The Courtyard Restaurant opened in 1980 to rave reviews and has been offering our guests fine food and exemplary service ever since.  Executive Chef Murray Wilson cooks contemporary cuisine with flair, sourcing many of his ingredients from local farmers and producers.  The Courtyard's elegant atmosphere provides the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening, or a special group occasion.  Located in the bustling and historic  ByWard Market area of Ottawa, we are in the heart of downtown Ottawa, just steps away from the Parliament Buildings, many major hotels and National attractions.  

Cuisine: Contemporary cuisine / fine dining

Business Hours: We are available outside our regular business hours by special arrangement for group bookings and meetings

Lunch - Monday to Friday 11:30 to 2:00 Dinner - Monday to Sunday  (5:30 to 9:30 Monday to Saturday, Sunday 5:00 to 9:00)Brunch - Saturday and Sunday 11:00 to 2:00 

Reservations: Recommended

Parking: 2 large pay public parking garages are located directly beside the courtyard, with access from George or York St. Metered public parking is also available throughout the Byward Market area.

Dress Code:  None.

Wheelchair Accessibility: The Dawson Room on our 1st floor is wheelchair accessible; please call ahead to confirm availability of this space. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are also located on the 1st floor.

Payment: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover/Diner's Club and Debit.

Air-conditioned: Yes

Patio: Our gorgeous 60-seat patio is available in the summer months (May to September).

Smoking: The restaurant is entirely non-smoking in compliance with local bylaws.

 

Location(s) of Business

21 George Street,Ottawa,Ontario,K1N 8W5

We are offering a discounted minimum bill rate on a few specific dates we still have left in 2012. If you are looking to get married in a short time frame, contact us for the available dates and discounted rates!

Housed in a heritage stone building in a cobble-stoned courtyard, we have been providing elegant facilities for wedding receptions, wedding ceremonies and special events since 1980. Let our knowledgeable and experienced Wedding Coordinators help you to plan and ensure the success of your special day. Our services include:

• Gorgeous ceremony locations – hold both your ceremony and reception at our venue to reduce costs and ease the planning process
• Our delectable "choice" menu packages, where your guests may choose up to 3 separate entrées, appetizers and desserts
• Personalized printed menus with your selections are provided to each of your guests, and they may order from these menus on the evening of your wedding. Menus included at no cost
• Flexibility! All of our menus can be changed and adjusted to suit your preferences and tastes
• Beautiful table settings with our fine English china, white table linen, fresh flowers and romantic candlelight. You are also welcome to bring your own flowers, candles and décor
• Slicing and serving of your wedding cake with no cake cutting fee
• Use of our Wedding Coordinator for placement of your favours, centerpieces, place cards and other decorations so you have less to do on your wedding day
• Complete event co-ordination available including menu consultation, equipment rental and entertainment bookings

The Courtyard Restaurant houses three dining rooms on two levels, with a 60-seat patio in the warmer months. Built entirely of locally quarried limestone in 1837, each room features contemporary black and white photographs of arches and courtyards from around the world on the old stone walls. All of our beautiful dining rooms can also be reserved for private parties. From our white linen tablecloths and fine English china to our heritage atmosphere and friendly staff, the Courtyard's warmth, charm and elegance is sure to impress.

The McArthur Room

The Courtyard's largest room, our McArthur Room is located on the 2nd floor. With its 25 foot ceiling, old wooden beams and stone walls it is also the perfect setting for your business or social event of 50 or more guests. The room is entirely carpeted, with a beautiful iron sculpture covering one wall and three deep-set windows overlooking the Byward Market.

Capacity 50-125
Sit Down 50-80
U-Shape 55
Hollow Square 35
Theatre 80
Reception 125

The Loft Room

Our Loft Room features a contemporary gas fireplace, beautiful iron sculpture adorning one wall, and three windows overlooking the courtyard. Located on the 2nd floor adjoining the bar area, the Loft is ideal for smaller gatherings of 45 guests or less. A wonderful venue for receptions and cocktail parties with the addition of the Bar Area, the Loft has also been the site of many beautiful wedding ceremonies

Capacity 20-85
Sit Down 45
U-Shape 35
Hollow Square 28
Theatre 48
Reception 65-85

The Bar

The bar area joins the McArthur Room to the Loft Room. It features two windows that look directly on to our beautiful courtyard, and a gorgeous granite-topped bar. This area can be rented in combination with either 2nd floor room to create a private bar and reception space for your event.

