Spring in Eastern Ontario doesn’t arrive quietly. It shows up with patio chairs scraping onto sidewalks, asparagus pushing through soil and a collective urge to eat and drink outside again. If you know where to look you can catch the season at its freshest, from waterfront patios in Kingston to skyline sips in Ottawa. Just under two hours from one another, you can visit either or enjoy one epic road trip to both destinations. Here’s your insider guide to where spring tastes best right now.

Spring Food Scenes in Kingston and Ottawa: Patios, Fresh Crops and Local Finds

Ready to plan a delicious urban adventure this spring? Read on for our guide on exploring these hubs! Don’t feel like reading right now? No worries! Skip ahead by destination.

• Kingston
• Ottawa

Kingston: Where Spring Starts at the Market and Ends on the Patio

Kingston in spring feels like a soft launch into summer. The lake starts to shake off its chill, patios fill up fast and menus start name-dropping local farms like regulars.

A Trip to the Market

If you’ve been following us for a while, you’ll know a farmers’ market is often our first stop in any destination and Kingston’s does not disappoint. A can’t-miss experience year-round, the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market will help bring colour to your table.

Think early asparagus, wild leeks and the first greenhouse greens. This is where chefs shop, and if you chat long enough you’ll hear exactly which farm your lunch came from. Don’t miss out on a slew of vendors including folks like House of Bread for your carb needs, King’s Lock Distillery, Rooted Oak Organics, and for a true taste of spring, Salmon River Sugarbush.It’s a great way to while away a Sunday morning and enjoy some great snacks!

Feast On® for Local Eats

From there, follow the Feast On® certification to unlock the restaurants in Kingston really putting local at the forefront of their menus.  Leaning hard into Ontario ingredients, these spots are sure to show off spring’s best straight from fields in nearby Frontenac and Lennox and Addington. Menus shift weekly (and sometimes even daily!) depending on what’s coming in from nearby fields.

Think everything from fresh lake fish at spots like Dianne’s to fiddleheads and bright spring cocktails at The Everly and one of the best damn burgers you’ve ever had from Otter Creek Kitchen. You can start exploring Kingston’s many Feast On® certified restaurants here.

Take in a Patio

Patio season here isn’t subtle either. Along the waterfront and through downtown, chairs spill out as soon as the weather hints at double digits. The move is to build your own patio crawl: start with a crisp local cider, move into a long lunch and end with something sparkling as the sun dips over Lake Ontario. Enjoy live music on the patio overlooking the harbour at Wharf and Feather, take in Lake Ontario while slowly sipping a cappuccino at Juniper Café or enjoy the quiet, tucked away vibes of the patio at Black Dog Tavern. Your options are pretty endless.

Cheers to a Legendary Institution

Beer lovers should time their spring visit with a stop at Kingston Brewing Company, which celebrates 40 years this spring. As Ontario’s first brewpub, it still feels like a local secret even though everyone knows about it. Expect small-batch brews, seasonal releases and a crowd that’s very ready for patio weather.

Start Planning Your Kingston Escape

If you want to stretch the day, Kingston makes it easy. Culinary day trips fan out into the countryside where farm stands, wineries and small producers start reopening for the season. In-city restaurants make it easy to celebrate a special occassion or enjoy a casual hang with friends and the city’s epic music and art scene means there’s always a great show to catch! It’s less of a structured itinerary and more of a delicious choose-your-own-adventure.

Ottawa: Big Views, Better Patios and a Side of Culture

Ottawa does spring with a bit more drama. Snow melts to reveal some of the best patio real estate in the country, with views that casually include Parliament and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Plus, let’s state the obvious: the Rideau Canal. In spring it shifts from skating rink to shimmering backdrop, and the patios around it come alive. Read on for some of the best patios in the city and what you can expect!

The Tavern Group

This group of restaurants is all about patio moments with epic views and they do not disappoint! Keep reading for what to expect from each one.

Tavern at the Gallery

Set beside the National Gallery of Canada, this patio feels like a bit of a cheat code. You’re tucked into a sunken garden, surrounded by art and architecture, with a menu that goes from casual lunch to date-night territory without missing a beat.

It’s calm, it’s cultured and it’s one of the prettiest places in the city to ease into patio season. Wander the gallery and follow it up with an afternoon patio hang. What could be better?

Tavern on the Falls

At Rideau Falls, the vibe shifts to full-on scenic. You’re here for cocktails at golden hour, when the light hits the water just right and suddenly everyone’s lingering longer than planned. The menu leans fun and shareable, which is ideal because you’re not leaving quickly. With cozy Edison bulbs strung above the patio, you’ll feel like summer is just around the corner!

Grab a plate of their loaded chips for the table and a signature gourmet hot dog for yourself. Pair it up with an inventive cocktail like their kimchi caesar or a local Whitewater Farmer’s Daughter Blonde Ale. Yum!

Tavern on the Hill

Perched in Major’s Hill Park, this flagship spot delivers those classic Ottawa views: Parliament Hill, the Ottawa River and a front-row seat to the city waking up after winter. It’s casual, it’s lively and it’s exactly where you want to be on a sunny afternoon with something cold in hand.

We recommend splitting some duck tacos and planning your next patio! Better yet? Stay a while. You’re on vacation.

Copper Spirits and Sights

For a literal change in perspective, head up to Copper Spirits and Sights at the Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market. It’s the highest rooftop bar in the city, and yes, the sunsets are as good as everyone says. Seasonal cocktails, local craft beer and a DJ on Sunday nights make this feel more like a spring ritual than a one-off stop.

Dig into a menu of elevated dishes like their halibut with charred leeks and crispy asparagus or saffron papparadelle with a slight heat. For dessert, don’t miss out on the brownie skillet for true decadence. Perfect for ending a day spent pursuing the Byward Market, it’s great for nights with friends or a romantic date alike.

The Spring Takeaway

If Kingston is about getting your hands a little dirty and eating close to the source, Ottawa is about sipping something excellent with a view you can’t fake. The good news is you don’t have to choose.

Do Kingston for the markets, the makers and the slow build into a lively and vibrant patio season. Then head to Ottawa when you’re ready to level up to skyline views and canal-side cocktails.

Either way, spring here is fleeting, delicious and best experienced outside.