Emma WhiteEver caught yourself feeling jealous of the birds, yearning to snag the best seats while enjoying your meal? Hey, we’ve all been there!
But before you find yourself wishing for a pair of wings, here’s a more plausible option – dining at rooftop restaurants!
If you find yourself in Ottawa, you’re in luck because the city is brimming with dining experiences offering spectacular views. Get ready to elevate your dining experience – literally – and trade that drab sidewalk view for something even more exciting!
1. La Terrasse
Website: https://www.fairmont.com/laurier-ottawa/dining/la-terrasse/
Address: 1 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 8S7, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-241-1414
Located at the elegant confines of Fairmont Chateau Laurier, La Terrasse offers a luxurious dining experience filled with delectable eats and magnificent views.
Its outdoor patio exudes an air of regal sophistication, adorned with vibrant red furnishings. Opening up to a dreamy landscape of the river and the neighboring area, the gorgeous outdoor seating adds to the fantastic allure of the restaurant.
While the menu may seem limited, as you look closely, you’ll see that it’s meticulously curated, sparing patrons from the never-ending hit-or-miss battle.
Do note that this restaurant is only open during the warmer months.
2. Copper Spirits and Sights
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aWsAAqPGHwgXnk6u8
Address: 325 Dalhousie St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7G1, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-321-1234
Operating hours:
- Sunday and Monday – closed
- Tuesday to Thursday – 5 PM to 10 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 5 PM to 12 AM
Situated on top of the stylish Andaz hotel, Copper Spirits and Sights offers a spectacular gastronomical adventure, thanks to the unbeatable ambiance and the enchanting outlook.
Fortunately, the food offerings are as unforgettable as the views. It’s another great addition to the iconic ByWard Market, so this one’s definitely a wise choice if you want to experience the rich, culinary scene of Ottawa.
If you want a more dynamic experience, try coming here during the weekend for the live DJ.
Here’s an insider tip: Parliament Hill, an iconic landmark just 10 minutes away on foot, has fireworks during special occasions like Canada Day, New Year’s Eve, and such.
With its prime location, Copper Spirits and Sights is a nice location to witness these colorful spectacles.
3. Umbrella Bar
Website: https://www.umbrellabarottawa.com
Address: 1001 Queen Elizabeth Driveway, Ottawa, ON K1S 5K7, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-231-3443
Umbrella Bar is a chic locale, reminiscent of a gorgeous, beachside restaurant. It has a bright and airy feel, with a wonderful view opening up to the lake.
Completing your foodie adventure, there are also a lot of delicious items on the menu like the tuna poke bowl, chicken wings, and the BBQ burger.
They also have a wide array of alcoholic beverages, which we urge you to try to elevate the laid-back experience.
We like to call this the quintessential summer hotspot because of its vibe, but they’re open all year. However, from October 30 until the end of winter, they’re only open to private events and large groups.
4. Rabbit Hole
Website: https://rabbitholeott.ca
Address: 208 Sparks St., Ottawa, ON K1P 5C1, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-695-0500
Operating hours:
- Monday – 5 PM to 12 AM
- Tuesday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 12 AM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 2 AM
- Saturday – 5 PM to 2 AM
- Sunday – closed
Take a page from Alice in Wonderland and hop into the Rabbit Hole. However, instead of taking you to a world similar to an acid trip, this Rabbit Hole is a stylish cocktail bar well-loved for its charming vibe.
They offer a mix of the classic bar grub, along with alcoholic beverages to jumpstart your exciting night. Their pizzas are extremely popular, so be sure to try that out as well.
The highlight of our night is the first bite of white 2, a pizza flavor with mixed mushrooms, caramelized onions, arugula, and chili oil.
Aside from their funky rooftop seating, they also have a basement area with a speakeasy vibe, also popular among the local crowds.
5. Churchills
Website: http://churchillsottawa.com
Address: 356 Richmond Rd, Ottawa, ON K2A 0E8, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-421-3775
Operating hours:
- Monday – closed
- Tuesday and Wednesday – 11:30 AM to 1 AM
- Thursday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 2 AM
- Sunday – 11:30 AM to 12 AM
Drawing inspiration from the classic British Tavern, Churchills boasts an intimate setting steeped in tradition and charm.
While the indoor seating is dimly lit with a cozy atmosphere, the rooftop patio feels warm and inviting. This duality ensures that they have something for every kind of food adventurer.
Their buffalo chicken might be the most popular one on their menu. After all, you can’t go wrong with a classic bar fare.
They also have an exciting variety of international and local brews worth checking out.
6. Rooftop Ottawa
Website: https://www.rooftopottawa.ca/
Address: 54 York Street, Ottawa ON
Contact details: +1 613 421 0820
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 4 PM to late
- Friday and Saturday – 12 PM to late
Rooftop Ottawa is a fresh burst of energy, a slightly newer addition infusing ByWard Market’s lively nightlife.
It’s located inside the building called York on William, or YOW for short, which is an exciting hotspot for panoramic views of the city’s bustling ByWard Market.
Despite being located in a buzzing area, the atmosphere at Rooftop continues to be serene, intimate, and at other times, romantic. To accompany you on your dining adventure, there are also soulful sounds playing in the background.
