Your ultimate guide to open and soon to be open patios

Provincial bans on dining in at restaurants until April 19th came with a slight silver lining for local restaurants, pubs, and cafes: dine-in service is still permitted on patios. 

While this was welcome news for our neighbours to the south where spring has truly arrived, it felt a bit like winter in Prince George when the new rules came into place. But true to our community spirit, the owners and managers of our many amazing food service establishments rolled up their sleeves, put their heads together, and figured out how to open their patios earlier than normal. And when the City waived permit fees for sidewalk patios followed by an extension of the restrictions on indoor dining to the end of May Long weekend, newly constructed patios, tents, and purpose-built seating areas started popping up outside of food service businesses around the city.

To help you support our local restaurants, pubs, and cafes, we’ve done the research for you and put together a list of pre-existing and pop-up patios you can visit as the weather continues to warm up. Watch the social media pages of your favourite eateries for updates as there will likely be changes over the coming days and weeks.

Patios that are open for business

Alpine Pub
As the Alpine Pub is located in the Hart where winter typically sticks around a little longer. It was a bit too cold and snowy for them to open their patio in mid-April, but it is now open for business. Head there to enjoy some bevvies and traditional pub food at one of Prince George’s longest standing neighbourhood pubs.

Amigo’s Taco Shop
This go-to for Mexican food has set-up sidewalk seating along the storefront of their downtown location so you can enjoy your meal in the spring sunshine.  As is always the case, you can also grab your meal to go.

Boston Pizza
The patios at both Boston Pizza locations (Spruceland and Brookwood Plaza) are open and ready to welcome you. Savour your favourite pizza or pasta as you soak up the sunshine. They are taking reservations, so give them a call if you want to ensure you get a spot!

Buskers Rock Merch and Venue
If you’re craving some authentic diner eats, head to the newly constructed and fully licensed patio at Buskers Rock Merch and Venue. Dig into a hamburger and fries or try one of their breakfast features. 

Betulla Burning
Tucked away at the back of the top floor of Betulla Burning, this patio is small and intimate, making it a cozy or romantic option for a lunch or dinner outing. Heaters will keep you toasty on cool spring days as you savour Neapolitan pizza made in a wood-fired oven or dive into some freshly prepared pasta.

Birch & Boar Charcuterie & Provisions
Stop by this small grocery store in downtown Prince George and pick-up one of their delicious freshly made sandwiches or other takeaway items. Want to sit and enjoy your lunch or late afternoon snack? They’ve set-up seating outside of their storefront so you can stay a while.

Bon Voyage Restaurant
A temporary patio has been set up outside the Bon Voyage Restaurant so you can continue enjoying your favourite steak and Greek cuisine from this restaurant on site. If you’d rather get take-out, they offer that too!

Browns Socialhouse
Browns Socialhouse offers one of the larger patios in town with partially covered and uncovered sections. The heaters are hot, the taps are cold, and they’re serving up all of your favourite dishes, so stop by to say hi and stay a while.

Cimo Mediterranean Grill
Cimos, as it’s affectionately called by locals, has a beautiful little patio located at the front of the restaurant. They’ve worked hard to ensure the patio is well heated so they could open it to customers after the Easter long weekend. So head to Cimos to enjoy homemade pasta and other savoury Mediterranean dishes patio-style.

CrossRoads Brewing & Distillery
If you want to enjoy craft beer with your patio experience, head to CrossRoads Brewing & Distillery. Their already large outdoor patio overlooking George Street in the heart of the downtown has been expanded so there’s even more room for guests. Heaters and propane fuelled fire pit tables will keep you warm and large canopies will keep you dry during spring showers. Grab your favourite pizza, sandwich, or salad to pair with your craft beer of choice.

Earls
Earls is a popular spot in Prince George year-round and its patio is always hopping in the summer. It’s not quite summer weather yet, but the uncovered section of the patio is open and staff are ready to serve you all of your favourite brunch, lunch, and dinner items. Management are working on finding out if the covered section can be opened to customers. In the meantime, they’ve se-up a pop-up tent patio in their parking lot.

Frozen Paddle
As the days get warmer, you might find yourself having more ice cream cravings. And if you like to support locally made products, then Frozen Paddle is for you. They serve up small-batch uniquely flavoured ice cream options they produce in Prince George, including limited release flavours like toasted coconut and apple pie, along with a couple of dairy-free options.

