Toronto has an excellent foodie scene – there are great cafés, restaurants and eateries – and that includes excellent places to have breakfast or brunch.
If I had to choose just one single best breakfast in Toronto for everyone – I would probably go with Evviva restaurant, because of its location, and because it has something for everyone; the classic options, kids meals, great vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. (The food is also delicious – I go there often.)
However, there are so many other great places to get breakfast in Toronto that you should definitely consider. As a foodie city, Toronto has your standard breakfasts, but also some unique ones that are hard to find anywhere else.
Ultimately, the best breakfast in Toronto for you depends on what you like in a breakfast – some people want a classic, hearty breakfast; others want a healthy, granola breakfast, or a sometimes a unique, ethnic flare to their breakfast.
Toronto has all of that. I’m going to break down the best places to get breakfast in downtown Toronto to add to your Toronto itinerary.
Here are the best places that serve the best breakfast to wake up to before a day of exploring Toronto.
The Best Breakfasts in Toronto
1. Evvvia
56 Wellesley St W (near Queens Park) + 4 other locations
Evviva provides a modern, upper sale sit-down breakfast experience. It’s the kind of place that people bring their mom on mother’s day. It’s also right downtown, close to tourist attractions – short walk from the CN Tower and Ripleys Aquarium.
The menu is outstanding. I prefer vegan food, and they have a whole vegan menu. But don’t worry meat eaters, there’s plenty of options for you on the menu too.
I will admit, Evviva is a chain – but its a Canadian chain, and still relatively small. There’s only 5 locations, all 4 of them are in Toronto except for the one in Barrie.
✅Vegan options
✅Vegetarian options
✅Gluten-free options
✅Kid’s meals (it’s one of the most kid friendly restaurants in downtown Toronto)
✅All day breakfast
2. Karine’s
109 McCaul St, Toronto, ON (in the food court of Village on the Grain)
When reading other articles about best breakfast in Toronto, I was shocked to not see Karine’s listed on most of them.
Karine’s serves a fresh, all day breakfast. We go to Karine’s often. She’s a cheerful, energetic woman who I honestly believe serves the best brunch in the city.
Be aware – Karine’s is almost the opposite of Evviva. It’s not a posh experience, its a food court location. It’s a quicker breakfast than eating in a restaurant, but not so quick that you should expect the food insantly.
Be patient as you wait for food, because of all of it is prepared fresh and by hand. It’s also very popular. Karine will often bring it out to your table directly. My husband and I have come back here several times – its a great little breakfast gem in the city.
✅Vegan options
✅Vegetarian options
✅Gluten-free options
✅Kid’s meals
✅ All day breakfast
3. Maman
100 King St W, Toronto, ON
Maman is a French-inspired café in downtown Toronto. It’s located inside of a building, but there’s also a beautiful terrace where you can eat outside in the warmer months.
Maman is probably more of a ‘brunch’ than breakfast -they have soups, and sandwiches, but lots of breakfast options too. It’s very popular for people on their lunch breaks, or grabbing breakfast before work in the financial district.
The Maman menu has something for almost everyone (vegan, gluten free, etc) and in addition – they also have an expensive French pastry menu, such as pain au chocolat, various types of croissants, cookies and even scones.
✅Vegan options
✅Vegetarian options
✅Gluten-free options
❌ Kid’s meals
✅All day breakfast
4. Emma’s Country Kitchen
810 St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON
Emma’s is where you should go if you’re looking for a classic option – pancakes, omelettes, eggs Benedict, BLT, etc. It’s one of the city favourites for people looking for a full plate of heart, greasy food to fill their bellies before a big day. It’s a local favourite.
In addition, Emma’s has a menu full of mimosas to have with breakfast, and a selection of yummy pastries – donuts, cakes, pies, and more.
