Patios in Mississauga, Halton and Niagara make list of best 100 outdoor dining spots

With the warm weather upon us and the wasps yet to occupy every inch of patio airspace, many residents are deciding where to enjoy brunch, lunch, or dinner alfresco.

Restaurants in Mississauga, Halton, and Niagara are top contenders. 

Recently, restaurant reservation platform OpenTable released its annual list of Canada’s Top 100 Restaurants for Outdoor Dining. The 2024 list was compiled by OpenTable staff, who analyzed more than 1.1 million reviews and other metrics such as ratings and the percentage of restos where outdoor dining was selected as a special feature. 

“There is no temperature too cold to deter Canadians from dining outdoors amongst views and fresh air, with several cities, including Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg, seating diners outdoors as early as January 1,” Matt Davis, country director for Canada, said in a statement. 

“From patios to rooftops, our list of Top 100 Restaurants for Outdoor Dining has an alfresco dining setting for all, including Amsterdam Brewhouse and Restaurant’s patio looking over the Toronto waterfront to the Rockies towering above Bridgette Bar in Canmore.”  

Here’s a look at the local hotspots that made the list:

Mississauga

Posta Italbar Cucino

This south Mississauga restaurant, which opened on the waterfront a few years ago, is known for more than just its unique view of the Port Credit Marina. Spacious and modern, the Lakeshore Road resto offers an extensive wine and cocktail list (not to mention a few sangria options) and a range of pasta and pizza dishes. Posta, the sister restaurant of Little Italy staple Cafe Diplomatico, also offers a flaming parmesan wheel that guests can request ahead of time. 

Oakville

Harpers Landing

Located on Cornwall Road (not far from the GO station), Harpers Landing boasts a popular three-season covered patio that provides the spacious eatery with additional seating. A popular spot for diners of all ages, the resto is also known for its floor-to-ceiling windows, comfy booths, new bar and varied menu that features a charcuterie board, fish tacos, truffle mushroom risotto and more. 

Verace Restaurant

Located on Lakeshore Road East, Verace Restaurant says it serves “Oakville’s best Neopolitan pizza” and that its pies–made in a wood-burning oven from Naples–are verified by the Vera Pizza Napoletana Association. While its street-facing patio propelled it onto the list, the restaurant is also known for its pizza (of course), branzino, grilled seafood platter, pasta dishes and more. ​

Burlington

Burro

Located on Brant Street, Burro is described as a “lively taco joint that is just as much about fun as it is food.” Open late, the restaurant offers outdoor seating (of course), a ton of custom craft cocktails and tacos filled with everything from fish and spicy Brussels sprouts to summer corn and spicy beef cheek. 

Downtown Bistro and Grill

Located in the Elizabeth and James Street area, this restaurant offers diners views of Burlington’s bustling downtown core on a patio that’s open from spring until the fall. Aside from great views and options for private parties (including small weddings), the restaurant is also known for its fresh seafood and pasta. 

Spencer’s at the Waterfront

Probably one of the best-known waterfront patios in the GTA, Spencer’s at the Waterfront has become a go-to for people looking to pair their food with a view of Lake Ontario. Located in Burlington’s downtown core, the resto boasts a glass-walled dining room, a large patio and a menu that offers a seafood tower, dry-aged craft cut steaks and seasonal produce. 

The North Coal

Located on Elizabeth Street, this downtown Burlington restaurant does something a little different–make diners in the city feel like they’re enjoying casual Canadian fare up north in cottage country. Inspired by a literal fireside chat, the menu features tacos, blackened chicken, steak frites, St. Lawrence salmon and more. 

Niagara

335 on the Ridge

Located in Niagara Falls, this casual dining spot offers two outdoor patios where patrons can take in the sights and sounds of one of Canada’s best-known tourist hotspots. In addition to outdoor seating, the restaurant also offers an outdoor bar and lounge. According to the restaurant, the menu consists of farm-to-table dishes made from scratch with organic ingredients. 

Bricks and Barley

This restaurant, located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, is family-friendly and well-known for its year-round covered patio that keeps diners toasty while they eat. The wine country resto offers an entire gluten-free menu, local craft beers and wines. 

Lake House Restaurant

People driving to or from the Niagara region on the QEW won’t miss this long-standing restaurant. Located in Vineland, this waterfront eatery is about as close to the water as you can get, and diners on the patio and in the dining room are treated to views of Lake Ontario. The restaurant offers European Mediterranean cuisine, including thin-crust pizza, pasta, risotto, pecan-crusted salmon, seafood paella and more. 

The Good Earth Food and Wine Co. 

OpenTable said patios located near water and in wineries and breweries proved popular this year, and The Good Earth Food and Wine Co. is no exception. Located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the restaurant–which boasts a patio with views of the vineyards–offers cherry tomato gazpacho, tuna ceviche, tempura asparagus, Iberico pluma pork, miso roasted sablefish, ricotta gnocchi and more. 

The Winery Restaurant at Peller Estates

This Niagara-on-the-Lake restaurant is located in one of the region’s best-known wineries and boasts ample outdoor seating with a view of the vineyards. According to a description on OpenTable, the kitchen is helmed by executive chef and CityLine personality Jason Parsons, who curates seasonal menus that utilize local ingredients. 

Tiara Restaurant – Queen’s Landing Hotel

Tiara Restaurant, located inside NOTL’s Queen’s Landing Hotel, offers outdoor seating, allowing diners to enjoy Niagara River views. The resto serves Ocean Wise-certified seafood, grilled meats, local produce, local wines and craft cocktails and ales. Tiara also serves brunch on Sundays, as well as pre-and post-theatre dining. 

Treadwell Cuisine

Located right in NOTL’s downtown core, Treadwell’s enclosed and heated patio offers views of the quaint shops and colourful planters that line the town’s picturesque main street. A popular farm-to-table hotspot, the restaurant offers brunch and a four-course prix fixe dinner menu that incorporates local and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant also offers an a la carte lunch menu that features Chardonnay-steamed PEI mussels, pasta, lamb shank, a lobster club sandwich and more. 

Vineland Estates Winery Restaurant

This sophisticated restaurant with a distinctly European look and feel offers diners views of both the beautiful buildings and the sprawling vineyards. The restaurant, which has made the pages of Toronto Life and Gourmet Magazine, offers artisanal cheese, lobster rolls, beef carpaccio, Lake Erie pickerel, duck leg confit and more. 

Zees Grill

Zees Grill, located in the Shaw Club in NOTL, is right across the street from the Shaw Festival Theatre and boasts the largest patio in the area. Known for offering “comforting classics,” the menu features freshly baked bread, charcuterie, rosemary lamb shank, shrimp and scallop risotto, almond-crusted arctic char and more. 

Uxbridge

Urban Pantry

Urban Pantry, which describes itself as a contemporary farm-to-table restaurant, serves brunch on Sundays. Offering both indoor and outdoor seating, the menu features parmesan rinds, Shanghai rolls, a sushi bake, steak frites, butter chicken, a wagyu burger and more.