Anyone who gives the Brick Works less than 5 stars does not know how lucky they are to visit such a unique location. Every time I come back here I learn something new about Toronto's history and remarkable geography. You're most likely to enjoy all this place has to offer if you visit during a quiet weekday. The market and events are wonderful, but some of the charm of the space itself gets lost in the crowds. Evergreen Brick Works is a living example of how industrial buildings can be re-integrated back into a natural setting. The multi-functional buildings provide space for numerous free community activities and it's connected to hiking trails as well. All-day parking is $6 but you don't need to spend much more than that to enjoy a visit here. read more

I've heard about Evergreen for months, before I finally visited recently to check out the first annual Garlic Festival. For those who haven't heard about it, Evergreen is a building and community in which others who want to learn more, or interact with other like-minded people can get together and shop at the local farmers' market, attend a bike repair course, or simply enjoy the unexpected beauty they are surrounded by in this area. Ironic, since Evergreen is so close to the highway. I love how environmental, grassroot-sy, this place is. It felt comfortable to be in that kind of space, where there was obvious proof that some people will take their concern for the environment to the next level. They foster and encourage other people's knowledge about things that they can do to help. There are several kids' programs. Dogs are welcome to walk on any of their beautiful available trails. Bike-friendly as well. However... I do wish it were a bit easier to get to by TTC. As mentioned, location is close to the highway. There's a reason I wasn't able to visit this place sooner, and it's why I won't be going again anytime. There is more info on how to get there using public means here: soon.http://ebw.evergreen.ca/visit/getting-here/bus/ I'd like to check out their year-round market sometime. :) read more

Finally got to go today - the Evergreen Brickworks is a beautiful multi-functional space where you can explore nature, host meetups, experience multinational cuisine, shop for artisinal goods at the Farmer's Market, etc. We ended up visiting the Farmer's Market and got squid ink (calamari) linguine! Then it was off to exploring the park itself. Lots of steep hills. Views were beautiful. It is quite nice looking at the different textures and colours from the changing leaves during autumn. Wish we could've explored the rest of the park but we had to leave because of another engagement. The Evergreen Brickworks should be visited by everyone at least once - definitely worth experiencing. read more

One of the gems in the city. It would make my top 10 places to visit in Toronto. Everyday they have a beautiful and great garden centre that is open. We buy our heirloom tomatoes there every spring/summer. They also have a good variety of succulents and pots. At Xmas they have a huge variety of Xmas trees but I've never bought one there. They aren't cheap and I haven't graduated to a real tree yet. Probably next year. On the weekend they have a very large farmers market. The Saturday one is bigger and the different days have different vendors. If you are there on a Saturday I recommend the breakfast crepe from the food court. It's a staple for us on any visit to the farmers market. Another staple is starting the visit at Cafe Belong inside for coffee and either one of there delicious biscuits or one of the other baked goods. You won't want to miss these. If you wonder around or attend some of the ticketed events they hold (cask days, food truck awards, etc) you'll eventually find some old brick ovens. In that same area is where they've had the winter village as well. They also make a little skating loop right beside it. Though one of the best parts about brickworks is the back where the old quarry was that is converted into a park with ponds filled with turtles and fish and pathways you can stroll around on. The only downfall to this place is you have to pay to park. And if you come for the farmers market around 10am forget about finding a spot. Come earlier or later. Though if you are coming from the east side you can easily bike there now. Though watch out for the scary hill on pottery rd :) read more

I've been here on 3-4 different occasions, various seasons, all for a different reason. In the Wintertime, there is a small ice rink. I can't remember if you had to pay or not, but I think there were rentals. Another time was when it was warmer, to hike the trails that surrounded the area. And today, on my most recent visit, it was for a beer event, Brewer's Backyard a la Quebec. I wanted a place to meet up with a friend who lived near the Beaches, this came up, and she was able to meet me! So I was able to visit Brick Works in a different setting. Prices were sorta on the higher-end, but it helped to know that the proceeds were going back into the venue! There's an outdoor, covered component where the beer event was happening. And a separate, indoor venue where I believe the Farmer's Market happens. They also have weddings there which would probably be lovely! Unique and nice use of historical site in T.O. Wish they would do something similar to the waterfront, but that's another post! Tip: Literally RIGHT OFF the highway. So when you're exiting, quickly switch to the left lane and Brick Works will be right there! Tip #2: Paid lot. You hafta memorise your plate #, insert that into the machine. Machine takes change & Debit/CC. NO BILLS. Parking is $1.50/30mins so time your stay accordingly! read more