❌ Vegan options
✅Vegetarian options
❌ Gluten-free options
❌ Kid’s meals
✅ All day breakfast
5. Kupfert & Kim
200 Wellington St W, Toronto (inside the food court) + 6 other locations in Toronto
If you’re looking for a healthy breakfast in Toronto, then Kupfert & Kim the best option. They serve smoothies, bowls, oatmeal, toast, and several lunch options as well.
Like Evviva, Kupfert & Kim is a chain, but also just a small Canadian one. It was started by Mark Kupfert who wanted to see more ‘healthy’ quick food in the city.
So, Kupfert & Kim, while extremely healthy – is also your best bet for a nutritious grab-and-go breakfast in Toronto.
I once had to stay at one of the Toronto Hospitals, where the food was honestly very unhealthy, and unsatisfying. (Don’t get me started on hospital food.) While I stayed there, I used to order breakfast from Kupfert & Kim via Uber Eats very frequently. The food is tasty and nourishing. I’d definitely recommend giving them a try.
✅Vegan options (everything is plant based)
✅Gluten-free options (everything is gluten free)
✅Kid’s meals
✅All day breakfast
6. George Street Diner
129 George St, Toronto, ON
George Street Diner specializes in Irish breakfast – the owner is from Ireland. So you can get the classic full Irish breakfast there, as well as pancakes, French toast, and even some French-inspired items like a croque monsieur or a poutine.
Since the owner is Irish, George Street Diner is also actually a great place to get some Irish souvenirs and goods too that are normally hard to find in Canada – Irish candies, Irish soda bread mix, Irish marmalade, etc. See all the menu and store options here.
❌ Vegan options
✅Vegetarian options
❌ Gluten-free options
❌ Kid’s meals
✅All day breakfast
7. Fika Café
20 Kensington Ave, Toronto
Being half Swedish, I love Fika Cafe in the Kensington Market. It serves all kinds of the foods I grew up with, such as cinnamon and semla buns, and lingonberry juice.
While it is a cafe with baked goods, they also serve open-faced sandwiches, which are also classically Swedish.
This comforting Scandinavian food is designed to get you through the long winters. Fika is a Swedish word that basically means ‘coffee time.’ As you can imagine, its also a great place for hot drinks.
Unfortunately, Fika doesn’t open until 10:30am, so it would be a late breakfast or a brunch. It can be challenging to get a seat, as its a small space – be prepared to wait.
✅Vegan options
✅Vegetarian options
✅Gluten-free options
✅Kid’s meals
✅All day breakfast
8. Bonjour Brioche
812 Queen St. E, Toronto
Bonjour Brioche is a French inspired breakfast with a large selection of breakfast sandwiches; all which come on their fresh, home baked brioche buns. There’s also a selection of croissants, pastries and quiches.
Bonjour Brioche is further easy in the city, about 20-30 minute trip on public transit if you’re staying right downtown. See their menu here.
✅Vegan options (they have a moroccan tofu scramble on sourdough bread)
✅Vegetarian options
❌ Gluten-free options
❌ Kid’s meals
✅All day breakfast
9. Lady Marmalade
265 Broadview Ave, Toronto
Lady Marmalade is a local’s favourite that serves the classic breakfast options, as well as some unique international inspired breakfasts.
In addition to pancakes and sunny-side up eggs, you can also find Moroccon scramble, huevos rancheros, and a croque monsieur, as well as their five different types of signature eggs Benedict.
❌ Vegan options
✅Vegetarian options
❌ Gluten-free options
❌ Kid’s meals
✅All day breakfast
10. Maha’s Egyptian Brunch
226 Greenwood Ave, Toronto
Maha’s serves a different breakfast from what you may normally think of breakfast. It’s an Egyptian breakfast which consists of eggs cooked in lots of creative ways, in addition to interesting sides of soups of salads.
Maha’s is located in the Toronto beaches area, so they’re a good place to stop before or after a day exploring the beaches neighbourhood.
