The Best Family Brunch Spots in Toronto

Brunch—it’s the best meal of the day, right? Afterall, not only does it offer all the deliciousness of breakfast, but it can also include sandwiches, salads, even pizza! This makes it easier to find something for your picky kids to eat. And then there’s the timing. Not too early, not too late and it can be worked around nap time. What’s not to love? Okay, okay, sometimes brunch gets a bad rap: long lines, overpriced dishes, and restaurants filled with customers who aren’t cool with kids and the uh, noise they can bring to a room. So we’ve asked around and done a bit of research, including some in-person, to track down these spots for family brunch in Toronto that prove just why brunch is the best meal to enjoy out with your kids.

The Best Spots for Family Brunch in Toronto

Avling
1042 Queen St. E., Toronto

A restaurant, brewery, and farm (on its rooftop) all rolled into one, Avling is one of those rare spots that lets you feel cool while dining alongside your kids. The brunch menu, which it states is “curated and inspired by the Canadian landscape,” features refreshing takes on many classic dishes including buttermilk pancakes, a farmer’s breakfast that includes homemade sausages and different kinds of eggs bennies. While kids are welcome to enjoy the main menu, they can also check out the kids’ menu, which includes grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, and a smaller portion of pancakes.

BOCA
488 Cosburn Ave., Toronto

Since taking over East York’s Paul’s Spaghetti restaurant back in 2023, BOCA (short for Brunch on Cosburn Avenue) has become a popular spot for a relaxed, family-friendly meal. While there is a kids’ menu that doubles as a colouring sheet (and yes, crayons are also provided), the extensive “regular” menu also features plenty of items that many kids will love. Options include strawberry cream cheesecake crepes, waffles, or French toast, a variety of eggs including omelettes, and six kinds of poutine. BOCA is a small space but there is a nice-sized outdoor patio that’s perfect for those who prefer to dine al fresco. BOCA can also be fully booked out, in case one of your kids dreams of a brunch-themed birthday party. Takeout is also available.

Cafe Landwer
33 Bloor St. E. & 165 University Ave., Toronto

Now with seven locations to choose from, Café Landwer is a great option for when you need a kid-friendly brunch spot that offers space, a variety of menu options, and that takes reservations. Café Landwer is known for its Mediterranean flair (choose from one of six kinds of shakshukas) but its extensive menu also features pancakes, Belgian waffles, and even burgers. And for the kids, there’s a special menu that turns into an activity sheet) that includes eggs, pizza, and chicken tenders.

Dirty Food
3079 Dundas St. W., Toronto

This Junction spot may be small (leave the stroller at home and check the online waitlist before heading out) but it’s huge on taste with options such as a salmon benedict done on johnny cakes, a chicken and waffle sandwich, and — for those who are vegan and/or gluten-free — blueberry sweet’cakes (made with sweet potatoes). Kids can pick from the main menu or get some from their own list, which includes grilled cheese, apple johnnycakes, or eggs and toast. Oh, and parents? This place has top-notch (and morning-appropriate) cocktails. Don’t want to wait for a table? Takeout is available.

El Catrin Destileria
18 Tank House Ln., Toronto

Take the family on a trip to Mexico without ever leaving the city. Relax and soak up the sun on El Catrin’s large patio while enjoying brunch plates that include eggs, chorizo sausage, and guacamole. There’s also a kids’ menu with child-friendly chicken and fish dishes, as well as quesadillas. And of course, there are churros. And if the weather isn’t feeling very tropical, you can always eat indoors.

Emma’s Country Kitchen
810 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto

The self-proclaimed “little slice of breakfast heaven” is famous for its delicious buttermilk biscuits. And that’s just the start of Emma’s carb-heavy menu. This awesome spot for family brunch in Toronto offers options that are sure to satisfy your family including cinnamon bun pancakes, buttermilk biscuits, and brunch poutine (it includes an over-easy egg). Not doing indoor dining? Then order Emma’s for pickup! (This is also a great option if you need to pick up something yummy, like a multipack of old-fashioned glaze doughnuts for brunch at someone’s house.) Emma’s is also a certified living wage employer; no wonder the service is so great.

Fran’s
200 Victoria St. & 20 College St., Toronto

Of course, we must include this Toronto classic! Fran’s has two downtown locations that are great for grabbing brunch before a play, a game or if you’re meeting up with friends or family who are staying in the core (the Victoria Street location is particularly good for larger groups). These restaurants can get a little loud but that’s all the better for drowning out any noise made by your kids. Fran’s all-bay breakfast includes pancakes, omelets, and benedicts. There’s also a wide selection of non-breakfast items and let’s not forget about Fran’s amazing cakes and milkshakes. Can’t make it into Fran’s? It also offers delivery.

Good Fork
1550 Dundas St. W., Toronto

The menu at this Middle Eastern-themed spot isn’t your traditional bacon and French toast, but if your kids have a diverse palate this west-end diner is worth a visit. Pancakes are available, as is an omelette special, but so is a hummus bowl that you can customize, and falafel available as a salad or wrap. Another reason to check this space out? It’s quite spacious with, dare we say it, room for a stroller (at least during the week). Just note that Good Fork only takes reservations, and offers takeout and delivery, during the week. However, it does offer a digital waitlist on the weekend.

Lazy Daisy’s Café
1515 Gerrard St. E., Toronto

With a giant patio, fast service, and some of the best buttermilk biscuits in the city, it’s no surprise that the Lazy Daisy is beloved by East Yorkers. The menu here is packed with your brunch favourites (or soon-to-be favourites) including cinnamon pancakes, fried chicken, breakfast sandwiches and burritos. There’s also a dedicated kids’ menu that features grilled cheese and various pancake and waffle options, among other choices. Not up for leaving the house? The Lazy Daisy offers pick-up and delivery, including ready-to-bake versions of those biscuits.

Stacked Pancake House
Various Locations, Toronto

If your children love pancakes, they’re going to love Stacked. Now with three locations across the city, the pancake house is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and massive portions. Even the kids’ meals are huge! And while the pancakes, which come in such fun variations as white chocolate Oreo, strawberry cheesecake, and birthday cake, are the star here, lots of other options are available. Think omelettes, sandwiches, and French toast. As a nice bonus, this spot will also give your kids crayons and a colouring sheet that doubles as the kids’ menu.

Sunny Morning
1392 Yonge St. & 1602 The Queensway, Unit E2, Toronto

Plus other locations around Ontario…

Sunny Morning, a made-in-Ontario success story, lives up to its name by brightening mornings (and afternoons) with an extensive menu packed with fresh and delicious food. Enjoy pancakes, Belgian waffles, and French toast in classic styles or enhanced with caramel sauce, strawberries, or other tasty additions. There’s also a wide selection of eggs, burgers, sandwiches, and more, meaning everyone in your family will find something to eat.

Thrive Restaurant
3473 Lake Shore Blvd W., Toronto

Need a family-friendly brunch spot that also accommodates vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets? Then Thrive will have your family, well, thriving! Besides being meat-free, all dishes here are fresh, healthy, and of course scrumptious. Choose from a wide variety of bowls and wraps (including some that include eggs), as well as juice and smoothie options, some of which are essentially a meal in a glass. The atmosphere here is as mellow as the food and the layout is quite spacious; you could likely even maneuver a stroller up to your table.