The top 10 brunch restaurants in North Toronto

The top 10 brunch restaurants in North Toronto don't quite compare with the options downtowners have, but when you are stumbling out of bed on a Sunday morning, proximity to the hair of the dog is key. While some of these locations might look familiar to those living south of Bloor, their sister restaurants sometimes retool things slightly based on the local eating habits.

Here are my picks for the top 10 brunch restaurants in North Toronto.

Origin North

The latest in Claudio Aprile's restaurant collection skirts on the turf of the swanky Bayview Village parking lot. With a wraparound patio flanking Sheppard Avenue, diners can expect some of the same menu options as his King Street location, with slight variations on fan favourites, like the Brisket Benedict ($18), with 1000 island hollandaise, or the addition of the Crushed Potato ($9) with crème fraiche. Drinks are all but mandatory here, with juicy boozy concoctions designed to to speed up your recovery.

Miller Tavern

Just south of York Mills is one of North York's best patios, the Miller Tavern has a cedar lined multi-level patio, with a cottage like atmosphere using lush greenery to provide a screen between you and busy Yonge St. With a three course ($27) prix fixe menu that includes a cocktail; this no brainer brunch has the predictable plates like Benedicts and French toasts but gets amped up with truffle poached Eggs or the lavish lobster and shrimp frittata.

Uncle Betty's

A slam dunk with kids and adults alike, this playful spot just north of Eglinton has a sure cure for sugar junkies. Guilty pleasures like Betty's Benedict ($13) get outrageously upgraded, here with the substitution of English muffins for Dressen's donuts. If your donut quotient doesn't stop at two, make sure to grab a dozen donuts ($14 made onsite) for the ride home. Cocktails get in on the sugary fun with the impressive adult root beer Float ($9) or the Creamsicle ($9), made with Greg's Orange ice cream and vanilla vodka. After being featured on You Gotta Eat Here, you now gotta line up most weekends as there's a steady lineup out the door.

BOOM Breakfast & Co. (Eglinton)

The massive menu and family friendly atmosphere keeps the crowds coming back to the BOOM chain's Eglinton location. Boasting one of the best huevos rancheros ($10.99) in the city, the original menu features some reliable choices like omelettes (starting at $8.99), here reimagined with gourmet ingredients like fior di latte cheese, prosciutto or chorizo.

The Homeway

Open for a mind-blowing 66 years, The Homeway has been shuffling more than just eggs out of their Mount Pleasant kitchen, with stellar brunch options like the cheekily named Hangover Helper ($12), or the enticing challah french toast ($8.50). Add some pizzazz to those pancakes with caramelized bananas ($2.50).

Safari

Safari has been open since 1995 at the corner of St Germain and Avenue Rd., boasting a massive heated patio, second floor billiards room and a bar menu that surely stocks whatever caused your current state of misery. The brunch's best bet is the Pfannkuchen Bavarian-style pancakes, inspired by the owner's Mother, which come loaded with your choice of sweet (Ontario apples and cinnamon) or savoury (sausage and onion). Equally popular is the breakfast burrito, stuffed with scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, salsa and bacon. Safari generously doesn't bombard your hung-over brain with numbers or math, all brunch menu items come in at a rather affordable $9.99.

Abbot Pub

The Abbot Pub has two locations, one on Eglinton and one just north on Yonge St. Pub grub here gets the gourmet treatment, with their Eggs Benedict ($14) upgraded with your choice of the classic peameal, smoked salmon or veggie heavy spinach and crispy tomato. If bennies have become boring, mix it up with a Welsh classic like Buck Rarebits ($14), which are similar to bennies, but instead feature a cheddar beer sauce. Their skillets make for tasty creations, and the bubble and squeak ($13) comes with smoked bacon, potatoes and cabbage cake. Bring the kids out for this one - the family-friendly spot is crammed with kids, particularly the Yonge and Lawrence location.

Jay's Diner

A relative newcomer to the Avenue Rd. stretch, Jay's Diner scores points for their fresh-squeezed OJ, swift service and generous portions. While you won't be able to chase the hair of the dog here, you could opt for a fresh start with their berry bowl ($6.25) or their quinoa parfait ($6.50) with healthy layers of fruit, yogurt and honey. We all know grease has its own proven restorative properties, and here it shines with Jay's Poutine ($6.50), slathered in sauteed shiitake mushrooms, aged cheddar and a balsamic glaze. Breakfast sliders ($10.50) are another curious creation; served on brioche buns, these three sandwiches come in smoked salmon, peameal, and avocado variations.

Soho Bistro

While Soho Bistro has mixed reviews for dinner, their brunches are pretty reliable. Eggs Benedict comes runny and with simple sides of tasty home fries and a pile of mixed greens. With a whopping five variations of the classic dish including Eggs Neptune ($10.99) with black tiger shrimp, or aptly named Eggs C Scallops ($12.99), stick to one of these classic dishes and don't look back. Fresh squeezed orange juice is the real deal, or turn it into a Morning Glory and seize the day.

ViVetha

ViVetha is a well-known bistro located in the Beach(es), and their Yonge and Lawrence location shares more than just a menu, but a similar approach to accessible, homemade dishes. Five glorious types of Benedicts (starting at $9) are tempting, as is the Grand Marnier-infused french toast ($8). With a dedicated kids' brunch menu, even the pickiest tot can ketchup their way through this meal.

Did I miss any? Leave your favourite North Toronto brunch spots in the comments.

Photo of Soho Bistro.

by Libby Roach via blogTO