✅Vegan options
✅Vegetarian options
❌ Gluten-free options
❌ Kid’s meals
✅ All day breakfast
Pro Tip: In addition to Maha’s Egyptian Breakfast, there’s also Maha’s Café located a few blocks away. (Just don’t confuse the two.)
11. Kos Café & Restaurant
1070 Bathurst St, Toronto
Kos is a popular with locals, and serves large portions of eggs, waffles, pancakes, plus home fries and fresh fruit on the side.
Also, just to avoid confusion – there is a second Kos restaurant downtown that also serves breakfast – just not all day. The Kos Cafe and Restaurant serves all day Canadian-style breakfast. Check out their menu here.
✅Vegan options
✅Vegetarian options
❌ Gluten-free options
❌ Kid’s meals
✅ All day breakfast
12. Saving Grace
907 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Saving Grace serves hearty, filling breakfast with a Middle Eastern fushion.
Saving Grace is a small space, and it also doesn’t open until 10am, so its vey hard to get in. While they don’t have a website, you can check their instagram for reservation rules.
❌ Vegan options
✅Vegetarian options
❌ Gluten-free options
❌ Kid’s meals
✅ All day breakfast
13. Dirty Food Eatery
3070 Dundas St W, Toronto
Dirty Food is a hole in the wall joint in Toronto’s northwest that serves hearty brunches. It’s extremely popular, so much that you might need to join a waitlist to get a seat.
Dirty Food serves comfort food with great presentation and huge portions. Come hungry. View the menu and join the breakfast waitlist on the Dirty Food website.
✅Vegan options (vegan gluten free blueberry pancakes)
✅Vegetarian options
✅Gluten-free options
❌ Kid’s meals
✅ All day breakfast
14. The Gingerman Restaurant
1104 Victoria Park Ave
The Gingerman Restaurnt is breakfast place located further east in Toronto, so it may not be convenient if you’re right downtown.
The Gingerman is a diner-style environment where you can eat a full plate of protein, their homemade homefries, and some fresh fruit. Their menu is simple (and cheaper than most other Toronto breakfasts) but is satisfying for when you want just a standard tasty, well done breakfast.
❌ Vegan options
✅Vegetarian options
✅Gluten-free options
❌ Kid’s meals
✅ All day breakfast
Best Breakfasts in Toronto At a Glance
Short on time? Here are the best breakfast restaurants in Toronto depending on what you’re looking for
The best breakfast in Toronto for…
- A classic, hearty breakfast – Evviva, Emma’s Country Kitchen, George Street Diner, The Gingerman Restaurant,
- Vegan and vegetarian options – Evviva, Karine’s, Maha’s Egyptian Brunch, Fika Café
- Kids meals – Evviva
- International fusion- Saving Grace, Maha’s Egyptian Brunch, George Street Diner, Fika Café, Lady Marmalade
- Healthy breakfasts – Kupfert and Kim, Nature’s Emporium (smoothie bowls only)
- Gluten free breakfasts – Kupfert and Kim, Dirty Food Eatery, Fika Café, Evviva
- Home-baked goods – Maman, Fika Café
- A quick, take out option – Kupfert and Kim
Where to Stay in Toronto
- Budget:Pembroke Inn. An apartment 15 minutes by foot from Dundas square
- Mid-range:Heart of Downtown Condo A downtown condo with balcony city views
- Luxury:Radission Blu Downtown TorontoHas a rooftop pool with views of the CN Tower, and is just a short walk to several attractions
Final Thoughts on Breakfast in Toronto
By now, you know where to find the best breakfast in Toronto. There are so many
I’m sure you’ll have trouble choosing between them all these great options. You might have to stay in Toronto for at least a few days, in order to have a chance to try a few of your favourites from this list. The good news, is that many of them serve an all-day breakfast.
If you’re in Toronto with kids, you may have noticed that many of these breakfast places don’t have kid’s menus, however – most of them are very kid-friendly.
