Make a holiday brunch out of it
Why eat turkey leftovers when you can dine at one of these Toronto restaurants?
Boxing Day may fall on a Monday but in the spirit of continued holiday indulgence, many Toronto restaurants are opening their doors and dishing up brunch.
Whether it’s savoury or sweet eats you seek, these 11 spots have you covered.
The Federal
The Federal’s French toast and foie gras plate, paired with one of its sophisticated brunch cocktails (like hibiscus shandies, or elderflower bellinis), makes for an extra-celebratory holiday breakfast. Or try its aptly named “Gold Standard” breakfast sandwich with scrambled egg, bacon (or kale), cheddar, pickles, hot sauce, and aioli, dished up with a side of greens and potato rösti. Brunch served 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 1438 Dundas St. W.; 647-352-9120; thefed.ca
Mildred’s Temple Kitchen
This popular Liberty Village spot is serving up its weekend brunch on Boxing Day (in fact, they’re serving it through to Jan. 2). The ‘Mrs. Biederhof’s Legendary Light & Fluffy Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes’ — cooked long and slow, and served with whipped cream and Ontario maple syrup — have a reputation for being some of the city’s best. No reservations for brunch, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 85 Hanna Ave., Suite 104; 416-5885695; templekitchen.com
Café Boulud
Not your standard eggs-and-bacon greasy spoon, the chic Yorkville eatery is offering a two- or three-course brunch on Monday for $55 and $65, respectively. Choose from starters like steak tartare and berry tartine, and from mains like grilled Arctic char and duck confit hash. Wash it down with a cold-pressed juice. Served 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 60 Yorkville Ave.; 416-963-6000; cafeboulud.com/toronto
Old School
Don’t expect smoothies and salads from this all-American diner. The menu skews indulgent, as evidenced by the brown sugar butter, sugared bacon and cinnamon crunch banana waffles. Boxing Day hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 800 Dundas St. W.; 416-8158790; oldschoolyyz.com
Caplansky’s
Try a smoked meat hash or go big with the Leaning Tower of Caplansky — thick-cut challah French toast layered with cream cheese, blueberry jam and beef bacon. Opens at 10 a.m. Two locations: Little Italy and Yorkville; 356 College St.; 416-5003852; 156 Cumberland Ave.; 416-9677676, caplanskys.com
The Lakeview Restaurant
The iconic diner is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and brunch is served at all hours. Live a little and order the apple milkshake (featuring a half-slice of fresh pie) to go with your dungeness crab cake eggs bene- dict or buttermilk pancake stack. 1132 Dundas St. W.; 416-850-8886; thelakeviewrestaurant.ca
Union
Just around the corner from The Lakeview is Union, a Canadian-French bistro with a hearty menu dedicated to local produce and ethically raised meat.
To keep things local, the menu often changes, but recent features have included pumpkin soup and ‘Frites Bolognese,’ with smoked pork and beef ragu, Piave and fried egg.
Bonus: Union will be honouring its regular Monday dine-in special of half-priced bottles of wine.
Brunch served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 72 Ossington Ave.; 416-850-0093; union72.ca
Lai Wah Heen
One of Toronto’s most beloved Chinese restaurants for nearly 20 years, Lai Wah Heen’s dim sum makes an excellent brunch option after multiple days’ worth of turkey and potatoes. Boxing Day hours,11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 108 Chestnut St. (at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel); 416-977-9899; laiwahheen.com
Cardinal Rule
Lots of vegetarian, vegan and glutenfree options make this cheery Roncesvalles spot an excellent option for a group of all kinds of eaters.
Opens at 11 a.m.; 5 Roncesvalles Ave.; 647-352-0202; cardinalrulerestaurant.com
Le Pétit Dejeuner
St. Lawrence Market’s Belgian-style restaurant has been serving long brunch lines for more than 10 years.
The authentic Belgian waffles are a house specialty; options include ‘Liege Style,’ made with red fife whole wheat flour and with pearl sugar, honey and cinnamon baked inside. Doors open at 9 a.m. and brunch service ends at 3 p.m.; 191 King St. E.; 416-703-1560; petitdejeuner.ca
Fran’s
If you plan on joining the crowds at the Eaton Centre, the Fran’s locations at both Victoria and Shuter and Yonge and College streets offer allday (that’s 24 hours all day), homestyle breakfasts to help fuel your deal hunting.
Options are affordable and plentiful, and the portions are generous.; 200 Victoria St.; 416-304-0085 and 20 College Street; 416-923-9867; fransrestaurant.com