Get outside: Toronto’s 10 best patios
The patio season started early this year, which simply means there’s more time to hit the city’s best al fresco dining and drinking destinations. Here, 10 of our favourites »
Best kid-friendly patio: Granite Brewery
Granite’s roomy rear terrace, facing an enclosed lawn under a canopy of trees, means parents can nurse a midday drink as their little ones run off a post-brunch syrup high. 245 Eglinton Ave. E. (at Mount Pleasant Rd.), 416-322-0723.
• Read the Toronto Life listing for Granite Brewery »
Best patio for celeb watching: One
Birkin bags and Bulgari bracelets are de rigueur at this Yorkville hot spot, especially come TIFF, when stargazers camp out to see stars of the Brangelina wattage. 116 Yorkville Ave. (at Hazelton Ave.), 416-961-9600.
• Read the Toronto Life review of One »
Best patio for romance: Park Hyatt Roof Lounge
There are moments when Toronto seems about as romantic as mortgage insurance, but none of those moments take place on the charming balcony extension of the Park Hyatt’s wood-walled lounge. Here, the city feels straight-up Casablanca. Park Hyatt, 4 Avenue Rd. (at Bloor St. W.), 416-324-1568.
• Read the Toronto Life listing for the Park Hyatt »
Best brunch patio: School Bakery and Café
Brad Moore’s legendary brunch tastes even more delectable when eaten on this large, leafy Liberty Village patio. 70 Fraser Ave. (at Liberty St.), 416-588-0005.
• Read the Toronto Life review of School Bakery and Café »
Best post-shopping patio: Czehoski
Provided there’s still room on one’s credit cards for a couple of cocktails, shoppers can head to Czehoski’s secluded rooftop retreat after a hectic retail schlep down Queen West. 678 Queen St. W. (at Euclid Ave.), 416-366-6787.
• Read the Toronto Life review of Czehoski »
Best patio for cool nights: Ceili Cottage
Toronto’s not South Beach, but that doesn’t keep Ceili Cottage from operating its patio long into the chilly season. Staffers pass out blankets when the nights get cool; in winter, the space transforms into an ice rink. 1301 Queen St. E. (at Alton Ave.), 416-406-1301.
• Read the Toronto Life review of Ceili Cottage »
Best patio for big groups: Victory Café
Bulging out from a pair of Annex Victorians, this corner patio is the largest on the Mirvish Village strip, meaning friends, family and other hangers-on can fit at the wide picnic tables. 581 Markham St. (at Lennox St.), 416-516-5787.
• Read the Toronto Life listing for Victory Café »
Best patio for a bird’s-eye view of Toronto: Panorama Lounge
The perfect place to take jaded Montrealers or Vancouverites, whose criticism of Toronto is abruptly silenced in the face of Panorama’s breathtaking view. 55 Bloor St. W. (at Bay), 416-967-0000.
• Read the Toronto Life listing for Panorama Lounge »
Best patio for pretending you’re in someone’s backyard: Allen’s
The gorgeous, century-old willow casts wonderful shade over patrons as they enjoy Allen’s famous juicy burgers or mull the long beer list. 143 Danforth Ave. (at Ellerbeck St.), 416-463-3086.
• Read the Toronto Life review of Allen’s »
Best patio for drowning out work sorrows: Bar Wellington
Bar Wellington is a chilled-out watering hole situated conveniently between downtown’s office towers and the homey west end. 520 Wellington St. W. (at Portland St.), 416-341-8880.
• Read the Toronto Life listing for Bar Wellington »
All photos by Matthew Hague
Not so sure I would have included the Ceili Cottage in here. I also think you missed a couple of great ones. Fat Cat Wine Bar on Roncesvalles Avenue has a great patio out back, in addition to The Keg on York Street – their courtyard patio is fantastic.
The Rectory Cafe and Pop Bistro are among my top 10.
What about Houstons’ outdoor patio, at Yonge St. and Front St.? IT IS ONE OF THE BEST!!!
Houston on Yonge/Front is so noisy with all the cars racing down/up yonge street,boxed in and pollution to kill!. Good choices Toronto Life – as you have capture the definition of patios – to people watch,away from cars & smog!
Has anyone seen the view from Jack Astor’s patio overlooking Dundas Square? Hard to leave it off the list!
Re: Panorama Lounge and taking ‘jaded’ Vancouverites there. The problem is once dinner is over, they would have to come back down to the streets and walk through the dirt & grime of this city. As for the Bloor St. renovations, after nearly 2 years, the street doesn’t look all that much nicer.
Another one I think you missed is Polson Pier. It’s lakeside location speaks for itself. And it hosts my favourite summer patio event in Toronto, The Drinks Show. It’s 2 nights of great music, dancing, and of course, cocktails, cocktails, and more cocktails. I loved last year’s show, and I’ve already got my tickets for this year’s in July.
No Drake Hotel? Watermark Pub? Vivoli? Cafe Diplomatico? Brazen Head?
