There's nothing like a good patio, especially during an Ottawa summer.
From rooftops to sports bars to fine dining, there's an Ottawa patio to serve your every need. Each one has its own unique charm and allure that makes it special, and I'd go as far as to say that Ottawa boasts one of the most impressive "good patios per capita" ratios in the province.
So how do you decide which patios in Ottawa are worth waiting for the table outside? Your local hospitality expert is here to help once again!
Ottawa's patio season may be short but it's mighty, and thankfully we have lots of options to choose from. This list just barely scratches the surface of gorgeous and fun spots to enjoy an outdoor drink or bite, but they all provide something unique.
So grab the sunscreen folks; this is the Ottawa patio list you've been waiting for.
The Moonroom
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Cocktail Bar
Address: 442 Preston St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: The Moonroom is a favourite spot amongst Ottawans for a high-end cocktail. The inside is dimly lit, intimate and perfect for a date, whether it be a first date or a night out with your long-time partner.
But did you know about their backyard garden patio? Equally as intimate and aesthetically pleasing, this patio is best enjoyed after the sun goes down. The string lights and plants make you feel like you're in your own little cocktail wonderland. This is the kind of place you could get lost in for hours, sipping well-made cocktail after well-made cocktail.
The Moonroom's aesthetic choices have become revered by many, and it's easy to tell why. Take a stroll onto their patio the next time you're craving a cocktail and you'll understand what I mean.
Copper Spirits & Sights (Andaz Hotel)
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Casual Elegant
Address: 325 Dalhousie St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: This one is all about the view. The 16th-floor rooftop patio in the ByWard Market has an unbeatable panoramic view of the city.
You may think you need to be a guest of the hotel to enjoy this experience but the truth is, all are welcome! In fact, keep an eye out for some new events and ideas coming down the pipeline from the rooftop bar to help promote their presence to the general public.
I'll admit, I was one of the many people who didn't know I could just stroll up there whenever I liked, but after doing one of my "best of" videos with a member of their staff, I was reminded how gorgeous their space is. Even without the view, the patio itself would be outstanding. Large booths, glass fire pits and couch seating for groups just continue to add to the allure of the Andaz rooftop patio.
Bar Lupulus
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Modern Indigenous Inspired
Address: 1242 Wellington St. W., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: This is one of two patios that get mentioned time and time again in my "best of" series. It's a top favourite patio of people working in the Ottawa restaurant industry and a name you'll regularly hear suggested when the topic of best patios in the city comes up.
Lupulus has it all. Gorgeous food, well-crafted cocktails, an incredible wine list with some super unique natural wines, and of course, arguably the best beer list in the city outside of a brewery.
When you factor all that in and add the ability to enjoy it on a hidden backyard patio, it doesn't get much better.
The Bar Lupulus patio feels like hanging out in your really cool friend's backyard. It feels like home.
Arlo
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Seasonal Food & Natural Wine Bar
Address: 340 Somerset St W. Ottawa
Why You Need To Go:
As #71 on Canada's 100 best restaurants list, Arlo has a reputation as being one of the best restaurants in the city across the board. They boast a seasonal menu, one of the most impressive wine lists I've ever seen, and a level of service that any restaurateur would die to provide.
So what about their patio?
To keep it simple, it's gorgeous. It is a cozy, homey, back garden vibe that makes for a great date night, outing with friends or even solo glass of wine after a long day.
Arlo is also open seven days a week, which is a rarity among nice restaurants in Ottawa.
Spark Beer & Pizza
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Beer and Pizza, of course!
Address: 702 Somerset St. W. Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: We will get to the patio, I promise. First I need to give some people their flowers.
Andrea and John are the freakin' best — kind, high-energy people who absolutely LOVE what they do.
Their passion shows up in every corner of the business, especially in their house-brewed beer. I cannot recommend the experience of strolling in to chat with them over a pint enough.
The patio being so great is just a bonus. It's a large parking-lot-turned-patio with a number of picnic tables that make it great for groups. The music is always playing, the pizza is coming out hot, and of course, the beers are flowing, giving their space a block party feel that's unique to the other spots on this list.
The Senate Tavern on Bank
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Pub Food (but actually good)
Address: 1159 Bank St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Blah blah blah I love Senate Bank blah blah blah. You've heard me rave about this spot before, but let's do a patio breakdown so you can fully understand why it's ACTUALLY one of the best patios in the city.
First and foremost, their front fence boasts art that promotes restaurants across the whole city. For obvious reasons, I love this. Restaurants supporting restaurants is something that is super cool and prominent in the Ottawa scene.
The Senate on Bank also has an outdoor bar built into a decked-out shipping container. Other than this just being cool, the container has outdoor TVs to watch the game, is artistically designed, and is surrounded by lawn games like giant versions of Jenga and Connect Four.
Lastly is my favourite seats on the whole patio: The black hammock chairs.
There are only two of these hanging seats, but if you're lucky enough to get one of them, you'll find yourself sinking into it for hours, just soaking up sun (and Evergreen lagers).
All in all, this patio is my "home patio," so it holds a special place in my heart. If you're looking for me on a sunny Sunday afternoon, chances are good this is where I'll be.
Sunday is always only a few days away — I'll catch y'all on a patio!
This article has been updated since it was originally published on July 31, 2024.
