Looking for a place to eat or drink outside this summer? These sure-to-please patios are great spots to plant yourself on a sunny afternoon
The über-stylish interior at Alloy belies its industrial location. Its contemporary decor — complete with white cinder blocks and cherry blossoms — continue outdoors onto an enclosed patio where you can sip in a Zen-like environment, alongside rock gardens and a trickling waterfall. (220 42 Ave. S.E., alloydining.com)
Bite has a street-level patio and café where you can take a load off with custom fruit juices, birch beer and affogato (vanilla gelato topped with a shot of hot espresso) and its French-influenced café menu (think charcuterie baskets and house-made beef short rib pate). (1212 9 Ave. S.E., bitegroceteria.com)
Walking from the street, through Bonterra, to one of the most charming patios in town is like being sucked through a wormhole into a rustic Tuscan trattoria — complete with grape-bearing vines, a fireplace and none of bustling noise of the Beltline. (1016 8 St. S.W., bonterra.ca)
Central Memorial Park has undergone a makeover with new fountains and flowers. Enjoy the view from the patio at the Boxwood, on the west side of the park. The fine folks at River Café, which own the Boxwood, have also transferred their food philosophy to its kitchen, so you know it’ll be good. (340 13 Ave. S.W. boxwoodcafe.ca)
Across from the melee at Melrose is the comfortable, ever-faithful street-level patio at Brava. The approachable bistro menu and reasonable prices make it easy to eat well and people-watch over mussels and frites without stressing over the bill. (723 17 Ave. S.W., bravabistro.com)
The rooftop patio at Broken City is as hot and rowdy as the live bands below — packed on summer weekends with a diverse, multi-generational indie-rock crowd. It’s boisterous with a walk-up bar and plexiglass barrier overlooking 11th Avenue. (613 11 Ave. S.W., brokencity.ca)
The tranquil, 50-seat enclosed patio behind Cilantro will make you forget you’re anywhere near 17th Avenue as you peruse the extensive wine list surrounded by Virginia creepers and trees adorned with sparkling white lights. (338 17 Ave. S.W., crmr.com/cilantro)
Calgary’s historic Stanley House has a small, casual patio out front where you can sit and share a warm fondue for two (or, if you’re not in a skewering/dipping mood, there’s always the poutine menu). (1111 7 St. S.W., laurierlounge.com)
Crowds of flirty revelers create the ambiance on — and off — the patio at Melrose, where you can saddle right up to the street to watch passersby. (730 17 Ave. S.W., melrosecalgary.com)
During our fleeting summer months, the Palomino opens up a patio out back. It’s more of an inner-city courtyard, really, with high cement walls, but at least you can get some sun while listening to live music and chowing down a rack of ribs. (109 7 Ave. S.W., thepalomino.ca)
This is as close as you’ll get to an L.A. experience in Calgary. Full service from the Raw Bar is available poolside at Hotel Arts. You don’t need to stay at the hotel to lounge in the hip, glassed-in courtyard beside the pool. Plus, it’s likely the only upscale dining establishment in the city where it’s acceptable to dress for lunch or dinner in a bikini. (119 12 Ave. S.W., hotelarts.ca)
The outdoor garden and patio behind Rouge is enclosed by tall bushes and filled with lush trees and flowers. Dining alfresco at Rouge is like summering at your aunt’s house (the one who can really cook) — lounging in the sun and taking your meals on the grass with not a care in the world. (1240 8 Ave. S.E., rougecalgary.com)
When the sun sets, the Living Room’s urbane patio is flushed with warmth and flickering light as fireplaces and candles bounce their radiance off golden wood tables and walls low enough to experience the energy of 17th Avenue, yet high enough to feel cozily enclosed. (514 17 Ave. S.W., livingroomrestaurant.ca)
Amiably grungy and adored by its regulars, the Ship’s patio is the place to be for a casual pint on a sunny weekend afternoon (or on any weekday past 11 a.m., for that matter). The wood benches and picnic tables make a perfect vantage point to people-watch over a burger, washed down with beer on tap. (534 17 Ave. S.W., shipandanchor.com)
The Vin Room boasts a sexy, cosmopolitan rooftop patio and the largest enomatic wine serving system in Canada. In fact, 70 of the 180 wines on its wine list are available by the glass. (2310 4 St. S.W., vinroom.com)
Although at press time the West patio had not yet opened on Scotia Centre’s rooftop, if it lives up to the hype it will be one of the city’s best — and at 15,000 square feet, certainly one of the biggest. Editor's Note June 2011- the West Rooftop Patio is now open for business (244, 225 8 Ave. S.W., westrestaurantandbar.com)
Picnic Spots
Can’t find space on a patio? Grab some grub to go and find yourself a patch of grass.
This summer, the Queen of Cheese has a warm sandwich offering in the shop, or grab one of Salt Spring’s beauteous little cups of flavoured chèvre with flatbread crackers to stroll down to Tomkins Park with and snack. (1017 16 Ave. S.W., jbfinecheese.com)
Pop into this French deli for delicious freshly baked baguettes, quiche, made-from-scratch sausage rolls and a still-warm-and-bubbling Croque-Monsieur to carry over to Central Memorial Park and eat on the grass. Or try the house-made pork pâté, truffle cheese terrine, Niçoise salad and fresh apple tart. (1325 1 St. S.E., dominiquemoussu.com)
River Café offers a full fine-dining experience to go, with chef-prepared regional cuisine tucked into a basket with linens and cutlery you return after you’re done picnicking at any number of spots on the island. (Prince’s Island Park, river-cafe.com)
Teatro’s is the new destination for fabulous sandwiches and sweets — just grab lunch and sit in Olympic Plaza to enjoy the fountains, people and sunshine. (200 8 Ave. S.E., teatro.ca)
Vendome serves up baked goods and coffee, as well as sandwiches, soup and unique entrees you can opt to take out and over to Riley Park, Prince’s Island or anywhere along the banks of the Bow River. (940 2 Ave. N.W., vendomecafe.com)
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