Take a tour of some of the best patios in Waterloo region and area: Jasmine Mangalaseril
Winter has finally released its icy grip, which means patio season is here in Waterloo region.
"It's nice, after a long winter. This winter was really cold and long, and so it's beautiful to be outside," said Darko Zeljkovic while he sat on a downtown Kitchener patio.
He's Bosnian and said outdoor culture is a regular part of European life.
Colourful umbrellas, leafy trellises and cozy gazebos welcome diners with crafted cocktails, delicious wines and beers and a menu that celebrates the hot weather ahead.
Most spots have accessible seating but call ahead to confirm if your furry friend can join you. Also, check socials and websites for restaurant's summer schedules of live performances and events.
Whether you want a chili dog, an elevated dinner or something in between, many kitchens are focusing on locally grown and produced ingredients. You'll also find glasses and pitchers filled with sophisticated zero-proof or regular cocktails, beers or coffee drinks.
Stylish sips and snacks
In Cambridge, you can sip a Moment of Zen cocktail on The Blackshop's patio. They offer dishes like Nashville chicken sliders and sushi cubes from their social hour $8 bar bites menu.
In Elora, enjoy the staff's favourite beef souvlaki under The Friendly Society's streetside zebra-striped umbrellas and have a Strawberry-Basil Smash.
When Bardō Guelph's summer menu launches, they'll have produce from their Millgrove farm in dishes like the Mexican Street Corn pizza, and drinks like a Passionfruit Sour.
Thanks to careful design, visitors won't feel crowded on the outdoor space at Waterloo's Bodega Rose. The kitchen is putting their final touches on the summer menu, but they offer a White Lotus and Rosé French 75, with new featured cocktails appearing every weekend.
"We usually just base it off of what the weather is going to be, if there's events going on," explained Marshall Ward, Bodega Rose's front of house beverage manager.
"For example, when Taylor Swift was in Toronto [last November] we did a whole week of Taylor Swift-themed cocktails."
Where you can forget the city
There's a garden-like patio tucked behind downtown Guelph's Miijidaa Café and Bistro. There, you can enjoy thin-crust pizzas or a venison burger as well as a Berries In Bloom cocktail.
Still in Guelph, The Wooly will host Woolystock from June 20 to 22, to celebrate their 35th anniversary. You can enjoy the music and festivities from their porch, patio or biergarten.
In Ayr, Willibald's patio overlooks the farm that inspires their menu. Some of their cocktails, like Rhubarb Rhubarb and the zero-proof Never-Grow Old, feature Ontario honey.
At Fergus's Brewhouse on the Grand, you can get a table overlooking the river or hear it rush by from one of their new gazebos. It's an idyllic setting with an elderberry cocktail or a Thai Coconut Curry.
Brewery patios
With a new menu in the works, Guelph's Royal City Brewing will be adding mango and pineapple to their Berserker sour series, and a non-alcoholic citrus Radler.
Kitchener's TWB's patio will reopen in mid-June and will continue hosting events and alternating food pop-ups by Kojo's Kitchen and Lord of the Tacos. They're launching a Pride beer and The Kultrun Raspberry Wheat this summer, and offering Willibald cocktails and Backed by Bees Mead.
While it's not a brewery, uptown Waterloo's Hop House has dozens of beers to enjoy on their patio to go with their summery handhelds and options like blackened chicken with coconut rice.
Someplace new
The Stockyards Brew Hall Restaurant, across from the St. Jacobs Market has a 250-seat patio. Selections from K-W Craft Cider joins their house-made brews, to perfectly pair with the restaurant's upcoming barbecue-themed menu.
Elora's Lobby Bar is preparing for their first patio, where you can enjoy their Asian-inspired small plate menu. Their cocktails include the Mark and Marty gin cocktail, named after Elora Distillery's co-owners.
Looking out over Roos Island in Kitchener's Victoria Park, the Boathouse DTK's cantilevered patio's next phase is expected to be completed in July.
"It will have an outdoor bar as well as a smoker and grill area," explained operations manager, Shawn Flanagan.
"We're going to create a little bit of an event [when construction is over]—a little party kind of atmosphere to introduce ourselves," he said.
It's a perfect sunny spot for an evolving menu that mashes up familiar park concession food, elevated local dishes and barbecue to go with cocktails that capture the season.
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