Space We Love: Patria

Enter Patria’s iron gates at King and Spadina to discover “the heartbeat of España in the heart of Toronto.” Following a brief closure in 2022, the Spanish restaurant is reaffirming its status in the city’s food scene with a fresh face to match its vibrant culinary vision. Revealing a new and improved interior design by Block Plan Studios – the atelier behind neighbourhood gems like Chica, Lapinou and Miss Likklemore’s – the once moody space now exudes a luminous and airy charm, while staying wholly true to its soulful origins.

“The design concept is old-world meets modern times,” says Danielle Adams, principal designer and CEO of Block Plan Studios. Classic elements, such as the U-shaped bar, are paired with plush seating and white-oak wall panels for a union of timeless glamour and contemporary appeal. Above the main dining area, a custom 15-x-15-foot mesh light feature made in collaboration with Viso Lighting ties it together by casting a gentle glow throughout.

Only a woven-yarn feature wall remains from the restaurant’s original design. “We chose to incorporate new tones and textures throughout the space that make it feel brighter than the once-dark interior, while pulling darker pieces that complemented this new concept,” says Adams. In line with Block Plan Studio’s innovative portfolio of work, Patria’s evolved state is a celebration of the restaurant’s historic influences and cosmopolitan sensibility — mirrored in menu staples like its Paella de Costillas and Spanish Manhattan. BLOCKPLANSTUDIOS.COM