Sharing a drink or meal with friends on a patio is a popular summer pastime. As the world slowly resumes its normal operations following the COVID-19 shutdown, patio-sitting might be the ‘in’ way to get out of the house and socialize this summer.
The Bench is home to many breathtaking patios in scenic surroundings across Jordan Station, Beamsville, Vineland and Grimsby. Many of them sit on the grounds of palatial wineries with sprawling estates and spectacular views. They serve premium wines and have restaurants that offer farm-to-table fare.
Add these patios to your local summer things to do list. Also, make sure to reserve seats in advance. Seating is spaced according to Ontario’s Phase 2 reopening guidelines. Tables of up to six people per group only.
The Good Earth Wine and Food Co.
Good Earth Bistro’s Chef Andrew Thorne serves elevated bistro style fare made from local farm fresh ingredients. Visitors can enjoy lunch or dinner on the patio overlooking the vineyards. Guests can sit under a shaded trellis creeping with ivy and watch chefs whip up wood-fired pizza from the outdoor open concept kitchen.
Browse the menu and reserve your table: https://goodearthfoodandwine.com/bistro/lunch/
Location:
4556 Lincoln Ave
Beamsville, Ontario, C
Canada L0R 1B3
Map link: Directions on Google Maps
Vineland Estates
Vineland Estates is a breakthtaking winery that sits on a hill overlooking a massive vineyard with a view of Lake Ontario. This grand estate features remarkable Mennonite buildings that date back to the 1840s. Visitors can eat exceptional gourmet food that pairs beautifully with Vineland’s award-winning wines.
Browse the menu and reserve your table: https://vineland.com/the-restaurant/
Location:
Vineland Estates Winery Ltd.
3620 Moyer Road
Vineland, Ontario L0R 2C0
Map link: Directions on Google Maps
Redstone Winery
Restone Winery sits on a 38-acre property of organically farmed grapes. The estate portfolio features late-ripening varietals including Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. They also have a Pinot Gris on the property, as well as a Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay from Limestone vineyard. The Restone restaurant prepares gourmet dishes like east-coast oysters, and marinated ontario burrata, to pan-seared rainbow trout.
Browse the menu and reserve your table: https://redstonewines.ca/patio-dining-redstone/
Location:
Redstone Winery
4245 King Street
Beamsville ON, L0R 1B1
Map link: Directions on Google Maps
Fielding Estate Winery
NEW Patio! The Vineyard Lounge just opened at Fielding Estates Winery. This patio is under a luxurious canopy tent that features stunning views of the vineyard. Visitors can enjoy a private experience that pairs preselected wines with a cheese plate. All wine experiences are led by of a Fielding Wine expert. They run daily from 11am – 5pm. Guests must book in advance. A maximum of six people required.
Book your wine experience: http://www.fieldingwines.com/events
Location:
Fielding Estate Winery
4020 Locust Lane,
Beamsville, ON L0R 1B2
Map link: Directions to Fielding Estate Winery
Flat Rock Cellars
Flat Rock Cellars offers tasting flights on their Green Roof Patio this summer for $20 per person. Wine experiences are led by Flat Rock Cellar wine experts. This winery is well-known for having one of the most stunning views in Niagra. Visitors can stand high above the ground from the Flat Rock Cellar tower and gaze over the vineyard while they sip their vino. They also have a state-of-the-art 5-level gravity-flow winemaking facility.
For more on their wine experiences: https://flatrockcellars.com/pages/visit/tastings-and-tours
Location:
Flat Rock Cellars
2727 Seventh Ave.
Jordon Station, ON
Map link: Directions to Flat Rock Cellars
Peninsula Ridge
Spectacular views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto Skyline can be seen from Peninsula Ridge’s exquisite patio. The outdoor dining area is part of the winery’s “Queen Anne Revival” Victorian mansion. The estate sits perched on the brow of the Beamsville Bench. Guests can enjoy a high-end dining experience in a relaxed rural setting overlooking Peninsula Ridge’s verdant vineyard.
Browse the menu and reserve your table: http://peninsularidge.com/dining/
Location:
Peninsula Ridge
5600 King Street West
Beamsville, Ontario L0R 1B0
Map link: Directions to Peninsula Ridge
Westscott Vineyards
Guests can sit under a tent drapped in twinkling patio lights or book a pair muskoka chairs and sip Wescott wine next to its 28-acre vineyard. The Westscott kitchen serves gourmet dishes with a moden twist. The menu features upscale classics such as the Ricky + Olivia burger topped with pickle aioli, edamame guacamole, and a wedge salad topped with crispy chickpeas and tahini ranch dressing.
Browse the menu: https://www.westcottvineyards.com/pages/patio-menu
Location:
Westscott Vineyards
3180 Seventeenth St.
Jordan Station, ON L0R 1S0
Map link: Directions to Westcott Vineyards
Bench Brewing Co.
Beer lovers can sit on the patio at Beamsville’s Bench Brewing Company where they can nosh on Bench spiced nachos with BBQ brisket, Vietnamese style oven-roasted chicken wings, or gourmet mac n’ cheese paired with a cold pint. Bench Brewing Co. incorporates winemaking tradition into its farmhouse approach to brewing.
Browse the menu: https://benchbrewing.com/our-brewery/#kitchen
Location:
Bench Brewing Co.
3991 King St, Beamsville, ON L0R 1B1
Station 1 Coffeehouse
The Station 1 Coffee house is a bustling Grimsby hangout located off the main drag. It offers fair trade, organic coffees, and teas. The cafe offers gluten-free and vegan options made from the freshest local ingredients. A percentage of the restaurant’s proceeds go to a local charity each month. The coffeehouse serves beer and wine too. It’s a great day and evening patio to visit.
Browse the menu: https://www.stationonecoffeehouse.ca/menu
Location:
Station 1 Coffeehouse
28 Main St. East,
Grimsby, ON
Casa Toscana
The Casa Toscana patio is located on Main Street in Grimsby. Italian food lovers can feast on authentic Tuscan cuisine at this local hotspot. Casa Toscana uses only the freshest ingredients and offers exciting new menu options weekly, as well as, classic Italian favorites. It’s the largest patio on Grimsby’s downtown strip.
Browse the menu: https://www.casatoscana.ca/menu
Location:
Casa Toscana
22 Main St. West,
Grimsby, ON L3M 1R4
Map link: Directions To Casa Toscana
The Judge and Jester
Looking for delicious pub fare? Visit the Judge and Jester pub at 17 Main Street East in Grimsby. It serves traditional pub food, as well as, local Niagara wines and brews. The Judge and Jester pub patio is quaint and cozy, and right in the heart of downtown Grimsby. It was also recently extended to accommodate more customers and better spacing.
Browse the menu and reserve your table: https://judgeandjester.com/frontpage/
Location:
The Judge and Jester
17 Main St. E,
Grimsby, ON L3M 137
Map link: Directions to the Judge and Jester