Vancouver’s best rooftop patios

After a long, soggy Vancouver winter that drizzled its way right into spring, there’s nothing to perk up Vancouverites’ spirits like a sunny afternoon on a rooftop patio. A glimpse of the city’s killer views from any one of these perched hotspots makes all those rainy days seem like a distant memory. Grab a seat for your dose of vitamin D. [Photo credit: Glowbal Restaurant Group]

Vancouver’s best rooftop patios
Christina Newberry By

Black+Blue

1
1032 Alberni St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1A3

With plenty of outdoor fireplaces, colourful cube lights and zebra-print cushions, The Roof at Black+Blue is a popular patio destination, even after the sun goes down – no wonder it’s open nightly until 1 am. If you’d rather soak up some rays, make your trip up the private glass elevator during the afternoon cocktail hour for feature drinks starting at $5.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House

2
777 Thurlow St, Vancouver, BC V6E 3V5

Joe Fortes bills its rooftop space as a garden rather than a patio – and it’s easy to see why. The lush plants and living wall create a green oasis perched above the hustle and bustle of Robson Street. The rooftop bar is a prime place for a chilled glass from the award-winning wine list. Snag a coveted table to dive into some of Vancouver’s best seafood – don’t miss the house-made lobster oil.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

The Sandbar Seafood Restaurant

3
1535 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9

Nestled under the Granville Street Bridge on Granville Island, The Sandbar patio offers stunning views of the Burrard Bridge and False Creek. The menu features a wide selection of sustainably harvested Ocean Wise seafood, including an extensive daily fresh menu. The Sandbar’s sightlines truly show off Vancouver at its best – especially at sunset.

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Vij's

4
3106 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2W2

Vikram Vij’s new namesake location on Cambie Street is topped with a charming rooftop patio. Covered with grape vines that will eventually grow to provide a canopy of shade, the patio is designed to feel more like a courtyard than an exposed rooftop – but with views only a rooftop can provide. Head on up to sip Tiki-style cocktails while you wait for your table downstairs, or make a full meal from the menu of rice bowls and other simple dishes available up top.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Reflections : The Garden Terrace

5
801 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1P7

Nestled among office buildings and hotels, this fourth-floor rooftop patio is smack-dab in the middle of downtown Vancouver – but you wouldn’t know it from the bright, beachy colours that welcome you to the space. Part of the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Reflections offers a tapas-style menu and extensive cocktail list. It’s a hip place to see and be seen, so dust off your dressy sandals and settle in for a fine summer afternoon.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

The Keg Steakhouse & Bar

6
1011 Mainland St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5P9

This classic Vancouver rooftop patio is fully convertible from open-air summer afternoons to covered and heated winter nights. With plenty of fireplaces and a great view of Yaletown’s glass towers, it’s a great place for an iconic Keg steak any time of year.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:
More from Christina Newberry Christina Newberry
Christina Newberry writes travel and lifestyle stories for local, national and regional publications, and edits everything from conference proceedings to motorcycle magazines. When she's not travelling, Christina can be found puttering in her community garden plot or playing tourist at home by exploring the sights, sounds and tastes of Vancouver’s unique neighbourhoods.
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