Ice Cream Express
Another local favourite for ice cream is the Ice Cream Express, which is located by the Strike Zone Bowling Alley. They serve up a range of delicious ice cream flavours and offer colourful outdoor seating.

Nancy O’s
This downtown gem worked quickly to build a covered patio outside of their restaurant front and it turned out beautifully. Head to 3rd Avenue for your favourite Nancy O’s sandwiches, soups, burgers, pastas, and desserts. If you’re vegan or gluten-free, they have options for you too, and don’t forget about their scrumptious Sunday brunch items. They’re also offering 15% off pick-up orders and 50% off beer and wine.

Northern Lights Estate Winery
The Bistro at the Northern Lights Estate Winery and their gorgeous patio that overlooks the Nechako River are ready to serve you. So don’t just get excited for their chef’s yummy creations paired with their delicious fruit wines, but head there to try them for yourself and pick up a bottle or two on your way out.

Original Joe’s
The patio at Original Joe’s is ready for customers, giving residents in the College Heights area an option close to home. They are currently only seating tables of four on a first-come, first-served basis. They have heaters on the patio but encourage you to bring your own blanket if you’d like. It’ll be like curling up on your deck, but better!

Red Robin Parkwood
If you’re craving a delicious burger, bottomless fries, and friendly service from Red Robin, you can enjoy them on their patio, weather dependent. So if the weather is mild, dry, and warm, chances are their patio will be open for service. Call ahead if you’re not sure and keep in mind that seating is first-come-first served.

Ritual CoffeeWorks
If you want to sit and enjoy a deeply flavourful third wave coffee from Ritual CoffeeWorks, you can grab your coffee and a regular, vegan, or gluten-free treat to go with it and then head outside to sit at one of their colourful teal tables. They don’t have a patio per say, but sidewalk seating is a great option for enjoying a coffee!

Second Cup Coffee Co.
Another place where you can sip on a coffee and stay instead of getting it to go is Second Cup at Parkwood Place. The outside of the coffee shop is lined with small tables and chairs so you don’t have to go home to enjoy your coffee and baked treat.

The BX Pub
The BX Pub has a little patio tucked to one side of the building that you might miss if you don’t look closely as it’s shaded by trees. But it’s there, and management and staff worked hard to thaw out the frozen together patio chairs in early April to get it ready for customers. Radiant heat has being added to the patio, so it’ll feel like you’re on a sun destination vacation! They’ve also set-up seven personal tents in their parking lot for your enjoyment. And introducing Slider Alley – you can get sliders and BX burgers and fries in the alley between the pub and liquor store. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates.

The Canadian Brewhouse & Grill
The patio on the roof of The Canadian Brewhouse is one you’ll want to check out. There’s plenty of room to space out on this large patio and you can order drinks from the bar. You’ll feel like you’re on vacation as you’ll be high up off the ground and away from the everyday grind.

The Open Door Café
This little pop-up coffee shop has set up on the balcony outside of Books and Company and is ready to serve you hot fresh locally roasted coffee and a range of delicious baked goods. This is welcome news for customers of Café Voltaire, which is located inside Books and Company and has closed temporarily due to the pandemic.

Joey’s Restaurants PG
Joey’s Restaurants PG has taken advantage of City permit fees for sidewalk patios temporarily being waived and has set up a temporary patio in the parking lot outside the restaurant. Indulge in your favourite fish and chips order, shrimp dishes, or other ocean fare. Feeling really hungry? Try out their Unlimited Fish Taco Thursdays.

Montana’s BBQ
If you’re craving BBQ but don’t want to fire yours up, head to the patio at Montana’s. It’s spacious and covered and you’re going to love enjoying BBQ without putting in the work to make it. They offer everything from ribs and steaks to hand-held BBQ classics and even have seafood dishes. If you’d rather order out, make sure to download the Montana’s app. You’ll save $5 on your first order!

Moxie’s Grill & Bar
Moxie’s offers a private patio to the side of the restaurant that they opened up after the Easter long weekend. Stop by so you can enjoy all of your favourite meals in a more social setting.

Nelly’s Pub
Nelly’s Pub is also located in the Hart, so it was a bit too cold for them to open their patio right away. But the weather has changed for the better, so head on over for pub food and drinks! And if you want to support them in another way, order takeout and make sure to download their new app for placing orders. 

