Amelie CameronCall me cliché, but I adore brunch! Avocados on toast, bottomless mimosas, and of course, the excuse to meet up with friends. I’m always looking forward to it!
My friends and I like trying out brunch spots in different neighbourhoods in the GTA. So far, we’ve explored ones in Leslieville, and now we’re doing a food crawl in charming Corktown.
Curious to know our finds? They’re right below!
Ladybug Wine Bar
From: ladybugwine
Address: 514 King St E
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday—4 pm to 11 pm
- Friday—4 pm to 12 am
- Saturday—10:30 am to 12 am
- Sunday—10:30 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14372220142
Normally, Ladybug Wine Bar feels more like a romantic date night spot, but during the weekends, it becomes a lively space that’s perfect for brunch!
The smoked salmon toast is the standout dish for me. I can’t get enough of the rich, citrusy, and buttery flavours!
Since this is a wine bar, indulge in a glass or two of your favourite vino! I recommend their Monthly Wine Flight, which has a different theme every season, so you never know what to expect.
| Pro Tip: I recommend booking a reservation ahead of time since they can get busy over the weekend. You can do so via Resy. |
Figs Breakfast
From: figs.toronto
Address: 344 Queen St E
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—7:30 am to 2:30 pm
Contact Number: +14169137205
Figs Breakfast may not seem like much, but this family-operated restaurant exudes bright and cozy vibes.
The menu here is extensive, which encourages me to try as many dishes as possible. My current favourite is the Royal Eggs Benedict because of its Hollandaise sauce. The zesty, lemony flavour is strong, and I quite like it.
If you’re more of a sweets person, you can’t go wrong with the Belgian waffles with fresh fruits and whipped cream. The fluffy and crunchy combination of the waffles, paired with the sweet tartness of the fruits—ah, a classic!
| Pro Tip: You can make a custom omelette with any two ingredients available on the menu! |
Lady Marmalade
From: ladymrestaurant
Address: 265 Broadview Ave
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—8:30 am to 3 pm
Contact Number: +16473517645
Can’t decide what time to have brunch? Come to Lady Marmalade because this restaurant serves brunch items all day long!
Huevos Migas is my go-to order because it’s hearty. It has scrambled eggs, sausages, cheese, brown rice, black beans, and pico de gallo, so the flavour profile is a mix of savoury, tangy, and zesty. In a way, this dish reminds me of a burrito.
Try their eggs Benedict as well! The Mango Benny is such a unique dish. With its bacon and mango salsa on top of two poached eggs, the dish takes “savoury and sweet” to a whole new level.
| Pro Tip: You can build your own Eggs Benedict here! |
Petit Dejeuner by LPD Café
From: lpdcafe_petitdejeuner191
Address: 191 King St E
Operating Hours:
- Monday—9 am to 2:30 pm
- Wednesday to Friday—9 am to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 11 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—9 am to 3 pm
Contact Number: +14167031560
Petit Dejeuner by LPD Café is bursting with charm and character, which is one of the reasons why I love coming here. Another reason is the menu, which features your favourite brunch meals with a Belgian twist.
The Belgian waffles are the star of the show and for good reason. Apparently, the chefs here use a leavened recipe, which is why the waffles are lighter and fluffier than I’m used to. They’re amazing, especially when paired with a generous serving of syrup!
| Pro Tips: Try coming here as early as possible, preferably when the restaurant opens. This spot is popular, so a queue will form in no time. I recommend taking a seat in the patio area so that you can enjoy the fresh air while dining. |
Reyna on King
From: reynaonking
Address: 354 King St E
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday and Wednesday—11 am to 11 pm
- Thursday—11 am to 1 am
- Friday—11 am to 2 am
- Saturday—10 am to 2 am
- Sunday—10 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165463155
Reyna on King is a fascinating restaurant because by night it’s a cool bar playing hip hop tunes, but by day, it’s a chill spot serving vibrant brunch items.
I love ordering their burger and fries. The beef patty is incredibly juicy and savoury, and the chipotle aioli adds notes of garlicky, sweet, and slightly spicy to every bite.
Meanwhile, the fries are wonderfully salted. I like chucking them into the burger for the extra saltiness and crunch.
| Pro Tip: You can host a special event here. |
Gusto 501
From: gusto501
Address: 501 King St E
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday—5 pm to 10 pm
- Thursday and Sunday—12 pm to 10 pm
- Friday and Saturday—12 pm to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14164775647
Gusto 501 is best known for its pasta dishes, but when it comes to brunch, its steak frites is the highlight.
The steak itself is pretty big, at 8 oz, and it’s incredibly tender and savoury, with a hint of garlicky goodness from the aioli. The fries are Tuscan-inspired, so peppery is the dominant flavour.
The ricotta pancakes are great, too. The pancakes are light and fluffy, and they’re topped with whipped ricotta, blueberries, and maple syrup, so every forkful is creamy and sweet.
| Pro Tip: Book their catering services for your special event. |
Impact Kitchen
From: impactkitchen
Address: 573 King St E
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—8 am to 10 pm
- Friday and Saturday—8 am to 9 pm
- Sunday—9 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14163061986
If you have a particular diet, Impact Kitchen may be the one for you because it’s one of the top gluten-free restaurants in the city! They also have paleo and vegan dishes.
The Power Breakfast is my favourite thing to order because it really does power my day! It has scrambled eggs, spinach, roasted sweet potatoes, and avocados, so there’s something from every part of the food pyramid.
Sometimes, I add chicken or salmon just for the extra protein and savoury flavours.
| Pro Tips: If you want to book them for catering, send an inquiry via this form. This restaurant also has subscription services for coffee/tea, broth, and protein powders. |
