Brunch is not just a superior meal. It’s a lifestyle. There we said it.
Brunch is waking up late, dressing up to feel good, and never forgetting a hearty meal to fuel oneself until the evening. For us, there are specific criteria before a place can be considered the best brunch spot: comforting dishes, early opening hours, and cozy, Instagrammable interiors.
Sure, brunch is even more fantastic if it’s spent unwinding, catching up with friends, and enjoying a slow meal without the clock ticks being noticed. But brunch is always a good idea, whether alone or in a group.
So, dress up to impress and enjoy delicious meals, light and bright vibes, and IG-worthy brunch places around Toronto.
And if you’re in the suburbs, there are plenty of amazing brunch places in Markham for you to try!
1. Mildred’s Temple Kitchen
Image by @mildredstemplekitchen
Address: 85 Hanna Ave #104, Toronto, ON M6K 3S3
Invite your long-term besties on a brunch date at Mildred’s Temple Kitchen. Celebrate the sweetness of life and youth as you devour brunch favourites like the Side Blueberry Pancake, Crispy Rosemary Potatoes, Warm Buttery Croissant, and the like.
The open concept of the place makes you want to ring the whole squad and enjoy a delightful meal and better conversation (or gossip). This restaurant is very cozy, Instagram-worthy, and offers attentive service.
But do you know what the best thing about the place is? You can get a cocktail or beer in broad daylight without anyone raising their eyebrows!
2. Maha’s Egyptian Brunch
Image by @mahasbrunch
Address: 226 Greenwood Ave, Toronto, ON M4L 2R2
Having brunch at Maha’s feels sinfully luxurious. Stepping into the place makes you feel like you can’t have a better breakfast elsewhere because you assume they serve the best. And they do. In fact, you’ll regularly see a long lineup of people outside the premises.
This brunch spot is cute, but they give you a “feel at home” vibe like you’re about to enjoy an intimate meal with your family. Get the Cairo Classic, Sunny Eggs and Foole, or Egyptian Falafel; these are their specialties. You can even buy two or more cuisines and feel delighted later.
This brunch spot’s only downside is that it is regularly crowded with customers. But hey, it’s Toronto! Lining up for a delicious meal is well worth the wait!
3. Pow Wow Café
Image by @powwowcafeto
Address: 213 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2L4
Pow Wow Café is always up there at the top. It’s not only because of their tasty coffee, chicken shawarma, or Beef Chili Taco, but because dining here is a fuss-free experience – top-notch service, large serving, plus the outdoor space makes the brunch experience even more relaxing.
This tiny place offers Indigenous dishes with its massive selection of tacos as the main specialties. If you’re not fond of Tacos, there is a variety of breakfast items and tasty coffee choices to make your day.
A tip: leave your number when there’s a long lineup so the employees can call you back. Also, this place only accepts cash, so head to the ATM before visiting the café.
4. Insomnia Restaurant and Lounge
Image by @bomzeatz
Address: 563 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1Y6
Are you looking for an escape from your regular busy day? Don’t look further and head to Bloor Street, where you will find a cozy space that will make you forget the world for the time being. Insomnia Restaurant and Lounge is known for its comfort food and a long list of cocktail choices.
Insomnia’s aesthetic interior design is inviting, and so are their freshly baked muffins. Keep your brunch simple with their killer espresso and egg omelette or you can see what the hype is about their waffles. But if you wanna go all out, a glass of wine and Tofu Rancheros are the best combos.
5. Lady Marmalade
Image by @ladymrestaurant
Address: 265 Broadview Ave, Toronto, ON M4M 2G8
Some restaurants make the most delicious meal, while others excel on coffee alone. It’s hard to find a brunch spot that can do both, but you’re lucky since you found this place. Lady Marmalade offers a short list of brunch and drink menus but rest assured that everything is excellently curated.
Their brunch menu features brekky classics like Egg Benedicts, Poached Egg, and Breakfast Sandwich. All items are best paired with their very own hot chocolate alone. If you’re feeling creative, try their Huevos Rancheros and pair them with a cappuccino. Their coffee is from Pilot, so you know you’re getting one of the best coffees in Toronto.
Nothing, however, is stopping you from craving a more healthy choice of beverages, aka fruit-flavoured drinks.
6. Emma’s Country Kitchen
Image by @toronto_food
Address: 810 St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON M6E 1A7
Bacon and egg platters, hefty pancake stocks, and delightful bagels are the first things in our heads when we think about brunch. And it’s precisely what you will expect dining at this popular restaurant.
Located at St. Clair, this not-so-hidden gem is packed with hungry diners on every corner. The overall ambiance is warm and inviting, and so are their dishes. Their menu is a bit pricey, but anyone who loves bread and pastries will surely leave the place feeling delightful.
Just a reminder; the place is not very vegan-friendly. If you’re vegan, your alternative is to order pancakes, griddled tomatoes, or both.
7. Rol San
Image by @Roseanne N.
Address: 323 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5T 2E9
Dim Sum. That’s it. No one else in Chinatown does the classic Chinese brunch better. Fresh siu mai, bouncy shrimp dumplings, and toasty pan-fried turnip cakes are just one of the many masterpieces they offer. There is also congee if you want something light. But, really, try their dim sum, and you will surely come back to this place.
The front part of Rol San features a classic Chinese interior while the back is more modern after their renovations.
Overall, the place is recommendable for anyone looking for the best dim sum or authentic Chinese food in Toronto.
