Outdoor dining, drinking and people watching are favourite local activities during the beautiful warmer months in Canada’s capital. Within the city centre and throughout Ottawa’s vibrant neighbourhoods are countless streetside terraces, rooftop spots and quiet hidden gems. When planning your next outing with friends and loved ones, consider these great Ottawa patios!
Note: Some businesses may allow pets on their patios, and they may adjust their outdoor spaces over time (covered, uncovered, etc.). Please contact establishments directly to confirm details.
Sparks Street
North America’s first pedestrian street, Sparks Street, is known for year-round events and great patios. Stretching west from Elgin Street to Bronson Street and just a block south of Parliament Hill, it’s convenient to many downtown attractions.
At the corner of Elgin and Sparks, the patio at D’Arcy McGee’s Irish Pub is a prime spot for people watching and after-work drinks. Moving west down Sparks, you’ll find casual patio vibes at The Office Resto Pub and Brixton's British Pub. Beer lovers can sample the craft brews at Bier Markt or 3 Brewers.
For the foodies, head to the patio at Spin Kitchen and Bar in the Ottawa Marriott hotel for a seasonal menu showcasing Canadian grown ingredients. And just around the corner along Queen Street, you’ll find a unique food hall experience at Queen St. Fare.
ByWard Market
The historic ByWard Market neighbourhood is dense with restaurants, pubs, bars and cafés. Established by Lt-Col. John By in 1826, the ByWard Market is one of Canada’s oldest and largest public markets, occupying an area roughly four blocks square just east of Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal. It’s easily accessible on foot, by transit, or by car, and is one of the city’s most popular destinations for shopping, dining, arts, entertainment.
Several patios converge in the Market’s Clarendon Courtyard, where stone arches and cobblestones (plus periodic live music) create a lovely European feel at Social Cocktail & Lounge and The Clarendon Tavern.
The spectacular rooftop lounge at Copper Spirits and Sights in the Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market hotel offers a breathtaking view overlooking the ByWard Market.
Turn your ByWard Market pub crawl into a patio crawl while you enjoy a beverage outdoors at Aulde Dubliner and Pour House, The Laff, Heart & Crown, and The Brig Pub.
Among the many other patio options throughout the ByWard Market are SIDEDOOR, El Camino and The Grand Pizzeria and Bar. No matter what you’re craving, you’ll be sure to find a patio to satisfy you!
Downtown Rideau
A shopping, culture, dining and entertainment destination, the Downtown Rideau area has been officially designated by the city as Ottawa’s Arts, Fashion and Theatre District. It features a wide variety of outdoor dining spots, including La Terrasse at the Fairmont Château Laurier, with views of Parliament Hill and Ottawa River, and the covered patio overlooking the Rideau Canal at the National Arts Centre’s restaurant, 1 Elgin.
Other popular patios in this area include Métropolitain Brasserie, The Albion Rooms, and Sí Señor.
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! Enjoy surf and turf on the quiet back patio at The Whalesbone, creative vegan cuisine on Pure Kitchen’s front patio, Asian street food at Datsun, and a fun food truck experience at El Camino’s covered back patio.
Elgin Street’s pub scene is strong, with many offering outdoor spaces where you can grab a pint, a bite to eat, and soak up some sun. Try The Standard Luxury Tavern, Deacon Brodies, Sir John A, Lieutenant's Pump, and Cooper’s Gastropub at the Embassy Hotel & Suites.
Bank Street
The Centretown section of Bank Street is known for its diverse array of businesses and is home to Ottawa’s 2SLGBTQIA+ Village. A few businesses along Bank Street have patios (and many others have large front windows that open). Notable options include Flora Hall Brewing, Fauna and Pizzeria Da Romolo.
The Somerset Village area just off Bank Street has lovely patios including Prohibition House, Mamma Teresa Ristorante, and Arlo Wine & Restaurant, which was recently named as one of Canada’s top 100 restaurants.
Glebe
South of the Queensway on Bank Street is a long stretch of the historic Glebe neighbourhood and its many patios. A few standouts include Erling’s Variety, Feleena’s Mexican Cantina, Irene’s Pub, and Banditos Ottawa, touted as “the nicest patio in the Glebe”.
The Lansdowne complex at the south end of the neighbourhood is home to several large establishments with spacious outdoor terraces, including CRAFT Beer Market, Crust and Crate, JOEY Lansdowne, and LOCAL Public Eatery.
Chinatown
Ottawa’s Chinatown is a pocket of Asian shops and restaurants on Somerset Street West, between Centretown and Little Italy (just west of Bronson Avenue). Although outdoor space is rare in Ottawa’s Chinatown, you’ll find a few unique gems. Try Rangoon Restaurant for authentic Burmese cuisine, sip a coffee or cocktail on the patio at The Art House Café or Drip House or enjoy brunch on the wraparound patio at Vanitea Room.
Little Italy
Ottawa’s Little Italy is full of diverse al fresco eateries—Italian and beyond. Originally settled by Italian immigrants in the early 1900s, the neighbourhood today embraces a deep multi-ethnic identity. All along Preston Street (known to locals as Corso Italia) you’ll find everything from pubs and casual fare to upscale dining options.
Enjoy mouthwatering Italian food on the patio at La Dolce Vita, La Roma and Giovannis Restaurant. Explore Mediterranean cuisine at Ayla’s Social Kitchen and EVOO Greek Kitchen. If you’re looking for a dog-friendly spot to grab a cocktail, try the patio at The Moonroom.
The expansive patio at Mati offers a place to see and be seen, and of course, no visit to Little Italy is complete without a stop at the iconic Pub Italia for a unique marriage of an Irish pub and an Italian trattoria.
Westboro Village
Choose from the many streetside and rooftop spots along Richmond Road in trendy Westboro Village. A popular destination for shopping, dining, and events all year round, Westboro is especially lively in the warm months.
Some highlights from the patio list include BBQ at Lexington Smokehouse & Bar, refined plates at Brassica, casual fare at The Newboro, or pizza at Fiazza Fresh Fired and House of Pizza.
For a bird’s eye view of the action, you’ll also find several rooftop patios in Westboro, including The Barley Mow, Churchills, Quelque Chose, and Pure Kitchen.
Wellington West
The Wellington West corridor just west of downtown links Hintonburg and Wellington Village, two vibrant areas with outdoor-friendly foodie destinations.
Along Wellington Street to the east of Holland Avenue, quirky, artsy Hintonburg has many patios tucked amongst its array of independent shops, restaurants and cafes, including Absinthe, Hintonburg Public House, Stella Luna, The Third and Tooth and Nail Brewing Company.
Not to be outdone, Wellington Village offers an equally active patio scene to the west of Holland Avenue, including trendy Bar Lupulus, upscale Stofa, and French-Newfoundland fusion at Petit Bill’s Bistro. Parlour Place, Wellington Gastropub, and Joe’s Italian Kitchen are some other popular Wellington West patio options.
Around town
Some patios are in such unique locations, they don’t officially belong to a neighbourhood!
Enjoy great views in unexpected spots like Tavern at the Gallery (in a courtyard at the National Gallery of Canada), Tavern on the Falls (at Rideau Falls just east of downtown), and Mill Street Brewpub (overlooking the Ottawa River).
Located along urban waterways, parks and multi-use pathways, the seasonal NCC Bistros are lovely places to stop for food and drinks from local providers.
For waterfront views of Dows Lake, visit the elevated patios at Umbrella Bar and Mexi’s.
The City Centre complex between Chinatown and Hintonburg features spacious outdoor spaces at Art-Is-In Bakery and Beyond the Pale Brewing Company.
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.
