Brunch in Toronto is generally a weekend affair, but luckily, a number of restaurants are happy to indulge us a day early on Boxing Day this year. Whether you're looking to keep the holiday celebrations going a little longer, or need to fuel up before hitting the madness of the mall, there are plenty of places to fill up on flapjacks and eggs first.

In no particular order, here are my top picks for Boxing Day brunch in Toronto.

Cardinal Rule
Enjoy a post-Christmas brunch at this eatery on Roncesvalles, where they'll be offering fan favourites from the lunch and brunch menu December 26 through January 4, from 11am to 5pm. Choose from favourites like the house breakfast pie, or try out a special menu feature like chocolate pancakes with candy cane whip cream.

Rose & Sons
Also offering 10 days of brunch between Boxing Day and January 4, find this diner on Dupont servicing those who won't be returning to work until the new year.

Bar Buca
Chef Rob Gentile's Italian cafe resumes regular hours of operation after Christmas, but will be serving brunch on Boxing Day between 10am and 4pm.

Cafe Boulud
From 10:30am to 3pm, the Four Seasons' restaurant will be serving up a two-course prix fixe for $42. Menu options include choices like boudin blanc with fried eggs or duck confit hash; you can opt to add-on a dessert course for $8 more.

The Hogtown Cure
Nurse your holiday hangover from 10am to 3pm at this Dundas West restaurant specializing in Canadian comfort foods.

The Steady
Vegans and non-vegans alike can indulge with doughnuts, cocktails and a caesar bat on Boxing Day at this Bloorcourt bar.

Lisa Marie
The Queen West eatery is doing brunch on Boxing Day from 11am to 5pm, and best of all, you can skip the line-ups by making a reservation via OpenTable.

CJ's Deli
The newly-opened deli inside The Court Jester will be serving brunch featuring french toast and sausage and pulled pork frittatas from 11:30am onward on December 26.

Mildred's Temple Kitchen
Another restaurant accommodating those with a little extra time off, the Liberty Village stalwart will be serving ten days of brunch commencing on Boxing Day. Choose from menu faves like ultra-fluffy blueberry pancakes or the big brunch skillet with pulled pork.

OK OK Diner
The Leslieville diner is open for brunch on Boxing Day. You can nosh on their usual roster of daytime favourites, including thick slabs of French toast and fried egg sandwiches.

Wind Up Bird Cafe
The cafe on College St. is opening for brunch only on Boxing Day, serving up clever brunch-centric twists like breakfast bibimbap from 11am to 4pm.

The Drake Cafe
Along with the launch of its annual What's In The Box music festival, the Queen West hotel will be offering a holiday brunch menu on December 26 through to the 30th.

Insomnia
Starting the regular weekend brunch menu a day early, this cafe in the Annex will be offering waffles and half a dozen types of eggs Benedict on Boxing Day from 9am to 2pm.

Caplansky's
Open Boxing Day from 10am to 8pm, the deli will offer its regular menu featuring goodies like smoked meat hash and babke french toast.

Le Petit Dejeuner
Boxing Day bunch will be served from 9am to 3pm, and you can count on the usual menu of crepes, Belgian waffles, and Benny and friends to help keep the seasonal indulgences flowing.

Did I miss any? Leave your picks for Boxing Day brunch in the comments.

Photo of Rose & Sons by Jesse Milns.