Summer Arts Guide 2024: Vancouver patios for dining and drinking
From croque sandwiches to flame-seared sushi, there’s plenty of outdoor eats on offer
Tap & Barrel Bridges.
SUMMERTIME IN VANCOUVER is relatively short, which is why people dine outdoors any chance they get once the calendar has flipped to June. The city is home to numerous sun-splashed patios to while away the hours over food and drink. Here’s a glimpse at more than 50 al fresco dining spots to hit this sunny season.
1931 Gallery Bistro.
1931 Gallery Bistro
The recently renovated 120-seat licensed outdoor patio space at the Vancouver Art Gallery takes its name from the year the arts venue was founded. Salads, bowls, hand-helds (like a banh mi croissant and croque monsieur), as well as pastries and brunch items, make up the menu. Bottles of wine are half-price on Sundays.
acquafarina
The Michelin Recommended restaurant in the heart of downtown has a retractable roof on its terrace for dining under the stars. Culinary director Jefferson Alvarez puts an ultra-modern spin on classic Italian cuisine.
Anh and Chi
This hot spot specializing in authentic Vietnamese fare is a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Its Reservation by Donation program, the very first initiative of its kind in Vancouver, supports local charities by giving guests an option to donate $10 per person when reserving a table.
Bar Susu. Photo by Sarah Anand
Bar Susu
This natural wine bar is run by the same team behind Published on Main and Port Moody’s Mama Said Pizza Co. Its patio has an awning for rainy days.
Burdock & Co.
This one-Michelin-star Mount Pleasant restaurant is the brainchild of chef-owner Andrea Carlson, a leader in the locavore movement. You might see her picking fresh herbs or greens while you dine on the sunny side-street garden patio.
Burgoo
Soak up the sun at any of the locations: downtown, Mount Pleasant, North Vancouver, or Point Grey. Comfort food is on the menu.
Cactus Club English Bay
It’s practically impossible to beat the views from this location of the chain, right on English Bay. After a walk around the seawall, a menu of signature dishes and drinks awaits—think Bellinis, rigatoni Bolognese, hot chicken and pickles, avocado dip, and more. Several other Cactus Club locations have patios, too.
Cardero’s Restaurant.
Cardero’s Restaurant
Situated in the heart of Coal Harbour, Cardero’s has a diverse menu that ranges from blue shell mussels in coconut curry sauce to half lamb rack to mushroom tagliatelle. Platters make for fine sharing.
Chickpea
The plant-based restaurant in East Vancouver’s Riley Park neighbourhood has a spacious patio where diners can order tapas (hummus, red beet salad, baba ganoush, pickled veggies, and more) or mains like falafel and shawarma. There’s all-day breakfast as well.
Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill & Enoteca
Helming this iconic Yaletown restaurant is Pino Posteraro, who has been awarded the Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy, making him the first chef in Canada to receive the distinguished honour for individuals working to promote Italian culture internationally. This will be the last summer to enjoy Cioppino’s; chef has announced it’s closing down at the end of 2024 after 25 years.
Coast
Outdoor fireplaces and handsome planter boxes make this patio feel extra luxe. Seafood towers are a standout alongside fresh fish, shellfish, and oysters.
¿CóMO? Taperia
A summer highlight at the popular tapas bar sees ¿CóMO? Taperia teaming up with the Paella Guys for the Patio Paella Series. Rain or shine, the event takes place almost every second Sunday until September 1. People can watch the Paella Guys making the namesake dish in a 60-person steel pan, or order ¿CóMO? Taperia’s tapas, conservas, and drinks. ¿CóMO? boasts a Michelin recommendation.
Dachi
Natural wine, craft sake, cocktails, and elevated snacks made for drink pairings are the focus at this lively Hastings Sunrise spot with a large outdoor area.
Dahlia
Situated in the Azur Legacy Collection Hotel, Dahlia is home to an elegant patio that offers a daily business lunch as well as breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Dockside Restaurant.
Dockside Restaurant
Located in the Granville Island Hotel, Dockside offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, happy hour, and weekend brunch menus, alongside picturesque views of False Creek, the city skyline, and the North Shore mountains from its 200-seat patio. New executive chef Josef Driemel highlights Pacific Northwest ingredients in dishes that combine Mediterranean and French techniques with Asian-inspired flavours. Shared experiences include Fondue for Two, 22oz AAA Rib Steak for Two, and a Chilled Seafood Tower.
El Camino’s
Margarita Mondays, Taco Tuesday, and Wine Wednesday are just some of the specials at this bustling Main Street spot. Brunch is served on weekends.
