Stroll up and down the Gallery Row section of Granville Street (aka South Granville), and you’ll only spot one obvious patio (at Luke’s Corner Kitchen and Bar). But that doesn’t mean the South Granville neighbourhood is short on spots for outdoor dining. There are plenty of patios tucked away out of sight – you just need to know where to look.
Tucked away just off Granville Street on 13th Avenue, the Stable House is a popular spot for neighbourhood locals. The patio here is tiny – just a couple of tables. Facing north, it doesn’t get much sun, but it’s utterly charming after dusk, when the lights strung across the patio and sidewalk twinkle above.
Walking by Ouisi Bistro, you’d never know there’s a beautiful hidden courtyard out back. This quiet, leafy spot is an oasis from the hustle and bustle of Granville. The unique menu features Cajun and Creole dishes, and plenty of great drink specials, including the Friday and Saturday classic combo – one bourbon, one scotch and one beer.
The Farmer’s Apprentice has won a host of awards since it opened in 2014. Its small patio offers picnic-table-style seating and plenty of blankets to keep outdoor diners cozy on chilly days. With inventive tasting menus and a-la-carte dishes featuring fresh, local ingredients, The Farmer’s Apprentice is a very West Coast place to while away at for an afternoon.
The sister restaurant to Vancouver’s famed Vij’s offers the same quality of food (try the Portobello mushroom and red pepper curry) in a café-style setting. The outdoor seating here works year-round, as it’s fully enclosed during winter months. In summer it's a great spot for a mango lassi; when the weather cools off, it’s a cozy place for a hot chai.
Just one block off Granville at the corner of Fir and Broadway, this hopping little izakaya with a patio out front offers Sapporo and Kirin on tap along with an extensive selection of sake and Japanese vodka. The menu features traditional Japanese items along with inventive creations like Chinese poutine (fries with spicy pork sauce, mozza, chili oil, sansho and cilantro).
Another patio you might miss if you’re just walking by, JOEY hides its large outdoor dining area up on the roof – which gives it the best view of the South Granville patios, with sightlines to the North Shore mountains. The patio is covered and enclosed, making it a comfortable option no matter the weather.
Part of the French Cultural Centre, Café Salade de Fruits cooks up traditional French dishes available as a table d’hote menu or a la carte. The south-facing patio on quiet 7th Ave. is a great place to sip a pastis in the sun or tuck into some escargots or crème brulée.
This large, south-facing patio is soaked in sun and becomes the neighbourhood’s party central at the end of the workday. The solarium extends the patio in summer, and with its retractable roof closed in winter, it creates the illusion of outdoor dining all year long, making this the perfect place for a pitcher of Sangria any day of the week.
The patio at Cactus Club’s West Broadway location doesn’t see a lot of sun, but it is decked out with outdoor fireplaces and lanterns to keep things warm and cheerful. In the afternoons and early evenings, it’s a popular spot for a post-work cocktail, especially during happy hour, when bellinis are just $4.