ByWard Market, Ottawa
Émilie's Terrace
A genuinely dog-welcoming summer terrace above the Rideau Canal — beautiful, calm, and easy for a small dog — with one honest limit: dogs are confined to the outer, umbrella-only edge high-tops and can't be seated past the central kitchen to the awning-shaded, canal-view main area. Three paws — Truly Dog-Welcoming.
What to Know
Émilie's Terrace genuinely welcomes a small dog on its seasonal summer garden terrace above the Rideau Canal — Cheerio was completely relaxed, comfortable on a lap, and dined without fuss — but the welcome comes with one specific, honest limit: dogs are confined to the outer, umbrella-only edge high-tops and can't be taken past the central open-air kitchen to the awning-shaded, misting-cooled main section or the canal-view end (consistent with Ontario's food-premises rule). The reception was polite and accommodating rather than warm — the standout moment of care was a server improvising a water bowl when the intended one never arrived — and the setting itself is lovely: florals, Parisian styling, and sunset canal views worth timing for.
Quick Facts
- Cuisine
- Seasonal small plates
- Price level
- $$
- Patio type
- Seasonal garden terrace (summer)
- Where dogs are welcome
- Patio only
- Review status
- Verified Stay / Visit
- Verification status
- Policy Verified
- Experience
- Hotel garden terrace (seasonal)
- Last updated
- July 27, 2026
Dog Access
- Outdoor access
- Welcome on the terrace — but only the outer edge high-tops; dogs can't be seated past the central open-air kitchen (no awning/misting main area, no canal-view end)
- Indoor access
- None — the venue is an outdoor terrace only (no indoor seating)
Small-Dog Practicality
- Seating
- Comfortable on a lap or in a carrier; a carrier earns its own high-top seat — don't leave a small dog on the backless stool alone
- Water
- On request, not proactive — a server improvised a bowl when the intended one didn't arrive
- Space between tables
- Generous — ~5 ft between the edge high-tops, calm and uncrowded
- Noise level
- Calm and relaxed at the edge seating
- Staff warmth
- Polite and accommodating rather than warm; genuine care on the water follow-up
What We Ordered
A snapshot of our visit (July 25, 2026) — menus change seasonally.
- 2× Watermelon Mint Salad — cucumber, pistachio, mint, whipped chèvre, chili honey
- Sesame-Crusted Seared Tuna — ponzu vinaigrette, avocado crema, bitter greens
- Grilled Chicken Parmigiana Sliders — mozzarella, tomato marinara, brioche
- 2× Hugo Spritz — Aperol, Villa Marchesi prosecco brut, elderflower, mint, soda
- Prosecco — Villa Marchesi, Veneto, Italy
- Midnight S'mores — chocolate ice cream, vanilla marshmallow, brownie base
- 2× Cappuccino
Reservation Notes
Book through the venue's Tablz page or OpenTable, and flag that you're bringing a small dog. Worth setting expectations at booking: dogs are limited to the outer edge high-tops, so if you want the awning-shaded main area or the canal-view end, that won't be available with a dog. The terrace is seasonal (roughly late May through summer), so confirm it's open before you go.
- Address:
- Fairmont Château Laurier, 1 Rideau Street, Ottawa, ON
- Getting in:
- On the terrace level of the Fairmont Château Laurier — reachable from Rideau Street or through the hotel via the exit to the right of the Concierge desk (signed).
Weather Notes
- Covered
- Umbrella-only in the dog area; the awning + rain cover over the main section isn't open to dogs
- Misting / cooling
- Overhead misting-cooling under the main awning — not available where dogs sit
- Shaded
- Partial — position yourself to shade a small dog on hot afternoons
- Seasonal limitations
- Summer only; opens ~late May (weather permitting), closes off-season
Final Verdict
- Would I bring Cheerio again?
- Definitely — unless we needed seating optionality (a large group, or an evening where we didn't want to be limited to the high-tops).
- Who is this best for?
- Small-dog owners who want a beautiful, relaxed summer evening on a genuinely dog-welcoming Ottawa terrace — book an edge high-top on a warm, dry night.
- Who should avoid it?
- Anyone set on the awning-shaded main area or the canal-view seating (not dog-accessible), anyone dining in uncertain weather (the dog area is umbrella-only), or a larger dog that won't settle on a backless high-top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dogs allowed at Émilie's Terrace — on the patio, indoors, or both?
Yes, on the patio — the whole venue is an outdoor terrace (there's no indoor seating). One important limit we confirmed on our visit: dogs are seated only on the outer edge high-tops and can't be taken past the central open-air kitchen to the awning-covered main area or the canal-view end.
Can my dog sit on my lap or in a carrier at Émilie's Terrace?
Yes, comfortably — Cheerio (5.5 lb) spent the whole visit on a lap without issue, and a carrier is welcome too. If you use the dog's own high-top seat, keep a very small dog in a carrier, since the barstools are backless.
Are there size or weight restrictions for dogs at Émilie's Terrace?
None we encountered. A very small dog is completely at home on a lap or in a carrier; a larger dog would be less suited to the backless high-top seating.
How comfortable is Émilie's Terrace for a very small dog?
Very — Cheerio was completely relaxed. The dog-eligible edge is calm and generously spaced (~5 ft between tables), water is available on request, and staff were accommodating. Note it's umbrella-shaded only, so plan around strong sun or rain.
Is Émilie's Terrace's dog-friendly seating seasonal?
Yes — Émilie's is a seasonal outdoor terrace, opening in spring (typically late May, weather permitting) and running through summer. There's no cold-season option, as the terrace closes off-season.
Is Émilie's Terrace genuinely dog-welcoming, or just dog-tolerant?
Genuinely welcoming, with an honest caveat. The welcome is real — dogs are confirmed on the terrace, Cheerio was completely at ease, and a server went out of his way over the water bowl — but the reception was polite rather than warm, and dogs are confined to the umbrella-only edge, away from the best-shaded, best-viewed seating. That's a solid 3 Cheerio Paws: Truly Dog-Welcoming, not exceptional.
Join the Cheerio Checks In Newsletter
Get periodic updates on hotel verdicts, patio notes, destination intelligence, and more from Cheerio himself as he travels to new and exciting places.
By subscribing, you agree to receive emails from Cheerio Checks In. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Having trouble? Join directly here.