Forage
This is the last summer to dine at the Robson Street restaurant, as the building is being torn down. Forage focuses on local, sustainable ingredients and in addition to a la carte menu options, it offers a family-style menu for sharing.
The Galley Patio & Grill
Situated on the second floor of the Jericho Sailing Centre, this eatery features spectacular sweeping views of the ocean, mountains, and city. Local taps and B.C. wine are on the menu, as are 18-inch classic nachos, burgers made with Two Rivers natural beef, grilled Lois Lake steelhead burgers, fish and chips, and much more.
Giardino
Summertime means dining in the garden of Giardino’s seasonal patio, abundant in greenery and fresh flowers. Chef-owner Umberto Menghi is a recipient of the Order of the Star of Italy, an honourary title given to ex-pats who have made an outstanding contribution to the promotion of Italian heritage abroad.
Gotham Steakhouse & Bar
Steakhouses are typically dark inside, but the heated patio at Gotham is flooded with natural light, complete with a fireplace for chilly summer evenings. The kitchen has recently undergone a massive renovation, all the better to perfectly grill those filets.
H Tasting Lounge.
H Tasting Lounge
Hugging the seawall, this outdoor oasis is part of the Westin Bayshore Hotel. On the cocktail menu are shareable punch bowls alongside local craft beers, B.C. wines, and effervescent mocktails. Weekend afternoon tea draws inspiration from Asia and Europe and features Tealeaves loose-leaf selections, plus the spot’s signature cotton-candy bonsai trees.
Havana
Inspired by its namesake, the Commercial Drive restaurant has a year-round patio that gets the summer sun all day long. It’s right across the street from Grandview Park, and makes for premium people-watching while you’re digging into Latin American-influenced dishes and sipping boozy slushies, sangria, mojitos, margaritas, or rotating B.C. beer on tap.
Honey Salt
A stone’s throw from Rogers Arena, Honey Salt is a Parq Vancouver patio to hit pre-concert. Comfort food is the focus, and there are specials like the Sunday Pasta Table, weekend brunch, breakfast, and a mid-day menu.
Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House
This downtown Vancouver rooftop patio is abundant in greenery and is the place to nosh on the 50-some types of seafood the restaurant carries. It’s a partner of Ocean Wise, meaning it serves sustainable options that support healthy oceans.
La Taqueria Pinche Taco shop
Yukon Street, Hastings Street, North Vancouver, and Burnaby’s Brentwood Mall: all La Taqueria locations have patios for dining on tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, and more.
The Lavantine Restaurant & Skybar
The city’s newest rooftop restaurant is in the five-star boutique AZUR Legacy Hotel, the only member of the Leading Hotels of the World in Western Canada. The dining destination, with open kitchen and sweeping city views, takes its cues from the Middle East, with dishes such as watermelon salad with whipped feta and mint; kofta kebab; grilled halloumi with wildflower honey and figs; a mezze platter with baba ganoush, muhammara, hummus, pita, crudité, and pickles; baklava; and pistachio gelato.
Lift Bar and Grill
With two patios, Lift Bar and Grill offers breathtaking views of Coal Harbour, Stanley Park, and the North Shore mountains. Along with beer, wine, and cocktails, the dining destination has an extensive whiskey collection. Fresh seafood dominates the menu.
Livia.
Livia
Take in all the action on Commercial Drive from an outdoor seat at this Italian bakery, restaurant, and wine bar. The wife-and-husband team of Claire Livia Lassam and Jordan Pires excels at sourdough breads and pastries, hand-made pasta, and Negronis.
Local Public Eatery Gastown
The expansive outdoor space on Water Street makes for ideal people-watching while sipping on any of the rotating beers on tap. Local’s locations in Kitsilano and River District offer al fresco dining, too.
Lucky Taco
The Mexican-style cantina’s River District location has expanded its fiesta vibes outdoors with the recent launch of its highly anticipated 40-seat expansive patio. Tacos, nachos, grilled street corn, ice cold beers, margaritas, and more are all to be had under the warm summer sun while the sounds of cumbia play over speakers. Its Kitsilano location has a patio, too.
Mahony’s Tavern
Both locations—False Creek and Convention Centre—offer fully covered heated dining spaces. Both also have live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
Mercato di Luigi
This Italian grocer and café is from the same team behind Ask for Luigi. Pastries, made-to-order sandwiches, and pasta lunches are served daily from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Mèreon
New to West Vancouver, Mèreon serves French-inspired West Coast fare. The restaurant takes its name from the word “mère”, which means mother in French and is also an honourary title dating back to the 18th century that’s bestowed on female chefs in France, particularly in the city of Lyon. French onion soup, croque sandwiches, West Coast Niçoise salad, quiche, and duck confit cassoulet are among the menu highlights.
