NOW's survey of T.O.'s best patios is organized by neighbourhood. To be extra helpful, we've included other notable restaurants in each area.

= Critic's top-50 pick
 B   = Barrier-free: When NOW labels a patio "barrier-free," it has at least one entrance where there are no steps, its tables are reasonably spaced and its washrooms are located on the same floor although they're not necessarily equipped with assistance.

Kensington/Baldwin

Amadeu's 184 Augusta, at Denison Square, 416-591-1245. As the sun sets behind the Sasmart, Kensington fishmongers, local scenesters and lost tourists gather on the Market's best patio. Inevitably, the next table gets a little rowdy and the canned music is mercifully inaudible. Cheap pints as well as reasonably priced and deftly prepared seafood – don't miss the joint's deservedly acclaimed grilled sardines – and fancy-shmancy plastique patio furniture make the Plate (as regulars calls it) a key weekend rendezvous. Sangria by the pitcher, too. Watch your step on the way to the subterranean loo afterwards.

Bellevue Diner 61 Bellevue, at Nassau, 416-597-6912. The north Market stretch of Nassau between Bellevue and Augusta has to be one of downtown's most happening blocks. But outlaw coffeehouses, knitting boutiques and Rent-a-Wreck all take a back seat to the Bellevue's bucolic all-day-sun patio action. Figure in first-rate Mediterranean mains – blue-cheese-topped lamb burgers, daily mussel specials and first-rate steak frites – and weekend brunch and it's no contest of cool.

Hot Box Cafe 191A Baldwin, at Augusta, 416-203-6990. Secreted away behind a head shop, this hippy-dippy café also happens to be the only patio that allows its customers to openly smoke marijuana. To the inevitable Bob Marley soundtrack – with occasional breaks for Dave Matthews or new-Pink-Floyd Coldplay – tie-dyed stoners and their parents chow down on snacks like Puff Mama's hemp cookies, Purple Haze blueberry smoothies and Blazin' Tuna Melts. Or so I'm told. Unlicensed.

John's Italian Caffe 27 Baldwin, at McCaul, 416-537-0598. Always crowded, this candle-in-a-Chianti-bottle old-school Ital eatery has a busy tree-lined terrace set right in the middle of the Baldwin Village resto strip. Light insalata and panini lunches sate the nearby university crowd by day; after dark, the Victorian double storefront attracts lovers of simple Italian food and simply lovers, too. Bonus: pizzas come with either traditional thick dough or au courant cracker-thin crust.

Miss Saigon 394 Spadina, at Nassau, 416-597-9333. One of the few patios in Chinatown, this Miss also serves some of the most creative Vietnamese cuisine in town. Hospitable chef Simon Chau's chalkboard specials are the highlights here: garlicky char-grilled lamb chops with thick rice noodle; broiled Pacific oysters on the shell layered with minced garlic 'n' coriander, and DIY lamb and beef fondue for two cooked at table swimming with thinly sliced rare beef, lamb and wiggly egg noodles.

Also notable

I Deal Coffee 84 Nassau, at Bellevue, 416-364-7700. Boho coffeehouse and wholesaler in the Market appeals to the alternative set. Unlicensed. Unlicensed.

Jodhpore Club 33 Baldwin, at Henry, 416-598-2502. Packed out for its wallet-friendly weekday Subcontinental lunch buffet, after dark the Baldwin Village northern Indian eatery turns up the heat on reasonably priced and assertively spiced fare.

Jumbo Empanadas 245 Augusta, at Baldwin, 416-977-0056. A South American cantina selling delicious Latin turnovers stuffed with all sorts of good things, its smoke-free curbside Market terrace now has a liquor licence.

La Palette 256 Augusta, at College, 416-929-4900. Here's a funky low-key spot with an intimate street-side enclosure serving no-nonsense French bistro classics. Smooth service and a nightly $25 three-course prix fixe dinner, too.

The Last Temptation 12 Kensington, at Dundas West, 416-599-2551. Great spot to kick back with a beer after an afternoon spent vintage clothes shopping.

Louie's Cafe 235 Augusta, at Baldwin, 416-593-9717. In the three summers since this tiny coffehouse on the sidewalk opened, Louie's has become the caffeine-fuelled crossroads of the Market. Unlicensed.

Margarita's 14 Baldwin, at McCaul, 416-977-5525. Mainstream Tex-Mex grub on two patios overlooking the street.

Matahari 39 Baldwin, at Henry, 416-596-2832. Malaysian fare includes lemongrass martinis for would-be spies.

Moonbean Cafe 30 St Andrew, at Kensington, 416-595-0327. Under the morning sun on the patio, the Bean dishes up all-day breakfasts and brews strong, fair-trade organic beans. Unlicensed.

Musa 847 Dundas West, at Euclid, 416-368-8484. Low-key neighbourhood noshery offering contemporary takes on casual Greek and Turkish dishes – lemon-marinated octopus, minty dolmados, old-school moussaka – in a funky-fresh al fresco setting. Open till 2 am most nights, too.

Pho Hung 350 Spadina, at St. Andrew, 416-593-4274. Year-round, the partially tented Spadina-side patio offers multiple variations of delicious pho. Drawing a loyal following of budget-conscious diners, the always-packed spot also offers rarely seen stuff for culinary thrill-seekers: snail vermicelli, beef fondue and congee with heart, blood and intestines.

Vegetarian Haven 17 Baldwin, at McCaul, 416-621-3636. Retro vegiterreana on a pretty tree-lined terrace out front.