EVO Kitchen & Bar
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EA T O U TS I D E:
EXPLORING DOWNTOWN CAMBRIDGE’S PATIO SCENE WORDS & PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN
It’s no secret that summers are for patios.
is transformed into a pedestrian-only
Even a cursory glance at almost any downtown
thoroughfare dotted with covered patio
core across our region is proof of this, as
structures, animated by artificial green spaces
‘patio districts’ – initially created as temporary
set up with Muskoka chairs, and brought to life
remedies for the financial beatdowns that
through live music performances (including
restaurants endured during rolling COVID
the Galt Jazz Music concert series held on the
restrictions – have (thankfully) found
first Sunday of each month from 2-5pm). The
permanent seasonal homes in a handful of
whole lower Main Street vibe is soul-stirring
area communities. While Kitchener, Guelph,
and will have you thinking of summer trips to
Elora, and other regional culinary destinations
Rome and Paris, Munich and Kraków, enjoying
have created unique patio districts of their
yourself on patios and pedestrian streets
own (each of which is worth visiting), for this
reminiscent of this one. (All that’s missing is
piece we’ll be shining a light on the Downtown
the ubiquitous European smell of cigarette
Cambridge patio scene. Where to go. What to
smoke and diesel fumes.)
eat. How to enjoy the stay. At the bottom of the street, where Main The core of the Downtown Cambridge
meets Water Street, the inviting seating of
‘patio district’ is Main Street where, from
Local 13 (13 Main St) covers the sidewalk
late-May through mid-October, lower Main
and sprawls out onto the street. This pub-
