Like castaways freshly rescued from a desolate island, Vancouverites emerge from the wet chill of winter with an unmatched zeal for summertime sunshine. Patio season may be short in this city, but what it lacks in longevity it more than makes up for in quality and inspiration. Here are some spectacular (and some lesser known) Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»patios that will help you extract the most from your summer dining season. —Chris DagenaisÌý
The elegant courtyard at Yaletown’s Brix & Mortar is a true urban treasure and a nod to the hidden alcoves and alleyways of storied European dining cities. The ivy-walled courtyard, with its moody lighting and smattering of tables, is nestled off the bustle of Homer Street just far enough to feel like you’ve escaped the frenetic pace of city life, but with all the refinement of a top-tier Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»restaurant. 1138 Homer Street.
The sprawling, seaside patio at Ancora is one of the best spots to take in Vancouver’s Pacific Coast summer vibe. Spanning an impressive section of the Seawall path at the southern extreme of Howe Street, Ancora’s patio is an unparalleled place to eat freshly caught seafood (including treats from the Raw Bar), sip chilled sparkling, and watch the hypnotic traffic from the False Creek Yacht Club or Granville Island right across the way. 1600 Howe Street.
Rosewood Hotel Georgia’s fourth floor venue, Reflections: The Garden Terrace is, mysteriously, still one of the best kept secrets in the city. The fabulous outdoor terrace is situated in the hotel’s inner courtyard and puts visitors squarely in a tree-studded, sunshine-bathed oasis. Cocktails and tapas style fare help to while the hours away well past sundown. 801 West Georgia Street.
One of Vancouver’s most enduring hotspots, the Belgian-themed Chambar, boasts not only one of our city’s greatest wine and cocktail programs, but also one its very best patios. Chambar’s tree and planter-shrouded patio is tucked just off a gritty, lively length of Beatty Street along a quiet pedestrian walkway that provides an undeniably Old World charm, along with the restaurant’s brick accents and the shade of its white umbrellas. 568 Beatty Street.
Finally, the serene shoreline of Deep Cove’s aptly-named Panorama Park provides the backdrop for Arm’s Reach Bistro’s welcoming, sheltered patio. An insider’s favourite venue for seasonal West Coast menus and a thoughtfully curated, food-focussed wine list, the Arm’s Reach patio feels like at oasis at the end of the world. Also, you never know who you might spot as Deep Cove has become something of a celebrity retreat for film stars enamored with Hollywood North. 4390 Gallant Ave., North Vancouver.
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