Toronto restaurant and bar operators can now apply for or renew curb lane patios through CaféTO for the 2026 season, with the City aiming to have most ready for the Victoria Day long weekend.
The opening of applications was announced Jan. 7 in a City of Toronto news release. The City says it is offering earlier application timelines and continuing to improve processing to help businesses prepare for the outdoor dining season.
For residents, the program means seasonal dining spaces along neighbourhood streets. Those spaces also require planning around everyday street uses, including deliveries, garbage collection, cycling and pedestrian access.
Information and support for operators
Operators interested in a curb lane café can find program requirements at toronto.ca/cafeTO. The City is also offering virtual information sessions and one-on-one support for businesses before they submit an application.
After applications are submitted, City staff will work with operators and local Business Improvement Areas on traffic management plans. According to the City, those plans will account for the needs of businesses, residents and road users.
That work includes considering loading zones, waste collection, cycling infrastructure and pedestrian access alongside the proposed dining spaces.
The Jan. 7 announcement concerns curb lane applications and renewals. The CaféTO website also provides information about other outdoor dining options, including sidewalk cafés and patios on private property.
A citywide outdoor dining program
CaféTO began in 2020 as a response to the pandemic and has since become a permanent annual program. It covers outdoor dining in curb lanes, on sidewalks and on private patios.
In 2025, the program supported approximately 1,500 outdoor dining spaces across Toronto, according to the City. That included 285 curb lane cafés, 579 sidewalk cafés and 703 private patio endorsements allowing businesses to operate patios on private property.
Many of the sidewalk cafés can remain in place throughout the year. The City also reports that participation is growing outside the downtown core, with restaurants across Toronto using outdoor dining spaces to bring in customers.
The City is encouraging residents and visitors to visit CaféTO patios from May through October. It describes the program as part of its broader support for restaurants and neighbourhood main streets as Toronto prepares for an expected increase in activity and visitors in 2026.
