Whether it means a leisurely meal to kick off a relaxing day, gathering over mimosas with friends, or a late-morning feast to heal a hangover, brunch is a quintessential Toronto ritual.
Unlimited South America-inspired small plates and prosecco draw crowds to a stylish place in the Entertainment District. An all-you-can-eat dim sum brunch awaits at a two-story Chinatown favourite. In Little Portugal, an ultra-inclusive spot that began as a gluten-free bakery is now a bistro with a menu that includes a vegan fry-up and meatless breakfast patties.
Grab some friends and kick off a weekend at these inviting spots. Read on for a guide to Toronto’s 12 essential brunch restaurants to book right now.
Boozy brunch/bottomless
Marked (Entertainment District)
Marked’s bottomless brunch comes with unlimited prosecco. Credit: Marked
South America-inspired small plates and prosecco are the twin draws at this fashionable Entertainment District spot. Graze on a spread that includes churrasco pork belly with house barbecue sauce and sticky brioche rolls with queso fresco alongside free-flowing bubbles. The interiors also nod to the tropics, and in the warmer months, an expansive patio fringed with greenery is a prime see-and-be-seen spot, making Marked the next best thing to a leisurely vacation brunch.
Best diner
Mira Mira Diner (Beaches)
Tobiko-topped deviled eggs at Mira Mira Diner. Credit: @sauceboylarry, Mira Mira Diner
Owners Amira Becarevic and Justin Cheung (who helped open other beloved Toronto spots including The Chase and Kasa Moto) serve remixed diner fare at this cheerful Beaches restaurant. Becarevic helms the kitchen, churning out excellent start-of-the-day staples such as three different eggs Benedicts and a couple of spins on French toast. But there are also playful riffs on classics such as the Nova Scotia lobster croque madame featuring a sunnyside duck egg and shaved black truffles. Charming vintage accents, including a neon “diner” sign, gumball machines, and colorful school chairs add to the retro vibes.
Best for drag brunch
Lula Lounge (Little Portugal / Dundas West)
Lula Lounge’s brunch features performances by some of Toronto’s most popular drag queens. Credit: SVPhotography, Lula Lounge
Lula Lounge is adored for its lively Latin American dance nights. The restaurant and live music venue also puts on one of the city’s best drag brunch shows. The swinging daytime soiree features performances by top Toronto drag queens, including event host Champagna, complete with singing, dancing, and dazzling lighting effects. Opt for the prix-fixe menu—a mimosa, coffee, and Latin-influenced entrees such as huevos rancheros—and enjoy the lively show.
Best for family gatherings/kid friendly
Old School – Toronto (Ossington)
Easygoing Old School lives up to its name, delivering deeply satisfying takes on Canadian brunch staples. With an eye-catching chalkboard mural, plenty of high chairs, and a warm atmosphere, it’s no surprise that Old School is a go-to for the area’s families. Younger diners adore the Blueberry Hill, signature buttermilk pancakes layered with housemade blueberry compote, bacon, and brown sugar butter. When the weather permits, the best seat in the house is on a roomy side patio that stretches down Palmerston Avenue.
Best for a group
Almond Butterfly Dundas Bistro (Little Portugal / Dundas West)
Almond Butterfly began as a gluten-free bakery and its original identity still anchors the menu. Case in point: diners can cap off a daytime feast with cupcakes, cinnamon buns, doughnuts, and more. More substantial dishes range from gluten-free pancake stacks to a vegan fry-up breakfast with Mexican-style mixed beans, Cajun home fries, and plant-based breakfast patties. It all adds up to a wonderful choice for small groups with various dietary preferences.
Rosewood Asian Cuisine (Chinatown)
A deep catalogue of dim sum classics awaits at this all-you-can-eat Chinatown gem. Dig into an ever-evolving selection that could include barbecue pork buns, soup dumplings, honey garlic beef short ribs, and sesame seed and lotus paste balls—all made fresh and in-house. The massive two-story space and tables decked with rotating trays—poised for easy sharing—is ideal for large groups. Bonus points for its unconventional hours: Rosewood serves dim sum from 9 am to 3 am on Saturdays and Sundays, making it a sought-after spot for those who want the brunch experience virtually any time of the day.