North 54 Restaurant & Bar
North 54 has built a patio outside of their 3rd Ave location, complete with a grab-and-go take out bar that’s attached to the side facing the restaurant. They’ve also come up with a new menu for you to enjoy, so what are you waiting for? Go check them out for patio dining or take out.

Prince George Golf and Curling Club
The Prince George Golf and Curling Club is open for the season and so is the large patio attached to the club’s restaurant. It’s the perfect spot to relax and have a bite and a drink after a round or two of golf or on a sunny day if you’re not a golfer. 

Starbucks
Head to any of the three Starbucks locations in Prince George for a coffee and a treat and enjoy it outside. Each location either offers space outside of their storefront or on their patios for you to sit and enjoy your purchase.

The Black Clover
The Black Clover has opened a patio on its roof, making them only the second food service establishment in Prince George to offer a rooftop patio. The spacious patio features high and low tables, heaters, a moveable firepit, and a gorgeous view of the city skyline. They’ve crafted a new rooftop menu featuring a variety of mouth-watering BBQ specials, and you need to try their sangria!

The Keg
The Keg offers a patio that’s bordered on the sides facing the street by glazed decorated glass, making the experience semi-private. They’re offering seating on a first-come, first-served basis. There are only 10 tables available, but if you don’t get a spot, you can head to one of the other patios on this list. The patio is covered and offers radiant heaters along the side facing George Street, so there’s no need to worry about getting cold if you stay a while.

The Makerie
The Makerie has built a colourful patio outside of its downtown storefront that resembles your backyard and includes umbrellas and adirondack chairs , offering you the option to grab a coffee and a regular, vegan, or gluten-free treat to enjoy in front of their storefront. They’re also offering Patio Projects and their Makerie to Takerie, so you can grab a craft to make outside on the patio or to take home to work on at a later date.

The Westwood Pub
Okay, so this one isn’t quite a patio, but it’s the next best thing. Carhop service! Pull into a spot in the Westwood parking lot and order take-out to eat from the comfort of your vehicle. They’ll bring you a tray that sits on the ledge of your window so you don’t have to hold the food on your lap. It’s like a patio, but throwing it back to the drive-ins of the 1950s.

White Goose Bistro
This French Restaurant serves up a wide range of delicious made-from-scratch meals that you can now enjoy on their new patio. The White Goose Bistro has built a brand new patio on the larger corner sidewalk in front of their restaurant. Stop by to try something from their new summer fresh sheet or their food truck, which is also parked in front of the restaurant.

White Spot
White Spot has set up a temporary patio next to its restaurant location on Victoria Street so you can continue to enjoy all of your favourite brunch, lunch, and dinner items if you’d rather dine at the restaurant than get take-out.

Yolks All Day
If you’re craving breakfast and brunch, you’re in luck as Yolks All Day has set up a pop-up tent so you can enjoy your favourite item from their menu restaurant-side. Pancakes, crepes, or a traditional breakfast anyone?

Zoe’s Java House
A small seating area has been set-up on the sidewalk outside of Zoe’s Java House on Specialty Avenue in downtown Prince George. Order your favourite warm beverage, sandwich, soup, and/or baked good and enjoy it before heading to one of the local boutiques on 4th Ave for a little retail therapy!

Patios that are opening soon

The Firm
One of Prince George’s newest restaurants, The Firm is quietly adjusting to the new provincial regulations but has some great surprises in store. This restaurant which features unique takes on fine dining is on its way to opening up the second downtown rooftop patio. Follow their Facebook page to stay in the know around opening dates.

Trench Brewing & Distilling
Rumour on the street is that Trench is also building a pop-up patio so their dedicated customers can enjoy their favourite brews, seltzers, in-house smoked meats, and tacos curbside. Watch their Facebook and Instagram pages for updates!

Other ways you can support local restaurants

If you’re not comfortable sitting on a patio, head to the Support PG Open Now Directory or the websites or social pages of your favourite places to eat to see if they’re offering take-out or delivery options! You can also show love for our local businesses by buying gift certificates and merch, getting your alcohol directly from local liquor stores, breweries, and the winery, and liking and sharing their updates on social media.

Let’s all band together to #SupportPG!

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