Kandice VincentThere’s nothing better than hanging out in the Distillery District with some delectable food, a couple of drinks, and some good company. Oh, wait – there is! Doing those things from the patio of the restaurant of your choice.
Let’s go on a tour of the Distillery District to see which restaurants with patios suit your fancy. You can visit them alone to people-watch or bring your friends and family for some memory-banking!
Madrina Bar Y Tapas
Website: https://www.madrinatapas.com/
Address: 2 Trinity St, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4, Canada
Contact details: (416) 548-8055
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 10 PM
- Thursday: 11:30 AM – 11 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM – 12 AM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12 AM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10 PM
Madrina Bar Y Tapas offers both classic and modern Spanish tapas, along with sangria and cocktails, in a stylish setting with stone and wood accents. They’ve been a hit since opening in 2018 in the Distillery District.
The interior and patio are beautifully decorated, just note that reservations are required. The real highlight is the food, with incredible care and attention to detail in every dish while serving vegetarian dishes as well.
Pro Tip:
Our favorites include the truffled egg yolk, steak tartare on a roasted marrow bone, and the grilled octopus.
El Catrin
Website: https://www.elcatrin.ca/
Address: 18 Tank House Lane, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4, Canada
Contact details: (416) 203-2121
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 12 AM
- Thursday: 11:30 AM – 11 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 11:30 AM – 12 AM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 10 PM
El Catrin is a favorite haunt in the Distillery District that offers both classic and modern Mexican dishes. The year-round patio is spacious with sophisticated chandeliers and an elegant central fire pit.
Despite the size, the place maintains a cozy atmosphere. The menu is tapas-style, perfect for sharing with family or friends and trying a bit of everything without eating too much.
Pro Tip:
Start with a pitcher of their margarita to share with friends, then enjoy popular dishes like guacamole, pollo adobo, ceviche de atún, and the crowd-favorite carne asada.
Cluny Bistro & Boulangerie
Website: https://clunybistro.com/
Address: 35 Tank House Lane, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4, Canada
Contact details: (416) 203-2632
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 11:30 AM – 10 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 10 AM – 10 PM
Cluny Bistro & Boulangerie is a big, modern French restaurant with a classy vibe, offering updated classic dishes. It’s often voted the best French restaurant in Toronto as the menu is inspired by modern French cuisine with shareable dishes and larger plates.
The interior is stunning, like something from a design magazine; but dining on the patio brings Europe to Toronto with vines overhead to create a cozy, garden-like space with twinkly lights for a romantic evening.
Pro Tip:
Our favorites include the French onion soup, black Angus beef tartare, Madam Duck, and Steak Frites.
Pure Spirits Oyster House
Website: https://purespirits.ca/
Address: 17 Tank House Lane, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4, Canada
Contact details: (416) 361-5859
Operating hours:
- Opens daily from 11:30 AM – 10 PM
Pure Spirits Oyster House is a former distillery that offers relaxed seafood dining with a raw bar and a spacious patio. They serve happy hour food, and vegetarian dishes, and even have a kids’ menu.
For top-notch seafood in the city, this spot is a go-to with its patio stretching along the building, providing ample seating and shade. The ambiance gives off Mediterranean vibes with its white umbrellas and vibrant flower baskets.
Pro Tip:
Start with half a dozen oysters and dive into their lobster pappardelle or yellowfin tuna poke bowl – and don’t miss their signature cocktails like the Betty White.
Mill Street Beer Hall
Website: https://millstreetbrewery.com/
Address: 21 Tank House Lane, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4, Canada
Contact details: (416) 681-0338 extension 3
Operating hours:
- Monday: 11 AM – 11 PM
- Tuesday to Wednesday: 11 AM – 12 AM
- Thursday: 11 AM – 1 AM
- Friday: 11 AM – 2 AM
- Saturday: 10:30 AM – 2 AM
- Sunday: 10:30 AM – 11 PM
The Mill Street Beer Hall is a relaxed eatery and beer spot with classic pub food like burgers and pot pie. They also brew their own beer while you enjoy the laid-back atmosphere, live performances, and food served at the bar.
