Get to know this young and energetic west-end neighbourhood in the locally approved way: over eggs Benny and mimosas.
Brunch is practically a religion for Torontonians, so it should come as no surprise that many will make a pilgrimage to Liberty Village for this late morning to midday meal.
Lined with town houses and high-rises, this west-end neighbourhood skews young (and young at heart) and is known to be a hotspot for fantastic coffee, baked goods and decadent brunch spreads galore. Linger indoors and escape the cold at these Liberty Village favourites.
Brazen Head
A classic pub that draws sports fans to watch every big game, Brazen Head serves brunch on weekends. Freshly baked bread and Ontario free-run eggs are standard — get yours with an order of their hearty smoked brisket hash. Love mimosas? Mix them yourself at the table with a bottle of sparkling along with a pitcher of OJ or grapefruit juice.
Likelihood of a line: 2/10 (Make a reservation so you don’t have to wait!)
SCHOOL Restaurant
Brunch is all day, every day, at SCHOOL. And it’s over the top. Case in point: their Krispy Krunchy French Toast, with its crispy cereal coating, peach-raspberry compote, sugar dust and brown sugar butter. Prefer savoury? Try the Super Cheesy Bacon French Toast, a sweet and salty extravagance that won’t impress your cardiologist… but your happy belly won’t care!
Likelihood of a line: 10/10
Mildred’s Temple Kitchen
This Liberty Village mainstay has a fan following for its wild blueberry buttermilk pancakes. You may have to queue up to get your fix of this delightful fluffy stack, but it’ll be worth it. Grab the Mildred’s Pancake Essentials box on your way out to recreate the dish at home. Other menu standouts include the Huevos Monty and Mildred’s Burger. Wash it all down with an apple pie mimosa (a cocktail made of organic Ontario cider, cava and cinnamon sugar).
Likelihood of a line: 10/10
Brodflour
Bread heads in search of a stellar slice should beeline it to Brodflour. This bakery stone-mills heritage Canadian grain on-site in their minimalistic space, ensuring they’re always baking with the freshest flour for the best flavour and nutrition. Keep it simple with a sourdough slab with cultured butter or go a little fancier with toasted sourdough topped with labneh and beefsteak tomato. PRO TIP: Pick up a vegan thumbprint cookie for a midafternoon snack.
Likelihood of a line: 1/10
LOCAL Public Eatery
Brave the lineup and get rewarded at LOCAL Public Eatery. Their weekend brunch menu has meat lovers torn between the hefty, braised beef and bacon hash and the flavourful fried egg enchiladas with blackened sirloin. Vegetarians, fret not: the avocado eggs Benedict is not a menu afterthought (hello, palate-pleasing pico de gallo!).
Likelihood of a line: 9/10
The Craft Brasserie & Grille
PSL devotees, if you could manifest your ideal weekend brunch dish, the pancakes at The Craft Brasserie & Grille would be it! This stack of buttermilk pancakes with pumpkin-spiced crème anglaise and cream cheese frosting may make you weep with joy. Alternatively, say you can’t decide between sweet, savoury or spicy? Problem solved with their fried chicken and waffles, which ticks off all the boxes, thanks to an irresistible charred jalapeño maple drizzle.
Likelihood of a line: 4/10
Liberty Commons at Big Rock Brewery
Dive into elevated brewpub options, from a classic full English breakfast to fun twists including a Scotch egg breakfast plate or a Benny made with a Yorkshire pudding. Bonus: the restaurant takes brunch reservations (bye-bye, lineup!). Plus, if you agree that craft beer makes the ultimate souvenir, grab some tall cans or growlers at the Big Rock Brewery beer shop on your way out.
Likelihood of a line: 1/10 (Make a reservation so you don’t have to wait!)
Getting to Liberty Village:
Ride the 504 King streetcar westbound to Joe Shuster Way, or the 504 King bus (which replaces the streetcar during construction) eastbound to Atlantic Avenue.
The 504 King streetcar route is currently impacted by construction. Check ttc.ca for updates.