I saw this place on CTV's "My Toronto" series of commercials. I didn't realize that Toronto had such a place, so it was indeed a lovely find. I'm not sure the history behind Brick Works, but they have a farmer's market every Saturday (from springish) through until November. I went this morning, as the farmer's market season is winding down. What a great little market. It's an outdoor market, but the vast majority of it takes place under a large shed. The market is interesting, a lot of the foods and goods here were organic. I got a very new age, hippy vibe. The most popular good places by far was the french fries stand. They deep fry them on site, two containers at a time. They mix it with a special salty seasoning which makes the fries taste amazing. You get them in a medium size cone for $4. These guys must make a killing because the lineup is insane! Other than that, I tried the organic lemonade. I'm such a suck for lemonade and I thought "ohhh organic too" but quite honestly, I've had much better elsewhere. first off, it wasn't fresh, it came from a large pre-made jug. For all I know it could have been minute maid (I didn't taste any pulp). Secondly, it wasn't cold, which for some reason doesn't make it as refreshing. They sold typical farmer market fare, fruits and veggies and other little goods. Small but a pretty good find! read more

Went for a walk along the forested ravine from Bennington, and eventually made it to Evergreen Brick Works. The venue was huge with tons of place to explore inside and outside! Tons of tiny gardens and ponds, which will be nice to walk around during the warmer months. There is a restaurant and cafe inside serving everything from iced americano's to gluten free chocolate cookies! There were tons of food trucks that are open on weekends. They had a small skating rink that is now closed for the season. There is a farmers market on summer weekends. I will return to Evergreen Brick Works and make the nice walk from Bennington Heights so I can avoid paying for parking! TIP: Walk up the hill to get a nice view of the Toronto skyline! Birds eye view. read more

Many hardcore urban dwellers would be shocked to know that there is a quarry near the heart of the city. Anyone who drives along the Don Valley is aware of how gorgoues the area is - especially during the fall when all of the leaves display an explosion of colour. In addition to geolocial wonder there is an impressive panorama at a lookout near the east slope, and a few historical buildings that are very cool to check out. I should also note, that the Don Valley provides some of the most amazing mountain bike trails in the city (The Goat is one of the best and most challenging), all apart of a larger network of trails throughout the city. read more

Beautiful park with so much going on! There a lot of food truck options, none super good, but it still gives off a great vibe. Everyone we met working here was so friendly. There was so much to explore and just look at. Alot of art and visual candies. read more

See all

Visited them yesterday afternoon for the Wild Blueberry festival. It was okay. There was live music. A few fruit/vegetable vendors. A few cafes. The parking was a pain as it was very busy. It is much smaller than St Lawrence market, if you want to visit for fruits and vegetables. They have a tour of the old brick factory, may return some day for that. Pizza Libretto is there on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 - 8:30 pm. read more

I visited Evergreen Brick Works because I wanted to eat the Jamie Kennedy fries. What I found was an entertaining fair that comprises of a year round farmers market, a children skating rink, a clay work area, a cafe and more. It is quite a place for both children and adults. I recommend Evergreen Brick Works for a family day outing once in a while. Parking is affordable at $8 flat for weekends and holiday, or $6 for weekdays. Everything else from coffee to pizza to organic products are pricey, as expected. read more

What a feather in Toronto's cap! The wetland gardens are lovely as is the surrounding woodland. I am eagerly looking forward to the continued renovation and re-use of the buildings as well. Plan to revisit in spring. This should be a lesson for any city or jurisdiction possessing an abandoned quarry. I am posting a link to a photo gallery with some pics (also some nice ones of Mount Pleasant) taken on a recent walk: http://johnthebear.smugmug.com/Toronto/Events-and-Destinations/Autumn-in-the-Don-Valley/14331682_XkCnn read more

Evergreen is incredible! I really can't think of a better word for it. *** Free shuttle every half hour from Broadview Station, so come by public transport!*** There are things here to enjoy for all ages. The farmers' market (year round open on Saturdays) is really good. Fruit veggies, lots of meat options, honey, prepared foods, and live music! Kids can play in Chimney Court which is an evolving playground where the kids are able to create structures and improve the place with the available materials. They can also learn about cooking in cob ovens, learn about vermicomposting and growing native edibles in the greenhouse! Also, must sees here include the historical tour through the old clay kilns, the edible garden mounds in Koerner Gardens, and a walk through the ponds being reclaimed by native vegetation. Here you will likely see fish and turtles! There are things happening here nearly everyday (including Sunday!) so come spend a day with your partner, kids, friends, or your self! read more

