Perfect Patios
Like you need yet another excuse to Ride the Highlands. There are the baked goods and smoked meat quests, the Polish cuisine cruises, the twisty road rides, sweeping vista views, historical settlement stories and now we are bringing you the Perfect Patios. Nothing says a summer ride like rewarding yourself with that perfect patio pleasure.
Ontario’s Highlands is dotted with outdoor dining opportunities as unique as the landscapes that surround them. From traditional lakeside lodges to historic inns to personality-driven hidden gems, riders will rejoice as they settle in under an umbrella and simply sit back and chill.
Of course, we don’t condone drinking and riding, so it’s best to plan your patio once the kickstand is down for the night, especially if you plan on indulging in some locally crafted spirited beverages. If iced tea and near beer are your pleasure let’s see how many patios you can peruse before the sun goes down.
Here’s a taste of some of Ride the Highlands’ finest patios:
Bonnie View Inn, Haliburton
We’ve dubbed Bonnie View the Party Patio. It’s the closest to a Caribbean all-inclusive resort style vibe we’ve found in Ontario. It has the massive BBQ and cabana-style bar, all right on the water. Cottagers, boaters and bikers all flock to Bonnie View to celebrate summer each season and soon it will become an annual tradition for you and your riding crew.
Patio Stats
Size: 18 tables
Number of People: 70
Theme: Casual on the water’s edge, Daisy’s Dockside Patio
View: Beautiful lake southern exposure
Recommended Patio Food: Chicken Panini
Recommended Patio Drink: Green Bikini, Steam Whistle on tap
Spectacle Lake Lodge, Barry’s Bay
Perched on the edge of Algonquin Park, Spectacle Lake Lodge is an oasis after the stunning ride along the legendary highway 60. The Lodge is as historic as Algonquin itself and has been providing for tourists since the 60’s. To continue their tradition of hospitality, they built a stunning new patio overlooking Spectacle Lake and serve incredible lodge fair.
Patio Stats
Size: 8 tables
Number of People: 50
Theme: Quiet and Peaceful
View: Spectacle Lake and Hilltops
Recommended Patio Food: Lodge Clubhouse
Recommended Patio Drink: Lodge Caesar/Draft Beer
The Cove Inn, Westport
If historic inns where you can feel the history are your thing then this place is the perfect patio to park the bike at. As soon as you walk up the front steps, you are transported back to the days of the miners, road builders and loggers looking for refreshment after a long day in the bush. Located right in downtown Westport, you can tell this place is in the heart of the action. Instead of scruffy bar room brawlers, it’s now full of polite tourists sucking back the view and enjoying their favourite local beverages.
Patio Stats
Size: 25 tables
Number of People: 100 plus
Theme: Waterside and Rustic with Music
View: Westport Pond and Foley Mountain Conservation Area
Recommended Patio Food: Beef Brisket and Hot Turkey
Recommended Patio Drink: Perth Brewery Draft Beer
Mex and Co, Perth
Located along the bank of the Tay River downtown Perth, you will swear you are on the canals of Italy …only the culinary theme for this place is straight out of Mexico. Patios were made for real authentic Mexican fair. The menu is wonderfully traditional and of course, has a rich mix of rock-solid beefy burgers. Park your steed along the historic Main Street and go for an ice cream wander after your patio feast.
Patio Stats
Size: 10 tables
Number of People: 45
Theme: Mexican meets the canals of Italy
View: Overlooking the Tay River
Recommended Patio Food: Guacamole served with freshly baked corn tortilla chips
Recommended Patio Drink: Margaritas, Dos Equis XX and Sol
Bent Anchor Bar & Restaurant, Combermere
Located on Madawaska River, Bent Anchor Bar offers an outdoor dining experience like no other alongside the river. This beachfront restaurant, with a real sand beach, offers a massive patio for your crew to stop for a bite to eat. Need a break from the heat? Cool down by taking a dip in the river (flamingo included) or try one of their signature cocktails. They pride themselves in creating the majority of their menu items in house with fresh ingredients.
Patio Stats
Size: Massive
Theme: Chill beach paradise
View: Madawaska River
Recommended Patio Food: In-house smoked chicken and pork.
Recommended Patio Drink: Bent Flamingo, Bent Caesar, Corona
Have a patio you think should be added to the list? Let us know in the comments or email us at, ontariohighlands@gmail.com