Capacity 10-30
Sit Down N/A
U-Shape N/A
Hollow Square N/A
Theatre N/A
Reception 30

The Dawson Room

The Dawson Room is located on the main level, with four windows facing directly on to the courtyard. This private room is the perfect size for smaller functions such as wedding rehearsal dinners, business meetings, and VIP events.

Capacity 15-35
Sit Down 24
U-Shape 24
Hollow Square 16
Theatre 22
Reception 35

The Courtyard Patio

Our outdoor patio is renowned as one of the most beautiful spots in the city. Tucked away from the noise and bustle of the streets, our cobblestoned courtyard patio is open from May until September.

Capacity 60
Sit Down 60
U-Shape N/A
Hollow Square N/A
Theatre N/A
Reception 150

"The Courtyard menu changes seasonally to take advantage of using local productsat their best.  We are proud partners with Organic Ocean, and all of our fish is line caught from the western shores of British Columbia. We are certified members of Savour Ottawa and work on a day to day basis with the food artisans in our city and surroundings.  Our use of modern cooking techniques helps us to  bring out the flavours of our European influenced dishes.  We hope you enjoy your meal as much as we enjoy preparing it for you."-  Executive Chef Murray Wilson

Our delicious menus and wine list have been created to provide our customers with the highest level of choice, quality, and taste.  Executive Chef Murray Wilson fuses European-based cuisine with contemporary flair and our menus are a reflection of his discriminating taste. Although we do our best to keep our website updated, all items and prices on our menus are subject to change due to availability and market prices.

Wedding Packages are available for lunch, brunch and dinner. For Lunch and Dinner options, our menu selections change seasonally allowing us to bring you the freshest local ingredients at their peak. Please consult our Seasonal Menu (below) for the current menu items. 

Seasonal Menu Dates for 2012:
Spring - begins April 17th
Summer - begins June 5th
Fall - begins September 18th
Winter - begins November 27th

Our Seasonal Menus are available approximately 2 weeks prior to the beginning of the season.

View our Wedding Menus.

Since 1827, the building at 21 George Street has been a witness to history – and for much of its past, a home to hospitality. 

1827 - First constructed as a log tavern that quenched the thirsts of the workingmen whose labour gave birth to Bytowne (Ottawa’s original name), an eventual addition transformed the building into the modest McArthur House Hotel.  Our largest dining room, the McArthur Room, is named after the first building on this site. 

1837 – By 1837, much of the original building was gone, and like many of the wooden shanties of the early city, it had been replaced by a structure made of locally quarried limestone.  It was known briefly as the Ottawa Hotel, and later as “McArthur’s British Hotel”. 

1865 – Construction for a new wing began and the building would eventually be leased to the newly minted federal government to house a garrison of 150 men charged with the task of protecting Governor General Lord Monck.  While the military deserted the building in 1871, it stayed long enough to leave its mark – the courtyard is the site of the last military hanging.

1875 – From 1875 to 1880, the building was refurbished and operated as the “Clarendon House Hotel”.  Following this venture, 21 George served as headquarters for the Geological Survey of Canada, and later, a branch of the Mines department, until the middle of the Second World War.

1911 – During the 1911-1912 typhoid epidemic, 21 George temporarily housed a civil emergency center to aid Lowertown residents.

1978 – After decades of sitting empty, the NCC began the renovations to transform 21 George into the Courtyard Restaurant.  While the restaurant first opened in July 1980, just 5 weeks later a fire in an adjoining building caused the new restaurant to close for repairs until November.

2010 – The Courtyard Restaurant celebrates its 30th Anniversary.

And the story continues… lead by imagination and innovation, the Courtyard Restaurant moves towards the future with the goal of being home to your finest dining experience.  We invite you to help us to make history – and to create memories that are as rich and as full as our past.

Book your reservation online - we're looking forward to serving you!

click here to make your reservation

Please note: we cannot guarantee any special requests with online reservations, and online reservations are only available for groups of up to 8 guests. If you are more than 8, or if you require a special meal or special table, please call us at 613-241-1516 instead of booking online. You may also cancel an online reservation by clicking on the link above.