Rooftops in Toronto: the CN Tower, the lake and the skyscrapers seen from above
Canada's great metropolis
The largest city in Canada and the capital of Ontario, Toronto had around 2.8 million inhabitants at the 2021 census, and nearly 6 million in its metropolitan area. Founded in 1793 under the name of York, it became Toronto in 1834. The present-day city was created in 1998 by the merger of six municipalities. Nearly half of its residents were born outside Canada: it is one of the most multicultural cities in the world.
Stretching along 46 kilometres of shoreline on the north-west of Lake Ontario, Toronto faces the Toronto Islands, a string of parks linked to the centre by ferries. The Financial District, around Bay Street, has the highest concentration of skyscrapers in the country. Towering above it all, the CN Tower, opened in 1976, rises to 553 metres and remains the city's most visited landmark.
A city of glass-walled rooms and summer terraces
Because winters are cold, the venues in this selection are open all year round in glass-walled rooms, and their terraces come to life from late spring to early autumn, depending on the weather. Some, like Aera's rooftop, only open in the warm season: check the opening hours before you go.
Where to rise above Toronto
At the top of the downtown towers
The 360 Restaurant, 351 metres up the CN Tower, is impossible to miss: it makes a full rotation in 72 minutes, and the meal includes the elevator ride and access to the observation levels. In the heart of the Financial District, Canoe occupies the 54th floor of the TD Bank Tower, with a bar open on weekdays, while Louix Louis spreads out its grand bar on the 31st floor of the St. Regis. On the lakeshore, Don Alfonso 1890, a restaurant with a Michelin Guide star, looks out over the harbour and the islands from the 38th floor of the Westin Harbour Castle. Near the Rogers Centre, Kōst (44th floor of the Bisha Hotel) and Aera (38th floor of The Well, with a summer rooftop one floor higher) see the CN Tower up close.
On the roofs of King West and the Financial District
On the roof of the 1 Hotel Toronto, a stone's throw from King Street West, Harriet's Rooftop combines covered and open-air spaces around a sushi bar. In the heart of the business district, The Chase has set its glass-walled dining room and terrace on the roof of the Dineen Building, a historic building on Yonge Street. To the west, at the top of Hotel X, at Exhibition Place, Valerie rises from the 27th to the 29th floor, facing Lake Ontario and the downtown skyline.
In Yorkville and the East End
North of downtown, around Bloor Street, the Writers Room Bar carries on, on the 17th floor of the Park Hyatt, the spirit of a former writers' meeting place, with picture windows facing the CN Tower. Very close to the intersection of Yonge and Bloor, TONO by Akira Back serves Nikkei cuisine on the 9th floor of the W Toronto. In the East End, beyond the Don River, The Rooftop crowns the Broadview Hotel with a 360° glass-walled room and a large terrace facing the skyline.
Cocktails, food and budget
Prices for every budget
Prices are shown in Canadian dollars, before tax: in Ontario, the 13% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is added to the bill, and tipping is customary. A cocktail costs CA$18 to CA$22 at The Rooftop at the Broadview Hotel and at the 360 Restaurant, CA$20 to CA$25 at Valerie, and more like CA$22 to CA$28 at Harriet's, Canoe, Kōst or Aera, or even CA$33 for some of TONO's creations.
A rooftop for every occasion
As a couple, with friends or for a special occasion
For an exceptional dinner, Don Alfonso 1890, Canoe and the 360 Restaurant bet on the view and fine dining; for a sunset drink, the Writers Room Bar, Louix Louis or The Rooftop. With friends, the evenings at Harriet's Rooftop, Aera or Valerie carry on into the night, and Kōst, Aera and Louix Louis serve brunch at the weekend.
Getting around easily
The TTC subway and streetcars serve all these venues: Union, King, St Andrew and Queen stations (Line 1) for downtown and the lakeshore, the 504 King streetcar for Kōst, Harriet's and Aera, the 509 streetcar or GO trains to Exhibition for Valerie, Bloor-Yonge, Museum and Bay stations for the W Toronto and the Park Hyatt, and the 501 Queen streetcar for the Broadview Hotel.
Tips for enjoying Toronto's rooftops
Booking, age and dress
Book as early as possible. At the 360 Restaurant and at Canoe, the tables by the windows are allocated in order of arrival and go fast. In Ontario, the legal drinking age is 19, and some bars, such as the Writers Room Bar or Harriet's Rooftop, are reserved for guests aged 19 and over. A smart casual dress code is often requested. Arrive early in the evening to watch the city and the CN Tower light up.
Photo : Arild Vågen / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0