The Best Brunch in Toronto
Is there a more controversial topic than the best place for brunch in Toronto? Um, yeah. Let's not lose perspective here. But still, brunching in Toronto is a serious weekend pastime and we all have our favourite hidden gems, or line-up-out-the-door destinations that we swear serve the best eggs benny, french toast or home fries in the city.
In narrowing our list of nominees for the Best Brunch in Toronto to just ten favourites, I know we've snubbed a lot of worthy candidates. I'm not even going to attempt to list them here. For more brunch ideas simply lookup the Category Brunch in our Restaurants section. I'm also acutely aware that only two of our finalists are north of Dundas - a sure recipe for finger pointing about something to do with a downtown or Queen Street bias.
But at the end of the day our list of the ten best restaurants for brunch in Toronto came down to the votes and nominations submitted by the readers of this site. In what was a highly competitive battle, Lippincott stalwart (and Sook Yin Lee fave) Aunties and Uncles came out on top. Any why not? With waffles and pancakes that good and the portions and prices to match what's not to love?
Aunties and Uncles
This Annex favourite makes incredibly fluffy pancakes, french toast and eggs. Get there early to avoid the lineups. More...
Le Petit Dejeuner
Where to start? Apple pancakes,expertly poached eggs, omelettes, and waffles so authentic the owner opened Goed Eten in Kensington Market to handle the overflow. More...
Mitzi's Cafe and Gallery
Located in the middle of a residential neighbourhood on Sorauren, Mitzi's is the low key cousin to Parkdale's Mitzi's Sister. More...
Swan Restaurant
Featuring diner style brunching on West Queen West, Swan is one of the few restaurants that can pull off brunch and dinner with equal success. More...
Easy Breakfast
The huevos divorciados are the star at this Parkdale/Roncy brunch spot. Spelt and lactose free substitutions available upon request. More...
Grapefruit Moon
A cozy, eclectic spot on Bathurst, Grapefruit Moon cooks up a variety of healthy brunch classics. The summer draws crowds to the side patio. More...
Saving Grace
Saving Grace is a hugely popular neighbourhood brunch hangout on Dundas West. Feist is known to be a fan. More...
Bonjour Brioche
An institution in Riverside, Bonjour Brioche still packs 'em in on weekends for their French influenced menu and killer baguettes. More...
Edward Levesque Kitchen
Home of the all day breakfast, Edward Levesque has won over Leslieville with its inventive omelettes, frittatas and scrambles. More...
Comments (41)
I won't make it through the rest of the morning until I make a brunch comment. As a near professional bruncher, I've never understood what the big deal is with Saving Grace. Especially when Musa, which is wonderful if not a little pricey since the menu expansion, is right down the street. If it helps, Don McKellar, Ron Hawkins and Chris Murphy are regulars at Musa.
Wait a tic; Feist brunches at SG, Chris Murphy at Musa. Do you think they had to split custody of their favorite Dundas West Brunch locations when they broke up?
Ok... Grapefruit Moon is not a lot more than a cutesy name... the food isn't spectacular, but living down the street, I know the bohemian crowd loves the name. I think it's outrages that Noon wasn't mentioned - just north of grapefruit moon, bathurst and dupont. Also, Insomnia at Bathurst and Bloor as well as The Rebel House around Rosedale station on yonge is fantastic for brunch - best ceasar in the city.
Avenue Open Kitchen - 7 Camden Street - one block south of Richmond off Spadina Avenue. It's been a fave of mine for years...
Neither of my faves is here, but I'm not about to name names as it's already tough enough to get in to them.
One place that does deserve a little more traffic is the organic brunch at the Old Nick on the Danforth, don't be put off by the horrible fake pub ambiance, the food is good.
I've always loved the brunch at Dr. Generosity's on Bloor Street West - fabulous food, and ok prices, too.
It's dirty and it's tacky, but Johnny G's on Parliament and Carleton has a good cheap unpretentious brunch. Friendly service too.
Big Mamma's Boy, also on Parliament, does a fabulous organic gluten-free brunch. A bit pricey and service can be slow but the food is delicious.
My girlfriends and I love WISH on Charles. The food has always been delicious - and always tastes great being washed down by a breakfast martini!
La Palette on Augusta, south of College has great food, but the service-while friendly-can be so slow or overwhelmed that you need loads of patience with those delicious crepes...
Just had brunch at Dr.Generosity on the weekend - it was fantastic, and I was more than impressed with the service, as well as how family-friendly they are (which is so difficult to find in the city it seems)
I agree with Sean above. Grapefruit Moon does an awesome lunch/dinner, but brunch is less than inspired. Noon's mix and match menu is an amazing value.
Best brunch overall though has to go to Fire on the Eastside.
Another vote here for La Palette.. delicious and inventive French numbers that you cannot go wrong with. I'll keep going until I've tried everything on the menu and then just start over again. Incredible beer list too for a nice post brunch drink.
