Vancouver’s a great patio town. There are big ones, little ones, busy ones, rooftop ones, and dodgy ones, and we’ve sat at them all. This week, however, we’re squarely focused on the cozy al fresco respites that are tucked away from the street, shielded from prying eyes by walls, hedges, or entire dining rooms (we’ll cover second storey and rooftop patios in a future Top Five). After we’ve named our picks, it’s up to our readers to do the ranking.

Minami | 1118 Mainland Street | Yaletown | You have to navigate through a busy dining room gauntlet to reach the back patio at this aburi sushi-focused modern Japanese restaurant, but what a pay off! The leafy hideaway comes equipped with lounge couches and heat lamps, with optional squid tempura and high quality sake.

Adesso | 1906 Haro Street | West End | The legends of Liguria inherited their wonderful, hedged-in patio from Parkside years ago, and the bloom has yet to fall off the rose. Watching the light change here – some of it over a lemon-zinged asparagus and lobster risotto littered with fried Italian parsley – is dang therapeutic.

Tacofino | Blood Alley | Gastown | This new addition has quickly become a favourite on account of its relative privacy in Blood Alley. It’s small at just 16 seats, but it’s well kitted out with local cedar tables and cement breeze blocks. Bonus: crispy fish tacos and super tart margaritas.

Via Tevere | 1190 Victoria Drive | East Van | As if kickass Vera Pizza Napoletana-certified pizza wasn’t a big enough draw (complete with a beautifully tiled wood-burning oven), this neighbourhood charmer has got one of those backyard-y sorts of patios that no one in their right mind would ever want to leave.

Brix | 1138 Homer Street | Yaletown | Reached through an arched tunnel of painted brick, this linen-draped looker is magically transportative. It’s anywhere but Vancouver. Late night menu offers a bourguignon-style poutine of beef short ribs, mushrooms, pearl onions, quebec cheese curds, gherkins and truffle oil. True story.

Honourable mentions: Miku & Pronto. Did we miss something? Let us know on Twitter via @scoutmagazine.

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VANCOUVER’S 25 BEST RESTAURANTS