Brunch is a tricky one. It's the meal that can be eaten at any time of the day. The shift few self-respecting servers want to work. And often, seemingly the best answer to any regrets of the previous evening. Lining up with a hangover in tow feels like a questionable endeavour – sometimes just to pay $15 for plain ol' bacon and eggs, no less. Yet, the Holy meal garners more reverence and venom that any of its counterparts put together. In no particular order, here are the city's essential spots. Of course, waiting to be challenged and disputed. — Nelson Tam
This Dupont and Shaw diner lines ‘em up during brunch in a neighbourhood without much competition. Time your visit accordingly and you can have eggs and Caesars then stick around for dinner where Rajah’s Dry Rub Ribs have been bringing back regulars for over 17 years.
As you may have previously read on Eater, Anthony Rose is the king of The Holy Trinity of Dupont. But Sons was his first. And the communal booths still cram in Annex crowds every weekend anxious to swim into elevated breakfast fare like duck confit hash or fried chicken with grits and poached eggs.
Scott Vivian’s animal-eating friendly bistro has been making Instagrammers dizzy with his heart-defying Beastwich, a monstrosity of fried chicken, sausage gravy, soft fried egg, and buttermilk biscuits. Need more to celebrate? Brunch hours were recently extended, running from Friday to Monday.
Recently celebrating its 10th anniversary, The Drake empire continues to grow with Drake One Fifty and the forthcoming Drake Devonshire Inn. However, in its early days, brunch helped establish this Queen West “hotbed of culture,” with its coveted café patio seating.
“Smoke it if you got it” seems to be Chef & Owner David Neinstein’s philosophy with his 500-pound smoker from Tennessee. Most dishes on the Roncesvalles smokehouse’s card have at least one ingredient coming from the smoker – like the much-celebrated brunch offering of smoked duck pancakes.
Ole! Matt Basile brings the same flare from his food truck Fidel Gastro to hungry Queen Westers in this “brick and mortar with the heart of a pop-up.” Brunch crowds regularly rejoice in a revolving menu of ambitious offerings – where, apparently, size does matter.
Almost five years in, this Ossington eatery would fit in just as naturally at home in Paris, where chef Teo Paul trained before returning to Toronto. The rear patio is the perfect spot to let a hangover fade over a little hair of the dog. Maybe while waiting for seafood frittatas or some BBQ rib benedicts.
Sucking down raw oysters and horseradish Caesars in this 50s-style diner may be the perfect prelude to a weekend wander down Queen West. Don’t feel like walking? Bring a blanket and step over to nearby Trinity Bellwoods park for some post-brunch cloud counting or people watching.
If you prefer a classier setting to enjoy a Sunday brunch – and perhaps carry a slightly weighty wallet – the King Eddy Hotel’s white linens may be where you feel most at home. With stations serving everything from charcuterie to smoked seafood to smoothies, you can be sure to get the royal treatment.
Toronto Life ranks this Junction Triangle spot as one of their top “hedonistic brunch” spots. And when the menu includes a dish that involves deep fried duck eggs and duck prosciutto, it’s hard to argue the point. You can be sure the term “farm fresh” certainly doesn’t mean boring and bland here.
As The Grid recently reported, The Huntsman Tavern is one of few spots in town offering a brunch menu 7 days a week. If you’re one of many lamenting the close of previous neighbourhood joint Hadley’s, relax: chef Eric Hadley has brought some of his classic brunch offerings with him.
East Enders have been lining up on Queen Street for this brunch boîte’s delicious offerings since it first landed in Leslieville almost five years ago. Bringing some of the successful touches from the original Marmalade in Victoria, BC, David Cherry has been satisfying the hoards for almost five years now.
Well before the gentrification of Queen East, there was Bonjour Brioche, providing a great brunch option in an area almost entirely lacking of them. Though its neighbours have changed, they haven’t – still offering hot helpings of Croque Madames and baked French toast to committed regulars.
Antique plates, a vintage four-burner stove, lettuce wraps – this 26-seater might just be Parkdale’s most charming restaurant. But it’s also tasty and innovative. In fact, its new brunch menu cheekily combines western and eastern classics – while offering one of the city’s best turnip cakes this side of the 401.
