The best restaurant patios aren't just a bunch of tables and chairs outside.
The best go above and beyond with stylish furniture, thoughtful design, inspired menus, exceptional service and stunning views.
That's what all five of these Okanagan 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 five Okanagan restaurant patios that made the top 100:
- Home Block at CedarCreek Estate Winery in Kelowna
Home Block is no stranger to accolades.
It won Canadian Restaurant of the Year in 2022 at the Travel & Hospitality Awards.
A massive glass wall is opened to create a seamless indoor-outdoor space with panoramic views over vineyards to Okanagan Lake.
Chef Neil Taylor is a wine country cuisine expert, creating dishes from ingredients from the winery's gardens and local farmers, foragers and ranchers to pair with CedarCreek wines.
- Shaughnessy's Cover in Summerland
This three-level waterfront resto has a boathouse-style patio with high and low tables and seating.
Of course, the patio has close-up views of Okanagan Lake to enjoy along with dishes from the eclectic menu like sushi sliders, gyoza, fish and chips, Maui chicken, bibimbap and California rolls.
- Old Vines at Quails' Gate Winery in West Kelowna
One of the original winery restaurants in BC certainly capitalizes on the view from its patio.
After all, it's a swath of vineyards down to Okanagan Lake and across to the mountains and blue sky.
- Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek Winery in Oliver
Perched atop an embankment, Miradoro's high, wraparound outdoor deck affords views over vineyards and the width of the Okanagan Valley.
Most of the food comes out of the forno oven and, of course, there's a great Tinhorn wine list.
Miradoro also happens to be a five-time winner of Vancouver Magazine's 'best winery/vineyard dining' award.
- Block One at 50th Parallel Winery in Lake Country
Wine barrels front and back the outdoor dining at Block One, which is named after the neighbouring original vineyard planted at the winery.
The restaurant calls its wood-fired forno oven a 'stage' because it's in full view at the centre of the patio.
Don't forget the view.
Another prime Okanagan location serves up a vineyard-and-Okanagan-Lake vista.
As you've just read, four of the five Okanagan winners on the list are winery restaurants.
That's likely because wineries have vineyards, an additional glamourous component of a view that often also includes Okanagan Lake.
Wineries also serve up what's been dubbed 'regional wine country cuisine', which attracts locals and tourists alike who tend to rave about the experience on OpenTable.
KelownaNow has also created patio guides for seven neighbourhoods in the city.
Check out the lists for even more al fresco inspiration.
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