Best heated patios in Toronto
During the colder months, many Torontonians are longing for those carefree sunny days on the patio sipping margaritas. Luckily, there are plenty of restaurants who can make your patio dreams come true, even in winter! Heated, encased in glass, or decked with fire pits, these heated patios in Toronto keep patio season going all year long. [Photo credit: Jennifer D'Agostino]
Cafe Belong
550 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4W 3X8In 2015 Café Belong adopted the famous yurt patio from The Ceili Cottage. The yurt, hand-painted in Mongolia, serves as Café Belong’s winter patio from November to March, where diners can enjoy some of the best sustainable cuisine in the city. The yurt seats approximately 35 people and is candle lit and intimate, so it’s probably one of the most romantic yurts in the city.
Sky Yard
1150 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1J3The Drake’s Sky Yard rooftop patio is the go-to hotspot, no matter what the temperature is outside. The rooftop patio has a fire pit, self-sustaining bar and a great view of West Queen West. The patio seats approximately 100 people, and is open seven days a week.
El Catrin Destileria
18 Tank House Lane, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4Located in the heart of the Distillery Historic District, El Catrin’s patio aims to transport you to Mexico. The patio is adorned with massive overhanging lights and plenty of fire pits to keep you cozy and warm. It is open to the elements, but if the fire pits don’t provide enough heat, the killer margaritas should do the trick.
Gusto 101
101 Portland St, Toronto, ON M5V 2N31. Another rooftop option, Gusto 101’s glassed in enclosure is the perfect winter patio for multiple reasons. There’s the expansive amount of space, glass floors offering a sneak peek into the kitchen and a self-sustaining bar with little to no-wait times for your glass of house wine. It’s a must when patio hopping in the winter. Plus, Gusto 101 serves up some of the best Italian food in the city.
Hemingway's Restaurant
142 Cumberland St, Toronto, ON M5R 1A8The one that started it all. Hemingway’s is home to one of the first all-seasons patios in Toronto. Located in the heart of Yorkville, Hemingway’s is an iconic pub that has one of the most lively patio scenes in Toronto. The patio is always packed, and is a nice break from the more formal restaurants located in the neighbourhood. Partially covered, the patio is fully licensed, which is good news considering it has 24 beers on tap.
Pilot Tavern
22 Cumberland St, Toronto, ON M4W 1J5The Pilot rooftop patio, known as The Flight Deck, is yet another heated rooftop patio in Yorkville. Complete with retractable awnings and a whopping 185 seats, The Flight Deck has it all. Serving food and cocktails, the heated patio is open March through December.
Big Crow
176 Dupont St, Toronto, ON M5R 2E6This barbecue joint is open to the elements all year round, behind Rose & Son’s, in a farm-like building. During the winter, Big Crow provides some of Toronto’s best barbecue with a side of blankets to keep its patrons warm. If the blankets are not enough, there is plenty of heat (and smoke) coming from the open grills.
Cold Tea
60 Kensington Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2K1Perhaps one of the Toronto’s worst kept secrets, Cold Tea brings winter patios to another level. Located in a secluded area of Kensington Market, the backyard patio is cozy and heated during the colder months. The patio seats about 50 people and is open until 2 a.m. Dancing shoes are not mandatory, but recommended due to Cold Tea’s renowned winter dance parties.
Cactus Club Cafe
77 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5X 1C1A Vancouver import, the Cactus Club opened its doors in the First Canadian Place in 2015. The massive restaurant includes a third-floor patio complete with live plants on the walls and a retractable roof, open year round. Cactus Club’s founder Richard Jaffray’s personal collection of Mr. Brainwash artwork is found throughout the space. Whether it’s for a night on the town, or a business lunch, Cactus Club’s patio is worth checking out.
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