A great place to relax. Plenty of nature in the back to unwind while taking a stroll around the ponds. There is activities there year round with Evergreen. You can even learn sustainability tips in workshops that also include a cooking series and gardening. Year round activites with the ice rink in the winter. Always great is the weekly farmers market that is also year round. Can't think of a better place to be. read more

Had a great time at the Evergreen Winter Fest! I was visiting Toronto for a weekend and this event was going on. Super cute area with a number of food truck options - Italian, Pakistani, waffles, drinks, and melted cheese! On the other side is a small area of crafts and food items made by local vendors. Fun to look at and try/buy if you are interested! For me, the best part of this area was the free public skating! They have skate rentals for $5 a person, and all proceeds go to charity. They have staff going around "cleaning" the ice shavings, though don't get it twisted - they're no zambonis. Just like any other rink, there were novices and experts on the ice, so just be careful. Lots of kids, and it was plenty of fun watching these kids skate for the first time or get the hang of balancing! After a couple hours of skating, we went back to the food area and grabbed some much needed apple cider with a special shot of whiskey. Perfection! Great time here! read more

Wandered over today to check out the Christmas Village with Etsy artisans and food trucks. Fewer Etsy people than I expected, but is was fun and quite beautiful with light snow falling. Enjoyed some perhaps overpriced raclette, but where else will you find raclette in such a perfect setting in Toronto? read more

Dog owners beware - this place is super not dog friendly. Designated pet spaces are very limited for a sprawling outdoor space. Took forever to get here and the shuttle does not allow pets?!?? There is a TTC bus out of here but it goes to Davisville. What a complete waste of time to go here with your pets. Never again. Also Don valley trail not very good as there is so much construction. I will stick to Corktown Commons! read more

See all

Amazing park, farmer's market. Terrible parking situation - prepare to be annoyed on the weekend. read more

What a hidden gem! The ALL YEAR Farmer's Market is such a beautiful treasure trove and the local food court is a must visit. I definitely recommend Clement's Crepes for all your sustenance needs while visiting. Mike was a fantastic tour guide and we learned a lot about the area. Not only is the area very peaceful despite getting a fair amount of foot traffic, it's picturesque and suitable for everyone. Kids will absolutely love the kid-oriented park (so will adults who don't mind some dirt). Everything is overpriced but the proceeds go back into the Brickworks in it's maintenance, development and programs. I can get behind that :) Like Janna S., I can't imagine who would give this scenic, peaceful and well planned area less than 5 stars. read more

Definitely a hidden gem tucked away just out side the downtown core. The venue is pretty awesome -- historic/older building with a hip vibe. I came here for a craft beer event -- the beer was great but the food was bad. I will definitely check out the Farmer's Market at some point and add to this review. read more

Visited the farmer's market for the first time. That opens at 9AM and closes at 1PM. Got there around 11:30AM. The farmer's market spanned through two buildings, one room was full of mostly hot food and some other canned foods, meats and cheeses. Lots of samples around to help you make your decision on what to buy. Some places sure sold out fast.. have to get here earlier to line up and to even make sure that there is stock left. Bought chocolate mint and lemon blueberry coconut macaroon cookies for a dollar each and they were good. I want to try The Little Dumpling next time. There is a cafe in the garden market and one stand caught my attention, as it was selling sweet potato fries. This Saturday was the last weekend of the winter farmer's market which is indoors and next Saturday, the summer farmer's market will begin outdoors. Also bought a gluten-free red lentil pasta at the farmer's market for $3CAD and a garden vegetable pasta for $5.25CAD at the garden market, which doesn't close at 1PM like the farmer's market does. If they're good, next time I'll be back to buy the calamari pasta, red pepper pasta and olive&oregano pasta as well. There was a stand in the garden market selling seeds and on the table, they were giving away seeds of a particular flower for free! I will probably come again during the summer farmer's market to enjoy some fresh air and to see what new stands have appeared. read more

Indigo - Chocolate mint and lemon blueberry coconut macaroon cookies - Parking Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

