Thanks to necessary COVID-19 restrictions, the summer of 2020 has become the summer of parks and picnics for Toronto residents.
The only problem is – after months stuck at home, most likely cooking and cleaning more than ever – a picnic seems like a lot of work. And that’s definitely not something many of us crave more of these days. Helping the stress-free (and delicious) picnic cause, however, some of Toronto’s restaurants and food companies have been busy creating memorable to-go picnic baskets.
Luckily, there is no shortage of nearby parks to enjoy them at.
Here’s where to get gourmet picnic baskets and park yourself in Toronto – just add hand sanitizer and a blanket.
The Best Picnic Baskets In Toronto And Nearby Parks To Enjoy Them At
1. Reyna on King
Neighbourhood: Corktown (354 King St. E)
Nearby Parks: Sackville Playground, Corktown Common, Jimmie Simpson Park
Corktown fixture, Reyna on King, brings a truly mouthwatering Mediterranean experience to Toronto picnickers. A new patio is now open, but those who prefer a picnic may order a popular summer picnic basket ($90/basket). Good for two to four people, options include the Snack Basket (artisanal cheese and charcuterie, marinated olives, beet cashew tzatziki, green onion dip, raw veggies, house-made flatbread, crostini, house-made BBQ chips, Mama Reyna’s Brownies); the Sandwich Basket (marinated olives, turkey Swiss on French baguette, panzanella salad, house-made BBQ chips, Mama Reyna’s Brownies); Reyna Basket (Lebanese tacos, lamb baklava, Reyna Salad, Falafel Bites, Mama Reyna’s Brownies); or the Veggie Basket (marinated olives, Reyna Salad, Middle Eastern Bowl, beet cashew tzatziki, raw veggies, house-made flatbread, breadsticks, Mama Reyna’s Brownies). All baskets come with either a bottle of wine, choice of three cocktails, or a 6-pack of beer. Order here.
2. Aviator
Neighbourhood: Danforth (1458 Danforth Ave.)
Nearby Parks: Monarch Park
Each Saturday, Danforth’s upscale comfort food restaurant Aviator curates cute picnic baskets for what is likely a park-bound clientele. The offerings change weekly, and could include anything from gourmet fried chicken and antipasto platters, to a tea party-themed box, or a tropical picnic-themed option that’s complete with things like Thai chicken skewers, mango slaw, and coconut rice. There’s also a child-friendly meal full of healthy(ish) snacks. Customers have the option to add dessert, beverages, beer, or wine. The picnic baskets are available for pre-order by emailing info@aviatordanforth.com, and ready for pick-up between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
3. All the Graze
Neighbourhood: Delivered within Toronto.
Nearby Parks: The choice is yours; you have options.
Take your picnic up a notch with a delicious, colourful, and completely photo-worthy grazing board from All the Graze. Their jam-packed, picnic-friendly grazing boxes all feature artisanal cheese, cured meats, fruit and veggies, gourmet dips, bread, crackers, olives, nuts, and pickles. The to-go summer grazing boxes are available in four sizes, from The Solo ($60, feeds 1-2 people), to The Gluttonous ($260, feeds 8-15 people…so everyone in your 10-person bubble will be well-fed). Orders can be made online and require 48 hours notice.
4. White Lily Diner
Neighbourhood: Riverside (678 Queen St. E)
Nearby Parks: Corktown Common, Sackville Playground, Jimmie Simpson Park
Bring the diner vibes to the park thanks to the ready-to-eat, constantly-evolving takeout offerings found at beloved Riverside spot White Lily Diner. The diner serves up an assortment of packaged salads, patty melts, fresh veggies and dip, and sandwiches (grilled cheese, smoked turkey club house, rueben, or western, to name a few) to enjoy remotely from the comfort of your socially distanced picnic blanket. You can complement this with a choice of beer, wine, and alcohol-free drinks. For a sweet ending to your picnic, opt for a box of their popular doughnuts (available in a six-pack or by the dozen). Pre-order your park picnic feast online.
5. Dirty Food Toronto
Neighbourhood: The Junction (3070 Dundas St. W)
Nearby Parks: High Park, Earlscourt Park
Dirty Food Toronto elevates your west-end park hangouts with their two to-go picnic packages. The variety-packed picnic is available as a half order ($35) or a full order ($62) and includes light and summery options, like a house-made curry chicken salad, ghanoush, eggplant caponata, smoked salmon spread, flatbreads, crostini, halloumi skewers, ginger-honey watermelon, and bite-size blondies. For the beer lovers, Great Lakes and Oast House brews are available as appreciated add-ons. Get your hands on all this gourmet grub by pre-ordering by mail dirtyfoodto@gmail.com or calling 416-855-3393. The spot is open for pickup Thursday to Saturday 10 am to 2:00 p.m.
6. XO Bisous
Neighbourhood: Financial District, St. Lawrence (60 Adelaide St. E)
Nearby Parks: Berczy Park, St. James Park, David Crombie Park
Pre-order a satisfying sandwich fix from XO Bisous and hit one of the St. Lawrence neighbourhood’s multiple green spaces to enjoy it. At XO Bisous, customers can order a wide variety of sandwiches available that cater to all preferences – from the choice of a baguette, focaccia bread, sesame bread, or a gluten-free option, to meat-packed, vegan, or veggie options. Each sandwich comes with a harvest salad, potato chips, fruit, and iced tea. Baskets are available to feed two ($35) or four ($65) people. Order online.
7. Eataly
Neighbourhood: Yorkville (55 Bloor St. W)
Nearby Parks: Queen’s Park, Village of Yorkville Park
There’s shopping at a regular grocery store, then there’s shopping at gourmet Italian marketplace Eataly – if you’ve been, you know the difference. This rings true for your Toronto picnic needs. This summer, the experts at Eataly have curated a suite of boxes filled with high-quality products to fill the fridge or help your refined park picnic cause. The Picnic Box ($65) brings the flavours of an Italian picnic to a park near you, with salumi and cheese, spreads, crackers, and other refined Italian snacks. Complete the experience with an Aperol kit, wine, or cocktails to-go. Order yours online.
So, if you’re in the market for one of the best picnic baskets in Toronto, these spots definitely won’t disappoint with their thoughtful and satisfying best-enjoyed-outdoors options.
Have you tried any other Toronto picnic baskets that help elevate the ‘summer of the picnic?’
2 Comments
Krystle
July 16, 2020 at 11:02 amGreat list! Will be hitting up some of these places for their baskets. I also recommend Graze Thyme! $60 and free delivery within the GTA
Solmaz
July 18, 2020 at 3:08 pmOooh thanks Krystle! I’ll check them out too.