While people watching on patios lining traffic-filled streets is of plenty joy while basking away in the summer sun, sometimes it’s the back seat that’s best in house. There’s an abundance of back patios in Toronto where we can find a moment of respite amidst the hustle and bustle of the petulant city. Needless to say, narrowing down the top tier was a chore…
The Harbord Room
An urban mix of rural familiarity, The Harbord Room’s outdoor space is resplendently refined. Sip on a summer cocktail while a fanciful feast explodes on your palate, all the while breathing in the humid air that defines a Toronto summer. I hear the lyrics from a One Republic song starting to chime in…
George Restaurant
Classy, classy. George’s back patio occupies that fine line between hidden oasis and prime real estate. It’s central, but it’s still a fairly well-kept secret – at least amidst the younger crowd. Here’s where you can indulge yourself in the luxe life, portraying a personage of privileged pedigree.
Union
The back patio is simply an upsell at this Ossington restaurant. Union’s French bistro inspired fare will keep you locked in place for hours on end. That you can enjoy their subtle sustenance while enveloped in the summer breeze is merely la pièce de résistance at a restaurant where everything is la pièce de résistance.
Auberge du Pommier
Likely the best patio north of… well… just north, Auberge du Pommier’s back patio is a utopian union of garden and grace. Oft forgotten by discerning downtowners, this vivid space evokes vision of the French countryside. (I’m talking Provence, not Charlevoix.)
Kitch
Surprisingly serene, Kitch’s picnic bench-filled back patio is anything but par for the course. A gem unbeknownst to most, this sophisticated take on the cottage-in-the-city back of building is understated in its charm. There’s a sleekness to the minimal decor; an evocation of darkened romance.
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