Your ultimate guide to Montréal’s marvelous patios

Call off the search! Summer in Montréal is sweet but short, and we wouldn’t want you wasting your time trying to track down outdoor patios for dining or drinking. Here are our picks on places up high, mid-level or on the street to enjoy bites and beverages al fresco.

Rooftop roosts

Au Sommet Place Ville Marie – With a June 23 opening date, you’ll soon be able to drink in the sights of downtown from 44 floors up as you leisurely sip cocktails.

SAT – Foodlab – Be elevated by electronic and other sounds at this cutting-edge perch in Montréal’s former Red Light district.

Streetside lounging

La Grande Terrasse Rouge – Proving it’s got serious pluck, the bright and punchy Grande Terrasse Rouge on Saint-Denis Street is back (between Roy and Duluth and Marie-Anne and Mont-Royal), in spite of the construction. We’ll drink to that!

Hotel hideouts

Hyatt Regency Montréal – Six Resto Lounge – Swanky, central and absolutely no better place for catching Montréal’s legendary festival action than from up here.

Hotel 10 – Located in a beautiful Beaux-Arts building near the Quartier des spectacles, this cool, vibey patio rocks it out day and night.

Auberge du Vieux-Port /Terrasse sur l’Auberge – The secret’s out: the soaring views from this Old World setting are simply amazing.

Terrasse Nelligan – This Old Montréal top floor terrasse is such a stunner that you need to get here early to enjoy the spoils.

Terrasse Place d’Armes – AA go-to for the glitterati, this wrap-around terrasse boasts a fold-down roof and gorgeous views of the old city.

Renaissance Hôtel – With a plunge pool just beside, this brand-new downtown retreat lets you beat the urban heat while sipping cocktails.

Hilton Bonaventure – A lush and relaxing green getaway atop this downtown hotel with a poolside bar too.

Ritz Carlton – Maison Boulud – A truly tony place to hang out on Sherbrooke Street, and you can order excellent eats from its 3-Michelin star restaurant.

Pierre Du Calvet – This centuries-old-stone-home-turned-inn has a green and spacious terrace tucked away at the back.

Clubs and bars

Unity – A grandiose terrace at the heart of the Village, with DJs, dancing and stunning city views.

Sky Pub – Rocking a kind of cabana ambiance, you can count on this popular Village terrace to be packed every single night of the summer.

Tokyo Bar – The two-terraced Plateau patio keeps things hopping all night long with music, DJs and barbecues.

Daylight Factory – Light up your day or night with a drink or bite on this spacious and airy outdoor terrasse, handily located between downtown and Old Montréal.

Terrasse Bonsecours – With four floors, fresh cocktails and stunning views of Old Montréal and the water, this Old Port get-together is very popular.

Le Saint-Sulpice – A huge, leafy backyard in the heart of the Quartier latin that’s popular with the university crowd.

Le Sainte Elizabeth – With its ivy-covered walls, affordable drinks and friendly service, this terrace at the heart of the Quartier latin is great spot for kicking back with friends.

Irish Embassy Pub Grill – Enjoy some laid-back Irish camaraderie and a pint on this comfortable patio at the heart of downtown.

Le Reservoir – A medium-sized laidback Plateau rooftop patio that serves artisanal brews and appetizers.

New City Gas – A massive brick-walled industrial space in Griffintown where the cool young crowds converge for the drinks, dancing and DJs.

La Terrasse St-Ambroise-McAuslan – Located along the Lachine Canal, this terrasse is perfect after a day of canal-side recreation, and has a built-in brewery to boot.

Plan B – Like so many other surprises along busy Mont-Royal Avenue, Plan B is a little tucked-away oasis that’s great for drinks and conversation.

Casa Del Popolo – A teeny Plateau terrasse tucked in the back of a family-run café that regularly features up-and-coming indie acts.

La Buvette Chez Simone – A sweet little terrace for wine lovers that comes with a steady flow of street scenery on Avenue du Parc.

Le Petit Medley – A fixture on Rue Saint-Hubert, Le Petit Medley is regularly packed with locals lapping up that Montréal summer goodness.

Ping Pong Club – Totally cool, totally relaxed and totally neighbourly, the Ping Pong Club on upper Saint-Laurent Boulevard serves up great snacks and drinks.

Bénélux – On the eastern end of Sherbrooke Street, this breezy outdoor brewhouse patio is a popular summer favourite.

Restaurants and Cafes

Boris Bistro – A sweet spot hidden behind old stone walls in the Quartier international that offers all sorts of cool refreshments and eats on sultry nights or sunny afternoons.

Joe Beef – Sit gardenside under the canopy and strings of lights and inhale the fresh aromas of this sweet terrasse just off one of Montréal’s much-regaled restaurants in Little Burgundy.

Barbounya – Located on swanky Laurier Street West, the bold blue terrasse of Barbounya is great for sharing Turkish-inspired tapas. Order the raki to sip!

Icehouse – Bourbon lemonade, anyone? This Plateau hotspot serves up a tasty TexMex-style menu with a cute patio to share it on.

Restaurant Laloux – Lovely Laloux’s terrasse oozes Parisian bistro elegance, white tablecloths and lush greenery included.

Brasserie T – On Brasserie T’s little terrace, you never miss any of the Place des festival’s action and everything from this fine French bistro is absolutely delicious.

Taverne F – A stellar spot for cool drinks and fine Portuguese cuisine, right at the nexus of Montréal’s legendary festivals.

Le H4C – A revamped vintage greystone building in Saint-Henri with a terrasse that pops with freshness.

Pizzeria GEMA – Enjoy rustic, homemade pizzas on this little slice of a terrace that comes spiced with Little Italy scenery.

Labarake – The vibe on the terrace of this 1940s-inspired restaurant out at the Angus shops is relaxed and friendly.

Manitoba – This easy, breezy, barebones terrasse belies the carefully-sourced local menu of its much-talked-about restaurant.

Harlow – Sip cocktails in a chic space inspired by 1930s Hollywood star Jean Harlow while looking out on Place Jacques-Cartier in Old Montréal.

La Croissanterie Figaro – Just off Parc Avenue, this little Art deco French-style patio is a quiet but busy Outremont staple.

Biiru – A funky and fresh downtown izakaya (Japanese tavern) whose airy, outdoor patio is perfect for sipping sake.

Jatoba – Smack in the heart of the city, a little lush outdoors in the back of the restaurant, where refined Asian dishes wow.

Senses/Essence – An upscale and inviting downtown locale, and with 130 spots, its terrasse is great for kicking back with a gang.

Chambre à part – Everything about this Saint-Denis Street restaurant says luminous and sweet, including its cutie patootie tucked-away terrasse.

Vin Papillon – It doesn’t get much better than this Griffintown go-to wine bar, where wines, communal tables and tapas-style dishes will melt your heart.

Tuck Shop – A tiny little tucked away gem that serves superb tavern fare on a sweet terrasse.

Olympico – In the heart of Mile End hipsterdom, a perennial favourite for people from all walks of life, where espresso, cappuccino and more are sipped slowly.

Club Social – Taking their name to heart, this family-run Mile End café is a regular beehive of activity, where regulars go for coffee, conversation and the pulse of the neighbourhood.

Club Espagnol – You’d never guess from the unassuming entrance off St. Laurent Boulevard, but in the back there’s a pretty big patio where you can enjoy affordable sangria and tapas.

Pelèrin-Magellan – This very verdant hideout in the heart of the Quartier Latin offers a serene escape from the festival hustle and bustle.

Up next: Free things to do in Montréal this summer