Try going here before sundown to witness the majestic vistas of Ottawa’s sunset. Additionally, we highly recommend grabbing a few tasty cocktails while you’re here for an even more elevated experience.
Their marvelous rooftop seating is only open from spring to fall.
7. The Barley Mow Westboro
Website: https://barleymow.com
Address: 399 Richmond Rd, Ottawa, ON K2A 0E9, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-695-7669
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 11 AM to 12 AM
- Thursday and Friday – 11 AM to 1 AM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 1 AM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 12 AM
The Barley Mow is a laid-back spot perfect for casual meals with a friend or by yourself.
Their rooftop seating offers a great view of the surrounding neighborhood, perfect for people-watching as you sip on your ice-cold beer.
It becomes an even more intimate spot at night with the added enchanting allure of fairy lights installed for an even more elevated atmosphere.
The food is terrific with the fish and chips being the talk of town.
8. Alora
Website: http://aloraottawa.com
Address: 34 Clarence St., Ottawa, ON K1N 5P3, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-562-4955
Operating hours:
- Monday and Tuesday – closed
- Wednesday and Thursday – 5 PM to 10:30 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 5 PM to 2 AM
- Sunday – 5 PM to 10 PM
Alora is a hip and sophisticated establishment, focusing on shareable plates and tasty cocktails.
It’s a little bit new to the ByWard’s bustling charm, but it already garnered a lot of fans all over the city.
Their fried chicken is a well-received favorite, which also earned a rightful spot on our list of our favorite friend chickens in Ottawa. And that’s saying something because they’re competing with plenty of delicious contenders!
It’s also a popular spot to enjoy artfully concocted cocktails, which are especially pleasant when enjoying the street view from the rooftop patio seating.
9. The Prescott
Website: https://theprescott.com
Address: 379 Preston St, Ottawa, ON K1S 4N1, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-232-4217
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 12 AM
- Friday and Saturday – 11:30 AM to 2 AM
The Prescott is a homey establishment, focusing on hearty Italian dishes. While the unassuming structure might deter some from exploring further, it would be a shame to judge this dynamic joint just for its appearance.
Inside you’ll see that it has its own charm, attracting local customers, a lot of which are loyal patrons.
Their rooftop patio seating is an exciting addition, especially for those who want to enjoy a nice breeze under the beautiful Ottawa sun.
We suggest checking out their website before your visit for any upcoming events. Expect fun activities like live music on Fridays and trivia nights.
10. Aulde Dubliner & Pour House
Website: https://heartandcrown.pub
Address: 62 William St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7A3, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-241-0066
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 2 AM
Aulde Dubliner & Pour House is a vibrant Irish pub located in an equally dynamic location, which is no other than – you guessed it! – ByWard Market.
It certainly stands out on the street for its stylish and effortlessly cool bricked facade.
They have fantastic menu options ranging from soups & salads and Irish classics to share plates, pub fare, as well as draught beers, sangria, wine, and a lot more.
The rooftop patio seating is a nice spot for people-watching or for observing the buzzing neighborhood.
11. Le St. Laurent
Website: http://www.lestlaurent.ca
Address: 460 St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, ON K1K 4Z2, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-421-1444
Operating hours:
- Monday and Tuesday – closed
- Wednesday and Thursday – 5 PM to 9:30 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 5 PM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 5 PM to 9 PM
Le St. Laurent, a stylish and contemporary French restaurant, serves as a shining example of the French flair for sophistication. The chic interior mixes hues of green, white, and gray, evoking an ambiance that’s both modern and inviting.
It also offers an unhindered view of the surrounding areas, allowing patrons to indulge in French delicacies, as well as the vibrant energy of the cityscape.
The only downside is that we wish their operating hours were much longer!
A few of their best sellers are the scallops, beet salad, and steak frites. However, we urge you to consider other options as well, to fully immerse yourself in their exciting culinary offerings.
12. Pure Kitchen
Website: https://www.purekitchenottawa.com
Address: 357 Richmond Rd, Ottawa, ON K2A 0E7, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-680-5500
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
Pure Kitchen is a delightful restaurant that specializes in plant-based foods and fresh juices. In fact, this spot is popular among locals, garnering many loyal vegan and vegetarian patrons.
Our ultimate favorite is their ignite bibimbap – a refreshing dish inspired by the Korean plate made with crispy tofu, Korean bbq, spinach, cucumber, carrot, radish, kimchi, cauliflower rice, spicy gochujang aioli, and sesame seeds.
Their menu options seamlessly extend the refreshing ambiance to their interior, creating a space that feels fresh and airy.
13. Il Vicolo
Website: https://ilvicolo.ca
Address: 118 Clarence St., Ottawa, ON K1N 5P6, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-806-6103
Operating hours:
- Monday – closed
- Tuesday to Thursday – 5 PM to 11 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 5 PM to 2 AM
- Sunday – 5 PM to 10 PM
Il Vicolo is a buzzing pizza spot that draws in locals and visitors alike for its bustling atmosphere and delectable eats.
Hailing as the top-tier option is the pizza fungo – a flavorful bite made with garlic-roasted forest mushrooms, bechamel, and brie.
The outdoor seating feels laid-back and cozy, but at night it becomes an even more intimate space best enjoyed with one of their classic cocktails.
