers of fried pita bread, chickpeas, pomegranate seeds, and marinated tahini with cumin (served with assorted pickles). [Vegetarian]

  CA$19.75

• Hummus

  Traditional chickpeas paste marinated with lemon (served with assorted vegetables, pickles, pita bread, and olive oil). [Vegan; Gluten-free]

  CA$15.50

• Musabaha Tahini

  Whole chickpeas marinated with lemon, garlic, and spiced tahini (served with assorted vegetables, pickles, pita bread, and olive oil). [Vegetarian; Gluten-free]

  CA$15.00

• Mutabbal

  Roasted eggplant blended with tahini, lemon, garlic and garnished with pomegranate and parsley (served with assorted vegetables, pickles, and pita bread). [Vegetarian; Gluten-free]

  CA$13.50

• Musabaha Plain

  Inspired by the love of hommos this dish contains whole chickpeas marinated with lemon and garlic (served with assorted vegetables, pickles, pita bread, and olive oil). [Vegan; Gluten-free]

  CA$13.00

• Qudsiye

  Traditional classic beans on a bed of hommos (served with assorted vegetables, pickles, pita bread, and olive oil). [Vegan; Gluten-free]

  CA$17.00

• Falafel Plate

  Falafel served with a veggie plate and fresh pita bread. [Vegan; Gluten-free]

  CA$10.00

• Fava Beans With Tahini

  Mashed fava beans spiced with lemon and garlic, mixed with tahini, and garnished with whole chickpeas and parsley (served with assorted vegetables, pickles, and pita bread). [Vegan; Gluten-free]

  CA$18.00

• Fatteh Makdous

  Eggplant on layers of fried bread, sauteed onion and tomatoes, topped with garlic yogurt and garnished with parsley, pomegranate and almonds.

  CA$21.50

• Fatteh Yogurt

  A Levantine dish built on layers of fried pita bread, chickpeas, and marinated yogurt with garlic (served with assorted pickles). [Vegetarian]

  CA$18.50

Dips

• Grandpa's Dip

  Grandfather's creation of old-style tahini salad with fine-cut parsley and tomatoes.

  CA$5.00