Inspired by German beer gardens, you can sip on pints of their exclusive Mill St. Brewery beers, and enjoy the large patio with its signature red and black umbrellas. Focusing on excellent beer offerings, it’s the perfect spot for casual gatherings.
Pro Tip:
Take a seat on the patio and enjoy the house lager, pilsner, or stout – though you can be adventurous and try their fruit-flavored refreshers!
Balzac’s Coffee Roasters
Website: https://balzacs.com/pages/distillery-district
Address: 1 Trinity St, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4, Canada
Contact details: (416) 207-1709
Operating hours:
- Opens daily from 7:30 AM – 8 PM
Casual local spot offering specialty coffees, baked goods, and desserts – need we say more? For your caffeine boost, visit Balzac’s Coffee Roasters to either perk you up or keep the night going.
They roast their own beans and are the first Canadian coffee company certified with LEAF for their eco-friendly practices. Get your drink of choice to take away and savor it on their charming Parisian-style patio.
Pro Tip:
We love their reliable latte and cappuccino, but we also suggest trying out their coffee grounds – with options from marble to dark.
Spirit of York Distillery
Website: https://spiritofyork.com/
Address: 12 Trinity St, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4, Canada
Contact details: (416) 777-0001
Operating hours:
- Monday: 12 PM – 9 PM
- Tuesday to Thursday: 12 PM – 10 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 12 PM – 11 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM – 9 PM
For afternoon drinks, check out the patio at Spirit of York Distillery. They make gin, vodka, and whiskey right there, and you can try a variety of cocktails, including hot ones.
You can also take a self-guided tour and taste their Premium Spirits at the Tasting Bar. The spacious Tasting Lounge has a big bar in the center, surrounded by exposed brick and original wooden beams.
Pro Tip:
After enjoying your cocktails, you can try to recreate it at home by buying their house spirits – we’re going with the Pink Gin!
Izumi Brewery
Website: https://izumibrewery.com/
Address: 51 Gristmill Lane, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4, Canada
Contact details: (416) 365-7253
Operating hours:
- Monday: 4 PM – 9 PM
- Tuesday to Friday: 1 PM – 9 PM
- Saturday: 11 AM – 10 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 9 PM
For a unique experience, visit Izumi Brewery, where the Ontario Spring Water Sake Company creates various sake types using Muskoka spring water. You can try a flight on their patio.
Before leaving, explore their gift shop for sakeware sets, signature groceries, and sake box sets. Oh, and you just might be inspired to mix your own cocktails with your chosen sake from the gift shop.
Pro Tip:
We loved their premium sake but to be honest we’re raring to go back and try their premium sake bottles with fruit flavors: Yuzu and Plum.
Wildly Delicious Fine Foods
Website: https://www.wddistillery.com/
Address: 11 Tank House Lane, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4, Canada
Contact details: (416) 862-1212
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 9 AM – 9 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 9 AM – 10 PM
Sharing a meal with friends or family creates lasting memories – and that’s what Wildly Delicious Fine Foods believes. You’ll likely remember something about their food – maybe your mom’s brisket or your aunt’s mashed potatoes.
With an aim to be memory makers, this spot creates food products that add to the special moments you remember. Whether you’re cooking with family, enjoying a cheese board with friends, or celebrating, you’ll definitely enjoy your time at their patio.
Pro Tip:
Try their butter chicken poutine and the Moroccan lentil soup – either on the patio or to go!
District Pizza
Website: https://districtpizza.ca/
Address: 30 Gristmill Lane, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4, Canada
Contact details: (416) 815-9898
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 12 PM – 10 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 12 PM – 11 PM
Seating outside for customers at the District Pizza is available, although they don’t take reservations. They offer a Christmas Dinner pizza with roast chicken, candied pecan, kabocha squash, cranberries, and their everything spice crust.
You might also want to try their Classic Poutine with squeaky cheese curds and brown gravy. Or try something different with the Birria Poutine, featuring birria braised beef mixed with cilantro, red onion, avocado puree, and cheese curds.
Pro Tip:
Taste their birria pizza featuring organic tomato sauce, jalisco-style braised beef in a guajillo and ancho chili broth, birria consomme, avocado puree, and more.
