Maison Charron opened in June in a heritage building in Jacques-Cartier Park with stunning views of the Ottawa River, Kìwekì Point, the Alexandra Bridge, and Parliament. The seasonal menu features sharable starters, pizza, dessert, and signature cocktails. During both of my recent visits, there’s been live music on the beautiful patio and plenty of seating to enjoy the view of Jacques-Cartier Park and beyond.
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As I’m working my way through the menu, I’ve already got a few favourites: the spicy roasted olives with feta and lemon with a heap of sourdough to start and a couple of pizzas for the table to share. The Cacio e Pepe Carbonara pizza with green peppercorn cream, guanciale and cured egg yolk is flavourful and creative. You can’t go wrong ordering a classic Margherita pizza and Maison Charron has it figured out with great balance, fresh flavours, and creamy fior de latte. One a hot summer day, the heirloom tomato gazpacho with pistachio pesto was *chef’s kiss*.
While accessible by car (with free parking on-site), the patio is a great destination when exploring Ottawa-Gatineau by foot or bike. Located across the Alexandra Bridge, the dog-friendly patio is the perfect spot to stop for a cocktail or bite to eat while out on a summer’s day.
One of the most interesting things about Maison Charron is its use of a heritage building, one of the oldest buildings in the National Capital Region according to the patio’s website. Built around 1827, the building has been home to a number of different groups before opening as Maison Charron in June 2025. To learn more about the building, its history, and the new patio we reached David Godsoe, Executive Chef & Director of Food and Beverage with Eighteen Hospitality.
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- Maison Charron’s heritage exterior. Photo Kiersten Vuorimaki
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- The courtyard patio. Photo Kiersten Vuorimaki
Apt613: Congratulations on Maison Charron! What has the reception been like since opening in June?
David Godsoe: The reception has been incredible. Right from day one, it’s been a steady climb, with each week busier than the last. We’ve had to make several operational adjustments just to keep up with demand—a great problem to have when launching a new concept!
Learning about the building’s nearly 200-year-old history has been fascinating. In our bar area, for example, you’ll find what was once the original kitchen—complete with a wood-fired oven and a stone sink that still drains outside the building. It’s a direct link to the past and something our guests love discovering.
Can you tell us about the experience of working in a heritage building? Any interesting discoveries along the way? What challenges have you had to overcome?
Working in such a unique, historical space has been one of the highlights of the project. Learning about the building’s nearly 200-year-old history has been fascinating. In our bar area, for example, you’ll find what was once the original kitchen—complete with a wood-fired oven and a stone sink that still drains outside the building. It’s a direct link to the past and something our guests love discovering.
That said, there were challenges. The building wasn’t originally designed for a modern commercial kitchen, so we had to work around limited access to gas and power. Sourcing the right equipment and completing the necessary infrastructure upgrades took time and creativity.
But it’s all been worth it. I’ve never worked in a kitchen with windows and a waterfront view—it’s a truly inspiring place to cook.
The history of Maison Charron explained by a National Capital Commission poster. Photo Hannah Manning
What influence, if any, has the history of the building had on the menu?
While the history hasn’t directly shaped the menu, the space itself absolutely influenced our approach. We set out to create a European-style waterfront terrace experience—something relaxed, elegant, and designed for sharing. The result is a menu focused on Italian-inspired small plates and high-quality pizzas that pair perfectly with wine, craft cocktails and good company.
As an open-air terrace, what are your fall and winter plans?
Maison Charron is a seasonal concept, so we plan to close at the end of September and reopen in May 2026. That said, we’re exploring ideas for Winterlude and other off-season activations to keep the space animated throughout the year. There’s so much potential in this location, and we’re excited to see how it evolves.
Is there anything else Apt613 readers should know?
Maison Charron is an ideal spot for families and pet lovers. Our outdoor space is stroller-friendly and dog-friendly and being right in the middle of the park makes it easy to pop by for a bite after a walk or picnic. Whether you’re here for a quick lunch or a long, leisurely evening, we’ve created a space that’s welcoming, relaxed, and rooted in the beauty of the surroundings.
Waterfront view from Maison Charron. Photo: Hannah Manning
Maison Charron is located at 164 Laurier Street in Gatineau and is open from 12-10pm daily. There is parking on site and the patio is accessible via walking and cycling paths through Jacques-Cartier Park. The patio is accessible and family and dog friendly. Visit their website or Instagram @maison.charron for the latest updates.
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