breakfast path toronto

The top 10 breakfast options in the PATH

Breakfast options in the PATH, like most of the other food options in Toronto's massive underground concourse in the Financial District, lean toward the portable, the simple, and the affordable(ish). Many try to draw the cubicle crowd with healthy options; others provide the egg-based calorie bomb needed to start your day off right.

Next time you're looking for some early eats, skip the line at Tim Hortons or Starbucks and go off the beaten you-know-what.

Here are my picks for the top 10 breakfast options in the PATH.

See also: The top 10 cheap lunch options in the Financial District

Kupfert & Kim / K&K Food Stand
The PATH's favourite destination for vegan, gluten-free eats does a brisk business at breakfast: Steel-cut oats ($5.75) topped with berries are popular at the original First Canadian Place location, while the newer spot in the Sun Life building does gluten-free waffles topped with berries and cashew cream.

Astarte
Located across from SJCB in the Sun Life building is this little stall, which doles out Greek yogurt bowls with granola ($4.87 small, $6.20 large) in inventive flavour combos like peanut butter and strawberry or lavender blueberry (their top two sellers).

The Cereal Bar
If you dashed out the door before fixing yourself a bowl of cornflakes, this Commerce Court spot has you covered. A dozen or so cereals are available, topped with fruit and milk ($3.95 small, $4.95 large) - or get it done up like a yogurt parfait. Also available: Oatmeal with your choice of toppings.

Heidi's Deli
The lunch-counter equivalent of an ancient greasy spoon, Heidi's has been serving up diner faves in Commerce Court since time immemorial. Breakfast is on until 11am and tops out at $4.69 for eggs, home fries and your choice of breakfast meats.

M Square
They don't do hot breakfasts, but this new-ish cafe in the Sheraton Centre sets their grab-and-go snacks apart through sheer quality: Awesome muffins from Flagship ($2.75, including a bacon-cheddar version) and yogurt parfaits ($5.25) featuring jam from Kitten And The Bear in Parkdale.

Bagels & Co.
This bagel shop in Commerce Court is notable for its big, fluffy bagels (which have earned the seal of approval of at least one New York expat). Get them with flavoured cream cheese, or spring for a breakfast bagel sandwich combo with a coffee for $4.09.

Greenleafs
You can't swing a cat in the PATH without hitting some kind of health-oriented lunch counter stocked with yogurt parfaits and fruit salads, but Greenleafs has one big feature - a grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich for $2.75.

Olly Fresco's
The cafeteria-like Olly Fresco's, buried deep underneath the Royal Bank Plaza, stocks a hot table with breakfast favourites like eggs Benedict, french toast sticks, bacon, eggs, and fruit every morning. Or, if fresh to order is your style, you can get them to fry you up an omelette for between $5.50 and $6.50.

Petit Four
The Four offshoot does breakfast sandwiches until 10:30am, including a bacon, avocado, tomato and truffle mayo sandwich loaded onto a ciabatta ($4.25), or egg-focused options built around their olive oil-sea salt focaccia.

Sam James Coffee Bar
Obvious? Maybe, but the lineup stretching down the hallway of the Sun Life Building can't be wrong. In addition to the gallons of espresso that keep the PATH SJCB's two machines buzzing all day long, the Delica Kitchen baked goods (including scones, croissants and muffins) are a popular draw.

Did I miss any? Leave your picks for breakfast spots in the PATH in the comments.


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