Edmonton’s casual Asian-inspired canteen delivers one of the country’s greatest year-round patio experiences. In summer, the 230-seat courtyard runs on big energy — a steady hum of guests, a dedicated DJ booth and a patio bar that stays lively long after sunset. The relaxed, unpretentious space was built for flow and Baijiu’s signature boisterous energy.
Come winter, the patio transforms. An infrared-heated, glass-wrapped enclosure (the first installed in North America), replete with panoramic views, turns Edmonton’s coldest months into a snow-globe fantasy — a space where guests can dine “outdoors” (or as close as one can, sans frostbite) while watching the snow fall around them.
Asian ingredients are transformed into smart, layered drinks like the Yishan Poetry — a Baijiu staple made with Japanese vodka, Cointreau and lychee, spiced with cinnamon, ginger and star anise. Seasonal features are built for the weather, like Dien Bien Phở, crafted with Rémy Martin XO, phở spices, maple, Smoke and Oak bitters and a charred-orange finish.
Ten years in, Baijiu and Little Hong Kong (the hidden 12-seat speakeasy) continue to offer exuberance, craft and en plein air patio magic. The bars remain a destination for anyone who believes the best drinking happens alfresco — in any season. That’s why the patio at Baijiu takes our 2026 award.
–Alana Lapierre
