Just in time for patio season, six Victoria-area restaurants have landed a coveted spot on OpenTable’s annual list of Canada’s Top 100 Restaurants for Outdoor Dining.
As temperatures climb and Victoria Day approaches, the city’s vibrant dining scene is getting some well-deserved national love—especially when it comes to soaking up the sun with a glass in hand.
According to OpenTable, British Columbia had 19 restaurants make the 2025 list, with Victoria claiming nearly a third of those spots. The local honourees are:
- Boom + Batten
- Cafe Brio
- Finn’s Seafood, Chops and Cocktails
- Fireside Grill
- Glo Restaurant + Lounge
- The Butchart Gardens – The Dining Room (Brentwood Bay)
The list is based on more than one million diner reviews collected between April 2024 and March 2025, factoring in metrics like overall ratings, number of reservations, and popularity of outdoor seating. Restaurants must also have a significant volume of positive feedback about their patio experience to qualify.
OpenTable says outdoor dining is trending upward across Canada, with a 21% increase in outdoor reservations over the past year. In BC, nearly 60% of diners prefer to sit outside when the weather is nice—making Victoria’s patio culture more relevant than ever.
Nationally, the biggest increases in outdoor dining came from Vancouver and Calgary (both up 35%) and Toronto (up 27%). But Victoria remains one of the most charming cities to eat al fresco, thanks to its waterfront patios, garden surroundings, and ocean breeze.
Beyond just humans, OpenTable’s report also highlights a rise in dog-friendly dining, with more Canadians saying they’d dine out more often if restaurants allowed their furry companions.
While none of the Victoria spots on this year’s list were flagged as dog-friendly, the trend could inspire local patios to make space for four-legged guests in the seasons ahead.
So whether you’re sipping a cocktail at Glo as the sun dips behind the harbour, or enjoying a leisurely lunch in Butchart Gardens’ timeless setting, patio season in Victoria is officially in full swing.
For the full list of Canada’s Top 100 Outdoor Dining Restaurants, visit OpenTable.ca.
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