We’ve officially entered the spring season, and although the occasional days of warm weather are becoming more frequent, cool air and colder weather are still very present, making it difficult to enjoy a drink on the patio without catching a chill.
Fortunately, finding a comfortable outdoor patio in one of the best food neighbourhoods in Toronto is easier than ever before. In part, this is due to the fluctuating government regulations on indoor restaurant occupancy, which led an increased number of restaurants and bars to adjust their outdoor setups, making the search for “heated patios near me” easier than ever. Some of these patios are not only heated, but covered as well, allowing you to enjoy a meal outdoors, even during the rainy showers of April.
For when you’re itching to get your patio season started early, here is a list of some of the best heated patios in Toronto.
Bar Neon
While the brisk air and rainy days of spring may make Toronto feel like anywhere but a vacation destination, the Mediterranean vibes of Bar Neon’s heated patio on Bloor West will help you beat the winter blues.
Located at Bloor and Dufferin, patrons of Bar Neon enjoy wonderful Greek cuisines that owner Niki Tsourounakis adapted from passed-down family recipes straight out of Crete. Such creations include stuffed pitas, Tabbouleh bowls, and an assortment of house-made dips.
For the drinks, there are warm options like hot toddies and heated ciders, or unwind with a daily happy hour featuring a selection of draft beers.
As for the patio itself, Bar Neon’s is not only heated but covered as well, allowing you to enjoy your time outdoors no matter the conditions outside.
El Catrin
The atmosphere at El Catrin is unparalleled when it comes to its authentic Mexican cuisine and stunning atmosphere.
While the interior of this Distillery District restaurant is adorned with murals, blacklights, chandeliers, and Calavera, El Catrin’s heated patio in Toronto is renowned.
Not only does the spacious patio have large hanging lights and heaters, it also features a large and decorative firepit in the centre of the space, warming and lighting every table and person within its radius.
Enjoy flavourful margaritas, savoury tacos, and the freshest guacamole around, all while enjoying the comfort of the heated patio of this unforgettable restaurant.
Aura
Aura is a cocktail lounge located on Queen Street and Broadview that is known for its refined drinks and cozy atmosphere.
Aura offers ample cocktail selections such as the Scottish Kiss, Maple Forest, and Aloha Nani. The Scottish kiss is a cocktail made with a single malt scotch, combined with lemon, syrup, and a splash of tabasco to give the cocktail an extra kick.
With its modest scale, you wouldn’t expect Aura to make our list of restaurants with heated patios in Toronto. However, the smallness of Aura’s patio works to its advantage: its heaters easily make this space a heated oasis, allowing their patio to stay open year-round, even in the coldest days of winter and spring. The area is also adorned with vines, shrubberies, and fairy lights, making the space one of the best intimate romantic date destinations on this list.
Bar Piquette
This Queen West wine bar is known for its chalkboard menu that features an ever-changing menu of wines and small plate items.
Piquette’s wine menu spans a rotating selection of roughly 80-100 wines which range from reds, whites, rosés, and sparkling. Some wine selections even change multiple times a week, ensuring that patrons will be surprised and presented with something new every time they visit.
While not the largest establishment indoors, Bar Piquette boasts not just one but two patios. While their sidewalk patio is more open to the natural elements, Piquette’s backyard patio is both heated and covered, allowing it to be open year-round, seven days a week, for all patio-lovers to enjoy.
Harbour 60
Elegance and refinement find itself at Harbour 60. Built within the foundations of the historical Toronto Harbour Commission building (circa 1917), Harbour 60 celebrates its past but offers a modern atmosphere.
The menu at Harbour 60 offers luxurious indulgences such as the Harbour 60 Seafood Tower, which consists of Atlantic Lobster, King Crab, Jumbo Black Tiger Shrimp, Oysters, Tuna Tartare, and Crab Salad.
Other delicacies include a black truffle steak with duck egg, Tagliatelle Di Mare, and Maple Pecan Mille-Feuille.
After Ontario lockdown measures went into place, the iconic steakhouse went to work to keep the comfort of their customers at the forefront of their business, creating a fully covered and heated patio adjacent to their restaurant. This spacious patio is decorated with the same refinement that this restaurant is known for…lush greenery, artwork, and even chandeliers!
No matter the weather outside, Harbour 60 features one of the best outdoor heated patios Toronto has to offer.
Hemingway’s Restaurant
Hemingway’s is a renowned restaurant located at Bay and Bloor that is famous for its beautiful rooftop patio. This restaurant has been a staple in Toronto for almost 40 years and is open 365 days a year.
Hemingway’s is known for its New Zealand pride, and likes to consider itself a home away from home for any New Zealander living in this area, one of the nicest Toronto neighbourhoods.
While Yorkville restaurants are typically all about luxury and refinement, Hemingway’s offers a casual setting to its patrons, so a t-shirt and jeans will be just fine if you’re planning to dine at this institution!
With a menu inspired by the local pubs of New Zealand, Hemingway’s offers traditional bar-fares like nacho, as well as more refined items such as New Zealand lamb shank topped with mint jelly.
Hemingway’s rooftop heated patio in Toronto is both covered and spacious, complete with its own bar!
Whether it’s to attend one of their famous trivia nights or to catch a game of rugby and cricket, Hemmingway’s is one of the best go-to patios this city has to offer.
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