A City Girls Guide to
Outdoors: 5 patios, 1 day
When summer hits it’s
great to be outdoors, am I right? The sun beating down on your face, the wind
in your hair, the limited amount of layers you need to wear – pure bliss!
Summer is for being outdoors and being outdoors is great until that one friend
(and we all have one) inundates your Instagram feed with pictures of themselves
mountain biking, white water rafting, camping, running the trails – enjoying the #sweatlife. This is all
fine and dandy; I admire these outdoor hobbies and can understand the appeal
from afar. But let’s get real here for a minute - summer is all about a great
brew and great food on a great patio!
So here’s my guide to 5
Guelph patios in 1 day:
1. We start
our patio journey in this magical little secret garden at With The Grain. If you were
to ask where do the locals go? This is the spot. Everything is
delicious. You can start with brunch or sip a cup of tea here at lunch. The
patio is quaint, fresh and pretty perfect right?
My pick: Try a cup of chili with all
the toppings, a side of roasted squash salad, with an iced tea and DO NOT leave
without having a lemon square – that’s an order!!
2. It’s
halfway through the day now and you need a coffee (or a second or third), let’s
get you there. Red Brick Cafe has
great coffee and your pick of patios. Out front is the newly built wood haven
where you can perch, sip and read the paper. Out back is a cool, alleyway
hangin’ spot, more privacy and stronger drinks as the day turns into night.
My pick: iced coffee by day, sangria by night.
Try the muffin of the day too!
3. In terms
of patios, this one will have you in the heart of downtown Guelph. Buon Gusto has a beauty patio right in
St. Georges Square; its unique shape makes each table feel private which really
enhances the dining experience in such a public spot. Let’s have lunch!
My pick: If they happen to have salmon on special when you are there – GET IT!
Otherwise start with the roasted cauliflower and you will never go wrong with
the margherita pizza. Don’t forget a glass of bubbly too – the prosecco to be
exact.
4. Dinnertime! Miijidaa café and bistro’s patio has been transformed into quite
the oasis, flowing seamlessly from indoors through tall windows that separate
the dining room and patio. This is a patio
you can really unwind on, my tip is to reserve the beautiful, hand crafted farmers
table for a group patio get together!
My pick: If you’re feeling like fish and chips then definitely get - the fish and
chips! (The chips are double fried, so they’re crispy to perfection!) I also
recommend the hay smoked duck breast and a perfect elk scotch egg to start
(maybe throw in some PEI mussels too). And don’t forget a great brew, there are
lots of great local brews on tap (go with the Wellington seasonal) or try the
blueberry port mojito!
5. By now you
have visited four great patios in one day, and you’re feeling pretty full,
let’s finish off with a solid local pint or two at a Guelph rite of passage: The Woolwich Arrow, locals call it The Wooly. Now you may be swayed by the charming balcony
in front of this beautiful old house, but if you can’t find a spot don’t worry,
swing around back to a generous, roofed patio; that’s right, everyone’s
ultimate patio dream of chilling in the rain.
My pick: Definitely get a draught sampler; you can try four different beers in
adorably small glasses. With a wide range of Guelph beers on tap, you’ll have
lots of options. Go with a light and dark beer from Wellington Brew, snag one
from Stonehammer and throw in the Sleeman light if they have it.
Enjoy the great outdoors people!
By: Charlotte
#music #culture #goodeats
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