Aliu IsaThe question isn’t “Who loves brunch?”, it’s “Who doesn’t love brunch?” Imagine crispy bacon, gorgeous runny eggs, a stack of pancakes drenched in syrup, and a side of chilled mimosas—sounds like heaven!
And where else to grab brunch than the gorgeous Leslieville area? Its charming streets and hip vibes are the perfect backdrop for a leisurely weekend meal.
That’s why we created the complete guide to Leslieville’s brunch scene—these spots are guaranteed to have you and your Instagram feed drooling.
So, grab your friends and get ready to brunch like a local!
ALLWOOD Cafe
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Website: https://www.kaspacecafe.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ka_cafeto/
Address: 1183 Queen St E
Hours: Tue – Wed: 10 AM – 6 PM
Thurs – Fri: 9 AM – 9 PM
Sat – Sun: 10 AM – 5 PM
Contact: (647) 575-0877
ALLWOOD Cafe was founded by designer Kevin Allwood. Their goal is to promote healthier lifestyles by offering delicious vegetarian and vegan Jamaican-inspired dishes.
Speaking of dishes, we recommend their ‘Ackee Brunch’—Jamaican sautéed ackee, mixed with salted tofu, peppers, and a flavorful scotch bonnet pepper base. It’s served with crispy potato hash, a side salad, and sourdough toast slathered in vegan butter.
To wash it all down, check out their awesome drink selection. Choose from their range of sustainable coffee from Rwanda, as well as a variety of smoothies and fresh juices.
Pro Tip:
If you’re following a gluten-free diet, just ask for ALLWOOD Cafe’s gluten-free bread—it’s available upon request!
White Lily Diner
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Website: https://whitelilydiner.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitelilydiner/
Address: 678 Queen St E
Hours: Wed – Sun: 9 AM – 10 PM
Contact: (416) 901-7800
Since 2016, White Lily Diner has been offering quality comfort brunch food served with a side of integrity. They’re serious about sourcing, working with small, family-owned suppliers for everything—from Ontario wines and beers to pantry staples.
As a bonus, they bake their own bread, whip up fresh donuts daily, smoke their own meats, and even showcase their preserves!
If you’re not sure what to order, go for the ‘White Lily Standard.’ It’s the classic diner breakfast done right—two eggs any style, your choice of bacon, sausage, or marinated mushrooms, plus a hashbrown and toast.
Pro Tip:
For those dining with a group, be sure to order White Lily Diner’s Family Mimosa. It’s a bottle of sparkling wine with orange juice—a fun, shareable way to keep the chill vibes flowing.
Maha’s Brunch
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Website: https://www.mahasbrunch.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mahasbrunch/
Address: 226 Greenwood Ave
Hours: Mon – Tue, Thurs – Sun: 8 AM – 4:30 PM
Contact Details: (416) 462-2703
Maha’s Brunch is an Egyptian-inspired cafe run by Maha Barsoom and her daughter. Their semi-open kitchen allows you to watch the chefs hard at work, preparing every dish fresh and to order.
If you’re new to Egyptian cuisine, their ‘Cairo Classic’ is a great place to start. This traditional breakfast dish features fava beans, tomatoes, onions, a boiled egg, falafel, creamy tomato feta, charred baladi bread, and a side salad.
Another crowd-pleaser is their ‘Date Grilled Cheese.’ This sweet and savory sandwich features juicy dates sautéed in butter and combined with a three-cheese blend and served with a side of cumin home fries or lentil soup.
Pro Tip:
Don’t forget to check out Maha’s drink menu. They serve a house blend of organic beans from Mountain View, Turkish coffee, Egyptian black tea with fresh mint, and their signature honey-cardamom latte.
Lady Marmalade
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Website: https://ladymarmalade.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladymrestaurant/
Address: 265 Broadview Ave
Hours: Mon – Sun: 8:30 AM – 3 PM
Contact: (647) 351-7645
Lady Marmalade is a popular all-day brunch spot nestled in a charming two-level space decked out with light wood, hanging plants, and skylights. We love that they use free-run eggs, top-notch meats, sustainable fish, and local produce whenever possible.
