Patio season in Vancouver: how to find a good patio and get a seat

Vancouver spends a lot of the year waiting for patio weather, so when it arrives, everyone goes outside at once. A good patio on a warm evening, with a view of the water or the mountains, is one of the great pleasures of living here. Getting a seat on one takes a little strategy.

When is patio season in Vancouver?

The city runs a summer patio program through the warmer months of the year, when many places put tables on sidewalks and curbside spaces. Plenty of places also hold year-round patio permits, often with heaters and covers, so you can eat outside on a dry winter afternoon too. Realistically, the busiest patio months are late spring to early fall, when evenings are long and warm.

What makes a good patio in Vancouver?

• A view. Water, mountains, a busy street to watch, or a quiet garden.
• Afternoon or evening sun. West-facing patios catch the long summer light.
• Cover and heat. The difference between a patio you can use in April and one you can only use in July.
• Comfortable spacing. A patio crammed onto a narrow sidewalk is not much fun.

The best patio in the city is the one in the sun at the moment you arrive. On a cool day, a sunny side street beats a shaded waterfront.

Where are the best areas for patios in Vancouver?

Area	Patio style
English Bay and the West End	Ocean views and sunsets
False Creek, Yaletown and Olympic Village	Waterfront seats along the seawall
Granville Island	Water views, boats and a busy market atmosphere
Kitsilano	Beach-adjacent, relaxed, good for brunch
Gastown	Cobblestone streets and lively evenings
Main Street and Commercial Drive	Neighbourhood patios for long afternoons

How do you get a patio seat on a sunny day?

1. Go early or late. The rush peaks from late afternoon on warm weekends. Lunch on a weekday is much easier.
2. Ask for the patio when you book. Many places will note the request, though they may not guarantee it.
3. Have a backup. If your first choice has a long wait, a quieter neighbourhood patio is often just a short walk away.
4. Be flexible about time. A late dinner on a summer night still has plenty of light in Vancouver.

Can you drink on a patio in Vancouver?

At a licensed restaurant or bar, yes, and a cold drink outside is a big part of patio season. Remember that the legal drinking age in BC is 19, and that alcohol carries provincial sales tax on top of GST, so drinks raise the bill more than food does. Tip on the pre-tax amount, 15 to 20 percent for table service.

Are dogs allowed on patios in Vancouver?

Policies vary by restaurant and patio. Some welcome dogs on their outdoor seating and even bring water bowls; others do not. Always ask before you sit down with a dog, rather than assuming.

What is the best time of day for a patio in Vancouver?

It depends on what you want. Weekday lunches are the easiest time to get a seat and are often sunny and calm. Late afternoon on a warm day is the classic patio hour, and the busiest. A summer evening is the special one: Vancouver stays light late in June and July, and a west-facing patio near English Bay at sunset is hard to beat. If you want that table, arrive well before the sun goes down.

Is it worth sitting on a patio in the rain?

Under a good cover with heaters, yes, and many locals do. A covered patio on a grey day is often quieter and calmer than the dining room, and the rain can be part of the atmosphere. Just choose a patio that is properly covered, not one with a single umbrella over each table.

What should you bring for a Vancouver patio?

• A layer. Even on sunny days, evenings near the water cool down quickly.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen for those long summer evenings.
• Patience on the busiest days. Service on a full patio can be slower than inside.

Are Vancouver patios open in winter?

Some are. Places with year-round patio permits often keep a few covered, heated tables outside. They are pleasant on a dry, crisp day, but check before heading out, because a heater does not help much in a downpour.

Mosey is built around the places people actually ate at and what they would go back for. For a patio, that might be the table itself as much as the food: the corner seat with the sunset is worth remembering.

More guides to read next:

• Holiday dining in Vancouver: the Christmas Market, festive menus and booking tips
• Indian food in Vancouver: a guide to the Punjabi Market area
• Sushi and izakaya in Vancouver: how to eat Japanese food like a local

More in the Canadian food guides and the ranked lists of places.