Search VictoriaNow
The best restaurant patios aren't just a bunch of tables and chairs outside.
The best go above and beyond with stylish furniture, inspired menus, exceptional service and stunning views.
That's what all four of these Victoria restaurant patios have in common.
And, those very attributes have put them on OpenTable's list of the 100 Most Popular Outdoor Dining Restaurants in the country.
OpenTable is a global leading platform restaurants use for reservations, payments and guest feedback.
OpenTable uses that data to compile the 100 Most Popular list based on reviews of Canadian restaurants by over one million diners from March 2022 to February 2023.
So, essentially, these restaurants are the al fresco champions, the outdoor dining prizewinners and terrace titleholders.
OpenTable revealed the list in time for this Victoria Day long weekend, which is considered the kick-off of patio season, and to prompt people to pick an oasis, get outside, soak up the sun (or shade) and enjoy dining outside.
OpenTable doesn't rank the 100, but rather, lists them alphabetically.
So, without further ado, here are the four Victoria restaurant patios that made the top 100:
- Boom+Batten
You can't miss this contemporary, curved-glass restaurant perched right out over the water at Victoria International Marina in the Victoria West neighbourhood.
The restaurant touts itself as having the perfect view of the Inner Harbour from the deck that wraps around the building.
On this incredible deck you can eat casual (forno pizza, tacos or wagu beef burger) or upscale (crispy-skin Arctic char, half a Cornish game hen or orange-scented venison loin) paired with Vancouver Island, Okanagan or international wines.
By the way, Boom+Batten are apropos nautical terms -- boom a pole that helps shape the sail and batten the primary structure of the mainsail.
- Finn's Seafood Chops Cocktails
Finn's deck overlooks the Inner Harbor from its red-brick heritage building at 1208 Wharf St. downtown.
The circa-1882 building was constructed for restaurant namesake Roderick Finlayson, who ran a shipping supplies business out of the location and was also a mayor of Victoria.
Finn's has a fresh oyster bar and also serves up fish and chips, steaks and pork chops with a view.
- Glo Restaurant & Lounge
This eatery at 2940 Jutland Rd. in the Burnside neighbourhood overlooks the Selkirk Waterway.
The palm-treed Glo patio offers 180-degree views of the water.
The diverse menu gives you the choice of pizzas and burgers to sockeye salmon, ahi tuna poke bowl and braised beef short ribs.
- The Dining Room at Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay
Butchart Gardens is a globally famous tourist destination that also has a sophisticated dining room for traditional tea service and dinners located in the original family home of the Butcharts.
The sweeping view from the restaurant's patio is of extensive lawns and gardens.
As you've just read, three of the four Victoria winners have water views.
Water -- be it an ocean, lake, harbour or river -- is always a desirable view and gives restaurants with such a huge advantage when it comes to wowing diners.
Those views, combined with regional cuisine, such as Vancouver Island seafood, chicken, beef and lamb, attracts locals and tourists alike who tend to rave about the experience on OpenTable.
VictoriaNow also curated this downtown patio guide: