Patio season may be around the corner but picnics are still all the rage.

For many Toronto restaurants, popping up near parks or offering delivery directly to your park picnic has been a necessary business move as the weather warmed up but patios remained closed. And since patio tables can only seat a max of four people under Ontario’s reopening plan, park meets are still essential for larger groups of people who don’t live together to hang out.

Recently I’ve been invited to more picnics and outdoor hangs than I can count – definitely more than in pre-pandemic life. Obviously, our options for socializing are slim at the moment. People can fall back on tried-and-true picnic recipes but it’s been a challenge to find some novelty when every weekend feels like a repeat of the last.

As a picnic-goer it can also be a bit cumbersome lugging your basket and cooler and coordinating with friends about who is going to bring what. After a few unfortunate spills in your favourite tote bag or sandwiches getting squished before you even get to your picnic spot, having someone else prepare all the food becomes even more enticing.

Why not have a refined and upscale meal at Trinity Bellwoods? Or try some Indian street food while people-watching at Grange Park? Or have an entire five-course dinner delivered to you at Riverdale? All in the same weekend?

Here are six Toronto restaurants with picnic-ready menus to help take the load off and give your taste buds something more exciting than finger sandwiches, pasta salads and veggies with dip.