The Canadian Brunch Bucket List: 30 of the Best Places to Eat Brunch in Canada
Updated: Oct. 04, 2018There’s no better way to kick off your weekend than with a leisurely cup of hot coffee and a mouthwatering meal that’s made to order. From greasy spoons to glamorous cafes, we’ve rounded up 30 of the best places to eat brunch in Canada.
1. The Bison, Banff, Alberta
If there’s anything better Sunday brunch, it’s Sunday brunch with a view! Located in the gorgeous city of Banff, Alberta, The Bison offers jaw-dropping mountain views with a specially selected seasonal menu of fresh local ingredients from sustainable farmers. Try the Bison Breakfast Sandwich, made with bison sausage, a fried egg and foie gras butter on a house biscuit.
2. Mildred’s Temple Kitchen, Toronto
Head to Mildred’s Temple Kitchen in Toronto for the fluffiest stack of blueberry pancakes you’ll find in all of Canada. Served with Lanark County maple syrup and whipped cream, you’ll be dreaming of these flapjacks long after your plate disappears.
3. The Coastal Café, Halifax
Come for the quirky names, stay for the delicious food! With creative menu offerings like “The Thanks Giv’r,” (two fried eggs with turkey and Brussels sprout fricassee), “The Reasonable Trout” (herbed scrambled eggs with candied trout) and “The What’s Up, Doc” (French toasted carrot bread with a rum raisin sauce drizzle) it’s easy to see why this laidback café is a Halifax brunch hotspot.
4. Restaurant L’Avenue, Montreal
There’s almost always a long line-up outside of this Montreal bistro, but L’Avenue’s delicious—and huge—entrees are well worth the wait. Locals love L’Avenue’s funky décor and the complimentary fruit appetizer.
5. Scone Witch, Ottawa
Located in the heart of downtown Ottawa, Scone Witch is known for its mouthwatering, freshly-made sweet-and-savoury scones. Main dishes are less than $10 before tax, making this an affordable brunch option in the nation’s capital. Must try: The Scone Witch Brunch platter and the BLT Sconewitch sandwich with pesto. (You’re welcome.)
6. Panache Restaurant, Quebec City
This upscale farm-to-table restaurant is housed in a rustic-chic warehouse that dates back to 1822 and affords stunning views of the St. Lawrence River. The menu is a modern take on classic French cuisine and is renowned for its fabulous weekend brunch and stellar service.
7. Red’s Diner, Calgary
A diner that uses farm fresh produce to whip up your favourite comfort food? Yes please! This all-day breakfast spot in Calgary has two different locations, which means a delicious plate of eggs Benedict or tofu scrambles is never far away.
8. Blue Fox Café, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Fresh, locally sourced food is key to The Blue Fox Café’s approach to brunch. If you’re looking to satisfy a growling stomach, opt for their gourmet burgers, made with pure ground chuck, smoked cheddar, chipotle aioli and green apple BBQ sauce.
9. Part II Bistro, Blyth, Ontario
This casual, 38-seat bistro is the culinary gem of the charming rural village of Blyth, Ontario. At one point ranked the province’s #1 restaurant on travel app Trip Advisor, Part II is popular with the theatre crowd, as it’s situated across the street from the Blyth Festival. Brunch is served on Sundays from 11:30am – 2:00pm and dishes showcase local ingredients like Robinson’s Maple Syrup, Metzger’s Bacon and Farmer’s Sausage.
10. Le Lapin Sauté, Quebec City
A visit to Quebec City isn’t complete without a visit to this intimate, rustic restaurant. As the name suggests, Le Lapin Saute’s is known for its rabbit, which is raised at a nearby farm without the use of hormones or antibiotics. Be sure to try the eggs Benedict with confit rabbit and hollandaise with orange zest.
11. Bacalao, St. John’s, Newfoundland
Bacalao proudly bases its menu on the unique culture and cuisine of Newfoundland and Labrador, showcasing local seafood, produce and game. Start your brunch off right with Bacalao’s Seafood Chowder, featuring Newfoundland cod, bay scallops, coldwater shrimp and snow crab in a light cream broth.
12. The Sugarbowl, Edmonton
Weekend brunch at this much-loved Edmonton eatery is a rite of passage for University of Alberta students. Don’t leave without trying the legendary cinnamon buns or the Sugarbowl Benny, which replaces the classic English muffin with out-of-this-world cornbread.
13. Thyme to Indulge Bistro, Vancouver
Although Thyme to Indulge doesn’t have a specific brunch menu, its all-day breakfast options from Wednesday through Sunday are every food-lover’s dream. For a unique twist on brunch classics, opt for the Pulled Duck Pancake a L’Orange: duck confit and a sunny side up egg served on top of three fluffy buttermilk pancakes.
14. Leonhard’s Café and Restaurant, Charlottetown
If you can’t remember the last made-from-scratch brunch you’ve had, it’s high time you headed to Leonhard’s Café and Restaurant in Charlottetown. Made without any artificial additives, flavour enhancers or preservatives, the menu is honest-to-goodness delicious. The 100% gluten-free soups, prepared every morning with fresh vegetables, are highly recommended.
15. The Frob Kitchen and Eatery, Iqaluit
The Frob Kitchen and Eatery, located in Iqaluit’s Froshbisher Inn, is said to serve one of the best Sunday brunches in the Canadian North. Don’t miss the Arctic Benedict, which features applewood smoked char on a toasted English muffin with classic hollandaise sauce.