Best for special occasions
Amal Restaurant (Yorkville)
Amal’s all-white interior makes for a serene brunch backdrop. Credit: Max Bocken, Amal Restaurant
In-the-know Torontoians come to Amal for a swankier take on brunch. The scenic Middle Eastern restaurant distinguishes itself with attentive service and stunning all-white interiors adorned with striking details, including a hand-painted ceiling. The brunch menu is just as elegant, filled with global morning faithfuls—with a Lebanese twist. Expect pancakes with orange blossom Chantilly cream and an omelette stuffed with green onions and Akkawi cheese, plus hot and cold mezze and more lunch-like options including grilled branzino and chicken shawarma.
Best Instagrammable
Chica (Entertainment District)
Brunch gets the tapas treatment at Chica. That means an unlimited stream of small plates, plus the option to add red, white, or sparkling sangria to your sizable Spanish feast. The shareable dishes prioritize a locally driven approach and feature huevos-forward fare, such as soft scrambled eggs with manchego cheese, tomato sofrito, and charred onion aioli. The thoughtfully plated lineup—food is often garnished with flower petals or presented with vivid colour contrasts—and moody backdrop (featuring a striking triptych) make for one very Instagrammable brunch.
Best for before (or after) a workout
Hello 123 (Queen West)
Head to Hello 123 to kick off an active weekend—or when you feel like a squeaky-clean brunch that won’t lead to a food coma. Dishes such as the almond vanilla cacao smoothie bowl and chickpea kale omelette in ranchero sauce are as energy-boosting as they are tasty. Brunch here pairs well with a dose of fresh air on the restaurant’s pretty patio—or a perch next to the large windows indoors to let the sun drench your meal.
Best dog-friendly
Her Father’s Cider Bar + Kitchen (Harbord Village)
Bring your furry friends to brunch at this relaxed Harbord Village haunt—dogs can join diners on the sidewalk patio. The breezy outdoor space enhances the restaurant’s succinct but comforting Canadian brunch menu, featuring crispy latkes with smoked salmon and crème fraîche or the Jolene Benedict with creamed collards and chipotle, all fueled by local and seasonal bounty. Diners who linger into the afternoon may want to dive into the restaurant’s cider menu, featuring over 100 different varieties of the refreshing apple-based drink.
Best for hangovers
The Federal (Little Portugal)
The decadent Gold Standard breakfast sandwich is a top order at the Federal. Credit: The Federal
This low-key neighbourhood spot is a shoo-in for recovering from a night out on Dundas West. Exposed brick walls and antique knick-knacks give it a laidback and homey ambiance. If you’re hurting from a hangover, the antidote is The Federal’s Gold Standard winning breakfast sandwich—layered with bacon (or plant-based meat), cheesy eggs, aioli, pickles, and hot sauce. The handheld healer is so popular that it inspired a sibling takeout joint in nearby Parkdale to specialize in it.
Best fancy
Cafe Boulud (Yorkville)
Though sophisticated French fare headlines the lunch and dinner menus at acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud’s Four Seasons Hotel restaurant, brunch leans more global. Cafe Boulud is a classically styled brasserie, decorated with deep teal and tan leather banquettes and brass accents. Two- or three-course morning meals include mushroom and kale tartine, shakshuka, duck confit hash, and more. The exquisite dishes pair well with brunch cocktails such as a bellini or a caesar. In posh Yorkville, Cafe Boulud is well-situated for a brunch break after browsing the area’s swanky shops, which can be viewed via floor-to-ceiling windows in the elegant space.
Jessica Huras is a Toronto-based food and drink writer. Eat your way across the city (and beyond) with her on Instagram @waysofwanderers
