Fun in the sun: patios in Vancouver

[grayelf]

Me, I like air conditioning, but Mum just mentioned they are building a patio onto the front of Deacon's Corner (not sure how I feel about sitting outside there but maybe okay since they're only open in the daytime). That got me thinking about restaurants with patios in Vancouver. Here's what I've found so far -- this list would be for finding patios, not necessarily for finding the ultimate chow, 'cause sometimes a sunny table and a beverage are what you're looking for :-). I know I've missed a bunch so please add your thoughts.

Kits/West Side:

Darby's (rooftop patio)

Trattoria Italian Kitchen (more like sidewalk outside eating per twinkie)

The Galley restaurant at Jericho Beach

Kayan (patio with great view of downtown)

Sandbar (rooftop patio under a bridge)

Go Fish (patio seating only)

db Bistro (small patio on the street)

Thomas Haas (both locations have small patios)

Bridges (massive, beautifully set patio)

Yaletown:

Il Nido (outdoor dining area in their courtyard per twinkie)

Brix (nice patio per fmed)

La Terrazza (I can't picture the patio at all, only eaten indoors here)

Blue Water

Yaletown Brew Pub

Downtown:

Milestones on Denman (lovely patio per ck)

Il Giardino (per fmed)

Joe Fortes (rooftop patio)

Transylvanian Traditions (tiny patio is only seating)

Miku (fantastic patio per aussiewonder)

CANADIAN MAPLE GOURMET DELIGHTS (Street-level patio)

Coast

BREAD GARDEN (Street-level patio)

CASSIS BISTRO

DIVA AT THE MET (Street-level patio)

GALLERY CAFE (huge patio)

West End:

the new Adesso must have a patio since L'Altro Buca and Parkside did

The Boathouse at English Bay

TanPopo (rooftop)

The Sylvia Hotel restaurant

Cardero's

Lift

East side:

Burgoo on Main (not the greatest view but it is quite large)

Monk McQueen's

St Augustine's on Commercial

Fets (heated patio with view of downtown)

Crave (little patio in the back)

ALIBI ROOM – Street-level patio

And a shout out to one of the nicest outdoor seatings in the Lower Mainland:

Gudrun in Steveston (great big communal table under a tree)

[peter.v]

Nu has a really big patio over False Creek. Would be a great place to see the sunset perhaps.

[LotusRapper]

A few spots on Main St:

The Main - @ 26 Ave

The Reef - @ 26-1/2 Ave

Cottage Bistro - @ 28-1/2 Ave

The Whip Gallery & Cafe - on 6 Ave 1/2 blk east of Main.

[ck1234]

Just got back from dinner at Cork and Fin where we sat on the patio. Almost everywhere down that way has a patio. Chill Winston, Irish Heather, Steamworks, Old Spaghetti Factory...etc...et al and all were packed to the rafters!

-----
Chill Winston
3 Alexander St, Vancouver, BC V6A1B2, CA

[grayelf]

I was thinking after I posted that there are certain areas where virtually every resto has at least an excuse for a patio. Gastown is definitely one, but then I went up West Broadway to Thomas Haas for a panini and even the little coffee shops have a few tables out on the sidewalk. May have to come up with some sort of rating system for a) the patio itself and b) the food at "outdoor friendly" restos :-).

[yuyu]

how can anyone mention bridges without mentioning sandbar?? gorgeous rooftop patio

[ck1234]

Sandbar is #5 on her list.

[LotusRapper]

Beach House (Dundarave Pier, W Van)

[waver]

Great list! Can anything really beat the Galley? (except maybe Darby's, but that was a long time ago).
I'll just add:
Granville Island (in addition to Bridges and Sandbar):
Cat's Social House
Granville Island Hotel (looked totally lovely today, wonder what the food is like?)

BTW, Ouisi does have a patio in the back and I think some tables out front.

Of course there's the Dunbar and the Cheshire Cheese on Dunbar : )

And Suvai in Kerrisdale (what's the food like there these days, one wonders).

[grayelf]

Thanks for all the additions, keep 'em coming and I'll do a "master list" soon. Then we can decide if we want to add in food rankings or not :-).

I think the Galley has the most impressive view, but I have to say Darby's is a very nice patio to this day. I nearly went up there this afternoon but then it went and got all cloudy. I'm looking forward to trying Chef Rotherham's new menu. I noticed today they're doing some construction on the main floor too...

[ck1234]

I love the view from the patio at the Sylvia hotel. It's a great place for brunch or lunch as far as I'm concerned...I don't even really notice the food, it just feels Vancouverish to me and I have a real soft spot for English Bay.

[grayelf]

Good point, ck -- it is very Vancouver. I still remember the best brunch ever at the old Sylvia resto many moons ago -- a French toast with berries and Brie, still droolworthy after all these years.

[grayelf]

I forgot about the Granville Island Hotel patio which is gorgeous, possibly because the food when I lunched there twice a couple summers ago was meh.

[farman]

Keg - Yaletown (rooftop)
Local Public Eatery - Kits Beach

IIRC, the following all have some hidden patios:
Ouisi Bistro - South Granville
Caffe Barney - South Granville
Kingston Pub - Downtown

-----
The Ouisi Bistro
3014 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6H3J8, CA

Caffe Barney
2975 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6H3J6, CA

[ck1234]

- Original Joes - Broadway @ Cambie
- Habit - Main @ 10th
- Milestones (Hamilton St in Yaletown), haven't been to the one on Denman, nor seen it.
- Cactus Club - Broadway @ Ash

-----
Original Joe's Restaurant & Bar
500 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Z3Y6, CA

[LotusRapper]

Presumably Habit's patio is in the back, then ?

[ck1234]

No, it's right out front...small, like sitting at a bar, but it seats 6 or 8.

[ck1234]

It seats 8. I counted when I walked home today.

[el_lobo_solo]

great list grayelf! Adding:

Chill Winston (Gastown)

Havana (Comm Dr)

Falconetti's (2nd floor patio--Comm Dr)

Stella's (Comm Dr)

this is what LotusRapper was talking about from the Sun: http://www.vancouversun.com/patios+fr...

[LotusRapper]

Thanks ELS. Our list here is already way better than the Vanc. Sun's by a mile !!!

Also, Stella's on Cambie isn't bad. Patio space on Cambie side is a bit cramped, but along the side on 17th is nice and shady ! Wife, LR Jr. and I were about to eat there on Wednesday when it began getting hot. But honestly their menu ain't too toddler-friendly. So we zipped over to Burgoo on Main. Good patio with umbrellas, (very) good and attentive service, LR Jr. got his mac & cheese. It was all good.

[grayelf]

Here's the Vancouver ones we missed from the Sun:

Boathouse (Kits Beach)

C Restaurant

Cincin

Mill Marine Bistro (Coal Harbour view)

[LotusRapper]

You're a machine, GE !! This plus the dim sum carts guide :-D

Vancouver Sun publishes an annual pull-out of patio'd restos. Haven't seen one yet this year. I misplaced my previous copies :-(

I have a few to add:

NEW INDIA (Broadway @ Ash, inside medical building) - medium-sized, north facing patio offering panoramic view of downtown & North Shore mtns

RED ROBIN'S (Broadway/Oak) - large rooftop patio facing N/NE.

EARL'S (Broadway @ Laurel; Broadway @ Fir) - street level patios

BOGART'S CHOPHOUSE & BAR - next door to Earl's at Broadway/Fir

PROVENCE MEDITERRANEAN (W 10th @ Sasamat)
PROVENCE MARINASIDE (Marinaside @ Davie)

LA TERRAZZA (Pacific Blvd @ Cambie)