Toronto springs to life during patio season, and the arrival of warm weather is reason enough to celebrate at one of the city’s standout outdoor restaurants.
A tranquil wood-paneled rooftop in the Entertainment District serves stellar sushi and sashimi. A charming néo-bistro with string lights brings Parisian wine bar vibes to King West. Mediterranean staples taste even better with skyline views at an Italian favorite in Rosedale.
There’s an outdoor restaurant for every mood and craving in this bustling cosmopolitan city. Read on for a guide to 12 stunning al fresco spots to book now in Toronto.
Terroni Price (Rosedale/Summerhill)
Enjoy breathtaking views of Toronto’s skyline from the rooftop patio at Terroni Price. Credit: Terroni
See and be seen at Terroni’s beachy Summerhill patio. Admire the beautiful skyline views and people-watch from a two-floor rooftop space that attracts many posh neighbourhood residents. All-white furniture with blue accents, string lights, and skyline views make for a chic place to devour Italian classics such as ravioli with spinach and ricotta, folded pizza, and grilled calamari.
BlueBlood Steakhouse (Midtown/Uptown)
Castle-style Casa Loma forms the enchanting backdrop to BlueBlood Steakhouse, where dining outside means being surrounded by stunning landscaping and historic architecture. Head here for swanky steakhouse fare including seafood towers stacked with king crab, lobster, and more, dry-aged beef, and hearty sides such as onion rings with saffron aioli and hand-cut duck-fat fries.
Bar Reyna (Yorkville)
Bar Reyna, in a Victorian townhouse in Yorkville, is all about remixed Mediterranean classics such as lamb baklava, Lebanese “tacos” served on flatbread, and halloumi souvlaki. Enjoy it all on a patio that exudes vintage charm—foliage and string lights line the ceiling, while brick and wood walls add an inimitable warmth.
El Catrin (Distillery District)
Tequila- and mezcal-based cocktails make for easy sipping at El Catrin. Credit: El Catrin
The sprawling industrial patio at El Catrin in the Distillery District makes this Mexican restaurant one of the city’s most happening outdoor dining destinations. Expect Mexican favourites such as crispy-fried haddock tacos, guacamole for the table with the option to add traditional toppings including crickets or fried pork rinds, and a massive tequila and mezcal selection. Tuck into it in the midst of El Catrin’s fire pits, funky furniture, and plants for a one-of-a-kind patio experience.
Hawker (Kensington Market)
Chef Jeff Merkel’s meticulously plated vegan dishes are almost too beautiful to eat, drawing inspiration from the natural world for their shapes, colours, and textures. The restaurant’s ivy-fringed back patio also evokes this serene back-to-nature feel. For a taste of Kensington Market’s hustle and bustle, opt for a meal on the restaurant’s front patio (which faces busy Augusta Avenue). No matter which perch you pick, you’ll be treated to sumptuous Indian-inspired dishes, such as biryani with smoked poblano and lavender and rosemary-smoked eggplant with roti.
Amal Restaurant (Yorkville)
The Mediterranean region influences both the patio and the food at Amal. Credit: Domenic Morabito, Amal Restaurant
Amal’s spacious second-floor terrace, dressed with greenery and white wrought-iron chairs, makes a charming outdoor setting for feasting on stunning Lebanese dishes. Start with standbys such as hummus, tabbouleh, and baba ghanoush, then dig into entrees such as minced beef and lamb skewer platters with pita, grilled vegetables, and home fries.
Lao Lao Bar (Yonge & Wellesley)
At Lao Lao Bar, owners Seng Luong and Jason Jiang tap into their Laotian heritage for a menu of contemporary Southeast Asian dishes. Backed by the restaurant’s handsome brick exterior, Lao Lao Bar’s narrow 20-seat patio (facing St. Joseph Street) is a peaceful spot for tucking into tapioca dumplings with mushrooms and laap shrimp, the restaurant’s spin on the iconic meat salad.
Lapinou (King West)
Lapinou’s French-inspired outdoor seating area has string lights and wrought-iron seats. Credit: Lapinou
No Toronto alleyway is prettier than Lapinou’s, with its string lights, lanterns, and padded wrought-iron seats. The French néo-bistro—a term for trendy Parisian wine bars—features globally accented dishes such as beef tartare with chermoula, crispy shallots, yogurt and crackers, and organic salmon with morels, asparagus, and ramp salsa verde.
Steam Whistle Biergärten (Downtown/Entertainment District)
If it weren’t for the up-close sight of a Toronto landmark, you’d think you were in Munich at Steam Whistle Biergärten. The German-style beer hall at the base of the CN Tower serves up traditional German fare—think pretzels and bratwurst—plus its own beer. Outdoor seating features expansive skyline views, string lights, and umbrellas for shade.
Té (Ossington)
Té blends traditional Korean ingredients with Canadian comfort foods resulting in creative dishes hardly seen anywhere else. Bulgogi sliders topped with over-easy quail eggs and toasted kimchi ravioli with honey wasabi pesto are just some of the fusion offerings. The restaurant’s petite backyard patio, bordered by trees and lit by string lights, is just as homey as the fare.
Rooftop Bar at the Broadview Hotel (Leslieville/Riverdale)
This hotel standout offers a rare view of the Toronto skyline and the Don River from its south-facing patio. Perched on the highest floor of a restored 19th-century building, the Rooftop’s glass-enclosed indoor dining area and L-shaped patio are a sleek contrast to the building’s original brick exterior. The urban tableau, pretty cocktails, and shareable menu featuring plates such as Nashville hot chicken bao buns and crispy prawns with sweet chile aioli attract a buzzy crowd.
JaBistro (Downtown/Entertainment District)
Japanese restaurant JaBistro serves sushi on its rooftop patio. Credit: JaBistro
JaBistro specializes in pristine fish, from pressed and torched blocks of sushi, or oshizushi, to omakase with nigiri and savoury egg custard pudding. On the rooftop, a wood-paneled patio with string lights offers a tranquil setting to match the simple but flavorful menu. Enjoy the fresh air and linger over the restaurant’s famed lobster platter, laden with sweet lobster sashimi.
Jessica Huras is a Toronto-based food and drink writer. Eat your way across the city (and beyond) with her on Instagram @waysofwanderers
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