The Best Restaurant Patios in Toronto

The best restaurant patios in Toronto have that killer combination of great food and an awesome vibe. While high fences and strung Christmas lights are lovely on their own, they'll quickly falter when it comes to overall charm if the menu can't hold its own. The patios on this list have found that perfect balance. These are not your quick spots for a pint or a place to run up a tab, but rather, patios on which you can settle in for the long haul (read: multiple courses) and enjoy some good eats and drinks.

For more restaurant (and other) patio ideas, check out our Toronto Patio Guide section or download our new Patio Guide iPhone app.

Here is the list of the best restaurant patios in Toronto.

See also:

The best rooftop patios in Toronto
The best backyard patios in Toronto
The best cafe patios in Toronto

Bellwoods Brewery
New to the restaurant patio scene this year but already a winner in our (beer-loving) hearts. Bellwoods Brewery's patio combines all the charm and nostalgia of picnic tables and picket fences, with old faithfuls in the forms of delicious brews and perfectly paired gluttonous eats. Oysters and a grill right on the patio push this spot over the edge.

Drake Café and SkyYard
Whether street-side or up top, the vibe always seems upbeat at the Drake. The café's side patio is ideal for a weekend Caesar, Benny, burger or fish tacos, while the rooftop SkyYard (which has the same menu) offers that general feel of elevated, secluded superiority.

Union
Local food, seasonal produce, and poetry painted on an exterior wall. If Union's backyard patio doesn't epitomize "Ossington," I don't know what does. In all seriousness, this patio is perfect for food-focused wine savants, with a communal table that's perfect for discussing the merits of steak hache compared to Szechuan quail.

Grand Electric
Grand Electric's backyard patio does away with outdoor dining superfluities such as chairs with backs and bona fide menus. Pft. It's picnic tables and an overhead menu all the way over here, offering the perfect setting to indulge in a plate of tacos and a margarita or two. The vibe is unassuming and laid-back, therefore ideal for a good unwind.

Terroni (Queen St.)
The back patio at Terroni on Queen gives merit to the idea that even the best tortelloni is made better when enjoyed outdoors. While Terroni Adelaide and Terroni Bar Centrale each offer comfortable patio spaces to indulge in a little Italian, the West Queen West patio is a long time favourite and distinguishes itself with high fences, mature trees, and an overwhelming sense of intimacy.

Globe Bistro
Where better to enjoy the (exquisitely prepared) fruits of the (local) earth than on a rooftop spot staring up at the sky? Globe's patio manages to feel both elegant and low-key, with décor kept to a minimum as to allow its Ontario rib eye burger and Lake Erie pickerel garner most of the patio attention. Earth Rosedale and Earth Bloor West manage to pull off a similar balance on their outdoor patios.

Tati Bistro
Tati Bistro's rooftop patio is perhaps "the" patio to woo a potential lover (or Sunday brunch companion, whatever). French bistro cuisine meets treetops and flower boxes, with a sophisticated list of wines and an assorted cheese plate to make you swoon. Ah, if only there was a Paris city view, you'd be all set. Have to settle for the Annex.

Marben
Can you say "monthly pig roast!?" But alas, there's more to Marben's patio than this favourite barbecue pastime, not the least of which include its vertical herb garden and its rustic-chic décor. This patio offers a bit of seclusion on Wellington, not to mention pretty fantastic rib eye. John's Burger is also a much-touted pick.

Foxley
Asian fusion meets...Secret Garden? Perhaps not quite (needs a little more green), but Foxley's back patio does have the enchanting power to instantly double the restaurant's capacity. That means arctic char ceviche, shrimp and squid mango salad, and glazed short ribs for greater numbers, and with all the pleasure of the Ossington outdoors.

Guu Izakaya
For super Japanese and an even better vibe. Guu's small side patio takes you away from the ruckus you'll normally find inside the restaurant and offers a space swathed with wood and a mellow side-street view. First-timers should note; the ideal afternoon on Guu's patio includes at least a couple sake mojitos.

Lil Baci
You can't get much more charming than draped canopies, strung lights, and a chalk menu boasting all of the day's specials. Lil Baci's back patio is a quaint and intimate spot to enjoy a little fusili primavera or a classic margherita pizza, equally conducive to an affordable lunch or a cozy dinner for two.

Origin
Origin's sidewalk patio seems to host a little bit of everything, both in its menu and the diversity of its clientele. You'll find suits, foodies, tourists, and tag-alongs all assembled on this patio to experience Origin's eats, all set to the backdrop of the bustle of King East. And for a more homogenous, 20- or 30- something crowd, there's Origin's new patio in Liberty Village.