Best Holiday Brunch Spots in Toronto

There’s no doubt Toronto is a city that loves its brunch. Every weekend, you’ll find Torontonians lining up for some of the best waffles, pancakes, eggs benedicts and more tasty breakfast treats over endless cups of coffee, mimosas, and Caesars. Whether you’re on a long layover or here for the holidays, there is no better way for visitors to fuel up before exploring all Toronto has to offer than with the city’s favourite meal. We can make it easier for families and students to get around the city this holiday season with our discounted fares and remember, kids under 12 always ride for free!

We’ve rounded up some of our favourite Toronto brunch places offering unique and flavourful spins on brunch to enjoy with friends, family, and loved ones this holiday season.

REIGN Royal York

Head to downtown Toronto with friends and family to REIGN at the famed Fairmont Royal York Hotel, directly across from UP Express Union Station. A great place for entertaining, the Sunday brunch includes a delectable buffet spread of pastries, meats, cheese, seafood and salads along with a plated brunch main entree and dessert table selections making it one of the best brunch spots in downtown Toronto. This year, REIGN is serving up a festive holiday brunch on Sundays as well as a special holiday lunch buffet weekdays.

Cluny Bistro & Boulangerie

Start your weekend the French way at Cluny Bistro & Boulangerie in the historic Distillery District. Easily accessible from nearby UP Express Union Station, this charming French bistro is the ultimate breakfast indulgence with lobster eggs benedict, savoury crepes, and a très chic chef’s breakfast of super soft crème fraîche scrambled eggs, layered black truffle, and warm buttered brioche. For a grab-and-go take-out brunch while exploring the Christmas Market and Winter Light Festival, check out the selection of freshly-made pastries, sandwiches and coffee, also available on weekdays.

Gladstone House

Nothing beats brunch and a show, especially when it’s a boozy drag queen brunch at the Gladstone House boutique hotel. Held each Sunday in the hotel’s Melody Bar, reservations are recommended to secure your seats to the entertaining brunch hosted by one of Toronto’s top queens. Best enjoyed with a mimosa (or two), it’s a fun way to relax and enjoy the fun vibes with friends this holiday season. Easily accessible via TTC from UP Express Bloor Station and Union Station, work up your brunch appetite in Toronto’s West Queen West neighbourhood and discover why Vogue magazine voted it the “second coolest neighbourhood on the planet”.

TOCA

Looking for a central spot to entertain downtown near UP Express Union Station? Look no further than TOCA at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel for a fancy upscale Italian brunch that’s sure to impress diners. Featuring a signature weekend brunch of breakfast favourites like eggs benedict, pancakes, steak and eggs, and more, TOCA is known for their special themed holiday brunches around Christmas and New Year’s.

Pasaj

Visitors and locals alike can’t get enough of Pasaj‘s Istanbul-style brunch. Serving up Turkish classics and seasonal brunch fusion plates, this Leslieville bakery spot will warm you and a date up this winter with their traditional Turkish break-feast spread for two featuring grilled sucuk, salam, feta, börek, Turkish baked goods and plenty more, all with a bottomless cup of hot black Turkish tea. Pick up some of their delectable baked treats for the ride home on UP Express.

Mira bore Diner

The husband and wife-owned Mira bore Diner in the Beaches serves up heaping plates of nostalgic breakfast dishes with modern flair. At this east end Toronto brunch place, you’ll find smoked salmon with a side of deviled eggs alongside a bevy of benedicts, maple bacon French toast, and a mouth-watering Nova Scotia lobster croque madame in a light-filled, family-friendly setting that’ll have you dreaming of warmer days.

Atai Bistro

Build your own brunch mezze platter at Atai Bistro, located in Toronto’s Junction neighbourhood near UP Express Bloor Station. A French-Moroccan menu that balances the coziness of a French bistro with vibrant Moroccan flavours, this cute brunch spot will fill you up with one-of-a-kind dishes like the brioche French toast topped with tahini maple syrup, sides of lamb bacon, and poached eggs with preserved lemon hollandaise. Plus, there are brunch options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free guests.

Sisters & Co.

This woman-owned brunch spot is the place to go for unique spins on brunch classics on Dundas Street West, an easy connection to the TTC 505 streetcar from UP Express Bloor Station. Simple and fresh ingredients get an Asian-inspired twist like the diner-favourite chicken katsu club sandwich, bulgogi beef benedict and taro coconut waffles. Sisters & Co.‘s signature Spicy Oxtail Stew – which comes from a family recipe – is not to be missed when you’re in need of a winter warm-up.

Her Father’s Cider Bar + Kitchen

Sample an impressive line-up of Ontario draft ciders with a side of brunch at Her Father’s Cider Bar + Kitchen. With a tasty but simple brunch menu of smoked brisket hash, benedicts, and shakshuka, the ciders (including non-alcoholic) are the real stars here at this cozy eatery on Harbord Street. Located near the University of Toronto campus, this popular brunch spot is an ideal place for friends and family visiting students over the holidays. Easily accessible from UP Express Bloor Station via TTC, youth and post-secondary students receive a 40% discount off regular UP Express fares with PRESTO!