Ava GabouryLet me let you in on a secret. I used to be a nonbeliever in al fresco dining. I appreciated a restaurant with great outdoor seating, especially if I can snap a picture or two, but actually sitting down to eat out in the open air with all the noise? No thanks.
That’s until my friends took me to my first rooftop bar with a patio dining option, and wow. I’ve been missing out on just the sheer ambiance and view you get. I didn’t have to worry about being too loud with friends, and it was just so calming!
After that, I couldn’t get enough of it. Luckily, there are tons of dining patios in Vancouver, especially with all the restaurants here!
Among the dozens of places I got my friends to tag along with me to, we’ve rounded up some of our favorites for you to try.
How much does it cost to reserve a table at a dining patio in Vancouver?
Reserving a seat at a dining patio in Vancouver can cost you anywhere from $15 to $50 per head, depending on the time you’ll be coming in and how many are in your group.
1. Brix and Mortar
Address: 1137 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6M5
Contact Details: +1 604 915 9463, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Closed on Monday
Brix and Mortar carries a name that hints at craftsmanship and structure, but what awaits inside is a refined dining experience that feels both polished and inviting. From the moment we arrived, it was clear this was a space designed with intention, blending sophistication with warmth.
The restaurant was already welcoming when we swung by, with two outdoor patios and ample indoor space that felt airy yet intimate. The menu was refreshingly easy to navigate, showcasing modern Canadian favourites alongside a well-balanced selection of meat, fish, and vegetable-forward dishes.
It was their Happy Hour menu that truly caught our attention, especially the daily poutine and tartar feature. A quick chat with a couple of guests revealed that these offerings rotate seasonally, giving regulars something new to look forward to throughout the year.
The dining space itself was well maintained and thoughtfully laid out, making it easy to move through without feeling crowded. Covered patios also make it a versatile choice when the weather is unpredictable, and we can easily see the appeal for private events or weddings.
That said, parking proved to be slightly challenging during our visit. Arriving a little earlier than planned would likely make for a smoother start to the evening.
While we noticed a handful of vegetarian options on the menu, we were told that fully vegan choices are somewhat limited. It’s worth checking with your server about ingredients and modifications to ensure the dish suits your preferences.
Food is very nice
“The waitress is super nice. She recommended a Meyer Family Vineyards Pinot Noir, which is really, really good, and the food is very nice. The chicken liver parfait is good, and the Pork T-bone is exceptional!! I have never tried a pork chop with that level of juiciness, tenderness, and flavor. Wonderful dining experience.”
– Stacy Chan, Google Review
The overall ambiance was great
“We came here last month to celebrate our anniversary. We had reserved a table in the courtyard. The overall ambiance was great, and the service was excellent, with very thoughtful recommendations on what to order.”
– Mr. Paul Chen, Google Review
2. Cardero’s Restaurant
Address: 1583 Coal Harbour Quay, Vancouver, BC V6G 3J7
Contact Details: +1 604 669 7666, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM
If you’ve ever been in the mood for seafood in Vancouver, there’s a chance you’ve already heard about Cardero’s Restaurant. This spot landed on our radar after seafood-loving locals mentioned the great view of Coal Harbor, so how could we resist?
The promised view didn’t disappoint. There’s nothing more reassuring than a seafood restaurant with a seaside view, and seeing all the docked boats at Coal Harbour just out the window is a delight.
The view goes hand in hand with their range of seafood dishes, which we were pleased to see didn’t lack in options. Our appetizers included mussels and prawns, while we got to see others dine on salmon, sablefish, and even lingcod!
We also appreciated the attentiveness of the service. The staff were always available for refills and to take additional orders. They were also transparent about charges, so you likely won’t end up with any additional charges on your bill!
That being said, it took a while to even get us seated in the first place, both for booking and during our actual visit. Other regulars we got to chat with mentioned the difficulties of reserving patio seats, especially given the restaurant’s popularity.
We’d definitely recommend either arriving early or packing something to pass the time while waiting. It might take a while before you’re shown to your table.
Beautiful views and even better food
“Had lunch on their heated patio. Beautiful views and even better food! We started with the mussels, butter shrimp, and calamari, and all were excellent. The sizzling shrimp was packed with flavour, and the crispy calamari with sautéed onions was so good.”
– Ms. Thisa Pak, Google Review
The patio was warm and cozy
“I was so comfortable dining alone. The patio was warm and cozy. The wait staff were very attentive. The no-alcohol beverage I had was excellent. The mussels were beautiful and plump, and that sauce is out of this world. I took a dessert to go.”
– Ms. Andrea Ouellette, Google Review
3. Lift Bar Grill View
Address: 333 Menchions Mews, Vancouver, BC V6G 3H2
Contact Details: +1 604 689 5438, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM, Saturday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
It’s rooftop bars that got me to fall in love with al fresco dining in the first place, and the Lift Bar Grill View is one that Downtown Vancouverites swear by. With that kind of reception, our group couldn’t resist dropping by to see the fuss for ourselves.
