While patio season is universally understood as a summer perk, many of us dream of the warmer weather as soon as the clocks jump forward. We just can’t help ourselves! It’s going to be beautiful outside, it’s been a long winter, and all we can think of is hitting a patio in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa!

The best places in Ottawa to grab a seat outside include many popular restaurants and eateries lined along Elgin Street. Dotted throughout the Centretown neighbourhood are some of the best patios in Ottawa. With so many choices, how do you decide on the perfect one for your much-needed morning, afternoon, or night of relaxing? Oh, the humanity!

Here at CLV Group, we did the work of finding out where to get the best service, the coldest drinks, the most delicious menus imaginable and the finest variety of alcohol, for you. While the weather can be unpredictable, our choices of the best patios on Elgin Street are not!

Grab your sunhat and let’s get a drink!

1. St. Louis Bar and Grill, Wings and Ribs

399 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 1M9

Any place that has a dedicated outdoor Tiki Bar has our vote! St. Louis Bar and Grill is famous for its nearly infinite selection of delicious chicken wing flavours, but it also offers lots of outdoor seating. We don’t know about you, but wings and a cold drink on the patio sounds like the perfect combo to us! The patio fills up quickly in the summer months but lucky for us, they take reservations.

2. The Lieutenant’s Pump

361 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 1M9

We love this street-level patio and its huge selection of beer, wine and hearty food. They also believe that people with vegetarian and gluten-free diets should be able to go to a pub with their friends and have more than some lettuce with dressing! Kudos! With legitimate vegetarian and gluten-free menu options, we suggest the Pump for a gathering of family and/or friends! They have the space and the variety to satisfy everyone.

The patio is open soon at The Pump, so don’t miss out!

3. MacLaren’s on Elgin

301 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2N9

We were pleasantly surprised by MacLaren’s on Elgin’s cool side-patio with their natural features! There’s nothing like having the option to take off your sandals and run your feet through the grass while having a cold drink at your table. With some nice outdoor potted plants, they’ve really made their outdoor space as garden-like as possible in the middle of the city. The grass may be fake, but their summer spirit sure isn’t and we’re here for it!

4. Elgin Beer Project

399 Elgin St, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 1M9

Into locally crafted brews? This is the place for you! The Elgin Beer Project is a popular spot that offers curbside pick-up, dine-in reservations and of course, a large outdoor patio ready for tastings – and tasty menu items. Discover a new favourite home-brewed beverage, the perfect pairing on a hot summer or late spring day, along with a wide range of snacks, sharing plates, and more that are friendly on a budget. We can’t recommend this place highly enough! 

5. Sir John A Pub

284 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 1M3     Here at the Sir John A Pub you will find a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere and the largest selection of draft beers in Centretown! For a group of friends with diverse drink orders, this place will surely have a beer to satisfy any taste while out on their spacious patio! As the pub with the longest history on the block (Sir John A has been an established part of the Elgin Street neighbourhood for over 117 years!) and the best mix of shade and sunlight, we highly recommend spending your lunch hour at this local gem.

6. Pancho Villa

361 Elgin St, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 1M7

Patios aren’t just about beer and good vibes – you’d be missing out for certain if you didn’t delve into some delectable culinary delicacies from around the world at the same time! One spot we can’t recommend highly enough is the absolutely beautiful Pancho Villa. Of course, there are the mainstays like nachos, fajitas, salads and whatnot in addition to alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, but the options go even deeper. Go on a veritable foodie fiesta by experiencing their incredible enchiladas, burritos, tostadas, chips and salsa, chimichangas, and some of the best tamales in Ottawa. Don’t forget the mole sauce – it’s a must!

Cheers to a great summer ahead! For info on the best places to live in Ottawa near these can’t miss patios, reach out to us or browse for local apartments.