Toronto
15 Killer Brunch Spots on Queen East
Queen East is known for many things (vintage furniture finds, some great cafes and tasty burgers), but right at the top of the list is brunch. Yep, this part of town takes brunch with the seriousness it deserves. On a Sunday morning there are enough eggs benedict, buttermilk pancakes and peameal bacon being plated here to warrant the construction of a small hospital.
The action starts just past the bridge (the one that crosses the DVP) and extends through the neighbourhoods of Riverside and Leslieville all the way to Coxwell. At some spots lineups form early (better get there by 10am) but part of the fun (cold, blistery Canadian winters aside) is sharing tips with fellow would-be-diners about what to order and what to avoid.
By my count, there are at least 15 places I could quite happily spend every weekend morning. Here's a snapshot of each:
Ed Levesque Kitchen
The Sun raves about the brunch here, and judging by the regular weekend lineups so does everyone else. Waffles, banana pancakes, latkes, french toast, omelettes and some killer sides like chipotle corn bread make this one of the most interesting and extensive brunch menus in town. More »
Okay Okay Diner
For an authentic diner vibe it's tough to beat Okay Okay. Under new management since early this year the place has just kept on humming with some of the fluffiest pancakes in Toronto, great, bottomless cups of coffee and, in warmer weather, a side patio to watch all the baby strollers go by. More »
Bonjour Brioche
With a little less seating available than some other options on this list, a wait for a table at this Degrassi street destination is almost guaranteed. Smoked salmon with scrambled eggs, omelettes and lunchy stuff like a peameal bacon sandwich dot the menu. But don't leave without ordering a hot out of the oven brioche or chocolate croissant. More »
Table 17
The new kid on the strip, Table 17 is one of those rare spots that does brunch as well as they do dinner. Go for the traditional Spanish tortilla, pain dore (french toast with whipped cream and berries) or sides of Cumbrae bangers and potato rosti. More »
Joy Bistro
Joy Bistro is all about the benedict. There's the regular kind but also all the off-shoots like eggs florentine, benentine, norwegian, norwentine and teddy (peameal bacon, spinach, red onions and tomato). But if hollandaise doesn't satisfy, there's always steak and eggs or dutch oven pancakes. More »
The Tulip
On the far reaches of Leslieville, just before the Beaches, The Tulip has been filling stomachs with their all day breakfast since 1929. There's no definable brunch menu, but breakfast and lunchy stuff rules the day here from buttermilk pancakes to corned beef sandwiches. More »
Prohibition
Prohibition might be better known for its "Apres Ski" happy hour, but come weekends they cook up brunchy things like a farmers breakfast (eggs, bacon, sausage, peameal, hash browns and toast), a breakfast burrito and fresh fruit. More »
Leslie Jones
Leslie Jones is definitely on the lunchier side of the brunch spectrum with only a few egg dishes to satisfy the traditionalist. But for late arrivers there are salads and sandwiches including the oh-so-popular jerk pulled pork. The damage? Most menu items start at around $12. More »
Discussion
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I wasn't impressed with Ed Levesque really, ate there once had horrible service and it was extremely hot in there. The food was ok.
OKOK - used to eat there all the time until it changed. It used to be wicked and worth the line-up, over time it's kinda dwindling in my opinion. The last time I took a friend there the service was horrible and the food was so-so.
My personal fav is Leslie Jones. Excellent service, wonderful atmosphere and the food I could eat everyday.
The Tulip - MMMMMMMMMMMMM is all I can say. Everything I've eaten there was delicious.
Toast I will say the same thing about OKOK - used to eat there regularly until I noticed it was all blackberry owners that ate there. haha It took me 25 minutes to get my bill and the service was ok.
* not a Pad Thai expert, but still.
Due to the layout of the place you're standing beside the open kitchen while you wait in line. That's cool, except when the head chef is not treating the visibly overworked serving staff well. He seemed to be a volcano about to erupt, so i guess it was good that he was working in front of a line of hungry patrons.
It was an awkward situation to witness, and having worked in the industry it made me upset. We decided to stay for this legendary brunch. The food was okay, not anything GREAT. In spite of how the serving staff were being treated they treated us well. We won't go back because of the way they were treated.
On the other hand I LOVE Joy & Bonjour Brioche. Though I have never had the patience to sit through a weekend line-up. I enjoyed PK, though I really like eggs for breakfast.
For anyone who likes above average food. 1) Lady Marmalade 2) Toast 3) Leslie Jones
My coat caught on fire once due to the open flame candles they had and the owner did nothing, he laughed and offered menus.
My guests from the states and myself left for better eats at OKOK., which does not make a good veg.burger anylonger I am afraid....but I'd go anywhere to avoid Edward Levesque...