Photo: Alimentaria Mexicana
Patio season has arrived—and now’s the time to take advantage of the summery weather! Vancouver restaurants offer patios for every kind of dining experience, whether you want to treat yourself to a sumptuous tasting menu or nosh on snacks with your best buds.
Here are some recommendations to kick off your patio eating and drinking:
Neighbourhood Patios
Di Beppe
Photo: Tara Lee
Dining on the patio at Gastown’s Di Beppe never fails to charm. This ode to Italian culture and culinary tradition features a cozy street-side patio that is perfect for sipping on drinks and noshing on snacks with friends and family. Their Aperitivo Hour from 3pm to 6pm serves up refreshing drinks, like negroni and aperol spritz, along with a range of pizzas, such as a margherita with fior di latte, and antipasti like warm marinated olives. Lunch and dinner expand into hearty pastas like spaghetti carbonara, rigatoni amatriciana, and lasagna alla Bolognese.
Tacofino
Photo: Tacofino Gastown
Tacofino Gastown’s Blood Alley patio is still one of the best places to be on a warm night in the city. This compact patio, with its strings of fairy lights, cascading greenery, and chill vibe, is the perfect spot to fill up on tasty tacos, such as their signature battered fish taco with salsa fresca, cabbage, and chipotle mayo, and on margaritas aplenty.
Alimentaria Mexicana
Photo: Alimentaria Mexicana
Stellar Mexican food options have exploded in Vancouver over the last few years. Alimentaria’s patio is in the centre of Granville Island action, making it easy to visit the Public Market before or after a snack and bevvy. The menu is designed for sharing, so order a bunch of dishes and dig in: recommended are the golden beet ceviche, the braised birria beef tongue, and the grilled halloumi in a charred tomatillo salsa verde.
Ophelia
Photo: Ophelia
Olympic Village features numerous patio options, including Craft Beer Market, Brewhall, Tap & Barrel, and The Flying Pig. Ophelia has patio seating that wraps around its exterior—sitting outdoors makes their refined interpretation of Mexican food that much more delicious. Don’t miss out on margarita Mondays or their daily happy hour. The trio of tacos (taco de carnitas, taco de cochinita pibil, taco al pastor) are fantastic, as is the corn-crusted octopus with chorizo, cilantro rice, braised kale and zucchini, and white mole.
Romer’s – Kitsilano
Photo: Tara Lee
Kits has numerous great patio options, ranging from Las Margaritas’ beloved side patio to Trattoria’s front and rooftop patios. Romer’s transforms the parking lot beside them into a lively patio space where you can feast on one of their signature Fire River Farms Angus beef burgers, such as the magic mushroom with caramelized onions, portobello mushroom, herb garlic Boursin, and baby arugula.
El Camino’s
Photo: El Camino’s
Good times prevail at the patio at El Camino’s on Main Street. Mount Pleasant comes alive during the summer with happy crowds filling up restaurant patios and temporary curb-side patios. Everyone is soaking up rays, enjoying craft beer, and casual bites. El Camino’s specializes in Latin American street food so you’ll find tacos, Cubano sandwiches, and mahi mahi ceviche. There’s plenty of mezcal and tequila to choose from.
Juke Fried Chicken
Photo: Juke Fried Chicken
Did someone say fried chicken and sunshine? Juke Fried Chicken in Chinatown has a temporary patio on Keefer Street. You’ll love the bright colours (pink!)—which will be made even more fun with their crispy golden chicken, ribs, and cornbread, as well as drinks from The Chickadee Room, which is located in Juke. The Coupe de Ville slushy lime margarita sounds like the ultimate third quencher.
Scenic Patios
Sequoia Company of Restaurants
Photo: Cardero’s
The Sequoia Company of Restaurants has some of the most spectacular (and in most cases, year-round) patios in the city. The Sandbar on Granville Island offers breathtaking views of False Creek on a covered and heated patio. It’s the perfect setting for enjoying some West Coast seafood and a glass of vino. Cardero’s in Coal Harbour meanwhile is a go-to spot for taking in the beauty of Burrard Inlet and the North Shore mountains. Their patio on the side of the restaurant is literally perched above the water. Seasons in the Park overlooks picturesque Queen Elizabeth Park, serving elegant West Coast cuisine with refined service. And finally, the patio at the Teahouse, situated at Ferguson Point in Stanley Park, is an oasis of tranquility with sightlines of the mountains and English Bay to make your meal unforgettable.
Vancouver Fish Company
Vancouver Fish Company
At the entrance to Granville Island, the Vancouver Fish Company boasts a lovely covered and heated side patio with gorgeous views of False Creek. The restaurant, which specializes in local sustainable seafood, has been increasingly elevating their culinary program—all while keeping its feel accessible and friendly. Start with the albacore tuna crudo or Salt Spring Island mussels with chorizo and creamed leeks before moving onto a main, such as the kasu-marinated Sunshine Coast sablefish with pomme purée, roasted leeks and turnips, roasted tea dashi, and ginger scallion oil.
Ancora
Photo: Ancora
The serene patio of Ancora at False Creek provides views of passersby as well as the False Creek waterfront. Meanwhile, the Ambleside location in West Vancouver is just a short stroll from the waterfront, with views of Stanley Park, Burrard Inlet, and the west side of Vancouver. The restaurant’s melding of Peruvian, Japanese, and West Coast cuisine is sophisticated and delicious, with dishes such as ceviche mixto, an acevichado roll, and lobster and shrimp risotto. A meal on their patio is a special affair.
