Thanks to the mix of cultures, lovers of gastronomic discoveries can find the flavours they love all year round in Ottawa. If you want to enjoy the sun and the good weather, you might as well opt for a place with beautiful panoramas. Gather your family and friends as you grab a table and share a Sunday brunch or wow a special someone for a romantic date night near the clouds, whatever the occasion, the best restaurants with a view in Ottawa await.
From seaside destinations to sunny patios serving top-notch pizza with a view, Japanese gems, stunning lakeside spots, and perched rooftops serving continental Canadian cuisine with a contemporary twist, these scenic gems await. With cocktail bars, breweries and pubs, the best bars, patios and restaurants in Ottawa have something to quench your thirst after a hot day. Get ready to relax with a great meal and breathtaking views in this magnificent city.
Read on for the best restaurants with a view in Ottawa and book your spot on OpenTable today.
The best restaurants with a view in Ottawa – read on for a guide
For a relaxed meal by the lake at one of the best restaurants in Ottawa with a view – head to Arôme – Casino du Lac Leamy in Gatineau
If you like seafood as much as you like grilled meats, then you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for at Arôme – Casino du Lac Leamy. Elegantly located in the Casino du Lac Leamy, this restaurant offers a menu combining comfort food and traditional recipes. With its superb setting, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a meal on the large terrace, from breakfast to dinner. Try the smoked salmon bagel with cream cheese and shallots at the start of the day, or the shrimp tempura and smoked scallops served with cream of green pea soup and leek fondue for dinner, all while watching the sun rise and set on its terrace. The Sunday brunch also makes Arôme a first-rate spot. Close to the sky with a breathtaking view, enjoy a delicious mix of egg, fish and meat recipes, as well as a wide selection of Quebec cheeses, pâtés and charcuterie, without forgetting the mouth-watering desserts.
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For one of the best cocktail bars in Ottawa – visit Copper Spirits & Sights in Ottawa
Thanks to its vibrancy and diversity, the beautiful and historic ByWard Market hosts several rooftop restaurants, including the welcoming Copper Spirits & Sights. On the 16th floor of the Andaz hotel, chef Chanaka Amarakoon invites you to savour delicious elevated small plates. Try the yellowfin tuna crudo with seaweed salad topped with sesame and yuzu dressing, or the cheese and charcuterie platter featuring arpents, blue, coppa and serrano. Whatever you order, you’re bound to find a drink on the menu to accompany your meal. Share a good dinner with a bottle of Charles Baker’s riesling or a glass of St John’s Burgundy’s chardonnay. Enjoy the late afternoon sunshine with a spiced apple margarita or the special Copper Craft Caesar made with vodka, lime juice and horseradish.
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For breakfast on a sunny terrace – try Wilfrid’s Restaurant – Fairmont Chateau Laurier in ByWard Market
Wilfrid’s Restaurant – Fairmont Chateau Laurier is a fantastic restaurant to begin enjoying the sunshine, whether it’s early for a delicious buffet or à la carte breakfast, or later for a tasty weekend brunch. This award-winning restaurant features a menu with a superb selection of regional Canadian cuisine created by executive chef David De Bernardi and his team. Amidst Ottawa’s remarkable scenery with views of the Parliament Buildings and the Rideau Canal Locks, grab a seat and enjoy eggs and mouth-watering 8 oz grilled ribeye steak. Under the first rays of sunshine, let yourself be tempted by the flaky butter croissants with seasonal jams and cream cheese. During the weekend, take the time to book your spot for the chef-selected assorted pastries, or for the soft eggs benedict dressed in dill hollandaise on a fresh focaccia. Just the thing to wake up your taste buds in the high hours of summer.
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For one of the best Italian restaurants in Ottawa with a view – head to Caffè Italiano in Ottawa
Where there’s sun, there’s travel. That’s why a side trip to the Mediterranean in the heart of Ottawa is a great idea for lovers of Italian cuisine. Describing itself as a unique casual dining experience, Caffè Italiano brings together fresh produce from various regions of Canada and imported fine Italian foods in its true-to-Italian cuisine. Under the supervision of chef Wesley Boodhram, the Caffè Italiano team offers a varied selection of fresh handmade pasta, tasty bread, succulent pizzas and finely composed speciality dishes. In a warm setting, try the osso bucco milanese with creamy parmesan and truffle polenta accompanied by a veal shank with lemon gremolata and crispy shallots. For a touch of Mediterranean seaside, try the black tiger shrimp scampi bathing in a sauce combining garlic, wine, and tasteful Italian herbs. Save room for the bomboloni, a dessert of vanilla bean custard-filled beignets served with strawberry and chocolate sauce. Caffè Italiano is the perfect place to end a beautiful summer’s day with a breathtaking view over the hippodrome.
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For a special occasion – book a table at Beckta in Ottawa
Located on the corner of Gloucester Street and Elgin Street, Beckta is an elegant gem that’s perfect for date nights or special occasions. The charm of this contemporary Canadian farm-to-table restaurant will allow you to relax. Take your pick from the juicy roasted duck magret seasoned with shimeji mushrooms and served with flavourful roasted beets, and the delicious beef striploin and its sauce financière. The list of small dishes is just as tempting. Beckta is also known for its wine list, whether sparkling, red, white or rosé. Among them, the Alicante Monastrell Al-muvedre Telmo Rodriguez with its black fruit notes is a must-try for red wine lovers.
