Toronto’s best waterfront patios (MAP)

Waterfront patios in Toronto are somewhat scarce, which makes any opportunity to sit upon all the more special.

Here’s where to live large lakeside this summer in Toronto.

Against the Grain

A post shared by Against the Grain Corus Quay (@againstgrainto) on Apr 23, 2017 at 1:10pm PDT

At Corus Quay (AKA Sugar Beach), this pubby patio offers a serene escape on the waterfront. Rotating taps pouring craft brews and a menu featuring salads, brick oven pizzas, and burgers are all easy to like.

Address: 25 Dockside Drive, Toronto
Phone: 647-344-1562

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Amsterdam Brewhouse

Beers, Muskoka chairs, and a pristine view of the harbour… this lakeside brewhouse has it all. Settle in for a little R&R with a 3 Speed in hand.

Address: 245 Queens Quay, Toronto
Phone: 416-504-1020

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Boxcar Social

A post shared by Mehrad (@mehradahari) on Oct 7, 2016 at 5:30am PDT

One of Toronto’s best cafe patios, the third outpost from Boxcar Social is an ideal destination for sipping quality coffee, wine, craft beer or whiskey at anytime of day or night.

Address: 235 Queen’s Quay West, Toronto
Phone: 416-203-2999

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Cabana Pool Bar

Bottle service and bikinis are the big draws at this poolside patio. This place is in perpetual party mode and fueled by top shelf spirits and spiked slushies.

Address: 11 Polson Street, Toronto
Phone: 416-479-7645

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Carters Landing

Enjoy the breeze off the lake and front row to the volleyball courts at this beachside patio. On the menu, buckets (and even growlers) of beer, pitchers of sangria, and other essential patio fare including burgers, mussels, and s’mores pie.

Address: 1681 Lake Shore Boulevard East, Toronto
Phone: 416-698-3456

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Dogfish Pub & Eatery

A post shared by DogFish Pub&Eatery (@dogfishpub) on Apr 16, 2017 at 8:20am PDT

Cold beer, laidback vibes, and convivial service make this pub (housed inside the marina), the perfect place to wind down after a day on the water or at the beach. Did I mention the patio is literally ON the water?

Address: 7 Brimley Road South, Toronto
Phone: 416-264-2337

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Eden Trattoria

Italian tapas by the lake! In the summer months, the main attraction at this Humber Bay Shores restaurant isn’t the wine, the pasta, or the pizza (though they’re certainly worthwhile too)… it’s the lakefront patio with its unmtched view.

Address: 58 Marine Parade Drive, Toronto
Phone: 416-255-5588

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Firkin on the Bay

This Firkin outpost is a gem from the chain of local public houses. Being positioned right on the water makes it a popular destination for Etobicoke patio-goers looking to soak in some sun with a tiny Toronto skyline on the horizon.

Address: 68 Marine Parade Drive, Unit 13-17, Toronto
Phone: 647-748-8877

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The Goodman Pub

A post shared by Stephen Chiu (@chiuforthought) on Jul 18, 2017 at 6:05pm PDT

Toronto’s newest waterfront patio is this beauty boasting panoramic views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto Islands. To help keep cool; two dozen beers on tap, plus a menu spanning brunch to dinner featuring standouts like smashed avo toast and lobster rolls.

Address: 207 Queens Quay West, Toronto
Phone: 647-341-2337

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The Keating Channel

A one-of-a-kind public house in Toronto’s Port Lands, this 275 patio couldn’t really be any closer to the water. The menu of pub grub, beers, and coolers, is nothing to write home about but it doesn’t matter; the real reason to come here is the view.

Address: 2 Villiers Street, Toronto
Phone: 416-572-0030

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The Rectory Café

A five-minute walk from Ward’s Island Ferry terminal, the patio here offers an excellent alternative to packing (and lugging) your own picnic provisions. Best of all is the view overlooking Lake Ontario.

Address: 102 Lakeshore Ave, Ward’s Island, Toronto
Phone: 416-203-2152

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The Slip

The seasonal restaurant on Toronto waterfront opens for the 2017 season on May 19. The lakeside patio boasts 250 seats where the bar stocks cold beers, ciders, cocktails, and wine and the kitchen slings pulled pork sandwiches, burgers, and ribs.

Address: 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto

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Sunnyside Pavilion Café

A little oasis along the boardwalk, this beachside cafe offers a welcome respite for the hungry and dehydrated. Here you can sip on pints of beer and snack on lobster tacos while waiting for your beach towel to dry.

Address: 1755 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto
Phone: 416-531-2233

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See also

• 10 of Toronto’s best brewpub patios (MAP)
• 12 amazing Toronto patios you probably don’t know about
• 12 of Toronto’s best cafe patios to check out this summer
• Toronto’s best patios for brunch to hit this summer (MAP)