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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