Minami
Minami is home to an intimate Japanese-inspired Zen garden patio tucked away in Yaletown. It’s a romantic place to dine on the restaurant’s signature flame-seared sushi, along with a sake flight.
Oddfish Restaurant
A Kitsilano gem, Oddfish focuses on fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables. The menu changes regularly.
Ophelia
Named after chef Francisco Higareda’s mother, this Michelin-recommended Olympic Village resto serves elevated Mexican fare and killer margaritas.
Popina Canteen
Popina is located adjacent to the Granville Island Public Market, boasting stellar views of False Creek. Among its signature dishes are the East Coast lobster roll, house-made falafel sandwich, Hammer’s hot chicken sandwich, and grass-fed B.C. beef cheeseburger. Then there are its puff creams, in versions like Nutzo (crushed Oreo cookies with a Nutella centre) and Violet B (freeze-dried blueberries with a cornflake crunch).
Provence Marinaside.
Provence Marinaside
Located across the street from the waters of False Creek, this French restaurant is also home to The Wine Bar, which serves more than 125 types of vino by the glass.
R&B Ale & Pizza House
Dogs are allowed on the patio furnished with picnic tables and umbrellas. Many of the pies can be made vegan, and the menu also features salads, sandos, and appies.
Reflections: The Garden Terrace
This chi-chi spot on the 4th-floor rooftop of the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, reopening late this summer, is where you might spot a celebrity, it’s that swanky. It features wood and deep green accents and a fully retractable roof. Tapas, hand-crafted cocktails, and a range of wines are on offer.
The Roof at Black & Blue
A garden theme makes this rooftop spot feel far removed from downtown Vancouver. Prime cuts of meat are on the menu, cooked over wood coals on a one-of-a-kind Josper Grill; other options include chilled seafood, caviar, roasted sablefish, jumbo tiger prawns, spring salmon, and more.
The Sandbar
Located right underneath the Granville Street bridge on Granville Island, The Sandbar offers brunch, lunch, dinner, happy hour, Fresh Sheet, and Hoshi Sushi menus.
Seasons in the Park
Magnificent city and mountain views are part of the charm of this longstanding restaurant in Queen Elizabeth Park. Menu highlights are a three-course lunch available weekdays, and Sunday evening prime rib with Yorkshire pudding.
Smitty’s Oyster House
Paella Fridays, Seafood Boil Sundays, and all-day happy hour on Tuesdays are just some of the highlights of this Main Street spot. The heated, covered patio is dog-friendly.
Social
Party pitchers of boozy peach-pink-vodka lemonade are available at this rooftop patio overlooking the Drive, alongside multiple types of margaritas and share plates like charcuterie, Caribbean jerk prawns, chicken wings, and cauliflower bites, to name just a few.
Tap & Barrel Bridges
A Granville Island jewel, this location of Tap & Barrel boasts a massive marina-side patio, plus another outdoor dining area upstairs on the second level, which is heated and open year-round. The views of False Creek and downtown Vancouver are hard to beat. To drink, there are 32 B.C. craft beer taps, 16 B.C. wine taps, plus an international wine list. This goldmine also serves as the Tap & Barrel test kitchen, so fresh new dishes are for the ordering. Tap & Barrel has patios at its other outposts, including Olympic Village, Shipyards, and the Convention Centre.
The Teahouse
You can watch the sunset from this iconic outdoor space in Stanley Park. In addition to brunch, lunch, and dinner menus, the restaurant offers a special three-course lunch menu on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Tocador
This Latin American-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar in the heart of Mount Pleasant prioritizes local products. Dogs are allowed on the patio.
The Vancouver Fish Company Restaurant & Bar
Overlooking the marina at Granville Island, The Vancouver Fish Company specializes in sustainable seafood.
Via Tevere Pizzeria Napoletana
This popular pizzeria on Victoria Drive has a patio out back, while its just-opened second location on Main Street, in the former home of sister restaurant Grano Pizzeria, has two outdoor spaces. Here’s where you’ll find Neapolitan-style pies made with hand-stretched dough and Southern Italian flavours.
The Victor.
The Victor
This sixth-floor rooftop patio, complete with lush parklike setting and pond in the Parq Vancouver complex, is dog-friendly.
Vij’s
If it’s good enough for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who dined here earlier this year, it’s good enough for us, adorned as it is with plants and pretty patio lights to go with fine Indian cuisine. 
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