It’s A Match! Define Your Patio Profile To Find YOUR Perfect Niagara Benchlands Perch

Malivoire Wine Company

With dozens of restaurant, winery, and craft beer patios to choose from, finding sensational outdoor spaces for soaking up the summer sun is never a challenge in the Niagara Benchlands. In fact, narrowing down your options to just one or two can seem like the more daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Just like in the world of digital dating apps, the key to finding your perfect patio pick is to get super specific with your search criteria. To get started, scroll your way through the seven patio profile categories below to determine which of these 29 very eligible Niagara Benchlands patio contenders spark your interest.

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For Patio Lovers Seeking: Sparkling Blue Lake Ontario Views

Looking for a brunch, lunch, or dinner served with a side of Niagara Benchlands’ stunning Lake Ontario shoreline? Head to restaurants perched right along the water’s edge. Best bets include Lake House Restaurant and The Shore.

Insider Tip: Enjoying a weekend morning breakfast at The Shore or Sunday brunch at Lake House Restaurant is a tasty way to kickstart your day and score a prime patio view.

Lake House Restaurant

For Patio Lovers Seeking: Rolling Vineyard Vistas

If a trip to Niagara wine country just wouldn’t feel complete without some time to take in the picture-perfect precision of row after row of ripening grapes, veering off the main highways delivers big rewards. Patios at Westcott Vineyards, Megalomaniac, Vineland Estates Winery, Redstone Winery, and Vieni Estates are all excellent options.

Insider Tip: Soak up those vineyard views a little longer by taking advantage of summer experiences at these wineries, like ebike rentals at Vineland Estates, guided vineyard walks at Megalomaniac, yoga classes at Westcott Vineyards, and live music nights at Redstone Winery and Vieni Estates.

Redstone Winery

For Patio Lovers Seeking: Stunning Niagara Escarpment Scenery 

The Niagara Escarpment, one of only 4 UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves in Ontario, is an incredibly unique piece of Canadian geography. Niagara Benchlands wineries that boast particularly pretty views of this 450-million-year-old natural landform include Flat Rock Cellars, Cave Spring Vineyard, and Fielding Estate Winery.

Insider Tip: If the incredible Niagara Escarpment views at these wineries inspire you to do a little exploring, there are several nearby access points to the Bruce Trail, which winds its way along the Escarpment. Visitors to Flat Rock Cellars can connect with the Bruce Trail at Louth Conservation Area, just one street over on Staff Ave. Cave Springs Conservation Area offers dedicated access to the Bruce Trail and its Margaret Reed Side Trail just down the road from Cave Spring Vineyard’s Vineyard Tasting Room. Local tour companies, like Nature Girl Expeditions, regularly offer guided Bruce Trail hiking experiences with stops at Niagara Benchlands wineries, including Fielding Estates, Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, and Malivoire.

Fielding Estate Winery

For Patio Lovers Seeking: Low-Key Country Porch Vibes

Sometimes, sunny summer days call for a patio with a cozy quotient that makes you feel like you’ve just rolled into a gathering on a pal’s back porch. Creekside Estate Winery, Stonewall Estates, Calamus Estate Winery, Jordan House, Smoke & Moonshine, Coastal Kitchen and Newark Brewing all offer casual, friendly, and extremely welcoming patios.

Insider Tip: Arrive with an appetite when heading to any of these patios and enjoy gourmet grazing like Creekside’s Bucket o' Brussels, delicious flatbreads at Stonewall Estates, tricked-out poutine plates at Calamus, juicy Jordan House burgers, hot-off-the-smoker platters at Smoke & Moonshine, freshly shucked oysters at Coastal Kitchen, or hand-breaded schnitzel at Newark Brewing

Creekside Estate Winery

For Patio Lovers Seeking: Down On The Family Farm History & Heritage

Niagara Benchlands is home to some storied farm properties that offer visitors so much more than fabulous al fresco dining and wine tasting experiences. As you saddle up to a table or tasting bar at Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Honsberger Estate Winery, or The Good Earth Food & Wine Co., you’ll instantly pick up on the immense pride of place felt by the owners and staff.

Insider Tip: Time your trip around special summer events, like Sue-Ann Staff’s beloved annual Bernese Mountain Dog BBQ, line dancing lessons at Honsberger Estate Winery, and live music at The Good Earth to really experience the unique personalities of these properties.

Honsberger Estate Winery

For Patio Lovers Seeking: A Farm-To-Table Fare Stock Up

After enjoying some top-notch summer patio time, Niagara Benchlands visitors are often eager to pack up a little taste of the place to help them recreate a similar experience at home. After gathering around one of the outdoor tables at Grand Oak Culinary Market or spreading out a picnic blanket at The Red Barn Farm Market, stocking your trunk with just-picked produce and freshly baked treats is a must. Then, book a tasting or two at popular patios like Featherstone Estate Winery, Back 10 Cellars, or Bench Brewing and sip your way through a flight to determine which bottles and brews you’d like to bring back home with you.

Insider Tip: Look for nods to the just-picked flavours you’ll find at area farm stands and markets in favourite Niagara Benchlands beverages, like Bench Brewing’s Niagara Cherries Vodka Soda, Back 10 Cellars’ seasonal Smitten Peach Fritter Cocktails, and Featherstone’s Sauvignon Blanc, which has vivid white peach and yellow plum notes

Back 10 Cellars

For Patio Lovers Seeking: A Sunny Summer Day Surprise

Niagara Benchlands is an ideal destination for those who enjoy the experience of stumbling upon something fabulous without really knowing what to expect in advance. To ensure these four truly excellent patio options deliver that element of surprise and delight, we’re offering only their names and a high-level hint.

Just Cooking Rustic Italian … Follow the music on Friday nights

Malivoire … Think pink

Domaine Le Clos Jordanne … Europe, minus the airfare

Rosewood Winery and Meadery … Come for the patio, stay for a buzz-worthy hang with a beekeeper

Rosewood Winery & Meadery

Have we missed any of your favourite Niagara Benchlands patios? Share your patio picks with us by tagging @niagarabenchlands in your Facebook and Instagram posts.