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For one of the best Asian restaurants with a view in Ottawa – visit Restaurant Kato in Gatineau
Under the gaze of golden carp, take the time to savour the flavours of Asia at Restaurant Kato. Blending Japanese and Korean recipes with elegance and brilliance, this Gatineau restaurant is based on the culinary expertise of chef Taek Lee and on his menu that combines heritage and innovation, with lively flavours and dishes from land and sea. For sushi lovers, shara a grand sushi boat composed of a feast of sashimi, nigiri and maki. You can also make your own selection from the different maki mono recipes, such as the negitoro with fatty tuna and shallots, the rainbow roll with avocado, tuna, yellowtail and fresh salmon, or the stunning yasai with avocado, asparagus and candied tomato. If you’re more of a noodle fan, try the jabche with spareribs, a combination of sweet potato noodles, braised galbi and tasty vegetables topped with an egg. Treat yourself to a sweet bite with the mochi ice cream assortment.
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For one of the best restaurants with a view in Ottawa for afternoon tea – head to Zoe’s at Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa
Experiencing culinary excellence in Ottawa is one of the driving forces behind the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. That’s why this luxury hotel boasts charming restaurants, each with its own specialities and unique allure. For a relazing lunch out or a celebratory dinner, Zoe’s at Fairmont Chateau Laurier offers you a plethora of choices for your palate. For an elegant afternoon tea experience, indulge in the selection of sandwiches to accompany one of the LOT 35 quality teas. Whether it’s a dill and caper goat cheese sandwich adorned with radish and pickled onion, an appetizing chicken on croissant, or a tasting of beef on gougère with rosemary aioli sauce, this assortment promises to make you feel like royalty. At supper time, unwind with friends over a charcuterie board featuring house bresaola, house pancetta, and calabrese salami. The modern twist on the classic high tea and the burst of diversity in the Canadian’s style meal menu will accompany perfectly the superb view.
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For a pint by the river at one of the best pubs in Ottawa – go to Mill St. Brew Pub in Ottawa
Located on the banks of the Ottawa River, this pub restaurant exudes rustic charm and splendid waterside views. Nestled in the LeBreton Flats, a 177-year-old building rich in industrial heritage, Mill St. Brew Pub – Ottawa is the perfect place to celebrate summer with a good pint alongside a plate of loaded nachos topped with pico de gallo. If you enjoy sharing different dishes with friends or family, go for the brewpub wings served with blue cheese and your choice of sauce. Create your own snack platter with the tacos options: smoked pulled pork or the fish taco made with organic lager beer battered haddock. For main courses, you won’t be disappointed: fish and chips, burgers like the Elk Burger featuring Korean BBQ-glazed bacon on a brioche bun, pizzas such as the chipotle chicken, or refreshing dishes like the falafel buddha bowl made with quinoa, tasty hummus, and edamame, you can find it all. When it comes to beer, try the 100th meridian organic amber lager with its light floral and grapefruit aromas.
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For a steakhouse with a beautiful view – book your spot at Sterling Restaurant in Gatineau
With its commitment to offering the best of Canadian meat, Sterling is a restaurant that meat lovers will adore. Also located in the welcoming Gatineau, this gem has been offering an enticing menu of sophistication, novelty, and tradition for almost two decades. As summer is also the perfect time to enjoy wood-fired steaks, you will surely appreciate the grilled and flavoured savours of the piece of meat at this place. With its magnificent terrace overlooking the river, Sterling offers breathtaking views that create an atmosphere as refreshing as it is comforting. Settle by the water to enjoy a cowboy-style rib steak, opt instead for a luscious roasted chicken supreme or a surprising piece of wild boar. Pair your steak with a good glass of wine, try the white sancerre of Domaine Pierre Martin and its aromas of apple and white flowers with your seafood, or sip on a haut-médoc Le Haras de Maison Lafitte with its notes of red and black fruit with your red meat.
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For pizza and cocktails on a pretty patio – discover La Terrasse in the ByWard Market in Ottawa
With its beautiful views of the Parliament Buildings, the rolling Gatineau Hills and the Ottawa River, La Terrasse is one of Ottawa’s best rooftop restaurants. Located in the ByWard Market district, this restaurant has, as its name suggests, a superb terrace for outdoor lovers. Whether you go there for the varied drinks menu or to discover its seafood recipes, the warm decor with red and black tints and friendly service promise a great meal out. For a bite to eat, take your pick from the white bresaola pizza made with smoked cheddar and grilled fennel and the juicy lobster roll served with a soft buttered bun and citrus mayonnaise. Alternatively, opt for the colourful vermicelli noodle salad combining shrimp, fresh vegetables with a touch of mint and peanuts, among many other tempting dishes. On the drinks front, refresh yourself with a glass of Alizé Smoke Show, a perfect blend of fruity tequila and Casamigos Mezcal enhanced by acidulated ginger syrup.
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Summer is approaching, and with it, the desire to enjoy magnificent views and delicious meals on terraces or in refreshing interiors. Ottawa is a fantastic place for this, so get ready to embark on a gustatory journey through Asia, Canada, and Europe, from morning till night, through land and sea, with an ever-expanding array of tantalizing recipes in this great city. Enjoy the beautiful settings of the Canadian capital at the best restaurants with a view in Ottawa for a meal to remember.
Don’t forget to book your table at one of the best restaurants with a view in Ottawa on OpenTable.
Looking for more ideas to have a meal in Ottawa and other Canadian cities? Check out these guides:
- 10 top-notch restaurants to book for the best brunch in Ottawa
- The 10 most romantic restaurants in Toronto for every type of date
- The 10 best date restaurants in Vancouver for a romantic meal
- The best brunch in Montreal for a great start of the day
- The best romantic restaurants in Edmonton to book for date night
