Sparks Street
North America’s first pedestrian street, Sparks Street, is known for year-round events and great patios, including:
Just around the corner along Queen Street:
ByWard Market
The historic ByWard Market neighbourhood is dense with restaurants, pubs, bars and cafés. During COVID-19 and possibly beyond, some street sections are closed to traffic to allow expanded patios and walking space.
Several patios converge in the Clarendon Courtyard, where stone arches and cobblestones (plus periodic live music) create a lovely European feel:
Other patio options throughout the area include:
Downtown Rideau
The Downtown Rideau area features a wide variety of outdoor spots, including:
Bank Street
The Centretown section of Bank Street doesn’t normally have space for outdoor dining, but temporary patios have popped up during COVID-19, notably:
Plus, in summer 2021, Bank Street is closed to motor vehicles between Slater Street and Gladstone Avenue from 6:00pm on Fridays until 11:59pm on Saturdays.
Glebe
A few blocks south of downtown on Bank Street is a long stretch of the historic Glebe neighbourhood and its many patios. A few standouts from the BIA’s full list include:
The Lansdowne complex at the south end of the neighbourhood is home to large establishments with spacious outdoor terraces, including:
Westboro Village
Choose from the many streetside and rooftop spots along Richmond Road in trendy Westboro Village. Some highlights from the BIA's patio list include:
Ground level:
Rooftop:
Wellington West
The Wellington West corridor just west of downtown links two vibrant areas with outdoor-friendly foodie destinations, including:
Hintonburg
Wellington Village
Elgin Street
Just a few blocks south of Parliament Hill, you’ll find Elgin Street’s many pubs, restaurants and bars. Some of their patios even feature outdoor TVs for sports lovers! Check out:
Chinatown
Although outdoor space is rare in Ottawa’s Chinatown, you’ll find a few unique gems:
Little Italy
Ottawa’s Little Italy, centered around Preston Street, is full of diverse al fresco eateries—Italian and beyond:
In between
Some patios are in such unique locations, they don’t officially belong to a neighbourhood!
Enjoy great views at these spots:
The Somerset Village area just off Bank Street has lovely patios (plus extra street space during COVID-19):
For waterfront views of the Dows Lake portion of the Rideau Canal, visit these elevated patios:
The City Centre complex between Chinatown and Hintonburg features two spacious outdoor spaces:
And visit the many breweries within the urban core, in the suburbs and in rural areas for ample outdoor space, great local craft beer and other beverages.