The summer sun has (finally) emerged to blanket Toronto with its comforting rays. With the city’s climbing temperatures, its rooftop patios are in full swing serving up refreshing cocktails and seasonal eats – often with a side of people-watching and stunning views.
From the heart of Entertainment District, to the streets of Yorkville and the ever-changing east end, here are 14 of Toronto’s best rooftop patios.
14 Of Toronto’s Best Rooftop Patios
1.Kost (80 Blue Jays Way)
If you’re looking to dress to impress, drop dollars and to take advantage of some of the city’s best photo ops, hit the Bisha Hotel’s 44th-floor rooftop restaurant and bar, Kost. The star of the show at the sleek spot is an infinity pool that boasts a backdrop of beautiful city views. Foodies appreciate the seasonal fare that’s inspired by California’s Baja Peninsula and features both elevated comfort food and clean-eating options. This see-and-be-seen spot is open for business for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.
2. Baro (485 King St. W)
This year, a taste of Miami arrived on King West with the anticipated opening of Baro’s new rooftop bar. Here you can find Latin-infused classics, BBQ goodness and gourmet grub from a wood-burning grill. If you’re feeling the “out-of-office” vibes, you can enjoy a tropical cocktail that tastes like vacation in a glass, like the Coconut Mojito or the Tromba Margarita. Be warned: this is a hotspot and there are no guarantees that you’ll get in if you show up late in the evening.
3. Broadview Hotel (106 Broadview Ave.)
In the east end, the Broadview Hotel rooftop offers a vibe that caters to a more mature crowd (you’ll find few recent university grads here) with a west-facing backdrop of the photo-worthy city skyline. Whether you pop in for a drink or stay for a meal, a trip to the Broadview Hotel comes with a solid backstory; it was once the site of longtime strip club Jilly’s, and elements of its storied past have been preserved throughout the space, including an original sign on the bustling rooftop.
4. The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen St. W)
West Queen West’s Drake Hotel has been a hotbed for Toronto’s creative set since it opened its doors 15 years ago. On the top of the multi-level venue, you’ll find the breezy, art-filled and sun-soaked Drake Sky Yard. The industrial-chic spot is open year-round and serves up a menu that features everything from sushi, to pasta and cornflake-crusted fried chicken. The eclectic rooftop makes an ideal environment for mingling thanks to its central bar.
5. Gusto101 (101 Portland St.)
For a civilized outdoor meal with friends or a no-fail date night destination of choice, Gusto 101’s airy patio is an oasis from the surrounding Entertainment District chaos. The restaurant has become a staple for Toronto’s in-the-know set when it comes to reliable Italian food – and dollar/ounce wine – since it opened its doors back in 2012. Open for lunch and dinner, the patio gets ample sun during the day and becomes a bustling affair by sundown.
6. Trattoria Nervosa (75 Yorkville Ave.)
Tucked away from Yorkville’s scene and shopping is longtime neighbourhood staple Trattoria Nervosa – located in a charming house – and its quaint, somewhat hidden rooftop patio. At this restaurant, you’ll find lovers of Italian food of all ages enjoying the spot’s thin-crust pizza, home-style pasta dishes and fish. The crowd here is typically stylish and refined, as to blend into the surrounding neighbourhood and its designer shop-lined streets.
7. Lavelle (627 King St. W)
To see, be seen and snap some like-worthy photos, King West’s Lavelle offers a high-energy rooftop that typically caters to the 45-and-under set of fashionable cocktail sippers. Sitting 16 stories above King Street, the stylish spot features a lounge bar, dining room and a cabana-lined outdoor pool, all with unobstructed 360-degree views of the city skyline. Well-known chef Roman Avril serves up modern French fare to complement the flowing summertime cocktails.
8. Kasa Moto (115 Yorkville Ave.)
For elevated Japanese fare and a sleek and sprawling rooftop terrace, hit Yorkville’s Kasa Moto – especially if a (sometimes over-the-top) “scene” is what you’re in the market for. Open for lunch, dinner or cocktails, the expansive tree-lined rooftop is complete with cabanas and offers a breezy oasis for a sun-drenched lunch by day or swanky party by night, facilitated by DJs Wednesday through Saturday nights.
9. Cactus Club Cafe (77 Adelaide St. W)
If you’re looking to clink glasses with fellow young professionals, hit Cactus Club Cafe – located in the heart of Financial District – once the workday ends and head straight for their sprawling rooftop. A large, central bar facilitates interaction with friends and strangers, and the well-rounded menu of healthy(ish) comfort food often means that drinks turn into dinner.
10. The Pilot (22 Cumberland St.)
For a more relaxed vibe to its nearby Yorkville counterparts, longtime watering hole The Pilot – an after-work staple for unpretentious young professionals in the neighbourhood –houses a large rooftop patio, The Flight Deck. Especially appreciated after a few cocktails or pints, the pub-like restaurant serves up diet-breaking-worthy elevated comfort food, like wings, nachos and savoury Asian-inspired appetizers.
11. The Roof at SOCO (75 Lower Simcoe St.)
If you’re looking for a breezy spot for a pre or post game bevy, The Roof at SOCO – which launched summer 2018 – in the Delta Hotel offers a stylish but relaxed vibe to catch up with friends and colleagues over sharable small plates and fun summertime cocktails (including innovative frozen options). The eating, drinking and being merry experience at this bustling spot comes with impressive views of the city core.
12. Terroni Yonge & Price (1095 Yonge St.)
For a family-friendly rooftop that’s complete with views of the city and serves up consistently reliable Italian food, midtown’s Terroni Yonge at Price – the popular Italian chain’s Rosedale outpost – is a no-fail option. On this breezy rooftop terrace, you can enjoy all the pizza, pasta and paninis that have made the Terroni brand a beloved staple in Toronto since 1992.
13. The Gaarden (314 Queen St. W)
A new addition on Toronto’s rooftop patio scene, The Gaarden – located above Cube nightclub – has become a quick go-to for relaxed evening cocktail and beer sipping amidst lush greenery. Offering up tropical cocktails and no shortage of Hoegaarden beer (and other brews too) alongside a modest menu of elevated comfort food that includes fresh-off-the grill offerings, this spot offers an elevated beer hall vibe.
14. The Thompson Rooftop (550 Wellington St. W)
Home to one of the consistently top ranked rooftop pools in the world, theThompson Rooftop sits on the 16th floor of the popular Thompson Hotel and features unparalleled 360-degree views of the Toronto skyline and Lake Ontario. While the Thompson Rooftop makes a stylish spot to cool off, you need to either be a hotel guest, resident or private event attendee to take advantage of the pool. The rooftop lounge, however, is open to the public.
No Comments