While the official start of summer is June 20, Canadians unofficially kick off the season with Victoria Day and that means one thing: patio season is almost here.
According to a new consumer research from OpenTable, over half of British Columbians (58 per cent) prefer to dine outdoors when the weather is nice, setting the stage for a bustling al fresco dining scene.
As warmer days beckon, OpenTable has released its highly anticipated Top 100 Restaurants for Outdoor Dining list.
British Columbia boasts 19 restaurants on the list, including six Vancouver Island establishments: Boom + Batten, Cafe Brio, Finn’s Seafood, Chops and Cocktails, Fireside Grill, Glo Restaurant + Lounge and The Butchart Gardens’ The Dining Room.
OpenTable data reveals a significant surge in outdoor dining, up 21 per cent across Canada in the past 12 months.
Last year, the outdoor dining trend began to gain momentum around May 8.
This year, even less-than-perfect weather won't deter diners, with 32 per cent willing to brave the elements to stay outside.
Beyond the desire for fresh air and sunshine, OpenTable also highlights the growing trend of pet-friendly dining.
This year has seen a 25 per cent increase in dining at restaurants tagged as ‘pet friendly’ in the past year.
A significant 56 per cent of dog owners shared they dine out with their canine companions at least once a month during the summer, and 36 per cent indicated they would “definitely” dine out more often if it were easier to find dog-friendly options.
OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Canada for 2025 list is based on more than one million reviews from verified OpenTable diners and dining metrics gathered between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025.
