You know the old joke there’s two seasons in Toronto — winter and construction? Although it’s not wrong, we prefer to think of summer as patio season. Sipping drinks and noshing on shared plates on one of Toronto’s fabulous patios happens to be one of our favourite pastimes. If you’re looking for your summer paradise, here’s our list of the best summer patios in Toronto for 2022.
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Amsterdam Brewhouse – 245 Queens Quay West (Queens Quay & Lower Simcoe)
Type: Gastro Pub
Food: Pub Fare
Website: http://www.amsterdambrewhouse.com/
Considering we’re right on a lake, you’d think we’d have more patios on the water. Sadly, this is not the case. BUT we do have Amsterdam Brewhouse with a great view, comfy chairs, a cheap and cheerful menu, and plenty of ice cold brewskies.
Paradise Grapevine – 841 Bloor Street West
Type: Wine Bar
Food: Upscale snack plates
Website: https://www.paradisegrapevine.com/
This might not be on the water, but it is delightfully covert, out of sight from passersby. Under cover of a shady roof, it’s one of those Toronto places with a great understated vibe that avoids becoming pretentious. Who can resist a glass of perfectly chilled sparkling wine and a lingering lunch hour where no one is the wiser?
Kost – 80 Blue Jays Way
Type: High End Hotel
Food: Baja-inspired light dishes
Website: https://kosttoronto.com/
Look up, look way up to the 44th floor of the Bisha Hotel. If you want a jaw dropping view, this is the place to go. This is a Manhattan level rooftop patio experience, with a touch of California flair. It has everything you’d want in an upscale night on the town, but still has an undeniably comfortable, casual vibe. Sip cocktails from their extensive drink’s menu, nibble on late night snacks like oysters or truffle fries and generally take in the view and relax.
Jazz Bistro – 25 Victoria Street (Yonge & Dundas)
Type: Bistro
Food: Canadian
Website: http://jazzbistro.ca/
This rooftop terrace isn’t quite as lofty as the Bisha, but the third floor of the bistro still has a great view. It’s also a perfect venue to take in some smooth live jazz music on a balmy summer night. Its central location makes it popular with the après work crowd, so loosen that tie and kick off those heels to enjoy a relaxing evening, or just a drink or two.
Hemingway’s – 142 Cumberland Street
Type: Rooftop
Food: Casual Mixed Fare
Website: https://hemingways.to/
Many consider this spot the heart of Yorkville where the elegant Millionaire’s Mile shopper happily rubs elbows with rowdy patrons sharing a plate of nachos and mucho beers. The massive patio offers seating ideal for sun worshippers and some shade for delicate flowers. There are also great people-watching seats above the street. The casual menu is satisfying for nibbles or mega meals depending on if you’re feeling peckish and thirsty or starving and well, thirsty.
The Rooftop at Broadview Hotel – 106 Broadview Avenue
Type: Boutique Hotel
Food: Seasonal Small Plates
Website: https://www.thebroadviewhotel.ca/
A locally inspired menu, crafted cocktails, cool east views of stacks and buildings all add up to one fabulous patio. Built in 1891, the hotel has been meticulously restored making it a great place to make a little history of your own. So, grab your favourite people or person and time it right to watch the sun set on this great city of ours.
Leslie Jones – 1182 Queen Street East
Type: Backyard Patio
Food: Mediterranean
Website: https://www.lesliejones.ca/
This intimate spot is the pride of Leslieville. They recently transformed their backyard into a charming patio for dining al fresco. You’ll feel completely removed from the heat and pace of the city, yet know by the intriguing menu, and fellow diners you’re in Toronto. It’s pretty, potted plants and greenery are quite charming, and frankly rather romantic. So, it might be more of a date night patio kind of place.
Paris Paris – 146 Ossington Avenue
Type: Open Air
Food: Bistro-inspired Cuisine
Website: https://www.parisparis.ca/
If you’ve yet to discover the popular Ossington strip, this is the best place to start. In pure west end fashion, every space is sacred, with a converted auto garage providing home to this bistro-esque spot. The massive folding doors of the restaurant open onto the former parking lot that now serves as the patio. Simple cedar bistro chairs and tables overlook the excitement of Ossington. It might not be a place to spend hours, but it’s great if you’re out shopping, or in the mood for a killer charcuterie platter and a glass of wine.
Chadwicks – 268 Howland Avenue
Type: Backyard
Food: “Tropicalia”
Located in the Annex, this is a popular brunch spot on weekends. They term their cuisine “Tropicalia” which includes a good mix of top notch Mexican, with some exotic flavours from countries like Viet Nam. Perhaps more for the hungover, this is a nice place to sweat it out with a hearty breakfast. But they do also offer an eclectic dinner menu served Wednesday through Sunday.
Stock T.C – 2388 Yonge Street
Type: Two Story
Food: Nuovo-Italian
Website: https://stocktc.com/
This place is so good it needed a two-story patio. The bustling spot keeps up with the demand of north Toronto food lovers looking for a place to eat pasta and sip on rare-find wines. This place is a foodie and winey heaven where you can also shop for crazy-good prepared meals, super Italian food, and outstanding imported food and wine, all available at their grocery store. There’s a great, albeit unconventional view that includes the goings on with the Crosstown LRT (Will it ever be finished?). You really can’t go wrong with a place created by the minds behind Cumbrae’s and Terroni. Yum and yum.
Allen’s – 143 Danforth Avenue
Type: Uber Backyard
Food: Local, Organic Fare
Website: https://www.allens.to/
We dub this Toronto institution an “uber” backyard patio because it is built around an ancient, shady tree, AND features a chef cooking on a charcoal grill for guests dining al fresco. Just steps from Broadview station, it’s like a visit to your best friend’s backyard, but with a more diverse menu and a ridiculously stocked bar. With over 340 whiskies, over 100 wines and 140 beers all we need to say here is cheers!
Make the most of the short Toronto summer with a visit to at least one of these fabulous finds.
At The Christine Cowern Team we specialize in fabulous finds. If you’re looking for a home, we’ve got you covered. Give us a call at 416.291.7372 or email us at hello@christinecowern.com. We’d love to work with you!