The first thing we noticed was just how easy it was to reach the restaurant. There was ample parking space too, not to mention all for free. We find this comes really handy for big groups, which we definitely were at the time.
Their menu seemed to lean into their seaside location, with plenty of seafood and meat options. Our group couldn’t resist the poke tuna tartare bowl, and we were pleased to hear that they offered vegan substitutions for some of their entrees as well.
Since we came there for the patio dining, we got to see how wide their patio area was. They had more than enough seating, and the staff even let us know which tables were pet-friendly! No need to leave your fur baby out with a sitter.
That said, we’d still advise calling ahead to check seat availability. A few customers we got to chat with while we were there mentioned that even requested seating couldn’t be guaranteed, and we’d hate for others to lose out on the view.
We do also have to note that their food doesn’t come cheap, especially if you’re getting specials like their three-course menus and Sunday offers. We’d keep this place as a nice treat to go to once in a while.
The location and the view is amazing
“So far the best restaurant I have tried in Vancouver. The location and the view is amazing, specially if you sit in the patio terrace to enjoy its unique the ocean and Stanley Park view. I ordered Steak and eggs, which tasted really good.”
– Mr. Tannaz Taheri, Google Review
Enjoyed the weather and view while dining
“Nice patio, service, food and parking. Enjoyed the weather and view while dining on the patio. We started off with the burrata and signature salad. For our mains we had the croque madame, eggs benny and burger. All were good.”
– Mr. Percy Cheung, Google Review
4. Dockside Restaurant
Address: 1253 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R8
Contact Details: +1 604 685 7070, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM, Friday to Saturday: 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM
Well, the name doesn’t get any clearer than this. What pointed us to this spot were fellow travelers heading for Granville Island, especially since the restaurant itself was located in the Granville Island Boutique Hotel.
We aren’t going to lie, the menus were intimidating at first glance, and we do mean plural. Aside from the standard breakfast and dinner menus, they also had specific rotating menus for Happy Hour, weekend brunch, and other events!
Still, once we were seated with some shrimp gyoza and beef kofta as our appetizers, we got to really experience their service. The food arrived on time, so we were glad we came hungry!
The staff was also very accommodating of customer requests, whether that be for food sensitivities or seating. Another group we got to chat with needed extra cushions, and the staff was more than happy to bring them out.
On the other hand, we noticed that offerings for certain hours and events, such as Happy Hour, could be limited compared to their regular menus. This could limit your choices if you arrive when they’re not serving the regular offerings.
We also noticed that they offered fixed courses and tasting menus. These were noticeably pricier than some of their other offerings, though, so we’d advise saving a tasting for a special day!
We were able to eat outside right along the boats
“Jason took care of our 4 person group with such care and professionalism. One of our group had recent back surgery and Jason made sure she had all the pillows she needed. We were able to eat outside right along the boats and False Creek.”
– Ms. Veronica Douglas, Google Review
Really great dinner on the patio
“We went to Dockside after a really long time with my wife and all her cousins and a really great dinner on the patio. The server was quick to accomodate us after someone cancelled their reservation last minute.”
– Mr. Mohammad Qaiser, Google Review
5. Glowbal
Address: 590 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1A3
Contact Details: +1 604 602 0835, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 10:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Now this was a lucky find for us! Glowbal got its popularity among Vancouverites for its dining patio, and it wasn’t hard to see why. Just seeing this restaurant from the outside as we passed by enticed us enough to step inside!
The offerings inside didn’t disappoint. Glowbal offered fare from all around the globe, so their menu had staples from various cuisines. Some of us were happy to stick with classic Angus Beef burgers, while some leapt for the Japanese karaage sandwiches!
There was no shortage of vegan options on the menu as well, so folks with dietary preferences and sensitivities aren’t left out! A few we got to try ourselves included chickpea panisse and vegan bibimbap.
Surprisingly, for a dining patio restaurant, there were a number of private dining options available too! We ate out on the patio in these birdcage-like booths, but there were private rooms inside for events and groups who prefer to eat with company only.
We noticed a long wait to receive the bill once we were done eating, and we can see how this might be inconvenient if you’ve got plans to catch afterwards. We did get to chat wth a few customers around in the meantime.
One last word of advice some of these customers had for us was to try to reserve way in advance! The restaurant’s popularity reportedly made it very hard to just walk in or even to request specific tables.
Made my birthday extremely memorable and special
“Ben made my birthday extremely memorable and special. He was so attentive and kind. He was able to get us into the bird cage on the patio and it was so beautiful! Food was great and the drinks were so pretty!”
– Ms. Christina B., Google Review
Really beautiful patio and excellent service
“Was on my way to a pizza place when I walked by this place. It didn’t look like it would have vegan options but it had one! Really beautiful patio and excellent service by Kevin W! And incredibly affordable. I had a nice time looking out the window.”
– Ms. Amber Zertuche, Google Review
