Vancouver’s Best Summer Patios

Now is the time to check out Vancouver’s best patios and enjoy the summer sunshine before the weather cools and the leaves start to fall. Vancouver has you covered, or at least under an umbrella when it comes to outdoor dining in the sun or the shade.

Anh and Chi

vancouver's best summer patios

This gorgeous Vietnamese restaurant in Mount Pleasant is a tropical oasis. At Anh and Chi you can enjoy authentic Vietnamese food and refreshing cocktails on one of two patios. Both are surrounded with beautiful, vibrantly coloured plants that match the bright flavours of the dishes. The water spinach salad or butter garlic chicken wings are perfect for sharing with a group while enjoying the tropical vibe of either patio.

3388 Main Street

11am – late 7 days a week

1931 Gallery Bistro

The Gallery Bistro features one of Vancouver’s best summer patios. It overlooks the stunning architecture of the Vancouver Art Gallery in Robson Square. The building first opened in 1911 as the provincial courthouse, and is now home to the gallery. The bistro offers West Coast themed brunch and lunch menus, including PB&J brioche french toast and a wild salmon burger, as well as drinks. It’s a lovely location to enjoy before admiring some art or after shopping on Robson St.

750 Hornby Street

Mon – Sun 10 am – 4 pm

Joe Fortes

The rooftop patio at Joe Fortes provides the best of both patio worlds: a hip outdoor bar space, as well as charming garden dining. Joe Fortes has been serving classic American cuisine since 1985, and is renowned for their seafood selection. The lobster oil served with bread is divine. While a perfectly chilled and shucked oyster might be the perfect snack on a hot summer day. As Joe Fortes serves brunch, lunch, happy hour, and dinner, you can choose the time of day, and menu, that best suits your group and the occasion.

777 Thurlow Street

11am – 11pm 7 days a week

Juice Bar

Juice Bar first began as a weekly natural wine pop up in the Birds and Beets space in Gastown. Now they’re open from Wednesday to Saturday and have one of Vancouver’s best summer patios: a thoroughly European set up with picnic tables arranged under the iconic Gastown orb streetlights. Catch a breeze and enjoy the impressive menu of natural wines offered at Juice Bar,  and selection of snacks. Plus, if you love a wine you tasted on the patio, you can pick up a bottle to take home with you from their wine shop.

54 Alexander Street

Wednesday – Saturday
5pm – 12 am

Cactus Club Coal Harbour

Now there are admittedly a number of Cactus Club locations around the city but the Coal Harbour location, with its ocean views and massive wrap around outdoor seating area, is home to one of Vancouver’s best patios. You can watch the sea planes take off and land while enjoying half price wine if you go on a Wednesday, but they also have daily Happy Hour specials. This patio makes for a great final destination of a sea wall crawl.

1085 Canada Place, Vancouver

11:30 – 12 am 7 days a week

Dockside Restaurant, Granville Island Hotel

With panoramic views of False Creek, Dockside is home to another one of Vancouver’s best patios. It’s a great spot for celebrating a special occasion. As this restaurant services the Granville Island hotel, it is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Shade is provided by numerous cabanas and pergolas, seating is varied and comfy, and at night, the outdoor fire places add warmth and romance to the atmosphere.

1253 Johnston St

Patio 11am to 10pm (weather permitting)

Tap & Barrel Bridges

The iconic Bridges location has recently reopened after being taken on by the folks at Tap & Barrel. Other Tap & Barrel locations in Vancouver also have some pretty spectacular patios but this new/old spot boasts two levels of huge outdoor seating, with views of False Creek and the Burrard Bridge with the north shore mountains in behind. Tap & Barrel Bridges has a menu full of comfort food classics, as well as a beverage menu which includes their own Brewhall craft brewed, award-winning beer.

1696 Duranleau Street

Monday-Thursday 11am-12am
Friday & Saturday 11am-1am
Sunday 11am-12am
Weekend Brunch 11am-2pm

Reflections Garden Terrace at the Hotel Georgia

vancouver's best summer patios

This rooftop secret garden terrace at the Hotel Georgia combines an outdoor bar with lounge seating, and offers a menu of delicious, seasonal cocktails and tapas. The lush green surroundings and comfy seating will tempt you to linger, whether you’ve come for lunch, brunch, or dinner. Reflections is an elegant spot for celebrating a special occasion outside.

801 West Georgia St.

Monday – Friday:
11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m; 2 – 5 p.m.

Saturday – Sunday:
9 a.m. – 11 p.m; 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Brunch

 

 

About Bronwyn Lewis 70 Articles
Bronwyn Lewis is a food writer for the Vancouver Guardian. She’s also a screenwriter and producer. Born and raised in Vancouver, Bronwyn lives in Mount Pleasant and you can follow all her food adventures on Instagram.