Posted by: Karim Ali
Coffee with Karim
A Few Patio Picks
May is when Ottawa starts to feel alive again.
The canal paths get busier, the Market fills up, Centretown feels less grey, and suddenly sitting outside for a meal feels like the easiest plan in the world.
This is not meant to be a definitive list of the “best patios in Ottawa”, rather a short list of patios I’d keep in mind if you find yourself in the core of the city on a sunny afternoon or evening this season.
La Terrasse — Château Laurier
La Terrasse is probably the most obvious one on this list, but it earns its spot because of the view.
You’re looking out toward Parliament, the canal locks, and the Ottawa River area. Around sunset, it’s one of the better patio settings in the city.
The tradeoff is that it gets busy, especially with tourists. I would not go here expecting a quiet, tucked-away evening. Go for the view, expect a bit of noise, and treat it more like an Ottawa experience than a low-key neighbourhood patio.
Price-wise, this is on the higher end. The Fairmont describes it as a scenic outdoor terrace with apps, plates and sweets, and Tripadvisor reviews commonly point to the view as the main draw, while noting higher prices and mixed service experiences.
The ByWard Market courtyards: Clarendon, Social, Mamma Grazzi’s
One thing people forget about the ByWard Market is that not every patio is right on the street.
There are a few mostly shaded courtyard patios tucked away from the heavier foot traffic, and they can be a better option if you want to be downtown without feeling like you’re eating directly beside the sidewalk.
The Clarendon is probably the most casual of the group. It’s a neighbourhood-style bar and dining room in the ByWard Market, with comfort food, brunch, dinner, late-night service and happy hour from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. Their own menu shows casual items like fries, sweet potato fries, spinach and artichoke dip, nachos and other pub-style dishes, so this is more of an easy meal than a formal dinner.
Social is more polished and more expensive. OpenTable lists it as “casual elegant,” with French/Canadian bistro food and a price point of $51 and over. Reviews are a little mixed on value, but the courtyard patio itself gets a lot of the praise. This is more of a dinner or nicer evening option than a quick bite.
Mamma Grazzi’s is the Italian option in the courtyard mix. It is known for homemade pasta, thin-crust pizza and old-world Italian-style food. Reviews tend to highlight the courtyard atmosphere and pasta, though some guests also mention that prices can feel high and service can be uneven when it’s busy.
The short version: if you want casual, I’d look at Clarendon. If you want more of a polished evening, Social. If you’re craving pasta and want the courtyard setting, Mamma Grazzi’s.
Mill St. Brew Pub — Lebreton / Ottawa River
Mill St. is another patio I like, partly because I live close to it, but also because the setting is genuinely cool.
It’s not quite ByWard or Centretown, but it’s close enough to the core that it makes sense if you’re walking around Lebreton, the river paths, Pimisi, Bluesfest, or the west side of downtown.
The building and location do a lot of the work here. It feels a bit more open and relaxed than the tighter Market patios, and it’s a good option when you want something casual without overthinking it.
Mill St. is more casual than most on this list, with Canadian/pub-style food and a $30-and-under price point. Reviews are not perfect, especially on food consistency, but people do tend to like the setting, service and overall casual energy.
The Brig — ByWard Market
The Brig is a good example of a place that does not need to be complicated. It’s a pub, so the food is simple, but it’s surprisingly tasty for what it is.
Think burgers, sandwiches, fries, salads, fish and chips. Their menu lists a crispy chicken burger with southern fried chicken, chipotle maple emulsion, garlic aioli, pickled onions, lettuce, a brioche bun, and fries or salad. That’s the meal I get most often and think “wow, this is legitimately very tasty”.
This is my recommendation for a reliable ByWard patio when you want a casual meal that actually delivers on a nice afternoon.
In short...
If you’re in the core this season and the weather is good, I’d pick based on the kind of afternoon or evening you want.
For the view, go La Terrasse.
For a shaded courtyard, try Clarendon, Social or Mamma Grazzi’s.
For something more relaxed by the river side of downtown, Mill St. is a good call.
For simple pub food that is better than you might expect, The Brig is worth keeping in mind.
That’s one of the nice things about Ottawa in patio season – you don’t need a huge plan. Sometimes it’s enough to pick a corner of the city, sit outside, and let the city feel a little more alive again.
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