Patio season is here and there are some of the best Toronto patios you need to know about. Some of these you may have been to, others you might've heard in passing, and others a complete secret – until now!
We've curated a list of 5 patios in the city that'll both surprise and delight!
Read more about Toronto
- Best restaurants in North York
- Top 8 things to do in Scarborough
- Guide to the best free things to do in Toronto
- Exploring Yorkille
- One day Toronto itinerary
- Secret weekend day trips from Toronto you need to know about
Where to stay in Toronto?
- For the best prices on accommodations and the most choices, Booking.com has been my go-to choice especially once you reach Genius tier and you can find an additional 10-15% off places to stay.
Table of contents
Best Toronto Patios You Gotta Check Out
Summer is here and I know you're itching to get outside and soak in the sun while having an awesome meal with good company. These are the best Toronto patios that don't often get mentioned but definitely deserve your attention.
1. Tinuno
Eating food that's laid out on a table and using your hands is carnal, strange and wonderful all at the same time. With freshly grilled seafood, meats, vegetables, and rice, Kamayan is a Filipino specialty that's taken the city by storm.
Tinuno is one of the restaurants that serves Kamayan and they have locations in St. Jamestown, Little Manila in North York, and Scarborough. Delivering authentic Filipino taste and experience is a passion of theirs and what better way to showcase that than with this style of dining.
If you're looking for an alternative, Casa Manila is also a great option for authentic Filipino food in North YOrk.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address:
- St. Jamestown, 31 Howard Street
- North York, 3520 Bathurst Street
- Scarborough Town Centre, 520 Progress Ave.
Hours: 11AM – 9PM everyday (St. Jamestown and North York location), 12PM – 7PM (Scarborough location)
Price: $$
Recommendation: Get the Kamayan ($36).
Tips: Their space is small so reservations are recommended. When you do, give them the heads up that you're wanting the Kamayan.
Epic Toronto Patios
Make sure to check out my Destination Toronto article that I penned on epic Toronto patios that are highly Instagrammable, will WOW you, and/or has incredible food.
2. Chotto Matte
Have you ever heard for Nikkei-style cuisine? I certainly didn't until I stumbled upon Chotto Matte. Turns out, Nikkei-style is a fusion of Peruvian and Japanese cooking. What this translates to is this new-found world of flavours exploding with tangy citrus, sweet soy, South American spices, ridiculously fresh fish, and Japanese precision.
The Toronto location is the third in a family of restaurants that also has locations in Miami and London. Their hallmark is not only their food but also the fantastical decor that also fuses the Amazonian jungle that you feel like you're part of when you're on the patio but also the influences of traditional and contemporary Japanese art especially when you take a look inside.
Let's just say Chotto Matte is a full experience and when it comes to the best Toronto patios, this is one that you have to see and taste to believe!
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Financial core and part of Brookfield Place, 161 Bay Street
Hours: 11:30AM – 11PM Wed – Fri, 4PM – 11PM Sat – Tues
Price: $$$$
Recommendations: To try the best of everything their Deluxe Nikkei Menu is superb but don't feel pressured to get it because you can easily assemble your own set. I loved the Yellowtail “Nikkei Sashimi” and Pollo Picante.
Tips: Dishes are tapas sized so they're highly sharable but small so keep that in mind when ordering. Reservations highly recommended. It's also very much a dress-up type of restaurant as well.
Read next: Check out the best restaurants in North York.
3. Paradise Grapevine
This place reminds me of a speakeasy without being an actual speakeasy. It might be because they've decided to keep the sign of the previous business that used to run there. Look for the bright yellow “Menalon Restaurant” sign and you know you've arrived.
At the back of Paradise Grapevine is a hidden patio filled with lush greenery, string lights, and a fixed roof canopy. What makes this place special are their incredible selection of Ontario beers, hand-crafted and experimental wine, and stellar small-plate snacks.
This is the kind of patio that wine and beer nerds will rejoice, and casual drinkers will love as a great place to hang out and have great conversation.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Bloorcourt (between Ossington and K-Town), 841 Bloor Street West
Hours: 1PM – 2AM everyday
Price: $$$
Recommendations: Meat and cheese plates are always a winner. Beer, cider, and wine-wise, look out for their latest creations.
Tips: Try a bunch of different wines while you're here and remember to buy a bottle for home. They also don't take reservations. Walk-in only.
4. Score on King
If Homer Simpson tried to create his version of an ultimate caesar, it might come out something like this. When it comes to epic patios in Toronto, this definitely takes the cake in terms of the most shocking. The two monstrosities on their menu are The Caesar Grande and The Checkmate Caesar.
In the case of The Caesar Grande that you see above, a 4oz caesar is topped with a 14oz burger, mac & cheese balls, peanut butter pie, corn dog, nacho bowl, fried chicken sandwich, and pickle.
The hilarious thing about ordering these is that we got so many jaw-drops, yelps, and stares while we were on the patio. It is all pretty extra. Luckily, they also serve regular-sized caesars with modest toppings.
Aside from the outrageous caesars, Score on King has a good selection of sports bar type of food. Critically, I'd say their food isn't premium per-say but what really shines though is their great outdoor patio space, their friendly staff, and when it's possible again, their stash of boardgames.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: St. James Park, 107 King Street East
Hours: 11AM – 1AM everyday
Price: $$ (the big caesars are $60)
Recommendations: If you're wanting to try their massive caesars, I recommend at least 3 people because it's a ton of food. For most coming here, I'd actually recommend their Tuna Poke Nachos, Prosciutto & Grilled Peach Flatbread, and Miami Ribs & Chips.
Tips: I noticed that they didn't provide a straw for The Caesar Grande so it was difficult to actually drink once it arrived. I'd ask the staff about that or perhaps break out the food into smaller plates to make it manageable. Also, if you're coming here on the weekend, make sure to have reservations.
5. Ration Beverley
My friend over at Savory Explorer recently told me about this Toronto patio and was very impressed with their exquisite dishes but also their rooftop terrace.
The Ration Food Lab is somewhere that's really had to pivot and adapt these past few years but one thing has always remained constant – their creative food concepts that take casual dishes and elevate them with surprising new elements rooted in fresh Canadian ingredients.
Their restaurant is located at The Beverley Hotel and recently opened their patio on the rooftop that feature seasonal small plates that brings in their expertise in fermentation, pickling, and curing.
While you're here, also make sure to check out their pantry and bottle shop!
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Queen St W, 335 Queen Street West
Hours: 4PM – 11PM Thurs – Sun
Price: $$$
Recommendations: Must-try dishes include Oyster, Duck, Steak, Boar Belly, Bass, and Salmon Mi-Cuit but keep in mind that their menu is highly seasonal.
Tips: Reservations are recommended. They also have a street-side patio called “Pour Taste Wine Garden” which has a different menu but you'll be able to order items from Ration Burger, Beverley Pasta Co., and ChickMagnet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Masks are not required when sitting at your table on a patio. However, masks are required when leaving your table and absolutely mandatory when going indoors to say, use the bathroom.
Reservations aren't mandatory but they are highly recommended. Some patios are walk-in only.
In most cases no. However, for popular patios such as The Porch, there is a fee for reservations.
For Toronto patios with epic views, food, and experiences, Destination Toronto has a great article!
So there you have it, these are my picks for the best Toronto patios that you probably didn't expect but are worth exploring this summer. What's your favourite patio in the city?
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