It’s patio season in the West GTA! Oakville and Burlington have incredible up-and-coming restaurants, established destinations, and local cafes brimming with charm. Whether looking for upscale dining, vegan treats, or a latte and pastry, you will find the perfect spot for your summer dining. Along the shores of Lake Ontario, there are many patios with stunning lakeside views in downtown Burlington and Oakville. Check out some of our favourite patios in Oakville and Burlington this summer!

1. Bronte Boathouse – Oakville

Bronte Boathouse is the perfect spot for patio season this summer if you want casual lakefront dining. Located at the Harbour Banquet and Conference Centre, the Bronte Boathouse patio boasts beautiful views of the marina. It’s the perfect place to watch the boats and yachts come and go. While they are known for their fresh fish, seafood and sushi, the restaurant also offers delicious summer salads, grilled sirloin and over-the-top truffle mac and cheese. They have a selection of frozen slushy cocktails perfect for a warm summer evening on the patio. Try the Froze All Day with strawberry and peach slush, rose and vodka – it’s summer in a glass! They offer great non-alcoholic choices too, such as Just Peachy, which is peach slush with iced tea, or try Harbour Days, a mix of lime slushy, lemonade and pineapple juice.

2. Jacksons Landing – Burlington

Jacksons Landing in Burlington is one of seven locations across Canada. An open-concept restaurant, you can choose to dine in the warm and inviting interior or visit the rooftop patio. They offer a delicious selection, with something for everyone, including gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options marked clearly on their menu. If you’re looking for something lighter, you’ll find yummy starters like Korean cauliflower or Mozzarella Arancini and freshly made pizzas, burgers, and sandwiches. Or elevate things for dinner with surf and turf or a lobster paradelle in a leek cream sauce. If you simply want to have a drink on a patio, they offer a large selection of creative and delicious cocktails, like the Elderflower and Cucumber Spritz or a Dragon Fruit Pisco Sour. Jacksons Landing is also a popular brunch destination with a special menu for brunch on Saturday and Sunday and long weekends until 3 pm. Grab a mimosa or espresso, and enjoy a delicious meal – try lobster benedict, served on house-baked cheddar scones, a breakfast skillet with a Mexican twist or a mixed berry French toast if you’re in the mood for something sweet.

3. Quatrefoil Restaurant  – Dundas

Quatrefoil Restaurant offers upscale dining in Dundas, with a warm and inviting patio where you can enjoy their French cuisine on a summer evening. Voted one of the best restaurants in the area, Quatrefoil focuses on local, fresh ingredients. For your first course, choose from delicious options such as a baby gem salad, spring pea soup or sea scallop with a brown butter yuzu glaze. Popular entrees include wild-caught Pacific halibut with a green garlic emulsion or Cumbrae’s delectable melt-in-your-mouth beef tenderloin. Finish your meal with something sweet like strawberry pavlova with vanilla ice cream or a chocolate mint tart. Open Wednesday to Saturday for dinner only; they also offer a 5-course tasting menu on Friday evenings.

4. Rayhoon Eatery – Burlington

Rayhoon offers authentic Persian cuisine in the heart of Burlington’s Village Square. Enjoy mouthwatering dishes popular in Persian cooking on a charming patio facing the square. They offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options; all menu items are halal. Try Barbari, a traditional Persian flatbread or stuffed baby eggplant with a walnut and pomegranate sauce as a starter. You can also enjoy signature salads or kabobs off the grill. The house specialty is Ghalieh Mahi, a southern Persian dish – a tilapia stew marinated in a flavourful sauce of tamarind, tomato, aromatic herbs, and spices. Try Doogh, a refreshing mint-infused yogurt drink, or Persian tea spiced with cardamom.

5. Jake’s Grill and Oyster House- Burlington

The patio at Jake’s Grill has been a Burlington tradition for over 35 years. The nautical ambiance is perfect for enjoying fresh fish, fine seafood and hand-shucked oysters. To fully appreciate the Jake’s experience, share a seafood tower of oysters, shrimp, scallops, tuna poke, and Cuban lobster tail. Seafood lovers will enjoy the Cuban lobster meal or Alaskan King Crab. For those looking for a turf-only meal, Jake’s also offers AAA-aged Canadian sirloin and ribeye steaks cooked to perfection on their wood-fired grill.

