Toronto Top Ten: Brunches to Brag About

emilyelizabethfran
Jun 2, 2015
5 min read

Admiring every detail, at Colette Grand Café

For my next travel guide, I thought I would write a post on Toronto, my hometown. I’ve enjoyed many stay-cations here in recent years, and fall more in love with this inimitable city every time I explore its various nooks and crannies. As soon as I began listing my Toronto favourites, however, I realized one post was not going to cut it. I need an entire series to show you all the reasons I’m proud to call this city home.

So where do we begin? Well, a solid day of urban exploration begins with a solidly delicious brunch, and I venerate a good brunch no matter what city I’m in, so I thought I’d start with the best meal of the day. Here is the first installment of my Toronto Top Ten series - a guide to my favourite brunch spots in the city.

1. School - Don’t worry; you won’t be sent home with homework here, only a full stomach and memories of the most delectable dishes you’ve ever awoken to. My favourites include the Golden Hashbrown Poutine, the Smoked Salmon Breakfast Salad, and the Super Cheesy Bacon French toast. Not to mention, School’s pancakes are perfectly fluffy and subtly sweet. This restaurant only accepts walk-ins, so just like you did in elementary, you’ll have to line up for your weekend brunch. Though I can assure you, it's worth the wait.

Apple cinnamon waffles at School

2. Colette Grand Café - Next on my list is Colette, a restaurant with a completely different vibe that is nevertheless, one of my favourite places on earth, let alone a favourite brunch spot of mine. Colette Grand Café is located on the main level of Toronto’s Thompson Hotel, and serves exquisite French cuisine in an atmosphere that flawlessly embodies French country style. Colette’s pastries are divine, and their cocktails are superb. I also like how the menu includes a list of mocktails, making it the perfect location for an upscale baby shower. Sundays are the best day to reserve a brunch table at Colette, when the restaurant overflows with a decadent brunch buffet.

The beautiful bar at Colette Grand Café

Saturday's brunch menu at Colette

3. The Saint Tavern - This restaurant was on my must-try list for a long while before I finally got around to trying it this spring, and I’m happy to report it did not disappoint. Located on Ossington Avenue, just south of Dundas, lies this low-key tavern and its ingeniously curated brunch menu. The devilled eggs and daily doughnuts are the best way to kick off your brunch here, before digging into The Saint’s gourmet breakfast sandwich or its equally appetizing Nutella French toast. Reservations aren’t necessary for brunch before 11am, but the place fills up by noon, making a later booking a good idea.

Burgundy leather-upholstered stools line the bar at The Saint Tavern on Ossington

The Saint's Breakfast Sandwich, complete with a bangers patty and duck egg, & Nutella French Toast

4. Weslodge - I knew I had to try Weslodge the day I peered out the window of a King West streetcar and first beheld its giant, bright yellow doors and saloon-style sign. That place, I thought, is one to watch. The décor at Weslodge marries Wild West saloon style and contemporary design seamlessly, as impossible as this may sound. Moreover, Weslodge's brunch is something to write home about. The Cinnamon French toast and Fried Chicken are definite winners, and I have friends who can’t stop talking about Weslodge’s classic breakfast plate – “Two Fried Eggs”. I’m also a fan of their maple bourbon bacon, and can't wait to try the Weslodge burger, the next time I’m there. I’d recommend making a reservation for brunch, although it’s not impossible to grab a table without one.

Sipping my coffee while awaiting French toast and fried chicken, at Weslodge

Good food + good friends at Weslodge

5. The Farmer's Market at the Evergreen Brick Works - I remember exploring the Brick Works well before it became a trendy weekend market, but I am certainly not complaining about its recent transformation into foodie heaven. Saturday and Sunday mornings spent at the Evergreen Brick Works have been some of the most gastronomically fulfilling times of my life. Here, vendors sell local produce, artisan breads, cheeses, and pastries. There’s always fresh lemonade available at the centre of the market, and an array of stalls serving up gourmet brunches to go, ranging from Mexican salads and fresh grilled cheese sandwiches, to vegan smoothies. Although there is a sit-down restaurant within the Brick Works’ main building, the market’s offerings are much tastier, and better priced. Sitting at one of the picnic tables with a gourmet waffle made with local ingredients, or bringing my brunch taco to a hilltop overlooking the Toronto skyline, is one of my favourite things to do on a summer weekend in the city.

A morning stroll to the Brick Works Farmer Market

Enjoying fresh brunch with a view of the skyline, at the Evergreen Brick Works

6. Bonjour Brioche - This tiny gem is consistently ranked as one of Toronto’s best brunch spots, and it’s not difficult to see why. Their menu serves artfully poured mimosas and gorgeous French pastries, along with an assortment of fresh quiches and tarts. The flavours of these delicious specialties change daily. Whether you’re inside, in the quaint café, or outside on Bonjour Brioche’s delightful patio, you’ll quickly become smitten with this long-time Leslieville favourite.

7. El Catrin - My list of Toronto’s best brunches would not be complete without El Catrin. Located in the city’s charming Distillery District, El Catrin serves gourmet Mexican cuisine for dinner AND brunch. Seeing as brunch and Mexican cuisine are two of my favourite things in life, I knew I was destined to become a disciple of El Catrin as soon as it opened. The décor within this old brick building is modern, yet authentically Latin American, and the spacious outdoor patio here is one of my favourites in the city. You really can’t go wrong when ordering off of El Catrin’s menu, but the Heuvos Rancheros and Heuvos Cazuela must be tasted, and churros for breakfast? Yes please.

Authentic Mexican mirals cascade the walls of El Catrin, in the Distillery District

8. Le Sélect Bistro - I have friends who never veer from selecting Le Sélect for brunch. Rated Toronto’s best French bistro, Le Sélect serves an unparalleled Croque-Monsieur and Croque-Madame, and a wide array of mouthwatering salads. My favourite brunch entrée here is the Braised Brisket Brioche Sandwich. Of course, my meal here is never complete without un café au lait.

9. Nadège - This crisp, elegant bakery offers expertly crafted pastries and some of the best sandwiches…probably on earth…the bakery has a handful of Toronto locations, but only a couple of them offer seating for guests. All locations, however, offer masterfully made macaroons in every flavour imaginable, a chocolate tablet for every letter of the alphabet, and utterly perfect pastries. This is the ideal venue to treat yourself to an unforgettable brunch, after which you can surprise your loved ones with devilishly delectable desserts.

A picnic with all my Nadège favourites

10. Live Organic Food Bar - Live Organic Food Bar is one of the coolest eateries to check out in Toronto. Its menu offers vegan, organic dishes, and fresh smoothies and juices designed to energize and fuel the body in the cleanest, most natural way possible. The summer months are the perfect time to visit Live, as its colourful back patio is the prime place to enjoy its Pulled Burdock Burrito or Chickpea Chili Burger. Both are delicious, and induce considerably less post-brunch guilt than your average eggs benny.