Two New Patios Celebrate Summer at Waterworks Food Hall
Civil Parks and the Secret Courtyard Garden deliver the open-air culture of a European piazza
In a city full of patios, it’s rare to find two that feel like distinct destinations—let alone ones that sit mere steps apart. But that’s precisely what’s been unveiled this summer at Waterworks Food Hall, where two newly launched outdoor spaces—Civil Parks and the Secret Courtyard Garden—are offering radically different yet equally transportive experiences in the heart of Toronto’s Fashion District.
Anchored between Brant and Maud Streets in the historic Waterworks development, the patios expand on the already ambitious ethos of the hall itself: part European market, part culinary playground. What sets these additions apart is how successfully they translate Waterworks’ eclectic energy into the open air—channeling the city’s appetite for patio season into something more imaginative.
Civil Parks
Fronting St. Andrew’s Playground on Brant Street is Civil Parks, the latest concept from the team behind Civil Liberties and Civil Works. The vibe? “Recess for grown-ups,” says co-founder Nick Kennedy, who envisioned the patio as a whimsical homage to summer holidays and retro childhood joys.
Designed as a vintage sun-drenched escape, Civil Parks is a heady mix of bold graphics, adult-sized hopscotch, and disco ball sparkle. The 100-seat patio invites you to sip a flaming piña colada from a hollowed-out pineapple while soaking in the scent of nearby trees and the echo of playground laughter. A large-scale mural by Toronto artist Jacquie Comrie (completed during the opening party) washes one wall in vibrant colour, echoing the patio’s nostalgic energy with a contemporary, Afro-Caribbean visual language.
On the drinks menu, playful meets polished. The Clarified Caesar elevates the brunch staple with mezcal and clarified Clamato, while a suite of fresh juices—like Whipped Watermelon and Fluffy Apple—offer equally fun non-alcoholic alternatives. Programming rounds out the vibe: Thursday DJ sets launch the weekend early, and a dog-friendly photo wall complete with a faux skyline invites visitors to document the moment—pets included.
The Secret Courtyard Garden
In contrast, just a few steps east lies The Secret Courtyard Garden, tucked behind a set of wrought-iron gates on Richmond Street. Designed by Futurestudio with lush landscape design by Michael Ormston-Holloway, the courtyard is the antidote to the city’s constant buzz—a space where you can lose track of time under the canopy of 12-foot trees.
Where Civil Parks is all brightness and bravado, the Secret Courtyard Garden whispers. Its palette is soft—sage green benches curve through clusters of lavender and white roses, while petite bistro tables suggest long, lingering aperitivi. The space is inspired by Italian gardens but feels resolutely urban, a hidden room in the city’s unfolding architecture.
Daily happy hour runs from 3 to 6 p.m., while Sundays bring Oysters and Bubbles, a pairing of Grape Witches’ natural wines and freshly shucked East Coast oysters from Island Oysters, a Waterworks resident. The final Sunday of each month transforms the garden into a daytime dance party, with sets from Toronto’s food and wine scene insiders.
Grape Witches, who opened their second Toronto location inside Waterworks last year, now helm their own Maud Street patio, outfitted with Futurestudio’s custom furniture and umbrellas painted by artist Laura Dawe. They’ll also take over the courtyard every Wednesday night this summer, hosting a rotating lineup of natural wine tastings, art lessons, and workshops.
Also in residence is Timberlost, the beloved Toronto floral studio known for its wildly romantic arrangements and immersive installations. Their pop-up floral bar, open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, offers a tactile, nature-forward counterpoint to the concrete jungle beyond the gates—complete with fresh-cut stems, gardening tools, and lifestyle goods that lean into sustainable design.
Taken together, Civil Parks and the Secret Courtyard Garden demonstrate that a patio can be more than a few tables on a sidewalk. At Waterworks, the outdoor spaces are as considered as the architecture that surrounds them. They’re meant to stir something—whether that’s a feeling of sun-drenched nostalgia or the quiet thrill of finding a garden in the middle of the city.