There is nothing to much to do at all. I think it might be winter time and no events happening on the day we went.(weekend) We arrived at 2 and the parking lot is still really crowded. We thought it might be a lot to look at or walk round so we paid for 2 hour parking. We went inside to the winter village and figured out there was only 1 store and 1 cafe in the building. Also, couple food trucks on the other side with a small skating rink nearby. It only helps us kill 40 minutes. Then, my partner saw there's a little hill to climb on so we both went up to little hill and look off the view. We walked slow and paid a second visit to the store before we left. Everything are done within 1 hour and 20 minutes. So I guess an hour parking would definitely more than enough for everyone. Anyway, I will give it a try again sometime in the summer to check out is there anything fun to do. read more

really disappointed. nothing to do at all. It might be because of the winter time. We arrived at 11am to get a parking spot, and we paid 2 hour parking which was more than enough. We went inside to the winter village which there was 1 interesting store and 1 restaurant. The food street was not good enough either, just a couple of food trucks. Went up to the look off-- nice Toronto view... Not sure if we would go back in the summer or not, doesn't seem like there is something interesting there. read more

I took a 5 week class on DIY Bike repair at Evergreen Brickworks this winter. The class was led by Alex Legum. This was a terrific class. It covered the basics for DIY bike repair and maintenance. The class was small and the work was focussed on your own bike. The instructor was fantastic. Alex is an avid and accomplished Trek sponsored rider in addition to being an experience bike mechanic. She has a great depth of knowledge on all types of bikes and is a very skilled and patient instructor. I would recommend this class for anyone who wants to work on their own bike. read more

So I read all about how awesome this place is. And yes, It's pretty cool - IF you don't plan on taking photos. So I show up with a few friends and I bring my camera. Of course! What an idea! This is a city of Toronto site that has been brought back to life by Evergreen - a charitable organization. It's not private, It's an urban exploration! So we pay the $8 for a couple hours of parking. Then I start snapping a few shots (I am a student of photography) with my new camera. We get told that we are not allowed to take photos - WHAT? So then the guy checks with his boss. He says we need to buy a media pass. This is $200. So I explain it's noncommercial - just taking some shots of my friends and that I'm a student. Then he goes - oh, that's fine then. Here's a form you need to fill out as a student, but you can't take any photos indoors. There's like 5 people in total there on the WHOLE site. It's Sunday morning. It's minus 32 degrees with the windchill. In short - a bureaucratic nightmare. NEVER going back. read more

I really enjoyed the wedding that I went to at Brickworks. The staff was super-professional and friendly. The venue is unique, and huge. There would be really no limit to size of party you could throw there. I enjoyed the sense of history there-- there are many artifacts preserved there which are fascinating. read more

The concept it's great, wish we had more places like this in Toronto. With so many buildings arising In the city, the lack of green areas is growing. Excellent to go with friends on Sunday's, grab your bike, ride through the paths. Consider may be taking food from home for a picnic as you will find food around to be a bit pricey. Love the idea, art inspired you will meet lots of great people. A must once a month at least for me. read more

The Brickworks makes you feel like you're in the country while being in the middle of the city. It's a great place to hike around with the dogs, both on & off leash, as there are trails to walk and there are also designated, fenced-in off-leash areas for the dogs (with access right off the main trails). It's a really nice feeling knowing hat you don't have to drive a few hours out of the city to experience the calming wilderness. The Brickworks is exceptionally stunning in the fall, as the colours are changing! read more

This review is more for their Winter Village market. Great concept but no great deals on any items that were being sold by any vendors - not that there were many to begin with. There were also 4 or 5 food vendors but the food wasn't anything we haven't seen elsewhere. Skating rink was cute and uncrowded but thought it would be bigger. The jars of spices and sauces sold in the main store looked great but seemed a bit overpriced, which was expected. Cafe Belong looked cute but didn't seem to be selling much in terms of snacks- might have to come back here for brunch or lunch sometime when the weather is warmer. I came here before for TUM years ago and while it's a great space, not sure that it's worth the cost of parking...$2 for every half hour I think? Again, might give this place a try in the summer or fall when the trails and views look nicer like in some of the photos. It's charming but plan to do other things around TO as well and make a day or afternoon out of it. read more

See all

This place is gorgeous. The little eco-shop and cafe are more expensive than I was expecting, but I'm sure it was worth it--I decided not to indulge this time, but I might in the future. We came up to check out the velodrome racing; I'm not sure if the track is a permanent fixture but it would be more than welcome! The contrast between the energy of the crowds cheering on the bike race, and the hiking trails that take you into the surrounding ravine is striking--there are so many ways to use this beautiful space. There were even two wedding parties posing for pictures the day we went! read more

