Alfresco Dining in Toronto
From the first sign of warm weather until September's cool evenings, Torontonians hit the deck, the patio, the courtyard, and the rooftop terrace.
Yorkville
Amber. The patio at Amber rocks with cool, late-night people. 119 Yorkville Ave., Yorkville, Toronto, ON, M5R 1C4. 416/926–9037. www.amberinyorkville.com.
Christina's. The sidewalk patio at Christina's is a good place to check out the scene. 513 Danforth Ave., Danforth, Toronto, ON, M4K 1P6. 416/465–1751. www.christinas.ca.
Hemingway's. Hemingway's attracts throngs to its colorful and bustling roof garden. 142 Cumberland St., Yorkville, Toronto, ON, M5R 18A. 416/968–2828. www.hemingways.to.
MBCo. MBCo has gourmet sandwiches, pizza, and soups to eat on the patio or in the park. 100 Bloor St. W, Yorkville, Toronto, ON, M5S 1M4. 416/961–6226. www.mbco.ca.
Roof Lounge. Enjoy lunch or sip a cosmo and watch the sunset at the quiet and lesser known Roof Lounge. Park Hyatt Hotel, 4 Avenue Rd., Yorkville, Toronto, ON, M5R 2E8. 416/924–5471. www.parktoronto.hyatt.com.
Summer's Ice Cream. Summer's Ice Cream is the spot to grab homemade ice cream in just-made waffle cones, then stroll in Yorkville Park. 101 Yorkville Ave., Yorkville, Toronto, ON, M5R 1C1. 416/944–2637. www.summersicecream.com.
Kensington Market
Jumbo Empanadas. Savor oversized empanadas and corn pie on the tented patio of Jumbo Empanadas. 245 Augusta Ave., Kensington Market, Toronto, ON, M5T 2L8. 416/977–0056.
Supermarket. Supermarket has a boisterous patio and tasty Asian tapas. 268 Augusta Ave., Kensington Market, Toronto, ON, M5T 2L9. 416/840–0501. www.supermarkettoronto.com. Closed Mon. No lunch.
Torito. One of the first authentic tapas restaurants in the city, Torito has excellent patatas bravas and sangria. Traditional dishes such as paella get a makeover in the form of rossejat, a paella-style pasta topped with succulent shrimp and aioli. Classic dishes such as piquillo peppers are stuffed with tender, braised oxtail, and crème catalana makes for a creamy and luscious dessert. In the summer months, people-watch in the front patio or grab a seat on the back patio for a little more privacy. 276 Augusta Ave., Kensington Market, Toronto, ON, M5T 2L9. 416/961-7373. www.toritotapasbar.com. Closed Mon.
The Entertainment District
Black Bull Tavern. One of the largest and most affordable local patios is the Black Bull Tavern. 298 Queen St. W, Queen West, Toronto, ON, M5V 2A1. 416/593–2766. www.blackbulltavern.ca.
Drake Hotel. Way west, the Drake Hotel has a swanky rooftop prime for people-watching. 1150 Queen St. W, Queen West, Toronto, ON, M6J 1J3. 416/531–5042. www.thedrakehotel.ca.
Queen Mother Café. The garden at the Queen Mother Café is a cool place for East–West dishes. 208 Queen St. W, Queen West, Toronto, ON, M5V 1Z2. 416/598–4719. www.queenmothercafe.ca.
Rivoli. The Rivoli is a hot outdoor spot for people watching on hip and cool Queen St. 322 Queen St. W, Queen West, Toronto, ON, M5V 2A2. 416/596–1908. www.rivoli.ca.
When they're rolling up the sidewalks elsewhere, the Greek area of the Danforth is just getting lively.
Trattoria Giancarlo. Trattoria Giancarlo has tasty grilled meats you can savor at outdoor picnic tables. 41 Clinton St., Little Italy, Toronto, ON, M6J 2N9. 416/533–9619. www.giancarlotrattoria.com. No lunch. Closed Sun.