As for their brunch fare, we recommend their ‘Cheddar and Spinach Waffles.’ They’re dense, crispy, and bready, with spinach laced throughout and strong cheddar melted right into the grids.
Now, to all the eggs benedict addicts out there, try ‘The B.A.B. Benny.’ This dish features two poached eggs perched on brie, avocado, and bacon, all topped with a rich hollandaise sauce, served with home fries and your choice of salad or tomatoes.
Pro Tip:
Save room for Lady Marmalade’s daily baked bread pudding—dense, moist layers of chunky bread pudding, studded with juicy pockets of fruit, and finished with a tart berry coulis and Ontario maple syrup. Be warned—the portions are massive!
Bodega Henriette
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Website: http://www.bodegahenriette.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodegahenriette/
Address: 1801 Gerrard St E
Hours: Mon – Fri: 8 AM – 4:30 PM
Sat – Sun: 9 AM – 4 PM
Contact Details: (416) 546-6261
Right when you walk into Bodega Henriette, you’ll notice the bodega section near the front door, stocked with a great selection of produce and pantry essentials. But the real magic happens in the kitchen, where everything is baked in-house with love.
Try their utterly delicious ‘Savoury French Toast’; cinnamon-dusted pork belly and bacon, with a blueberry compote and maple syrup. Another must-try is their Smoked Salmon Sandwich—house-smoked salmon with cream cheese and tomato jam.
For the vegans out there, order their ‘Tofu Scramble & Waffles.’ This dish is as colorful as it is delicious, with curried chickpea waffles and tofu scramble topped with a ginger orange dressed apple, frisée and scallion slaw, avocado crema, and tahini dressing.
Pro Tip:
Tired of the classic mimosa with brunch? Try their ‘Espresso Old Fashioned’.It’s made with Barocco coffee, amaro verna, and bourbon bitters, perfect for Bodega Henriette’s sweeter brunch offerings.
Boxcar Social
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Website: https://boxcarsocial.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boxcar_social
Address: 4 Boulton Ave
Hours: Mon – Tue: 8 AM – 4 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM – 10 PM
Thurs – Fri: 8 AM – 12 AM
Saturday: 9 AM – 12 AM
Sunday: 9 aAM – 5 PM
Contact: +1 844-726-9227
Boxcar Social is a multi-roaster café and bar, nestled in an old Victorian building. Since 2014, it has become a favorite hangout for those who love brunch and a good brew—whether it’s coffee or something a little stronger.
When it comes to brunch, they keep it simple but oh-so-satisfying. Some of our go-to choices are their pesto chicken, mortadella, and artichoke & mushroom sandwich—each one is packed with flavor and served on perfectly toasted bread.
With a space filled with natural light during the day and a cozy industrial vibe at night, it’s the kind of place where you’ll want to linger.
Pro Tip:
For those who are curious about their coffee and whiskey offerings, Boxcar Social offers three different coffees side by side. Or, you can try their Whisky Tango Flight which features two featured espressos paired with two half-ounce bourbons.
Bonjour Brioche
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Website: https://bonjourbrioche.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonjour_brioche/
Address: 812 Queen St E
Hours: Wednesday: 8 AM – 2 PM
Thurs – Sun: 8 AM – 3 PM
Contact: (416) 406-1250
Bonjour Brioche is a charming French-inspired brunch spot and bakery known for serving up some of the best baguettes, croissants, and quiches in the city. Their all-day breakfast and brunch options are nothing short of addicting.
They have a tiny open kitchen, where almost everything is cooked and baked right on the spot, while the baking prep takes place in the basement. As you step inside, you’ll see a pastry case overflowing with brioche, croissants, and other baked wonders.
