Brunch is a big deal in Toronto.
The favourite weekend activity is an indulgence anyone can afford (just don’t opt for $15 Caesars and you should be fine). It serves as the perfect excuse to socialize, feast and kickstart some well deserved day-drinking after a long work week.
Find everything from classic bacon and eggs to extravagant stacks of hot cakes on this list of essential Toronto brunch dishes.
Churro Pancakes from El Caballito
This doughnut-pancake hybrid is a star on the menu at the Mexican cantina’s Saturday brunch. They’re studded with chocolate chips, smothered in piloncillo syrup and accompanied by fresh fruit on the side.
Address: 220 King Street West, Toronto
Phone: 416-6289838
Instagram: @elcaballito220
The Cairo Classic at Maha’s
Egyptian brunch on the east side wouldn’t be complete without this hearty plate of fava beans with a sliced boiled egg, falafel, and creamy tomato feta.
Address: 226 Greenwood Avenue, Toronto
Phone: 416-462-2703
Instagram: @mahasbrunch
Coca Cola Brisket Cornbread from Rose & Sons
Hot off the griddle, this dish features a fried egg with Brie and caramelized onions loaded onto a slab of crisped up cornbread.
Address: 176 Dupont Street, Toronto
Phone: 647-342-0356
Instagram: @fatpasha
The Beastwich from Beast
The signature breafast sandwich from Chef Scott Vivian starts with a buttermilk biscuit loaded with fried chicken thigh, pimento, fried egg and sausage gravy.
Address: 96 Tecumseth Street, Toronto
Phone: 647-352-6000
Instagram: @scottvivian
Pastrami Benedict from Skin + Bones
Address: 980 Queen Street East, Toronto
Phone: 416-524-5209
Instagram: @skinandbonesto
Uova Rossa at Bar Buca
Duck egg yolks, bay scallop, pine nuts and crispy prosciutto all play into this eggy Italian-inflected dish from Chef Rob Gentile.
Address: 75 Portland Street, Toronto
Phone: 416-599-2822
Instagram: @bucatoronto
The Jeremy Lin from Kanpai
The Taiwanese street food spot in Cabbagetown servesup this night market style chicken schnitzel at brunch. It comes topped with red cabbage slaw and a runny egg.
Address: 252 Carlton Street, Toronto
Phone: 416-968-6888
Instagram: @kanpaisnackbar
Black ‘n Blue Flapjacks from School
The brunch specialist in Liberty Village does tall stacks drenched in blackberry and blueberry sauce then finished with brown sugar butter.
Address: 70 Fraser Avenue, Toronto
Phone: 416-588-0005
Instagram: @schoolresto
See also
Moroccan scramble at Lady Marmalade
Spiced chickpeas, olives and medley of vegetables play into this scramble made with a choice of eggs or tofu.
Address: 898 Queen Street East, Toronto
Phone: 647-351-7645
Instagram: @ladymretaurant
Verscht and Eggs from Fat Pasha
Fried beef salami and scrambled eggs are staples on Chef Anthony Rose’s breakfast table.
Address: 414 Dupont Street, Toronto
Phone: 647-342-0356
Instagram: @fatpasha
The Brekwich at Emma’s Country Kitchen
Homestyle comfort foods are the specialty at this St. Clair West kitchen. The handheld breakfast is built on a buttermilk biscuit loaded with a runny egg, cheese and a choice of meat.
Address: 810 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto
Phone: 416-652-3662
Instagram: @emmascountrykitc
Vegan eggs from Doug’s Public Kitchen
Doug McNish has found a way for vegans to get their egg porn on too. The eggless yolks can be found atop avocado toast, benedicts and more.
Address: 561 Marlee Avenue, Toronto
Phone: 647-341-1736
Instagram: @dougmcnish
Octopus Frittata from The Commodore
The seafood spot in Parkdale serves up this egg dish laced with tentacles, spicy chorizo and caramelized onions.
Address: 1265 Queen Street West, Toronto
Phone: 416-537-1265
Instagram: @the.commodore.to
Toast Soldiers Easy Restaurant
If basic avocado toast can have 15 minutes of fame, then so too can this ultra simple but delicious classic featuring soft boiled eggs and dippable toast strips.
Address: 1645 Queen Street West, Toronto
Phone: 416-537-4893
Instagram: @easyrestaurant
Halim from Takht-E Tavoos
The traditional Persian porridge comes studded with chunks of lamb, drizzled with melted butter and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.
Address: 1120 College Street, Toronto
Phone: 647-352-7322
Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal from Cacao 70
Address: 28 Gristmill Lane, Toronto
Phone: 416-216-8686
Address: 485 Queen Street West, Toronto
Phone: 647-345-5288
Instagram: @cacao70
Breakfast pockets from Aunties & Uncles
This popular week-round brunch destination is home to some of the most delicious AND cheapest breakfast in town. For less than $10 devour one of Toronto’s best peameal bacon sandwiches (egg and cheese included) with a pile of truly addictive home fries. Bring cash and be prepared to wait for a table — this place isn’t a secret.
