Niagara’s roots are steeped in fresh, award-winning products, perfect for sipping and savouring in the region’s wide-open spaces. While wine tours offer a great introduction into the tastes of the region, a tasting experience is truly elevated with the right foundation – a patio.
From sprawling spaces and beautiful balconies, to hidden oases and private platforms, Niagara is full of patios for you to enjoy a tasty beverage under the open summer skies. To help you sip your way through the countryside where good things grow, scroll our list of perfect patios to get you started, no matter your tastes.
Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery, Niagara-on-the-Lake
1366 York Rd., St. Davids
It’s not just the views to sprawling vineyards that make this patio a perennial favourite for locals and tourists alike. It’s all that Ravine’s outdoor space has to offer. This is the place where you can sidle up to the outdoor bar and pizza oven for one of this winery’s incredible hard ciders and a wood-fired pie. It’s also where you can bring your family to gather around a table for a more formal meal. But don’t confuse that with stuffy. There are ping pong tables to help pass the time, wide open spaces for family matches of footie and never any rush to move along.
Two Sisters Vineyards, Niagara-on-the-Lake
240 John St. E., Niagara-on-the-Lake
Two Sisters Vineyards, located in the picturesque region of Niagara-on-the-Lake, is a renowned destination for wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs. Nestled amidst sprawling vineyards and breathtaking scenery, the winery offers a unique experience that combines exceptional wines, exquisite dining, and a charming ambiance.
Visitors can indulge in the pleasure of dining with wine on the winery’s inviting patio, where they can savor their favorite Two Sisters wines while basking in the beauty of the surrounding vineyards. The patio provides a serene and intimate setting, perfect for enjoying a leisurely meal and glass of wine from on-site restaurant Kitchen76.
Creekside Estate Winery, Jordan Station
2170 Fourth Ave., Jordan Station
Leave the city in your rear view when you head west to St. Catharines’ outskirts and The Deck at Creekside Estate Winery. Creekside is an award-winning producer of Syrah — and one of the few Niagara wineries teasing consistently remarkable vintages from a grape that doesn’t always fare well in this climate. But everyone fares well on the deck, which conjures relaxation overlooking a koi fish pond, and comfort with charcuterie boards and casual bites. In addition to wine, Creekside is home to D'Ont Poke the Bear ciders that pair well with any summer day.
Honsberger Estate Winery, Jordan Station
4060 Jordan Rd., Jordan Station
Beauty, charm and pizza — there’s not much more a person needs for a memorable patio experience. This family-owned and operated vineyard has a lock on all three. Once considered a hidden gem in Niagara, Honsberger and its outdoor pizza oven is rightfully becoming known as the place to while away a day from May to October. Tipple some of Honsberger’s swoon-worthy vintages or chill out with a non-alcoholic beverage, including a gelato-lemonade sipper or iced coffee. Pets are welcome.
Redstone Winery, Beamsville
4245 King St., Beamsville
Keep heading west and you’ll find Redstone Winery, which is named for the red clay soil upon which its immaculate vineyards grow. Redstone is home to a spacious and tranquil patio overlooking rows of grapevines as far as the eye can see. In addition to offering wine by the glass and bottle, alone or alongside the locally inspired menu, there’s a sizeable lawn to enjoy a packed picnic lunch. Either way, Redstone is a must-stop for enjoying the sun and warmth while it lasts.
The Good Earth Food & Wine Co., Beamsville
4556 Lincoln Ave., Beamsville
The Good Earth is a beacon of conviviality and its gorgeous patio overlooking English gardens, grapevines and fruit orchards has a lot to do with that. Easily one of the most picturesque and comfortable patios in the region, this outdoor dining and sipping area is a real treat. The Good Earth patio offers a seasonal menu that changes regularly and a solid wine list that goes well with any weather, whether it’s the high heat of July or September’s more easy-going temperatures.
Even More Picture-Perfect Patios
Niagara’s wineries aren’t the only spots that make the most of patio season. Be sure to check out alfresco options at local breweries, cideries, and restaurants, too.
Niagara Oast House Brewers, Niagara-on-the-Lake
2017 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake
The atmosphere here feels very much like hanging out in your BFF’s big, country backyard. The PatiOast is a casual gathering spot for leisurely sipping of this craft brewery’s seasonal suds, including strawberry-rhubarb ale, peach hefeweizen or its flagship Barnraiser. In keeping with that backyard feel, Brushfire Smoke BBQ serves up a changing menu of meaty and vegan fare cooked over a flame and with a view to Stratus Vineyard’s pristine grapevines, which hug Oast’s red barn headquarters.
NOTL Bar & Restaurant, Niagara-on-the-Lake
126 Queen St., Niagara-on-the-Lake
NOTL is a chic lounge-style restaurant and bar. When you visit, reserving a seat on the beautiful stone patio is a great choice. The glass doors connecting the lounge to the patio provide a seamless transition, allowing guests to bask in the luxurious and expansive setting while enjoying a meal. After you’ve savoured your patio moment, explore Queen Street’s picturesque shops at your leisure.
Bench Brewing Company, Beamsville
3991 King St., Beamsville
Set at the base of the Niagara Escarpment in Beamsville, Bench Brewing has quickly become as formidable in Niagara’s beer scene as the landform overlooking it. The patio is set in a protected alcove between the century school house that’s the heart of Bench and the ultra-modern addition where the brewing magic happens. Known for their deep tap and bottle list boasting several award-winners, Bench brews hold their own when sipped alone on a warm afternoon or evening, and they also pair beautifully with the regional, seasonal fare. Also enjoy craft ciders made on-site by the Niagara Cider Company.
Lake House Restaurant, Vineland Station
3100 North Service Rd., Vineland Station
What happens when you take a stunning, old Niagara home, pair it with an unparalleled view of Lake Ontario and pepper in an expansive outdoor patio featuring a taste of the Corfu coast? Transport yourself to the Mediterranean seaside with a visit to Lake House Restaurant’s waterfront patio in Vineland Station, open for lunch and dinner. The house’s natural charm offers the perfect place to quench your summer thirsts with Ontario’s finest vintages. Dive into divine dishes and Lake House’s incredible history as the lake laps the shore—and maybe make a friend or two! Said to be one of the first stops for the Underground Railway, the house played an important role in Canada’s history.
Taps Brewhouse, Niagara Falls
4680 Queen St., Niagara Falls
Great beer requires great food. Taps Brewhouse’s extraordinary menu and craft beers await on their expansive cobblestone patio in downtown Niagara Falls, away from the hustle and bustle of Clifton Hill’s entertainment district. As Niagara’s first and oldest microbrewery, craft beer here is brewed in small batches, but with a lot of love. Sip your way through a flight to discover what sets Taps apart. Paired with a carefully-crafted menu, the brewery’s greatest bragging right is its chef!
With over 450,000 acres of wide-open spaces across the region, Niagara is home to hundreds of patios to safely share a pint or glass with those you love. Whether you prefer privately sipping under the shade of an umbrella or savouring an afternoon under the sun, Niagara’s patios look forward to welcoming you back to great taste in the great outdoors.
