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patios

Hot Dining: Tasteful Retreat

Clockwise from front: pizza funghi; frittata with goat cheese; and linguini with clams at CinCin. Photo by KK Law

Up a few stairs off Robson, long-running CinCin yields the ideal weekday lunchtime escape on its heated, camellia-adorned covered terrace (also open nightly for dinner), well above the busy street. Regulars go for the fresh daily-made pasta (including gluten-free choices), wood-fired pizza and fresh, local, Ocean Wise seafood, such as rare albacore tuna or grilled sea scallops, well matched with wines from a bountiful cellar.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: Roaming Robson

Herb-crusted halibut with Tuscan beans, jalepeno tomato and Prosecco cream sauce, at Il Nido. Photo by KK Law

Some of Robson Street’s best dining is tucked away, out of sight, as at Il Nido (pictured), a low-key, gently elegant escape in the Manhattan Block courtyard. Franco Felice’s cozy trattoria is known for inventive salads and pastas, house-made gnocchi, authentic mains such as veal saltimbocca, and decadent desserts, perfect for post-show lingering. For good casual fare, to catch the game or hang on the patio, check out Earls on Top, above London Drugs. Or, for happy-hour smoked salmon, and tempura prawn snacks, on the city’s best-concealed roof garden, climb the gracious staircase at landmark Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: The Halifax Pub Experience

The rooftop patio at Your Father's Moustache is a summer hot spot.

•    The Maxwell’s Plum on Grafton Street: Large sidewalk patio, 60+ beers on tap, sports on big-screen TVs, kitchen open until 2am.

•    Your Father’s Moustache on Spring Garden Road: Live music, rooftop patio, daily food specials.

•   The Red Stag Tavern on Lower Water Street: Top-notch fish and chips, rooftop patio, located in the
historic Alexander Keith’s Brewery building.

Hot Dining: Beach Treats

Enjoy drinks on the patio at neighbourhood haunt Local Public Eater. Photo by KK Law

Combine an afternoon at the beach with drinks and a bite at any number of handy haunts. Local Public Eatery (pictured) boasts a bustling patio right across from grassy Kits Beach, while the deck of The Boathouse Restaurant is the perfect spot for a bucket of shrimp and a cold cerveza in the heart of English Bay. Locals make sunset treks to Jericho Beach’s The Galley Patio & Grill to watch the yachts over buffalo burgers and R&B pale ale.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: 5 Secret Patios

The sophisticated patio at Goldfish Pacific Kitchen. Photo by KK Law

1 Joe Fortes The tastefully adorned, plant-filled, rooftop garden sits above busy Robson Street at Thurlow.
2 Goldfish Cozy couches beckon from the back of this Asian-inclined West Coaster.
3 Gotham This discreet alfresco hideaway is mere steps from Pacific Centre.
4 Dockside Granville Island’s “other” brewery offers refreshing, waterside ales.
5 Cardero’s This sun-soaked afternoon escape in Coal Harbour lures with crispy wok squid and sesame-crusted albacore tuna.—Tim Pawsey

Top Sipping Spots

Toronto’s hottest season is in full swing; after so much sightseeing, you’re no doubt in need of refreshment. Pull up a patio chair or stop by a swanky lounge for a sophisticated cocktail, local microbrew and a tempting taste of city life. Click the images below to discover our favourite patios, drinks and more. By Marisa Baratta

Hot Dining: 4 Dazzling Decks

Umincho bowl and ceviche at Lift-Bar-Grill-View. Photo by KK Law

You’re never far from water or mountains in this town. Some decks come with views of both—as well as great food and drinks.

1 Lift Bar-Grill-View This luxurious roof deck overlooks Coal Harbour and Stanley Park.
2 Bridges Granville Island’s gateway to False Creek is one of the city’s most popular waterside haunts.
3 The Boathouse Restaurant Enjoy a bucket of prawns in the epicentre of beach culture at English Bay.
4 The Beach House Linger over maple-soy-marinated sablefish or bouillabaisse as the sun dips behind Vancouver Island.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Dining: Patio Season

The patio at La Bocca. Photo by Toshi Kawano courtesy Tourism BC

Pull up a chair, order an ice-cold bevvy and let the people watching begin.
La Bocca (pictured) offers the perfect perch to enjoy fondue and chilled white wine.
The Brewhouse has plenty of outdoor spots to savour the in-house brewed beer.
Citta’ Bistro serves tasty cocktails and food, all under bright umbrellas.—Jennifer Patterson

20 Things We Love About Whistler

The gorgeous greens of Whistler Golf Club. Photo by John Henebry courtesy Tourism Whistler

1 Stunningly beautiful golf courses: there’s no better place to try for that elusive hole-in-one.
2 Skiing and snowboarding, even in the summer.
3 A leisurely hike through the mountains followed by a ride on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola.
4 Flightseeing. The scenery is even more spectacular when seen from the sky.
5 The bustling Whistler Farmers’ Market, which carries produce fresh from nearby farms.
6 Hearing accents from around the world, from both visitors and locals.
7 The pedestrian-only village.
8 Enjoying a cold beer on a restaurant patio.
9 Enough events and festivals to keep you busy every day.
10 Wandering through the many art galleries.

Hikers walk by the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. Photo by Paul Morrison courtesy Tourism Whistler

11 Friendly locals eager to point a confused visitor in the right direction.
12 Flying through the trees—with the greatest of ease, of course—on a thrilling zipline adventure.
13 A once-in-a-lifetime train trip with Rocky Mountaineer.
14 Dining on award-winning cuisine at Araxi.
15 Guided bear tours with local bear researcher Michael Allen.
16 Discovering the rich heritage of the local First Nations at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.
17 Gorgeous views. Whichever direction you turn, it looks like a postcard.
18 Buying fresh waffle cones overflowing with giant scoops of ice cream from Cows Whistler.
19 Shakin’ your groove thang at local nightclubs.
20 Anything and everything outdoors, from kayaking to fishing to mountain biking.

Hot Dining: Patio Season

George's courtyard patio

When warm weather finally arrives, Torontonians find lots of reasons to stay outside. Alfresco dining is chief among them, and many of the city’s top restaurants happily oblige. The private courtyard at George fills up at lunchtime as eager eaters enjoy the fresh offerings of lauded chef Lorenzo Loseto. Fuzion Resto-Lounge & Garden also has an outdoor urban oasis, with shade and ambience provided by palm fronds and tropical flowers. Or head to Yorkville’s One, where a large street-level patio means you can combine people watching with your fine dining.