Address: 74 Lippincott Street, Toronto
Phone: 416-324-1375
Brunch Buffet at Saravanaa Bhavan
The South Indian brunch buffet is stocked with dosa, utthappam, poori, ghee pongal, vada, rava, kichidi, idly, and more.
Address: 1571 Sandhurst Circle, Toronto
Phone: 416-293-755
Red Velvet Pancakes from The Good Fork
Ruby red flapjacks topped with vanilla cream cheese frosting are just one of the tempting sweet thangs available at brunch at this Bloor West Village restaurant.
Address: 2432 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Phone: 647-352-5955
Instagram: @thegoodforkto
Muggles Breakfast from The Lockhart
While there’s nothing techinically magical about this breakfast, it’s more than worth crawling out of your cupboard under the stairs for. Ron would leave Hermione for a this offering of grilled cheese, bacon, and hashbrowns.
Address: 1479 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Phone: 647-748-4434
Instagram: @thelockhartto
Bacon Waffle Sticks from Starving Artist
Dippable bacon strips ironed into the golden batter and served with a little pot of maple syrup.
Address: 810 College Street, Toronto
Phone: 647-348-1133
Address: 1078 St. Clair West, Toronto
Phone: 416-901-7479
Address: 584 Lansdowne Ave , Toronto
Phone: 647-342-5058
Instagram: @starving4waffle
Mirza Ghasemi from Kad Banu
Smoked eggplant and fried eggs are a staple at Persian brunch served at this Dundas West restaurant.
Address: 771 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Phone: 416-366-2268
Instagram: @kadbanutoronto
Cream Cheese & Lox from What A Bagel
The iconic Jewish breakfast sandwich is done right at this downtown bagelria.
Address: 130 Spadina Avenue, Toronto
Phone: 647-347-7222
Instagram: @whatabagel130spadina
Chef Leary’s Special Creation from Mildred’s Temple Kitchen
Look forward to hangover helpers on the menu like this hearty dish packed with oxtail, cornbread, and eggs.
Address: 85 Hanna Avenue, Toronto
Phone: 416-588-5695
Instagram: @mildredstemplekitchen
Seasonal Scrambles at Saving Grace
Expect weekly features that tap into seasonal cravings at this DuWest brunch destination where the chalkboard menu changes from day to day.
Address: 907 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Phone: 416-706-7368
Instagram: @savinggraceto
Breakfast sandwiches from Campo
Breakfast sandwiches crafted on croissants and stacked with cured meats or fish, poached eggs and fresh veggies are among the highlights on the menu at Campo.
Address: 244 Jane Street, Toronto
Phone: 647-346-2267
Instagram: @campo_restaurant
Breakfast poutine from Ashdale Espresso
The off-menu item (available by request) features fries smothered in cheese and hollandaise sauce and comes crowned with a poached egg and strips of bacon.
Address: 1560 Queen Street East, Toronto
Phone: 647-479-8170
Instagram: @ashdaleespresso
Cajun Bennies from Hollandaise Diner
Benedicts are the main event at this Danforth East diner. Find variations on the brunchtime standard like this poached egg over sauteed peppers doused in spicy hollandaise sauce.
Address: 2231 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
Instagram: @hollandaisediner
Congee from Kupfert & Kim
The location on Spadina serves brunch. Try this steaming bowl of brown rice and veggies, topped up with kimchi to help wake up your taste buds.
Address: 140 Spadina Avenue, Toronto
Phone: 416-504-2206
Instagram: @kupfertkim
The Full English from The Queen & Beaver
The classic pub breakfast comes packed with a pair of eggs, bacon, pork and sage sausage with tomatoes, mushrooms, baked beans and fried bread or toast on the side.
Address: 35 Elm Street, Toronto
Phone: 647-347-2712
Instagram: @qbpub
Fried Chicken and Ube Waffles from Platito
Fried chicken and waffles Filipino style! This eye popping plate tastes as good as it looks.
Address: 35 Baldwin Street, Toronto
Phone: 647-347-0135
Instagram: @platitotoronto
Cuban brunch from La Cubana
Cuban breakfasts at the Roncy hotspot (note the Ossington outpost doesn’t do brunch) entails slow roasted pork and poached with eggs, rice and beans, tostones and slaw.
Address: 392 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto
Phone: 416-538-7500
Instagram: @lacubana_to
Brunch bowl from Lola’s Kitchen
Short ribs, caramelized onions, arugula and eggs amount to one very satisfying morning meal.
Address: 634 Church Street, Toronto
Phone: 416-966-3991
Instagram: @lolaskitchento