The Best Summer Patios in Edmonton
When the temperature begins to rise, Edmontonians know it's the beginning of another epic patio-season in the city. We know there's a lot of great options out there to choose from, and it can be hard to choose among the best of the best. So, we have compiled a list of some of our favorites (you can thank us later!). These restaurants, bars and gastropubs listed below are just some of Edmonton's best spots to dine, so grab some friends or treat yourself to a solo trip to a magical summer evening of pints and pretzel bites (or whichever appetizer your heart desires).
Edmonton Explored: Best Summer Patios
Let local DJ and entrepreneur, Joses Martin, show you some of the city's best spots to chow down under the open sky!
Keep it Downtown
Campio Brewing Co.
Campio offers distinctive beers and cocktails appealing to both the regular brewery-goer and the more adventurous. In the summer, their massive family and dog-friendly patio is the spot. If you're looking for a true beer garden, look no further!
Must Try: The PB & J (pineapple beer with jalapeno hefeweizen)
Fairmont Hotel Macdonald
The North Saskatchewan River Valley is the crown jewel of Alberta’s capital – and the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald has front row seats. Grab a cocktail and take in everything from the Muttart Conservatory’s pyramids piercing the skyline, to the Segway riders cruising through the trails just down below.
Must Try: The Mac’s Sensational Iced Tea
Riverside Bistro at the Courtyard by Marriott
The Courtyard by Marriott is neighbours with Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, and you know what that means – awesome views! The Riverside Bistro is the perfect place to watch all the bikers, rollerbladers (wait, do people still rollerblade?), and joggers.
Must Try: Classic Margarita
Craft Beer Market
Craft has an unbelievable rooftop patio. They’ve definitely changed the patio game: welcome to the most popular spot in downtown Edmonton. Go on, kick your feet up, and pick a pint from Canada’s largest selection of draft beer.
Must Try: one of the local beers on tap.
Sherlock Holmes Pub
It’s no mystery, Sherlock Holmes Pub has a patio seat and a cold beer with your name on it. This classically British food joint joins Craft Beer Market and Dalla Tavola Zenari on Rice Howard Way. It's known as a great spot to get bangers and mash pit on your downtown weekend patio hop.
Must Try: Fish and Chips
Central Social Hall
Central Social Hall has the perfect patio for sipping ice-cold drinks with your pals. This spot has also undergone some major renovations recently, and now holds two good sized patios. Both are well sheltered and have umbrellas-a-plenty—perfect for those lazy summer days.
Must Try: The London Cocktail
Rocky Mountain Ice House
Perfectly situated in the heart of downtown is Rocky Mountain Ice House. It's one of the best spots to stop for a beverage after a morning of outdoor shopping along 104th Street. The city literally goes out of its way to make sure patios like this one expand in the summer, adding an extended boardwalk out into the street.
Must Try: The Jasper Ave. Cocktail
The Canadian Icehouse
Welcome to the largest rooftop patio in Canada! With amazing views of the ICE District and the downtown core, The Canadian Icehouse is a spot you need to check out this summer. They've also partnered with Banquet to deliver a "Best of" Patio Menu for the season.
Must Try: Scratch-Made Pizza by The Banquet
Venture to Whyte Avenue
Black Dog
Overlooking Whyte Avenue, the garden patio atop Black Dog is a casual place to hang with your closest pals. The aptly named Wooftop patio (get it?) is a local favourite and a great place to enjoy a brew on a sizzling summer day.
Must Try: pretty well any beer should do it.
The Next Act, MEAT & Pip
These three sister patios are highly sought after on a sunny day and sit right next door to each other. From Next Act's legendary burgers to MEAT's brisket to Pip's ultra-cool cocktails - these spots make it on every local's top go-to spots for affordable and delicious meals.
Must Try: The Critic Burger from The Next Act. It's the best burger in Edmonton.