6. Spencer’s at the Waterfront – Burlington

On the Burlington waterfront, Spencer’s offers delicious food with lakeside views from their stunning patio. Dedicated to creating a remarkable dining experience, the staff at Spencer’s go above and beyond to ensure you have a lovely evening. Popular menu items include fresh seafood, miso salmon, braised beef short ribs, tenderloin or New York Striploin. Drop by for freshly shucked oysters and prosecco on Shuck Wednesdays, or enjoy the lake view on a weekend morning with crab cake benny for brunch.

7. Lowville Bistro – Burlington

On Guelph Line in Burlington, Lowville Bistro has a beautiful patio surrounded by trees – a lovely setting. Open Thursday to Sunday for dining, they also offer a special jazz night on Sunday evening. Try the Lowville Antipasti Board designed for sharing, it includes prosciutto, salami, shaved parmigiana, fiore di latte, roasted red peppers and premium olives. The Lowville Burger is a local favourite – try it with gorgonzola and bacon! The Lowville Dry Ribs are another popular choice, deep fried pork rib tips tossed in a lemon vinaigrette.

8. 7 Enoteca – Oakville

7 Enoteca is a beautiful Italian restaurant in the centre of Oakville’s Town Square. The patio is open for the summer, Wednesday – Sunday, from 5 pm to 10 pm. Their wood-fired pizzas are perfect for sharing on the patio on a warm summer evening. Try freshly made pasta like braised beef tagliatelle or mortadella and ricotta ravioli. They have an extensive wine list from Italy, so you’ll surely find the perfect pairing for your meal.

9. Verace – Oakville

Verace is an authentic Italian Restaurant on Lakeshore Road in Oakville, serving fresh dishes bursting with the flavours of Italy. This one is one of absolute favourite patios in Oakville and Burlington. With a cozy, inviting atmosphere you can enjoy your stay inside or take in the view on the outdoor patio. Every dish is created with passion and tradition, from fresh salads to handcrafted pasta and wood-fired pizzas. House-made chicken parmigiana or pan-seared branzino are both popular dishes. They offer gluten-free and vegetarian options, clearly marked on the menu, with the option to order any pasta dish with gluten-free pasta. There is something at Verace for everyone!

10. Beacon – Oakville

Enjoy the patio at Beacon in Oakville this summer. Located on Lakeshore Rd, Beacon is an elevated neighbourhood tavern. The fresh-shucked oysters or seafood tower are perfect for sharing on a warm summer evening. You can enjoy market fresh dishes like their signature Beacon Burger with gruyere and caramelized onions. Or choose something off the grill, like a perfectly cooked ribeye topped with truffle butter or branzino with lemon and dill. With elevated cocktails and an extensive wine list, you can find the perfect drink to pair with your meal.

11. Ce Soir – Oakville

Oakvilles’ Ce Soir has the perfect patio for enjoying elevated French cuisine. With a focus on the simple, balanced flavours of classic French dining, Ce Soir offers elegant and delicious meals. Try the rack of lamb, seasoned to perfection or the crispy, mouthwatering duck confit. If you’re in the mood to share, the seafood tower is perfection on a plate – chilled lobster, salmon tartare, jumbo shrimp, oysters, and snow crab come paired with various sauces. Ce Soir will impress with an extensive list of world-class wines and a beautiful ambiance. 

12. Isabelle – Burlington

Visit the lakeside patio at Isabelle’s this summer to enjoy elegant, farm-to-table cuisine in beautiful downtown Burlington. Isabelle’s is a fan favourite when it comes to searching for the best patios in Oakville and Burlington. Their dishes are designed to share, using fresh ingredients grown on their farm or sourced from local producers. They offer a ‘sip and snack’ menu, perfect for sharing on the patio. Try the grilled Cornish Hen or lobster linguine for a truly exceptional experience. You’ll find an extensive spirit list for elevated cocktails, like the Pure Passion, made with rum, Campari, passion fruit, and lime.

There are an incredible variety of patios to check out his summer. These are just some of our favourite patios in Oakville and Burlington, and we know there are so many more! Let us know if you have any favourites we should visit!