Portland Variety
In trendy King West you’ll find this café and restaurant is the brainchild of another Toronto standard, Le Gourmand owner Milton Nunes. They have a compact menu that will still suit anyone’s brunch requirements, but we’re always partial to the smashed avocado and scrambled eggs on sourdough ($14) or the the lemon ricotta pancakes with cream cheese mousse and mixed berries ($14). And don’t be ashamed to tuck into those pastries – they’re some of the best in the city (and likely the largest chocolate chunk cookies you’ll find).
Where to Find:
587 King Street West, Toronto
416-368-5151, portlandvariety.com
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Fanny Chadwick’s
Cozy, with a local neighbourhood vibe this haunt is a fave of the those who live near the Dupont subway station. The star here is the Build You Own Benny option (starting at $9.50) – perch your traditional poached eggs atop wilted greens, baked white beans, house-made sausage, beef brisket or sautéed mushrooms as just a few choices. And there is an extra hollandaise option on the menu for a reason – because you’re definitely going to want it.
Where to Find:
268 Howland Avenue, Toronto
416-944-1606, fannychadwicks.ca
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Image courtesy of Mildred's Temple Kitchen.
Mildred’s Temple Kitchen
A table at Mildred’s on a late Sunday morning has long been coveted by the brunch mongers of the city. And once you’re seated in this Liberty Village hideout you can be sure you’re in for a feast of Mildred’s famous crunchy granola ($10.25), the Lottie salad for those who may have had a few too may calories the night before with the tag line “It Keeps Me Thin, Mrs. Pierce” ($12.95), to the sides of rosemary bacon, a gooey grilled cheese sandwich and two flavourful caesers as a kicker.
Where to Find:
85 Hanna Avenue, Toronto
416-588-5695, templekitchen.com
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Citta
It’s Italian/Euro charm meets downtown Toronto at this newly popular eatery. Book a table along the long booth (perfect for people watching) and dig into their fresh salads, the arugula, radish and pear is the perfect savoury sweet combo ($12), while the dense frittata with spinach, lemon and mushroom ($14) will fill you up. Don’t go overboard though – you HAVE to save room for the most delicious bombolone or Italian doughnut ($5) you will ever sink your teeth into.
Where to Find:
92 Fort York Boulevard, Toronto
416-623-9662, cittatoronto.com
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Image courtesy of Lady Marmalade.
Lady Marmalade
An east end institution, the line up is usually out the door for this cash-only establishment, but it’s well worth the tummy growls from the wait. The standouts (that are seriously hard to call out on such a stellar menu) include: Huevos rancheritos with guacamole, cheddar and spicy salsa ($12.25), the Moroccan scramble (eggs with kale, spinach, olives, tomatoes, spiced chickpeas and avocado ($12.25) and the A.M. poutine – the classic Canadian dish in hashbrown style ($7.50). And added bonus? Lots of items can be ordered as gluten-free.
Where to Find:
898 Queen Street East, Toronto
647-351-7645, ladymarmalade.ca
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Image courtesy of The Drake.
The Drake
One of the most well-known Toronto hotels and hotspots, The Drake is a favourite amongst the hipster, cool crowd. And it will also become one of your fave spots to slowly work your way into the weekend by nibbling on some of the best scones in the city ($10), chicken and waffles ($16), mushroom benny ($14) or cinnamon French toast with bacon ($18). Sit back and take in the vibe while your stomach happily digests.
Where to Find:
1150 Queen Street West, Toronto
416-531-5042, thedrakehotel.ca
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Image courtesy of Post City Toronto/Gizelle Lau
Bonjour Brioche
Stepping into this east end eatery is like going to a small Paris joint, and you’ll be lucky to get a table amongst the locals who love it here. But once you do you can’t go wrong with the classic French Croque Madam ($10.25), or the always popular quiche du jour ($9.75). And if you’re looking to veer more on the lunch side of brunch, the selection of sandwiches (all on crusty bread) is lengthy and will fill any void in your stomach and satisfy your taste buds.
Where to Find:
812 Queen Street East, Toronto
416-406-1250, bonjourbrioche.com
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Image courtesy of La Societe.
La Societe
In the heart of the city (and just steps away from celebrity-favoured Yorkville), this café and brasserie will make you feel more like you’re in Europe than in North America (a welcome feeling we’ll take any day). Nibble on their epic raw seafood bar (with fresh oysters and civiche) pre-brunch. Then order everything from an open face omelette ($18) to beef short rib hash ($16), classic and hearty steak and eggs ($27) and for the sweet tooth, the blueberry and ricotta pancakes ($14).
Where to Find:
131 Bloor Street West #211, Toronto
416-551-9929, lasociete.ca
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Cluny Bistro
Step off the cobble stones of the Distillery District into this open-concept, Parisian-style restaurant headed by Chef Paul Benallick. The brunch menu may be small, but it’s mighty with the eggs benedict topped with soft fresh crab ($17), omelettes filled with smoked salmon and crème fraiche ($16) and the baked oeuf en cocotte topped with spinach and truffle ($16). And the fact that you’re in the middle of the Distillery District means you’ll likely want to take your time and soak up that Sunday morning feeling.
Where to Find:
35 Tank House Lane, Toronto
416-203-2632, clunybistro.com
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Sadie’s Diner
Sometimes you don’t need the café vibe and you just want to tuck into a hearty diner-style breakfast. That’s exactly what you’ll get at Sadie’s – a Queen Street West tradition for those who have been out late the night before. The breakfast burrito is as big as you can imagine, filled with beans, eggs, guacamole, cheddar and salsa ($11), the traditional of eggs, home fries, sausage or bacon ($10.50), or go simple with a bowl of cereal and chilled milk ($5.50). And even non-meat eaters will love this joint thanks to the vegan options available for most of their concoctions, like the heuvos rancheros ($13).
Where to Find:
504 Adelaide Street West, Toronto
416-777-2343, sadiesdiner.com
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