Yes jack, sometimes I feel silly paying for something like brunch, but that's why I try to order something that actually might take me more than five minutes to prepare. You won't see me getting french toast.
Another #1 for Aunties and Uncles... I just don't get it. I went once and thought it was ok, not sure what all the fuss is about though. Went a second time just to see again, again it was ok. Went a third time because I was meeting friends who wanted to go... again, ok.
Of the others on the list, been to Grapefruit Moon (thought it was a bit of a dive), Easy - which has a fantastic Huevos and Saving Grace, where I 100% disagree with the above posters. Everytime I've gone I have had something completely different, and every time it's been awesome. Best Brunch I've ever had in the city.
What about Le Select on Wellington? It serves up amazing brunch with one of the best ambiances the city has to offer
Niagra Street Cafe does a great brunch. All organic, local artisan food, well priced, and they have a patio and good service. Also, I've never had to wait in line.
Saving Grace is kick ass! Best brunch for sure. Best french toast in the city and their raisin bread avocado sandwich is awesome.
Insomnia has some great pancakes.
Aunties - i don't see the big deal - standard fare.
The crepe place just south of MuchMusic has some great stuff. Bar One has some good pancakes too.
i really like boom, I ate at the eglington west location. It was super busy, but the hostess at the door kept good order of a waiting list, seating, and organizing everyone coming in for brunch.
They have a simple menu, with some repeating ingredients, but not cheesy low end stuff. Their bennys are fantastic, their smoothies are great in the morning, and the food is well executed. They have amazing homefries too if you get them!! The atmosphere was a bit loud for a sunday brunch, but it was busy, and it seemed like everyone had the chatterbug!
I know there are other locations, but i cant speak of them, but if they're similar to the one on eglington(just west of yonge/eg), then they've got something good going for them!
You realize you didn't actually review any brunch places, right? You just had a bunch of fry-ups at a bunch of greasy spoons. That's not brunch, that's practically a review of English breakfasts in Toronto.
Here are some related posts that might be of interest...
Brunch Spots on Queen East:
http://www.blogto.com/toronto/lists/15_killer_brunch_spots_on_queen_east/
Best Eggs Benedict:
http://www.blogto.com/toronto/the_best_eggs_benedict_in_toronto/
#9 is completely uncalled for. I will not name names as you can just scroll up. It is now the second most over rated and over priced place in regards to the placement on the best of! Someone call Chef Ramsay!!
Best brunch, Cheap and Complete has come to the Village by the Grange.
Karine's by Maggie's.
With no exageration u guys!
Breakfast galore for only $5.00 even.
Pleasant experience of a Montreal style breakfast where i would pay at least $11.00
MUSA MUSA MUSA MUSA MUSA
The "Tropicana" is delicious, the "breakfast in bed" a riot in tangibility.
I've tried most on your list an am surprised THE ANNEX LIVE at
296 Brunswick Ave wasn't mentioned , a completely amazing experience and priced right (try the Royal for $11)out of this world and annex benny ...wow...
I can't believe there's no mention of Pulp Kitchen on Queen East! Consistently delicious vegan and gluten-free options, amazing smoothies, and pretty reasonable prices. Totally worth the TTC ride from the west end.
Chester said the organic brunch is good at the old nick. any other places you know of, or anyone knows of, that have organic only brunch or buffets?
Lola's Commissary, a new restaurant at 634 Church Street, features an eclectic mix of both traditional and contemporary dishes by Chef Therese DeGrace.
All ingredients are as fresh, local, organic, and made-from-scratch as they can possibly be.
Check out the Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast, the ridiculously awesome parfait, and for the more savoury tastes: Eggs Champ (mixed mushrooms, poached eggs, bacon, toasted bagel)
Brunch runs Saturday and Sunday 9am-4 pm and prices range from $6-$12. Lunch happens Tuesday-Friday 11 am-4pm. The newly rennovated building is bright, cheerful, and scrupulously clean.
Lola is a shiny new gem. Come and see.
Lola's Commissary at 634 Church St, just south of Bloor I agree has an AMAZING , healthy Brunch...check it out!!! New place...
Great chef and food!!!!
A new great restaurant and Brunch spot opend in old Victorian Mansion at 634 Church St , just south of Bloor called ,
Lola's Commissary.
All healthy and fresh products...talented young chef....
I ate at Lola’s over the weekend with a large group and loved the simplicity of eating fresh, quality food exceptionally prepared.
The menu was creative and avoided over complication. The artistic presentation of the food was notably perfect, and the wait staff was knowledgeable and attentive.
We had twelve people in our party and they gave us a private room upstairs (which had an incredible atmosphere). Our whole group loved Lola's understated appeal (and intend on going back.) ;)
Overall: 9 out of 10
"Great place, amazing food, and excellent chef"
RSS