These Little Portugal and Queen Street West restaurants and cafés are top local picks for park picnics and coffee dates.
One of Toronto’s busiest public spaces—especially in summer—Trinity Bellwoods Park straddles two uber-cool downtown neighbourhoods: Queen West and Little Portugal.
Readily accessible by streetcar, on foot and share bike, Trinity Bellwoods attracts a young crowd, typically Gen Zs looking for a casual afternoon hang and Millennials toting kidlets to the park’s wading pool and dual playgrounds.
You’ll also find tennis courts, a baseball diamond, leash-free dog zone (it’s the unfenced valley at the centre of the park) and ample grassy areas where you can enjoy a picnic or coffee in the shade of mature trees.
This leafy retreat is the perfect spot for a quick—or leisurely—timeout. Here are 10 places for park picnic food ideas and the best takeout near Trinity Bellwoods.
Queen West restaurants for Trinity Bellwoods food
Matty’s Patty’s Burger Club
With its primo location facing Trinity Bellwoods Park, celebrated Canadian chef Matty Matheson’s burger joint is an obvious choice for good old-fashioned picnic fare. Dig deep into single-, double- and triple-patty burgers served up with crispy golden onion rings and an array of sauces.
Agora Fresh Market by Mamakas
A couple doors from Matty’s Patty’s, Agora offers a fresher take on picnicking. Tuck into a grilled halloumi pita wrap or tender chicken souvlaki atop a crisp Greek salad, as you sit under a big old oak tree in the park.
Fresh Kitchen + Juice Bar
Health-conscious eaters will love Fresh, a neighbourhood stalwart since 1999. Its bowls ace the greens+grains+protein formula with élan, with plenty of customization available for picky eaters with a nice selection of fresh-pressed juices and smoothies to quench every thirst.
Sud Forno
Grab-and-go Southern Italian fare is on the menu at Sud Forno, a short walk from the park. Order up a can’t-miss Margherita pizza or cornetto salmone (salmon croissant-wich) with a caprese salad to share. Better cover all the bases with Nutella-filled bomboloni for afterwards, too.
Trinity Market
A stone’s throw from the park, this cute snack bar and bottle shop offers an array of picnic fare if you’re hankering for charcuterie. Local meats, boutique cheese and house pickles should satisfy that itch, especially if followed by spinach-and-ricotta empanadas.
Little Portugal restaurants for takeout near Trinity Bellwoods
Lambo’s Deli Sandwich Shop
Old-school Italian-Canadian subs rule the menu at Lambo’s, a short walk away on Dundas Street West. You really can’t go wrong with the Italian Trio, which is piled mile-high with soppressata, mortadella, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, pickled red onion, arugula, pesto and Calabrian chili spread. Vegetarians can opt for equally stacked roasted veggie or Caprese subs.
Hot Pork
Smoky meats beckon from Hot Pork, a Covid-era popup turned bricks-and-mortar success story. Chow down on smoked beef brisket sandwiches or see what’s new. Specials like the crispy duck leg confit with orange-and-fennel slaw come and go, so grab ’em while they’re hot.
Nova Era Bakery
A local success story, this family-owned Portuguese bakery has evolved into a popular southwestern Ontario chain. Known for its sweet and creamy pastéis de nata custard tarts, the bakery also sells savoury cod cakes (pastéis de bacalhau) and shrimp croquettes (rissóis de camarão) that are perfect for nibbling in the park.
Coffee near Trinity Bellwoods
Nadège
This quaint patisserie sits at the park’s south-east corner with a patio of its own, perfect for coffee in the park vibes, but with china and flatware. Known for their petite macarons and beautifully composed desserts, they also serve handmade truffles if that’s what you prefer with your coffee.
White Squirrel Coffee Shop
Named after the famous leucistic white squirrels that can occasionally be spotted in the park, this cafe faces the park from Queen Street West, where a steady line of coffee lovers line up to get their latte or cortado fix from the takeout window.
Bocados Bake Shop
A few doors from White Squirrel, you’ll find Bocados, a sweet shop with ice cream, cheesecake slices, over-the-top cookies and perfectly portable Tres Leches Square Cakes you can spoon up straight from the tray.
Morning Parade Coffee Bar
Start your day with a run in the park. Afterwards, refuel a latte and breakfast sandwich. (Or, for a lighter option, a house-made muffin.) Located across the street from the park’s north end, Dundas Street West’s Morning Parade offers tasty grab-and-go options for park visitors in a hurry.
Found Coffee
Tucked away on Shaw Street, this Third Wave coffee shop takes its beans very seriously. Meticulously roasted, ethically sourced and sustainably grown, this is small-batch coffee at its best. The Doctor is their signature beverage, a 6 oz double ristretto that’s stronger and sweeter than their flat white.
More park picnic food ideas
Want more local food options for Trinity Bellwoods food? You can find locally made sweets and savouries at the weekly Trinity Bellwoods Farmers Market (Tuesdays from 3 to 7 p.m., through October 28, 2025).
Down the street on Queen West, Sanko is a Japanese grocery store that carries ready-to-eat omusubi and mochi perfect for picnicking in the park with. Arrive early though: both tend to sell out by midday.
—This story has been updated with new details since it was first published in March 2021.