Julio’s Barrio
Right in the heart of Old Strathcona, you can sit street-side while gulping down your favourite Bulldog (if you haven’t tried one, you’re missing out). So turn that frown… and Corona upside-down and snag a prime spot to take in Whyte Ave at Julio's Barrio.
Must Try: The “Dog”tor Pepper Bulldog
Spotlight Cabaret
Spotlight Cabaret is a restaurant, bar, rooftop patio, and live venue that showcases dinner theatre, burlesque, drag, improv, comedy and live music. Take in the unforgettable “roaring twenties” themed atmosphere, while soaking up the sun on the spacious rooftop patio.
Must Try: dinner and a show!
El Cortez
What’s better than a patio? Two patios, that’s what. El Cortez has a backyard fit for a Mexican fiesta on the ground level, equipped with funky, bright patterned cushions and jugs of Sangria aplenty. Chase the blues away on Margarita Monday’s while you people watch on the front patio.
Must Try: Churros with Warm Caramel Sauce & views of the vibrant Okuda mural.
MKT
MKT has an enormous patio so you can really soak up the sun. With dozens of beers on tap (60 to be exact) and even more in bottles (also 60), MKT is a beer and patio lover’s paradise. It’s in a pretty handy location too, right in the heart of Old Strathcona with plenty of parking.
Must Try: Dragon’s Breath Mojito
Pals Sandwiches
Pals boasts a dozen unique and delicious sandwiches along with a dialed-in menu of beer, wine, and cocktails! They also have a great sized summer patio, perfect for chowing down.
Must Try: Focaccia Chicken Club
Explore These Other Areas
La Petite Iza
Located on Eleanor & Laurent's uppermost floor, the patio at La Petite Iza is nothing short of spectacular. Picturesque views of the city skyline pair perfectly with the high-end cuisine. This fine dining experience will leave your heart and your belly full!
Must-Try: Parisian Gnocci and Spring Vegetables
Sugarbowl
A local favourite, the Sugarbowl has over 70 years of experience wooing people with cocktails and delicious snacks. The restaurant is a favourite hangout for University of Alberta students—it is just around the corner after all! This charming neighbourhood restaurant has an assortment of beer that will blow your mind! With over 100 different global beers to taste, you'll keep coming back for more, and more and more!
Must Try: The Cinnamon Buns (get ‘em early before they’re gone!)
Little Brick
Want a super relaxing atmosphere off the beaten path? Then Little Brick is the spot for you. This historic home-turned-cafe has a roomy patio in its backyard and sandwiches that are to die for. Pair your grub with a local beer or frothy cappuccino and the livin' is easy.
Must Try: Breakfast Sandwich
Bodega Highlands
Hit the Highlands this summer and you’ll be as hooked as we are on all things Bodega. Tapas are all about sharing, so we want to give you the gift of knowing that there is perfect sangria waiting for you in the quiet, tree-lined streets of the Highlands.
Must Try: Piri Piri Prawns
Café Bicyclette
Do you speak French? No? Okay. Do you like French food though? Good, because that’s all you need to enjoy Café Bicyclette. Situated in the French Quarter and specializing in French-country fare (with a twist), Café Bicyclette is a pretty awesome place to visit on a bike ride. During the summer months, you can also take in some local music every Thursday during the Servus Patio Series. Bonus: they even keep their patio open during the winter!
Must Try: The Jardin Bicyclette
Biera
Nestled in a residential area just south of Whyte Avenue, this hip gastropub has the perfect summer patio. With string lights that sparkle in the night and a cozy atmosphere, Biera is a great place to hang with friends. Share a few dishes, and taste the brews made in-house by Blind Enthusiasm Brewing.
Must Try: Sunflower Seed & Rye Risotto
The Glass Monkey
The Glass Monkey delivers a diverse internationally-inspired and locally sourced menu featuring small plates and full meals. This comfortable, modern, casual restaurant includes a long curving ten seat bar. Sip on enomatic wine and fresh signature cocktails in a perfectly tucked away patio.
Must Try: Handmade Pappardelle with Braised Pork & Wild Mushrooms