If you have lived near Little Italy in the last 10 years, chances are, at some point you waited in line at neighbourhood brunch stalwart Aunties and Uncles. It’s almost a rite of passage. But once seated, you’ll forget everything in anticipation of the comfort creations coming out of the cozy kitchen.
This Dupont and Shaw diner lines ‘em up during brunch in a neighbourhood without much competition. Time your visit accordingly and you can have eggs and Caesars then stick around for dinner where Rajah’s Dry Rub Ribs have been bringing back regulars for over 17 years.
As you may have previously read on Eater, Anthony Rose is the king of The Holy Trinity of Dupont. But Sons was his first. And the communal booths still cram in Annex crowds every weekend anxious to swim into elevated breakfast fare like duck confit hash or fried chicken with grits and poached eggs.
Scott Vivian’s animal-eating friendly bistro has been making Instagrammers dizzy with his heart-defying Beastwich, a monstrosity of fried chicken, sausage gravy, soft fried egg, and buttermilk biscuits. Need more to celebrate? Brunch hours were recently extended, running from Friday to Monday.
Recently celebrating its 10th anniversary, The Drake empire continues to grow with Drake One Fifty and the forthcoming Drake Devonshire Inn. However, in its early days, brunch helped establish this Queen West “hotbed of culture,” with its coveted café patio seating.
“Smoke it if you got it” seems to be Chef & Owner David Neinstein’s philosophy with his 500-pound smoker from Tennessee. Most dishes on the Roncesvalles smokehouse’s card have at least one ingredient coming from the smoker – like the much-celebrated brunch offering of smoked duck pancakes.
Ole! Matt Basile brings the same flare from his food truck Fidel Gastro to hungry Queen Westers in this “brick and mortar with the heart of a pop-up.” Brunch crowds regularly rejoice in a revolving menu of ambitious offerings – where, apparently, size does matter.
Almost five years in, this Ossington eatery would fit in just as naturally at home in Paris, where chef Teo Paul trained before returning to Toronto. The rear patio is the perfect spot to let a hangover fade over a little hair of the dog. Maybe while waiting for seafood frittatas or some BBQ rib benedicts.
Sucking down raw oysters and horseradish Caesars in this 50s-style diner may be the perfect prelude to a weekend wander down Queen West. Don’t feel like walking? Bring a blanket and step over to nearby Trinity Bellwoods park for some post-brunch cloud counting or people watching.
If you prefer a classier setting to enjoy a Sunday brunch – and perhaps carry a slightly weighty wallet – the King Eddy Hotel’s white linens may be where you feel most at home. With stations serving everything from charcuterie to smoked seafood to smoothies, you can be sure to get the royal treatment.
Toronto Life ranks this Junction Triangle spot as one of their top “hedonistic brunch” spots. And when the menu includes a dish that involves deep fried duck eggs and duck prosciutto, it’s hard to argue the point. You can be sure the term “farm fresh” certainly doesn’t mean boring and bland here.
As The Grid recently reported, The Huntsman Tavern is one of few spots in town offering a brunch menu 7 days a week. If you’re one of many lamenting the close of previous neighbourhood joint Hadley’s, relax: chef Eric Hadley has brought some of his classic brunch offerings with him.
East Enders have been lining up on Queen Street for this brunch boîte’s delicious offerings since it first landed in Leslieville almost five years ago. Bringing some of the successful touches from the original Marmalade in Victoria, BC, David Cherry has been satisfying the hoards for almost five years now.
Well before the gentrification of Queen East, there was Bonjour Brioche, providing a great brunch option in an area almost entirely lacking of them. Though its neighbours have changed, they haven’t – still offering hot helpings of Croque Madames and baked French toast to committed regulars.
Antique plates, a vintage four-burner stove, lettuce wraps – this 26-seater might just be Parkdale’s most charming restaurant. But it’s also tasty and innovative. In fact, its new brunch menu cheekily combines western and eastern classics – while offering one of the city’s best turnip cakes this side of the 401.
If you have lived near Little Italy in the last 10 years, chances are, at some point you waited in line at neighbourhood brunch stalwart Aunties and Uncles. It’s almost a rite of passage. But once seated, you’ll forget everything in anticipation of the comfort creations coming out of the cozy kitchen.
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