The Best Patios in Toronto

The best patios in Toronto isn't an easily derived list. Many factors come into play not the least of which are location, food options and what's on tap. There's also the type of patio - whether the preference is for something curbside that promotes people watching, a rooftop that's all about the sun, or the hidden back patio that helps us forget - if even just for a moment - we live in a bustling and smoggy metropolis.

Lucky for us, Toronto is stacked with stellar patio options. Come summer, bar and restaurant owners know that having the right patio is key to bringing in the crowds. For this list of the best patios in Toronto we narrow the focus south of Bloor, and in a departure from our usual process, we arrived at the list not from a poll, but instead from a survey of the 35+ members of the blogTO team.

We know we've left some favourites out, but for better or worse here are 25 patios (ranked alphabetically) that make summer in Toronto that much sweeter.

Allen's, 143 Danforth Avenue
One of the best secluded patios in the city. It feels like you're in someone's backyard. Huge trees incorporated into the seating area provide shade and create a sense this patio existed long before the city was built up around it. Barbecues going in the summer churning out all kinds of tasty grilled stuff. Time slows and thickens to a syrupy molasses consistency freed from the city's day-to-day, slowly trapping you like a fly in the amber, preserved in a perfect moment of golden sunshine.

Bairrada Churrasqueira, 1002 College St.
The army of picnic tables here reminds me of my youth and the kitchen makes sure the ambiance doesn't go to waste. As we've written before, kicking back at this backyard spot with a cold Sagres and an expertly charred half chicken platter is like taking a trip to sunny Lisbon but skipping the 10-hour flight.

The Black Bull, 298 Queen St. West
This patio is awesome in every cliched, faux menacing sort of way you'd expect from a biker bar in New Yorkville. You can sit and watch the ugs go by for hours while you leisurely go over the spoils of your shopping spree at The Gap.

Brazen Head, 165 East Liberty St.
The food and service might suck, but it's tough to beat this triple-decker Irish pub for after work or pre-TFC pints in Liberty Village. Bypass the ground level patio and head straight to the elevator for the ride to the second floor.

Brassaii, 461 King St. West
This 2200 square foot courtyard patio on King West has no shortage of stylish seating options from large communal tables to slightly more intimate spaces. It's best on weekdays when you don't need to deal with the overflow from the nearby lounges and clubs.

Cadillac Lounge, 1296 Queen St. West
Is there much more to say about the Caddy that hasn't been mentioned? I love this place. There's nothing more I treasure than taking in some live music inside, and then retreating to the back patio with some friends and a pint of something-something. Does the air smell sweeter back there? Sure seems like it. I'm in love.

Cafe Diplomatico, 594 College St.
It may often be packed and awfully hot if you don't catch shade from an umbrella, but the drinks go down easy and the food's passable. Beware the line-ups to get in here on weekends or if there's a big soccer match or a local street festival.

Drake Hotel Cafe, 1150 Queen St. West
This is one of those patios that's always packed and good for people watching. The food is great, the Caesars are delicious and it might be one of the best patios along West Queen West. Perfect for brunch or lunch on a sunny day. Usually a better option than the sometimes obnoxious Sky Yard upstairs.

Fat Cat Wine Bar, 331 Roncesvalles Ave
Hidden from view of the street and completely intimate this is a nice secluded patio to visit for a chilled glass of wine or their apres work tapas specials (it varies day to day). It makes you feel like you're visiting a patio outside of the city.

The Green Room, 296 Brunswick Street (alley entrance)
This popular student hangout has a neat little patio tucked away in the courtyard just south of Bloor St. It has a little gurgling pond, sometimes with fish in it. Makes for a quiet escape from the usually busier atmosphere inside.

Hair of the Dog, 425 Church St.
Just south of the bustling Village and around the corner form Maple Leaf Gardens, Hair of the Dog can be lower key than other options in the area. But that can sometimes be a good thing. Sunny all day, the large space boasts three fountains and a stone pond which is more than the prerequisite to indulge in the kitchen's succulent butter chicken.

The House of Parliament, 456 Parliament
This Cabbagetown patio fills up pretty fast, but the servers are always super-friendly and the food is tasty and reasonable. (Pulled pork sandwich = yum!) Plus, they sell Waupoos cider, which is as good a reason as any to check it out.

Joy Bistro, 884 Queen St. East
A little pricey (but so is McDonald's in this economy), but a nice spot to hang out on a humid night on the east side. The atmosphere is relaxed, but with a funky vibe. Still, every time I go, I feel like dressing up. (Tip - avoid the more formal west facing patio in favour of the slightly hidden one without the street view)

Julie's Cuban, 202 Dovercourt Rd.
Tasty Cuban-inspired Latin grub and one of the rare examples of a restaurant patio that faces a residential street gives this place a wonderful neighbourhood vibe which makes this chunk of Dovercourt the envy of the city.

Le Select Bistro, 432 Wellington St. West
On somewhat secluded Wellington, Le Select boasts a ridiculous number of beers you've probably never heard of like Jenlain Ambree from France. They also have Quebec favourites Blanche de Chambly and Maudite on tap. While the front patio is nice and sunny, don't let it be a distraction from the recently renovated back garden.

Mezzrow's, 1546 Queen St. West
What's not to like about Muskoka chairs and patio lights? I feel like I'm at a campsite except there's no bugs and someone else is doing the cooking. Oh, and there's draft beer and proper washrooms.

Musa, 847 Dundas West
This side patio is a nice place to contemplate what Dundas West will look like in a few years once American Apparel moves in. But, for now, it's a peaceful retreat. Plus there's good microbrews on tap and massive plates of food when hunger strikes.

Pauper's Pub, 539 Bloor St. West
Pretend the street level patio doesn't exist and head for the rooftop! Lots of sun, happy hour specials and a unique view of the Annex.

Pure Spirits Oyster House and Grill, 55 Mill St. (Distillery District)
Out in the open this is the best place to be during the Jazz Fest. They have amazing oysters, great Mill Street brews and some of the best French fries in the area. Oh, and their Caesar salad is incredible.

Red Bull 381 Projects, 381 Queen St. West
It's too bad this rooftop patio isn't actually open to the public every day. Instead, it's the exclusive retreat of employees in the Red Bull Toronto office. But make friends or head up here when the space is open for art exhibits and other events.

Reposado, 136 Ossington Avenue
This narrow tequila shack on Ossington might boast more seating on its secluded rear patio than it has inside. I like to sit back here with a pint of Delirium Tremens and imagine how this would work if the neighbourhood was still rife with cops busting gang-infested karaoke bars.

Ronnie's Local, 69 Nassau St.
As the finest patio in Kensington Market, Ronnie's allows for the finest sunshine and nicest beers. It also provides you with an opportunity to view the many mustaches that grow on Kensington locals. I like to see how many Handlebars I can spot in one sitting.

Shanghai Cowgirl, 538 Queen St. West
I need to remember to bring my shades and SPF60 here as I'd otherwise fry like the bacon in their BLT on a hot sunny day. A welcome retreat from the gradually less gritty stretch of Queen between Spadina and Bathurst.

Torito, 276 Augusta Ave
A nice secluded back patio at one of the best tapas restaurants in the city. Not an ideal spot for a leisurely afternoon pint, but a good option for a drink and some sharable snacks before or, well, during dinner.

Victory Cafe, 581 Markham St.
On Markham St. just behind Honest Ed's, Victory Cafe has the best array of beers in the Annex plus you can smoke freely if that's your thing. Tucked away from the traffic and the UofT drunks on Bloor.