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16. Bagels, Etc., Montreal
One of the greatest places to indulge in a famous Fairmount sesame seed bagel is at Bagels Etc., which is the only type of bagel you’ll find on the menu at this kitschy, retro-style diner. (For a truly memorable culinary experience, order it with the huevos rancheros!) Fun fact: Bagel’s Etc. was one of the legendary Leonard Cohen’s go-to breakfast spots.
17. The Coup, Ethical Vegetarian, Edmonton
If you’re in the mood for a healthy weekend brunch in Edmonton, look no further than The Coup. A large portion of the restaurant’s ingredients are organic, local and made from scratch. Served from the breakfast menu (available from 9:00 am to 3:00pm on weekends), The Coup’s Smoothie bowl features blended spinach, banana and almond milk and your choices of toppings, including toasted coconut, goji berries and poppy seeds.
18. Elgin St. Diner, Ottawa
Famous for its delicious, generously-sized portions and super-friendly service, this award-winning Ottawa diner is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Best tip: Skip your diet for a day and treat yourself to the diner’s infamous Tater Tot poutine. (Well worth the calories.)
19. Breakfast Bistro, Regina
Since opening its doors in 2014, Breakfast Bistro has become a beloved brunch spot in Regina. The family owned and operated business puts an elevated twist on breakfast classics, like the Sriracha Benny, made with sriracha aioli, avocado, arugula and fresh sliced tomatoes.
20. Yolks Restaurant and Commissary, Vancouver
The next time you visit Vancouver’s Yolks, do your tastebuds a favour and order the poached free-range egg sandwiches Benedict-style. “The English muffins weren’t drenched with hollandaise, and the flavours from the arugula and portobello were heavenly,” says local food blogger, Sharon Fung. “Their hollandaise was quite creamy and I liked that it wasn’t too sour from the lemon juice. Needless to say, their egg was cooked perfectly.”
21. Kravingz, Mississauga, Ontario
Multiculturalism is what makes Canada one of the greatest countries in the world—and one of the tastiest, as well. Mississauga’s Kravingz cultural eatery features a dynamic fusion of Filipino and Polish cuisines. Be sure to try “The Flip Side,” a traditional Filipino breakfast featuring homemade sausage and crunchy garlic fried rice, topped with a fried egg.
22. Burnt Toast Café, Whitehorse
This cozy, funky café offers an impressive array of entrée options for weekend brunch. Be sure to try Burnt Toast Café’s Maple Banger and Eggs, which features locally-made maple infused Bratwurst sausage served with two eggs, hash browns and toast.
23. Café Medina, Vancouver
If you’re craving Belgian waffles in Vancouver, beat a path to Café Medina. For only $3.15, you get a mouthwatering Liege-style waffle that’s so good, if you close your eyes, you’d swear you were in Brussels.
24. Rosewood Chinese Cuisine, Toronto
Not in the mood for flapjacks or eggs Florentine? Switch up your brunch routine and opt for the all-day dim sum at Rosewood Chinese Cuisine in Toronto’s famous Chinatown. Open from 9am, seven days a week, Rosewood offers many traditional Cantonese and Fuzhou-style dishes in addition to all of your dim sum favourites.
25. Stella’s, Winnipeg
Stella’s Café and Bakery has a simple guideline when it comes to serving brunch: Do things the right way. The Winnipeg eatery’s dependable menu revolves revolves around delectable in-house baked goods (the handcrafted artisan breads are seriously crave-worthy), and the omelettes, which have garnered rave reviews on TripAdvisor.
26. Chez Nick, Westmount, Quebec
Very few restaurants can proudly boost 96 years of history, but once you have brunch at Chez Nick, you’ll understand why this family-run institution has stood the test of time. Known for its motto of “great food, great coffee, great people,” we have a good feeling that this diner will be around for decades to come.
27. The Church Key Bistro-Pub, London, Ontario
At the Church Key Bistro-Pub in London, Ontario, Sunday brunch starts off with a large basket of assorted house-baked pastries including fresh croissants and chili cheese biscuits. Be sure to visit often, because Chef Michael Anglestad’s menu stays as fresh as the ingredients.
28. The Wooden Spoon, White Rock, British Columbia
After a particularly rowdy Friday or Saturday night, your brunch might call for some hair of the dog. Instead of that old standby, the Caesar, reach for one of The Wooden Spoon’s fancy cocktails, like The Canadian Breakfast: a drink made of bourbon, maple syrup, and cold press coffee. You’ll be back in business in no time!
29. Starving Artist, Toronto, ON
Boasting three locations in Toronto’s west end, this all-day brunch chain specializes in everybody’s favourite brunch indulgence: Waffles! Toronto native and Canadian Press reporter, Lauren LaRose, recommends Starving Artist’s eggs Benedict and potato waffles. “They were incredible! So decadent,” she says. The kitchen’s most requested dish, however, is “waffle bacon”—as sinfully delicious as it sounds.
30. Mo: Lé, Victoria
This all-day breakfast and lunch restaurant may be one of the most Instagram-worthy brunch spots in all of Canada. The best part? The food tastes even better than it looks! This Victoria institution proudly serves options for all eating philosophies, from vegetarian to vegan and raw food diets.