Dockside
Photo: Dockside
Located in the Granville Island Hotel, Dockside features an expansive patio area with seating options that range from comfy chairs for lounging to elegant table options. Tents and canopies shield guests from the sun and also give the patio a cabana feel. As you take in views of False Creek, enjoy dishes such as wagyu carpaccio; steelhead with chorizo and cannellini bean ragu, and cavolo nero; or lamb sirloin with spiced du puy lentils, dried apricots, harissa carrots, and charred labneh.
LIFT Bar Grill View
Photo: LIFT
The name of LIFT makes evident that they take their view seriously. This stunning Coal Harbour restaurant provides unobstructed sightlines of the harbour, the mountains, and Stanley Park. Their rooftop deck is particularly worth a visit. Food reflects West Coast ingredients and influences, such as in a chilled seafood platter, a selection of sushi, and mains like Haida Gwaii halibut.
Stanley Park Brewing Restaurant & Brewpub
Photo: Stanley Park Brewing Restaurant & Brewpub
Located in the heart of Stanley Park, this convivial brewpub makes for a great brunch or casual hang out with some pals. There is no shortage of patio space at Stanley Park Brewing Restaurant & Brewpub with three patios to choose from. On either side of the brewpub, you can enjoy brews and bites on their covered patios, or at ground level they have picnic benches with umbrellas so that you can be more immersed in the park. Go for a beer flight and nosh on casual bites like spicy maple pork belly, crispy mushroom ‘calamari,’ or a beer brined hot chicken sandwich.
Provence Marinaside
Photo: Provence
Pretty much every restaurant along Mainland and Hamilton Streets in Yaletown has an excellent patio, including Blue Water Café and Raw Bar, Brix & Mortar, Do Chay, Robba da Matti, Tasty Indian, The Keg (check out their rooftop patio), and Elisa. Located on the Yaletown seawall, Provence Marinaside continues to be a favourite for good reason. The food seamlessly brings together West Coast and southern French culinary influences, and the patio offers sparkling views of the marina and people strolling by. Brunch is available every day (go for the croque monsieur benedict), and the dinner features a wide selection of seafood options, such as crab and shrimp cakes, bouillabaisse, and local halibut.
Milltown Bar & Grill
Photo: Milltown
Although technically in Richmond, Milltown Bar & Grill is located on the Vancouver side of the Fraser River, on a peninsula just before crossing the Arthur Laing Bridge. The white picnic benches along the river are the most coveted but their covered and heated patio area by the side of the restaurant is equally inviting. The food features a ton of crowd pleasers, such as poutine, burgers, fish ‘n’ chips, and tuna poke bowls. Those in-the-know come on Sundays for the prime rib dinner.
Garden Patios
Joe Fortes
Photo: Joe Fortes
This oldie is a consistently good choice for classically stylish dining out. Joe Fortes‘ rooftop patio overlooking Robson Street is always highly sought after so get there early if you want to snag a table, or make a reso when you can. Featuring a bar and lush greenery, this patio is a wonderful escape from downtown bustle. Freshly shucked oysters are a must. Or, opt for their family-style surf and turf platter with a 12 oz New York striploin, lobster, snow crab, jumbo scallops, prawns, and mushrooms.
Reflections
Photo: Reflections
Take the elevator to the fourth floor of the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, and you’ll find Reflections: The Garden Terrace. Time suddenly stills when you’re up there, amid the flora, the lounge seating, and the shade of the downtown buildings around you. Order one of their refreshing summer cocktails, such as the Field of Dreams with a vermouth blend, citrus cordial, pineapple bitters, and tonic, and a small plate or two, like the tuna tataki with mango, tostada, wasabi cream, and charred scallions.
Fairmont Pacific Rim’s Patio Pop-up
Photo: Charlie Dixon
For the third summer, the Fairmont Pacific Rim has teamed up with Oakridge and Westbank to offer a charming pop-up patio. Adjacent to the hotel, you’ll find a grassy area with undulating hills, stylized trees, fire pits, and both lounge and picnic table with umbrellas for shade. A nearby food trucks serves elevated, yet casual bites, such as crispy Thai chicken wings, a West Coast crab and shrimp sammy, and an ahi tuna poke bowl. Drinks are refreshing and inventive, such as the Sandía Margarita with tequila, Aperol, watermelon, grapefruit, lime and Tajín. The patio is open Thursday to Sunday from noon to 8pm. Even better, there’s live music until 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 6pm Thursdays and Sundays.
Burdock & Co
Photo: Burdock & Co.
The wee whimsical garden patio on the side of Burdock & Co reflects their local ethos. This beloved restaurant, which celebrates local seasonal ingredients, creates a magical al fresco experience amidst their greenery. They offer a multi-course menu that takes you on a tasting journey through ingredients sourced from nearby producers and foragers.
Glowbal
Photo: Global
The Glowbal Restaurant Group does everything in a big way—and their patios are no exception. Standouts include the Roof at Black + Blue and the elegant al fresco setting in front of Italian Kitchen. Glowbal has a garden-themed patio festooned with floral and greenery decorations and filled with bird cage seating for intimate group gatherings. Food is sure to satisfy, with offerings like wagyu striploin with Yukon Gold pomme purée, seasonal vegetables, and veal jus, their signature truffled spaghetti and meatballs, and Maple Hill Farms roasted half chicken with popcorn and cauliflower purée, confit onions, spring peas, hazelnuts, and bacon.
Minami
Photo: Minami
Behind their restaurant, Minami has a patio hideaway for enjoying some of the finest Japanese food in the city. Lush greenery keeps the space cool on hot days while heaters warm you on chillier nights. Besides the aburi sushi, there is so much to like on the menu, such as the Humboldt squid katsu, mentaiko udon, and saikyo miso sablefish.
These are just some of the many amazing patios for maximizing your summer in Vancouver. Enjoy!
