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 »
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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.
June 8, 2010 at 9:53 am | by PThe Rectory Cafe and Pop Bistro are among my top 10.
June 8, 2010 at 10:01 am | by TorcelloWhat about Houstons’ outdoor patio, at Yonge St. and Front St.? IT IS ONE OF THE BEST!!!
June 8, 2010 at 10:24 am | by MichaelHouston 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!
June 8, 2010 at 10:49 am | by PeeHas anyone seen the view from Jack Astor’s patio overlooking Dundas Square? Hard to leave it off the list!
June 8, 2010 at 11:03 am | by DeanRe: 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.
June 8, 2010 at 12:06 pm | by Jeff TaylorAnother 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.
June 8, 2010 at 12:27 pm | by P.D.No Drake Hotel? Watermark Pub? Vivoli? Cafe Diplomatico? Brazen Head?
June 8, 2010 at 3:05 pm | by NickGood 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! ;)
June 8, 2010 at 3:25 pm | by MBNot in Toronto, but a mere 20 minutes away is
Burlington’s Spencers at the Waterfront.
The best views of Lake Ontario and Burlington Harbour
June 8, 2010 at 10:17 pm | by sidNot 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.
June 9, 2010 at 12:11 am | by JoJoBar 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.
June 9, 2010 at 5:14 am | by RichYeah , 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!
June 9, 2010 at 8:28 am | by PeeThe 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!
June 9, 2010 at 12:37 pm | by gkGatto Nero on Clloelge street is one of my faves
June 10, 2010 at 9:19 am | by davideTati 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.
June 10, 2010 at 10:54 am | by TheaThe 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 f@ck.
June 10, 2010 at 1:49 pm | by RandyI 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
June 10, 2010 at 2:03 pm | by T Dot RAnd out-of-towners love Hemingway’s!
June 12, 2010 at 4:02 am | by Helen LedgerwoodAaaahh..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?
June 12, 2010 at 1:37 pm | by jane tattersallThe Pour House Pub on Dupont St. in the Annex has a great 2 level patio under a great big maple tree. Worth checking out!
June 19, 2010 at 5:34 pm | by dinoBurlington is gorgeous. Idiots.
June 29, 2010 at 1:01 pm | by TanyaI 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”.
July 6, 2010 at 1:08 pm | by Speed DemonRegardless of the burlington aesthetic or distance….the Toronto Life Number 1 restaurant wasnt even in Toronto; Stadlander could draw a crowd anywhere i guess!
July 6, 2010 at 2:25 pm | by EvaAs 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?
August 6, 2010 at 10:19 am | by Kareen Agha