The top 10 brunch on King West

King West has become a major brunch destination in Toronto. Whether craving classic diner fare or a lavish buffet, stacks of pancakes or scrambled eggs, there's something for every one along this stretch of the city.

Here are my picks for the top brunch spots on (and around) King West.

Portland Variety
Start with assorted pastries and espresso before savouring whipped ricotta with roasted plums and pistachios on grilled sourdough at this Spanish-inspired restaurant at King and Portland. Another house favourite is the fried egg bravas, featuring sunny eggs on a bed of spiced potatoes with bacon, bravas sauce and garlic aioli.

Beast
Scott Vivian's restaurant on Tecumseth Street kicks off brunch on Fridays should you want to get a head start on the weekend. Standouts on the menu include crispy pork hocks served with kimchi, eggs and home fries, and the huevos rancheros featuring runny eggs with chorizo and melange of bean salad, avocado, sheep's milk feta and chile sauce with crispy corn tortillas.

Bar Buca
Tucked just off King Street on Portland, Rob Gentile's Italian hang-out serves brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Highlights on the menu include marmellata and Nutella cornetti, semolina pancakes flavoured like a cannoli and tigelle stacked with mortadella, guanciale and a sunny duck egg.

Gusto 101
Just north of King Street on Portland, find this Italian eatery serving brunch on weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Look forward to a menu featuring ricotta pancakes dressed up with blueberries and lemon curd, or opt for the Eggs in Purgatorio (i.e. baked into a bowl of spicy tomatoes with kalamata olives, smoked provolone, fresh basil).

Le Neuf Cafe
Situated across from Clarence Square Park, this Parisian cafe serves Benedicts built on a choice of brioche or English muffin, omelettes and pain perdu slathered with cinnamon butter and caramel sauce.

Marben
Brunch dishes at this restaurant on Wellington span the gamut of light to ultra indulgent fare. Look forward to avocado toast topped with poached eggs and hearty Brit-style fry ups on plates packed with fried eggs, a sage and apple banger, bubble and squeak hash, and sourdough toast accompanied by orange marmalade,

Weslodge
Cinnabun French toast, Bennies on house-made English muffins with lamb bacon, and fluffy stacks of pancakes doused in bourbon maple syrup merit a mimosa toast at this King West saloon.

Colette Grand Café
This French restaurant can be found on the south side on the Thompson Hotel and is the place to go for lavish a la carte brunches on Saturdays and an indulgent Sunday buffet. Look forward to selections like fresh croissants, challah French toast, and omelettes du jour.

Thompson Diner
On the flip side of the Thompson Hotel, head to this upscale diner where the all-day breakfast menu bills classic three-egg plates, fried chicken and waffles, and omelettes with home fries, tomatoes and toast.

Patria
Brunch like a Spaniard at this King West tapas restaurant where small plates of cheese and charcuterie count as starters and are best followed up with tortilla de patates and quail eggs paired with morcilla sausage and hollandaise.

Share your favourite brunch spots on King West in the comments.

Photo of Beast by Jesse Milns.

by Liora Ipsum via blogTO