1 Elgin
Fine dining restaurant inside the National Arts Centre featuring local seasonal Canadian cuisine and a patio with retractable canopy overlooking the Rideau Canal.
Features
About 1 Elgin
1 Elgin is the signature restaurant inside Ottawa's National Arts Centre on Elgin Street. The restaurant focuses on local, seasonal Canadian cuisine—sourcing ingredients from regional producers and adjusting menus to reflect what's available through the seasons. This approach connects diners with Ottawa Valley agriculture and culinary traditions, offering a dining experience rooted in the region.
The location within the National Arts Centre makes 1 Elgin a natural pre-show dinner destination. Proximity to Southam Hall and the other NAC performance spaces means patrons can enjoy a full meal and walk directly to their seats, avoiding the rush of finding dinner elsewhere downtown before curtain time.
The Patio
The patio at 1 Elgin overlooks the Rideau Canal, providing one of Ottawa's more distinctive outdoor dining views. A retractable canopy roof offers weather protection while maintaining the open-air feel—useful during Ottawa's unpredictable summer weather. The canal-side setting is particularly appealing during warm months when the pathways below are busy with cyclists, joggers, and pedestrians.
Visitor Information
- Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM (lunch), 5:00 – 9:00 PM (dinner)
- Saturday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM (dinner only)
- Closed Sunday and Monday
- Reservations: Recommended (call 613-594-5127)
- Price Range: $$$
Getting There
- Address: 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON K1P 5W1
- Neighbourhood: Downtown, inside the National Arts Centre
- Transit: Rideau station (Line 1) is a short walk away
- Parking: NAC underground parking garage accessible from Elgin Street
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Details
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