Good choices overall though, except for Panorama. Roof Bar has a similar view, without the overpriced food that was only recently defrosted. To those who mentioned Houston’s and Jack Astors, chain restaurants should never be included in these lists. You’re gonna go to Yonge and Dundas, the heart of downtown, for food you could get in a Brampton power centre?
Drake Hotel has a terrific brunch patio (side) and after work drinks patio (top)…but I guess everyone probably already knows that. You left out two of my favourites, both on Ossington, and I’m secretly happy about that. They’re crowded enough as it is! ;)
Not in Toronto, but a mere 20 minutes away is
Burlington’s Spencers at the Waterfront.
The best views of Lake Ontario and Burlington Harbour
Not sure how you are travelling sid, but last time I made the trek it took quite a bit longer than 20 minutes to get to Burlington.
Bar Wellington’s sister bar, Bedford Academy is also a fantastic oasis in the City located at 36 Prince Arthur Avenue in the Bloor and Bedford area. Easy to get to at the St.George subway stop.
Yeah , Sid…. 20 minutes to Burlington for a waterfront Patio? DOnt think so , bud. A 2 min walk to Il Fornello by Toronto Harbourfront & you can people watch. Burlington ? – yikes!
The far southwest end of Burlington no less …
Crazy though it may sound, everyone should endeavour to visit the huge patio of the Lakeshore Legion near the Argonaut Rowing club – a true waterfront location over-hanging the harbour and the cheapest beer in town!
Gatto Nero on Clloelge street is one of my faves
Tati Bistro on Harbord has a great back patio for the U of T lunch crowd. Nice canopy of trees. Rebel House’s patio is also a little gem.
The Ceili Cottage is just awful! How about mentioning their witch of a manager, who keeps telling patrons to clear the pation? Or the overpriced, sub-standard food?
Mentioning this place is Toronto Life’s equivalent of a mercy [email protected]
I guess it’s impossible to name all the really great patios Toronto has to offer but I would like to add some to the list.
Caren’s Wine Bar in Yorkville – great for a date out of the “scene”.
Sutra on College St. cute sandy tiki bar patio in the back.
Politica Resto Bar On Strachan north of King West great place for a patio dinner.
The Foggy Dew has an awesome wraparound a street corner patio on King West
Last but not least what about all great patios in the Distilleries?
The list is truly endless! Enjoy!
Rita
And out-of-towners love Hemingway’s!
Aaaahh..this the worst patio list in Toronto I have ever seen. I think the only one that would make my top ten is the Park Hyatt. Drake? Crevejaria? Spoke? Thompson Hotel rooftop? BLACK BULL? Terroni?
The Pour House Pub on Dupont St. in the Annex has a great 2 level patio under a great big maple tree. Worth checking out!
Burlington is gorgeous. Idiots.
I don’t recall anyone saying anything about the aesthetic of Burlington, just that by any measure it isn’t 20 minutes away. Besides the magazine is called Toronto Life, not “Great Suburban Wasteland Life”.
Regardless of the burlington aesthetic or distance….the Toronto Life Number 1 restaurant wasnt even in Toronto; Stadlander could draw a crowd anywhere i guess!
As for the restuarant in burlington sid was talking about, Spencer’s, out of this world. What a Beauty – couldnt find a better patio and menu is amazing! make the trip!
@jane tattersall Spoke? Thompson Hotel rooftop? A little inclusive, are we?
Indian Rice Factory ! Great Garden Patio.
As an Oakvillian, I have to defend Sid here. I actually ate at Spencer’s on Sunday night and it was pretty good. The atmosphere was fantastic. If you haven’t checked out the Burlington downtown lately it has really come into it’s own. Lots of great places in walking distance from each other. You can grab dinner at one place and walk to a variety of other places for drinks after. The path along the lake is great for a romantic stroll and there is a lot less noise in Burlington than in the city.
Sarah
I’m from Burlington. Spencer’s is terrible. Overpriced and trying way too hard. It’s a nice enough waterfront, I suppose. But why anyone would to go there when they live in Toronto is beyond me. Perhaps Sid works there or something.
Patios should be judged on their experience: their city views or quality of landscaping if it’s a backyard patio, their proportions in relation to the kind of establishment that they belong to, the available of awnings or umbrellas to protect from the scorching summer sun, the comfort and the quality of patio furniture, and the overall atmosphere and feeling of being there. Anyone can read restaurant reviews; if you’re going to focus the best patios, then you need to judge and write about the experience that these patios provide. It would be great to have more year-round patios, too.
The best patio I’ve been to in Toronto has to be at Against the Grain down at the Corus Quay building at the foot of Jarvis. Beautiful view of the lake, great wide patio…awesome. Food’s not bad either.
mine too
Not Toronto, but PORT in Pickering has THE best patio. amazing booze/cocktail selection and food on Frenchmans Bay. It feels like you’re in Vancouver. It’s truly a hidden gem.
Your nasty comment alone will ensure I never go to Burlington.