Top Five: Toronto’s best brunch spots
Where to go for the city’s most hedonistic breakfast feasts
Sunday-morning reservations are filled far in advance. The crowds are here for Alex Molitz’s way with duck—one dish brings slices of ruby duck prosciutto and two duck eggs rolled in panko and deep-fried. They’re like intensely rich, overgrown scotch eggs. 1627 Dupont St., 416-561-9114.
Anthony Rose must have designed his diner menu for sumo wrestlers. Three over-easy eggs come with a heap of crispy hash browns fried in unadulterated chicken fat. On top is a thick slab of back bacon that was soaked overnight in a brew of garlic, chilies, herbs and Dr. Pepper before meeting the sous-vide machine, then the griddle. 176 Dupont St., 647-748-3287.
Claudio Aprile’s most extravagant brunch item is a tropical heap of fat, spongy, sweet French toast layered with brûléed bananas, pineapple chunks, a puff of coconut cream and a sprinkle of peanut brittle—all piled into a towering stack of girth-expanding goodness. 2901 Bayview Ave., 416-479-8833.
Chef Victor Barry’s two-course breakfast starts off with flaky pastries, house-made charcuterie, fine cheeses, pickles and spreads, and follows with luxe takes on classic mains, like eggs Benny with brown butter Béarnaise. Unlike so many other brunch spots in the city, this one takes reservations. 88 Harbord St., 416-929-7788.
The brunch standout at this Roncesvalles barbecue joint is a flapjack tower topped with succulent pulled duck meat, a creamy dollop of chèvre and fresh blueberry compote. 299 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-532-7700.
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[caption id="attachment_258924" align="aligncenter" width="656"] Farmhouse Tavern[/caption]
1. FARMHOUSE TAVERN
Sunday-morning reservations are filled far in advance. The crowds are here for Alex Molitz’s way with duck—one dish brings slices of ruby duck prosciutto and two duck eggs rolled in panko and deep-fried. They’re like intensely rich, overgrown scotch eggs. 1627 Dupont St., 416-561-9114.
2. ROSE AND SONS
Anthony Rose must have designed his diner menu for sumo wrestlers. Three over-easy eggs come with a heap of crispy hash browns fried in unadulterated chicken fat. On top is a thick slab of back bacon that was soaked overnight in a brew of garlic, chilies, herbs and Dr. Pepper before meeting the sous-vide machine, then the griddle. 176 Dupont St., 647-748-3287.
3. ORIGIN NORTH
Claudio Aprile’s most extravagant brunch item is a tropical heap of fat, spongy, sweet French toast layered with brûléed bananas, pineapple chunks, a puff of coconut cream and a sprinkle of peanut brittle—all piled into a towering stack of girth-expanding goodness. 2901 Bayview Ave., 416-479-8833.
4. SPLENDIDO
Chef Victor Barry’s two-course breakfast starts off with flaky pastries, house-made charcuterie, fine cheeses, pickles and spreads, and follows with luxe takes on classic mains, like eggs Benny with brown butter Béarnaise. Unlike so many other brunch spots in the city, this one takes reservations. 88 Harbord St., 416-929-7788.
5. BARQUE
The brunch standout at this Roncesvalles barbecue joint is a flapjack tower topped with succulent pulled duck meat, a creamy dollop of chèvre and fresh blueberry compote. 299 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-532-7700.){kind=link}
Why hasn’t ANYone included ‘Smith’ on Church Street? Their brunch is amazing… The BEST I’ve ever had! Fresh biscuits are different every weekend, and the French toast is decadent!!
There’s Creme de la Creme in the Kingsway ….small but food is delicious!
“Hey” on Roncesvalles has the best brunch meals I have ever had. Go figure – that place started slow but the new rework is tasty and filling.
I LOVE ¨LE NEUF CAFE¨ BRUNCH, IS SO DILICIOUS!!! 9 CLARENSE SQ.
SMith is my all time FAVE~~!! Cant believe it didn’t make the list
Stockyards!
Try: #1) Emma’s Country Kitchen 1108 St. Clair West. The queues outside and inside are not for the washrooms! And remember the chef here won the Donut Showdown contest on the Food Network. Best brunch on Saturday’s and Sundays by far.
http://www.emmascountrykitchen.com
Where’s the Bristol Yard?
Amazing food. Used to be my favourite brunch in the city but the service has really gone down hill.
Uh, their coffee is hit and miss and their service is appalling/surly at best. Sure it’s busy, but staff shouldn’t take their frustrations out on customers. I refuse to eat there after being subjected to such unnecessary rudeness. They should learn some manners before opening their doors for business. Unfortunately they are the only brunch spot in the neighbourhood….maybe that’s why they feel consistently entitled to be such jerks to patrons. No food is good enough to justify such crappy service.
Are you kidding? waste of money not even close to being good!