8. Evviva
Image by @evvivarestaurant
Address: 25 Lower Simcoe St., Toronto, ON M5J 3A1
Address: 3175 Rutherford Rd, Concord, ON L4K 5Y6
Address: 5221 Yonge St, North York, ON M2N 5P8
For relaxing Sundays, treat yourself to this spa-like restaurant with a blooming interior design. Evviva’s colourful interior makes a perfect backdrop for their decadent dishes. The place offers more vegan dishes and drinks. Find them in the vegan section of their menu.
Their mouthwatering vegan brunch staple includes Vegan Cheese Omelette, Vegan Crown Burger, Vegan French Toast, and much more. For non-vegans out there, don’t worry because you’re not forgotten.
There are a lot of meat-based dishes to order from here, such as the classic Ham & Eggs, New York Steak, Eggs Benedict, and most of all, the ever-famous Evviva Breakfast Sandwich.
9. JJIN Toast
Image by @john_legspi
Address: 792 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5R 3G1
Dalgona coffee was very famous during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown, but do you know where you can find the best Dalgona in Toronto? Just head to Bathurst Street, and you will find a small Korean café, JJIN Toast.
This place is well-known for its tasty coffee and sweet treats. Locals, especially Asians, love to hang out and enjoy their mouthwatering sandwiches and toast. True to its name, the favourite item of frequent customers is its massive selection of toast. Their specialties include Bokko Toast, Crab Toast, Double Cheese, and more. Now, you don’t need to book a flight to Korea to try their famous breakfast sandwiches.
And just in case you’re wondering, they also serve Dalgona Candy! Like the one from the hit Netflix series Squid Game!
10. Dirty Food Eatery
Image by @hungry_wongs
Address: 3070 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6P 1Z7
With an almost 5-star rating on Yelp, you’ll know that the place serves hearty platters. Dirty Food Eatery caters to locals who love a satisfying yet affordable brunch, a relaxing atmosphere, and enticing plates of food.
They offer a delectable brunch menu featuring the best Chicken and Waffles, Salmon Johnny, Eggs Benedict, French Toast, and more comforting breakfast classics. While their dishes are common breakfast staples, the long lineups and crowded tables are indicators that locals love Dirty Food!
Pro Tip: Utilize their online waitlist so you will not feel any hassle before you start your day.
11. Bonjour Brioche
Image by @bonjour_brioche
Address: 812 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H7
Don’t be fooled by its name. You may assume that this restaurant is originally from France. But, nope! Bonjour Brioche is founded in Toronto by a French pastry chef. It has served unbeatable brunch and authentic French pastries in the city for over 20 years.
For Torontonians, dining at top cafés and bakeries on the weekend is music to our ears.
While you’re at Bonjour Brioche, make sure you try their best sellers like Eggs Benny, Chocolate Croissant, Baked French Toast, and Croque Madam. Each dish comes with toast and salad, making the meal satisfying and a value for money.
Just be prepared for the crowd on the weekend, though. The weekends are for brunch for some people that live in the area!
12. Figs
Image by @foodsofyourlabour
Address: 344 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M5A 1S8
Figs Breakfast Lunch gives you an eclectic and vibrant vibe to your brunch hangouts. The place is relatively small, but it offers a wide selection of menus, with the classic Eggs Benedict, Belgian Waffle, Pancake, and French Toast as the best sellers.
If you want to kickstart the day with a lighter meal, the best options include the No-Meat Breakfast (eggs, potatoes, and toast) and the Light Breakfast (Eggs with avocado, tomato, and cucumber).
13. Old School
Image by @tdotfoods
Address: 800 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1V1
Get your brunch on at this hipster restaurant in Dundas West. Old School features a hit-retro spot and offers the traditional brunch like the one usually served by your mom when you were younger. They serve delicious French Toast, Fried Chicken, Eggs Benny, Chicken and Waffles, Mac & Cheese, and more childhood morning breakfasts.
If you want to be adventurous, their Blueberry Hill Pancake is to die for. It is also their most well-reviewed dish besides the classics. The pancake is soft, perfectly textured, and loved by many sweet tooth foodies.
Dining here with your significant other is the best date ever. It has a huge outdoor patio with comfy cushions and Instagrammable decorations. The outdoor area is often occupied, so you better call them and make a reservation.
14. Café Landwer
Image by @dailytalkblog
Address: 165 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5H 3B8
Address: 5000 Yonge St, North York, ON M2N 7E9 (+more locations)
Café Landwer is a common ground for lovers of coffee, pasta, and pizza. This Israeli café serves a hefty breakfast, lunch, and dinner palette. With its gastronomic lists of dishes (including the classics), deciding what to order is quite a challenge.
Should you want our recommendations, you can choose from their variety of Shakshuka. It is their most popular option, but our favourite is the Halloumi Shakshuka. It’s a skillet fillet with delicious Shakshuka and small fried Halloumis on top.
15. Le Petit Dejeuner
Image by @cookcookchallenge
Address: 191 King St E, Toronto, ON M5A 1J5
Le Petit Dejeuner is home to Eggs Benny and Belgian Waffle lovers. It is a brick-lined bistro with a diner-retro-style interior offering the best Belgian-Canadian brunch. It’s easy to spot as it’s located right beside George Brown College.
You may think waffles at this luxurious-looking place are overrated, but really, their waffles are the best in the city. If you’re not there to try their specialties, then you are missing out on a lot. Visit the place at King Street, and thank us later, la chérie.
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