Patio season is its own culture in Toronto. Who says it ever has to end?
The moment the weather shows a slight sign of sunshine, Toronto residents religiously flock to any bar, restaurant, cafe, or brewery that offers patio service. Many also assume that when the weather shows a decline, patios no longer exist.
I’m here to tell you that’s just not the case. Many establishments pull out their handy dandy patio heaters, allowing for fun to continue during the colder weather before the snow hits.
Grab a friend, a sweater, and order steak frites with a side of ice-cold beer and let the fresh air of fall blow through your hair, because patio season isn’t over yet.
Here are 10 Toronto patios that stay heated even when the weather doesn’t.
Bar Raval
A Little Italy staple, Barcelona-inspired pinxto bar serves small plates with an impressive selection of cocktails and wine.
The patio is decked out with full-coverage ceiling and walls, windows to see the bustling lives of those around you, and string lights to add to the cozy feeling.
Perfect for a casual after-work bevvy, catching up with an old friend, or a date night, just pick a few plates, a cocktail to pair with them, and share away!
The Arch
This Kensington Market Persian brunch spot satisfies every Sunday morning craving with a wonderful selection of specialty coffee (their saffron latte is a must-try).
Although there is no overhead covering, walking onto this back patio feels like walking into a different dimension. Completely surrounded by trees and other greenery, you almost forget you are in Toronto.
A cozy spot offering a wide variety of menu options and ample seating, it’s perfectly primed for taking your lentil soup and specialty cocktail to the patio and enjoying it under the sun (or heated lamps).
Riley’s Fish & Steak
This Michelin-recommended Vancouver chophouse has made its way to Toronto’s Entertainment District with a vibrancy and elegance that’s virtually unmatched. You can expect just as much from their patio.
Its covered and never-closed, all-season patio offers a look at the waterfront; the perfect place to pair a seafood tower with a glass of your favourite cold drink all year round.
An evening spent on the patio is made even more special with the theatrical elements woven into many of its dishes.
Burdock Kensington
If you are someone who loves a patio beer, welcome to heaven.
Burdock’s second location, where many of its brews are born, sits in the heart of Kensington Market and offers a bustling environment filled with music, good food, and an array of beers, ciders, and ales brewed in-house.
The wrap-around outdoor patio offers not only heat, but full coverage, so guests are welcome rain or shine. Grab a table and watch the lively energy of Kensington Market take over as night creeps in.
El Catrin
Located in the Distillery District, this spot is your safest bet for outdoor seating if you are nervous about feeling a slight chill in any sort of way. The Mexican restaurant is especially set up for success, as it stays open year-round through the Distillery Winter Village.
Here, the patio is garnished with bright yellow tables and lights that keep it illuminated. The Distillery District’s iconic brick walls wrap around the area, giving it all an unmistakable sense of warmth.
Burdock
Set up on Bloor St W. in Bloordale, this patio offers a quieter environment as it opens up onto the side street.
Dusk is the perfect time to visit, with a light blanket of light falling on the patio in perfect tandem with its string lights. Fitting around 30 people, it’s a great spot to bring a small group of friends, grab a few tables and have a good laugh.
With a selection of its house brews, a menu that integrates contemporary Canadian flair, and the possibility of popping into the second room to catch a local band, its heated patios are just a small part of all this spot has to offer.
Baro
This King West haunt has a lot to offer: a focus on Latin food, a lively bar atmosphere, a speakeasy, and a well-fleshed-out list of cocktails.
Baro’s rooftop patio transports you to an entirely different place. Enclosed, heated, and located on the fourth floor, it has so much to offer. With high tables and booths, it boasts a large space that can turn a casual patio drink into a lively evening.
Here, you can sip on signature drinks like their Baro sour, which is made with Chilean and Peruvian pisco and topped off with the Baro logo stencilled over stiff egg whites in any season.
Cafe Pamenar
This Kensington Market spot provides something not many places in Toronto can: a front and back patio.
Throughout the year, live music can be heard radiating from the back patio, and laughter can be heard from the front, giving guests an impossible decision.
The back patio is enclosed and canopied by a beautiful tree. Stop in for a show, a Sip & Paint night or one of the many other fun events they hold on their back patio as you enjoy the heat and twinkly lights while still getting a whiff of fresh air.
Offer coffee during the day and local brews and crafted cocktails in the evening; pick your poison, and pick a patio!
Bar Neon
If you’re looking for something a bit more intimate, the quaint and cozy back patio at this Bloordale Village bar is the perfect choice.
The menu at this community staple takes inspiration from its owner’s mother’s and grandmother’s Cretan recipes, served on a back patio fashioned with string lights, tables, and booths, perfect for a casual evening.
Bellwoods Brewery
Talk about a favourite among Toronto residents. This brewery’s offerings are a popular option at bars and restaurants throughout the city, so why not get them from the source?
With a patio overlooking the ever-so-popular Ossington strip, it allows you to be part of the city’s movements, people-watch, and enjoy Toronto’s favourite brews all in the same place.
Enclosed, heated, and paired with a Jelly King, you’ll find yourself making this a regular patio destination.
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