The Best New Brunch Restaurants in Toronto, 2010

The best new brunch restaurants in Toronto are all solid contenders but none have yet captured the buzz like top 2009 picks Hoof Cafe, Lady Marmalade or Mitzi's on College. Instead, this year's offerings come from two sides of the spectrum. On one end are the carnivore delights where meat (and I'm not just talking bacon here) make a big appearance on the menu. These are contrasted with a number of more inclusive restaurants that feature at least a healthy selection of vegan and gluten free options.

Here are the 8 best new brunch destinations that opened during 2010.

See also:

The Best New Brunch Restaurants in Toronto, 2009

The Bellevue

At the corner of Nassau and Bellevue, this new entrant to the Kensington Market food scene is having no trouble filling its small-ish space with hungry brunchers looking for something different. Locally sourced ingredients translate into Streak and Eggs or the ever-popular El Especial - a plate loaded with scrambled eggs, tomatillo salsa, three pork sausages, black beans and two tortillas. More »

Bloordale Pantry

This retro diner is a bright light in Blansdowne with its more than competent weekend brunch offerings like eggs benny, peameal bacon and eggs and sweet bread French toast. Bonus points for its pancakes three ways including a vegan chocolate chip. They also serve fresh juices, $6 mimosas/bellinis and a $5 caeser. More »

Kensington Cornerstone

Tucked away on Kensington Avenue just north of Dundas, this bright orange building houses what just might be the ultimate gluten free weekend brunch. The entire menu is celiac-friendly including French toast, pancakes and four different omelets. Best bet is their Big Breakfast bowl ($13), stuffed with marble potato hash, veggies, eggs and mini-pancakes. More »

Zocalo

This tiny restaurant has won over the Junction Triangle with its vegan soups and broken bread sandwiches, but don't overlook the brunch card which includes fresh juices, organic fair trade coffee and locally sourced specials of whatever is in season. Get here early or prepare to wait. More »

Parts & Labour

Known more for its bar scene and carnivore friendly dinner service, Parkdale's new it spot holds its own when it comes to weekend brunch. 10am might not be the best time to indulge in seared pig ear with fried truffled eggs but the option is there if you want it. Buttermilk pancakes, granola or a full English breakfast also appear on the inventive menu. More »

Beast Restaurant

Scott Vivian's restaurant near King and Tecumseth is not the place to go if you're vegan or gluten free. Brunch offerings are heavy on nose to tail dining with duck hearts, beef cheek gravy and pork belly all finding their way into dishes. For a different take on eggs benny, Chef pairs homemade hollandaise with braised rabbit, blackened haddock or house-made pastrami. More »

Frankly Eatery

For a brunch with an Indian twist, Leslieville's Frankly Eatery serves honest food with a side of chutney. Served six days a week, the all day menu features Indian style flatbread (parantha) stuffed with potatoes or cauliflower, a breakfast wrap with eggs, bacon cheese and avocado mango salsa and four types of scrambled eggs. For purists, there's also vanilla cinnamon French toast and homemade granola. More »

E.L. Ruddy

This casual Dundas West eatery is all about healthy comfort food. The Huevos Yelapa ($9) is a tasty combination of fresh salsa, cornbread, refried beans and a choice of eggs or marinated tofu. Or go for the spelt Belgian Waffles ($10) topped with strawberries, whipped cream and maple syrup. More »