Toronto’s best new patios to sit on this summer
Including more than one rooftop situation, a tropical backyard and a place to sip pints outside St. Lawrence Market
At long—way too long—last, spring has finally sprung. The best way to celebrate? Close that laptop, grab some SPF and sunglasses, text the group chat, and hit a patio. Our too-short patio season is one of Toronto’s greatest pleasures, and thanks to a new wave of outdoor seats opening this summer, it’s easier and more enjoyable than ever. On your marks, get set...patio.
Related: A dozen of the best dog-friendly patios
Bar Etc.
This new cocktail bar from a few veteran mixologists replaced the Dive Shop and inherited its groovy backyard patio. The vibe is tropical, so expect plants, palm-patterned cushions and twinkly lights. The plates are made for sharing (jerk fried chicken, bird’s eye chili shrimp, lemongrass beef tataki), and the cocktails—like the frozen daiquiri made with white rum, green mango, curry leaf and lime—are transportive. 1036 Gerrard St. E., baretc.ca
Bar Allegro
The third coming of this Little Italy space (it was previously Pompette and Vinoteca Pompette) is an Italian aperitivo bar specializing in all-day (and all-night) drinks—negronis, americanos and other spritzy, sessionable cocktails. The food, from chef Martine Bauer, remains smart and exacting, albeit with a more snacky vibe—think bone marrow, mussels with ’nduja and cheese plates. The patio is perched on a busy strip of College, which makes for excellent people-watching. Bonus: it’s covered, just in case the rain returns. 597 College St., pompette.ca/bar-allegro
The Frederick
Chef Cory Vitiello’s new project on the ground floor of the Dineen Building may seem Financial District glitzy, but the food—buttermilk fried chicken, club sandwiches and the Harbord Room burger—is pure comfort. To drink: a wine list with something for everyone, two cocktail cards (signatures and classics), and a martini menu. The wrap-around streetside patio, with big umbrellas and shrubbery, is for the see-and-be-seen crowd. 10 Temperance St., thefrederickto.com
Related: These are Toronto’s best new restaurants of 2026
Bar Eugenie
Seasonal veggies like ramps and asparagus are starting to pop up on the menu at Bar Eugenie, chef Rebekah Bruce’s Harbord Street restaurant, so it’s time to move the party outside. The backyard of the Victorian building (once home to the Harbord Room and Café Cancan) offers a quiet and romantic respite to dig into thoughtful dishes. 89 Harbord St., bareugenie.com
Dirty Laundry
We’re calling it: this big new bar from industry veterans Robin Goodfellow and Aldo Pescatore will be Toronto’s it spot this summer. Cocktails are all $16 or less, glasses of wine go for $9, there are sharable boozy punch bowls for four and the menu leans Tex-Mex. Best of all? The massive corner patio. 1186 Queen St. W., thedirtttylaundry.com
C’est What
The new location of this St. Lawrence craft beer mecca is nestled in the basement of the south market, in between mustard mongers and spice shops. The taproom offers thirsty shoppers canned beer and growlers to go, plus a covered patio to camp out on and enjoy a pint (preferably with a peameal bacon sandwich). St. Lawrence Market South, 92–95 Front St. E., cestwhat.com
Bodega by City Cottage
Over in Scarborough, Bodega by City Cottage (just a few doors down from its sister spot, City Cottage Market) does double duty. First, it’s a bodega where customers can find nice wine and beer as well as other provisions like frozen pizza, fancy pantry items and good coffee. But it also has a sprawling sunny patio where you can sip and snack along to live music. Also: rotating pop-ups, with Brett’s Ice Cream up first. 1680 Kingston Rd., Scarborough, @bodegabycitycottage
Central Restaurant
Ossington has no shortage of patios, and Central, a Calgary import that opened last summer, is a strong addition to the lineup. The massive menu spans nachos, tacos, sushi and cheeseburgers, so there’s something for every appetite. To drink, there’s a decent draught beer list, frozen cocktails and something called an OG Shaft (a vodka-coffee blend) on tap. It opens at 11 a.m. (for any day-drinkers, class-skippers or work-avoiders looking for a place to park), and the indoor-outdoor patio is open year-round. 114 Ossington Ave., centralrestaurants.ca/locations/toronto-ossington
Proper
Hidden behind this newish red-sauce spot on Roncesvalles is a coral-hued back garden patio—a lush and lovely place to dig into Italian American classics like meatballs, pasta and chicken parm. Rotating plates focused on seasonal ingredients (hello, fried zucchini flowers) and warm-weather drinks are also on the menu. 392 Roncesvalles Ave., properfb.com
Jamil’s Chaat House
The backyard patio at this Pakistani spot in Parkdale is a quiet reprieve from the sometimes-chaotic Queen West strip. Expect an intimate setting of a dozen or so tables, bright-blue walls and a good view of the tandoor (out of which is pulled bubbling paneer, charred beef kebabs and smoky eggplant). Classic cocktails—martini, margarita, old fashioned, milk punch—are given interesting tweaks by way of ingredients like Kashmiri chili, cardamom, jaggery and cilantro oil. 1086 Queen St. W., jamils.ca
Tono by Akira Back
At his swanky Yorkville kitchen, chef Akira Back serves up a menu of Nikkei cuisine in a bright, airy dining room on the ninth floor of the W Hotel. Outside, there’s a loungey rooftop set-up with big comfy couches so you can snack on Japanese Peruvian plates and sip sake while overlooking the Mink Mile. 90 Bloor St. E., tonobyakirabacktoronto.com
Related: A massive country-western bar is coming to the Esplanade
Queens Harbour
This behemoth 23,000-square-foot multi-level waterfront restaurant has not one but two patios (plus a retractable roof). Any of the outdoor tables is excellent for pre- or post-game drinks. The power move here is to order the Whole Damn Harbour, a tiered seafood tower stacked with a whole lobster, salmon tataki, jumbo shrimp, oysters and nigiri (with an optional caviar add-on, of course). 245 Queens Quay W., queensharbour.ca
Enoteca Rossio
This new Italian kitchen in the Junction Triangle replaced Piri Piri, a long-standing Portuguese spot, but kept its patio. The covered streetside space is perfect for lingering over pizza and Hugo spritzes. Bonus: being west-facing, the patio is ideal for both catching afternoon rays and watching the sun set. 1444 Dupont St., enotecarossio.com
Taberna LX
This rooftop patio perched above Dundas and Ossington is as close as you’ll get to Lisbon without departing from Pearson. It’s the perfect place to escape the Do West Fest crowds—preferably over plates of Portuguese rice, crispy shrimp patties or lacy salt cod fritters, all paired with glasses of refreshing vinho verde. 1161 Dundas St. W., tabernalx.com
Kate Dingwall is a writer, author and photographer covering spirits, business, culture, fashion and travel. By night, she’s a working sommelier. She has worked with Flare, Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, Maxim, People, Southern Living, Rolling Stone, Eater, Elle, Toronto Life and the Toronto Star, among other publications. She frequently appears on both CTV and NPR, has co-authored a book on gin, judges Food & Wine’s Tastemakers and has strong opinions on the city’s best martini.