Note that brunch items are available for dine-in or takeout only on Wednesdays and Thursdays to Sundays.
Pro Tip:
For a classic French brunch, try the Provencal Omelette. This delicious dish is filled with green onion, black olives, rosemary, and gruyere cheese—something yummy and fancy just for you!
Lazy Daisy’s Cafe
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Website: https://lazydaisyscafe.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lazydaisysTO/
Address: 1515 Gerrard St E
Hours: Mon – Wed: 8 AM – 3 PM
Thurs – Sun: 8 AM – 3 PM, 4 PM – 8 PM
Contact: (647) 341-4070
Lazy Daisy’s Café was inspired by Dawn’s childhood memories of milking cows and climbing apple trees on her family farm. Bringing the country’s warmth and spirit, it’s no wonder her spot has earned nods from Toronto Life, Now, and even USA Today!
For brunch, we recommend their famous ‘Rise and Shine’ sandwich. This beauty is built with a free-run egg, Mennonite smoked bacon, and aged white cheddar, all nestled inside a buttery, homemade biscuit that practically melts in your mouth.
If you’re in the mood for something sweet, their ‘Buttermilk Pancakes’ are a must-try. Go classic with a stack drenched in local maple syrup (the same syrup they sell by the bottle) or spice things up with a cinnamon and nutmeg swirl.
Pro Tip:
Don’t forget to grab one of their famous Buttermilk Biscuits—warm, golden, and buttery biscuits made by hand. They’re available in seven delicious flavors, and our faves are ‘Famous Classic,’ ‘Jalapeno & Three Cheese,’ and ‘Roasted Garlic’!
Barrio Cervecería
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Website: https://www.barrioonqueen.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barrioonqueen/
Address: 884 Queen St E
Hours: Mon – Thurs, Sun: 12 PM – 9 PM
Fri – Sat: 12 PM – 10:30 PM
Contact Details: (647) 352-0884
Barrio Cerveceria is an authentic Taberna Mexicana owned by brothers Howard and Oscar. They’ve been serving up bold flavors and a lively atmosphere since 2016, with a mission to bring a slice of Mexican joy to Torontonians.
Weekend brunch is from 12 PM to 3 PM, and trust me, you’ll want to try their ‘Steak and Egg Hash.’ This includes two sunny-side-up eggs atop marinated flank steak, with potatoes, caramelized onions, sweet corn, roasted red peppers, and a zingy pico jam.
On the drinks side, you’re in for a treat. Their summery margaritas and sangria are a must-try. If you’re a beer lover, you’ll appreciate the eight taps featuring a mix of local brews and Mexican favorites.
Pro Tip:
Grab a seat at Barrio’s east side patio, which seats over 100 people. It has string lights, a colorful mural, a bar, a fire pit, and cozy Mexican blankets (serapes) for those cooler months, so you’ll want to linger here long after brunch is over.
Pasaj
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Website: https://pasajtoronto.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pasajtoronto/
Address: 1100 Queen St E
Hours: Mon, Thurs: 11 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 11 AM – 5 PM
Sat – Sun: 9 AM – 5 PM
Contact: (647) 398-9010
Pasaj is another hot brunch spot in Leslieville. It takes you on a culinary journey straight to the charming streets of Turkey, where each dish tells a story.
We recommend starting with the ‘Pastirma Benedict,’ with zucchini fritters as the base, topped with poached eggs, juicy tomatoes, and a zesty sumac hollandaise. Their Shakshouka is also a must-try.
For those with a sweet tooth, ‘Grandma’s Pancakes’ is calling your name. These aren’t your typical pancakes—they’re three soft, milky wonders topped with sour cherry jam, tahini helva, labne, and pistachios—the culinary equivalent of your Nana’s hug!
Pro Tip:
Pair your brunch meal with something from Pasaj’s curated selection of cocktails and wines, featuring both Old and New World options. There’s nothing like having booze with brunch to let the good times roll!