I enjoyed Toronto Brickworks so much that we ventured into this historic site twice this past Thanksgiving weekend. The weather was perfect for a stroll and for exploring this beautiful park. The park simply looks like a collection of partially restored factories and an ongoing construction site with dusty roads from the main entrance right off Bayview Ave south, not far from the Don Valley Parkway exit. Once you walk through past the cluster of restored buildings or maybe the cavernous skeleton of one of the factories (complete with sections of rail tracks still visible in the ground), the ravine and park unfolds before you. It is especially gorgeous in the autumn when the greenery starts to change their colours for the season. The sides of the ravine rise above you, with many families both young and old taking advantage of the easy hiking trails. Many people come here armed with a camera to explore both the hills and forest above and the valley of the park below with its network of paved paths, naturalized foliage and bridge trails snaking through the ponds. There is an abundance of wildlife here if you pay close enough attention. Don't miss the photo opportunity with the disused rail tracks on top of the ravine barely hidden behind the wide hiking trail. I noticed 2 Green P parking lots with parking at $1 per half hour. This park is definitely a beautiful space to experience a little more nature than usual in the heart of urban Toronto. read more

I went to the Evergreen Brick Works on a Sunday afternoon, but I didn't stay long because everyone was packing to leave the location. For my brief 20 minutes at this location, I see a great future for this idea and location. In Southern California, we have similar farmer's market but they are usually located in parks. This location is very unique, there is a forest near by where you can take walks with friends and family. I look forward to come back to Evergreen Brick Works on my next visit to Toronto. read more

I think that Brick Works may have grown since Linda went there last year, or maybe it is busier right now because it is prime farmer's market season. I would say this is one of the best markets I have been to in Toronto. First of all the whole area is beautiful. It is an evergreen project and they have done an amazing job of preserving the natural beauty of the site. The actual farmers market happens every Saturday from 8-1. However, I noticed things started to wind down by around 12: 30 ,so I would recommend getting there a little early. The space isn't huge but they pack a lot in. First of all there are FREE SAMPLES EVERYWHERE. I planned on buying lunch, but honestly got quite full on all the free samples. The fry guy that Linda mentioned is actually Jamie Kennedy. He was there making sweet potato fries and serving them. I didn't try any but I think I was the only person in the place without a cone of fries. Lee also had a booth and was serving some sort of Asian slaw. Looked beautiful! Other highlights for me included the mustard guy. ( I love mustard) I would definitely recommend the horseradish mustard. It has a great kick! They also had a bunch of delicious looking glutton free baked goods, organic chocolate, amazing pickled vegetables, every stinky cheese you could imagine and of course seasonal fruits and veggies Great Saturday morning activity! One warning...there is not a lot of parking available. I would definitely recommend biking! read more

I've been to the Brickworks for a few reasons: for walks around the wetlands (totally amazing), for the off-leash dog park (meh... too muddy), and for the farmers market (my least favourite... so many annoying people). Last night we went there for a private event. It's a neat venue. I like how they've kept a lot of the graffiti on the brick walls. For those of us who don't own a car, it is a little awkward to get to. If you don't mind waiting there is a shuttle bus from Broadview station. You can't bring your dog on the shuttle, so that's pretty much useless for me. read more

Are you looking for a wedding venue that's cool and hip? look no further, this place kicks ass. You can have your cermony with a beautiful lake serving as the backdrop, followed by an outdoor reception and a venue that allows you the flexibility to (a) serve anything including cakes with the batman logo on it and fried chicken as an entree; (b) have an open barrel of fire to use to cook smores; (c) stay out past midnight dancing to 90's hip hop and r&b. Book now before it's too late. read more

Very nice getaway in the heart of the city. A great place to bike to and spend the day outdoors. They have restored a lot of the old buildings, and the nature is beautiful. There is also a restaurant there which uses locally sourced food. Only downside is the restaurant is pricey. read more

Hadn't been here for a while. Liked to go with my camera and take some pictures. Great scenery shots. Went today and they now have pay parking. Left right away. Very disappointed. I'm not paying to walk around and snap a few pictures! read more

You know i love the idea and concept of the Brickworks, but man that farmers market just really upsets me. How does anyone get away ripping people off like that? read more

Chocosol Traders in the Brick Works weekend market, has excellent chocolate offerings. I was allowed to sample several delicious choices but settled on the Vanilla Sea Salt, Dark Chocolate Bar. Be warned, this is a quality chocolate product with complex flavors suited to a mature palate. Being an ethically grown and traded product makes the flavor a little more enjoyable. Also, the customer service was excellent. Genuine and passionate about her product. Thanks for the great exchange. read more

My husband and I went on a nature walk behind the brickworks. It's like a little slice of cottage country in Toronto's backyard. We have come here many times to show my country friends we're not just full of concrete. HAHA read more