Weekday wakeup: Great spots to get breakfast in the Annex

The Annex has always been a favourite neighbourhood of University of Toronto students. As such, there's no shortage of places to get your first meal of the day any day of the week — even if you can't make it out of bed until after Noon.

Weekday wakeup: Great spots to get breakfast in the Annex
The Minimalist By

Insomnia Restaurant & Lounge

1
563 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1Y6

The sweet and savoury brunch dishes at this Bloor Street hotspot are the stuff of local legends. Citrus-spiked French toast and oven-baked pancakes will delight your sweet tooth while the array of eggs Benedicts (topped with meat and veggie options) will leave you full until dinner time. Make sure you grab a side of homefries coated in Insomnia’s signature sauce — a tangy ketchup-BBQ hybrid that’ll have you licking the plate. Want to make it a boozy breakfast? Mimosas are just $5 a glass everyday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are available in a variety of tropical flavours.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Annona Restaurant

2
4 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5R 2E8

In the mood for an upscale breakfast? Look no further than Annona Restaurant in Toronto’s famous Park Hyatt hotel. This award-winning dining room serves up gourmet, international cuisine in an elegant atmosphere and it’s particularly well-known for its decadent breakfasts. Opt for the prix-fixe or hot breakfast options if you’ve got a big appetite — the selection ranges from omelettes to eggs Benedict to western sandwiches. Croissants and other breakfast pastries are baked fresh daily.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Apollo 11 Restaurant

3
1093 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5R 3G8

For a good, old-fashioned breakfast on Bathurst, Apollo 11 can’t be beat. The menu includes classics like omelettes, French toast, crepes, eggs Benny and more. Items are made from scratch and you can taste the freshness of the ingredients. The service is always friendly and the laid-back vibe of this family-owned restaurant makes for relaxed, casual dining. The prices are great so you won’t break the bank for breakfast.

Future Bistro

4
483 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1Y2

Tucked between the Spadina and Bathurst subway stops on Bloor, this is one of the best hidden spots in the city — especially for breakfast. Future’s got all your favourite morning staples at affordable prices, like eggs Florentine with creamy hollandaise sauce, and ham and cheese omelettes. There are pancakes and crepes for every taste, including decadent chocolate-hazelnut pancakes for those who want to indulge in dessert for breakfast.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Ezra S Pound

5
238 Dupont St, Toronto, ON M5R 1V7

Just steps away from Dupont subway station, Ezra’s Pound serves some of the best coffee in Toronto, as well as a splendid selection of light breakfast offerings. You can get your regular coffee, espresso or Americano with pastries, or yogurt with fruit and granola. Pastry favourites among regulars include the lemon scones and croissants. The cozy ambiance at this indie cafe makes it the perfect spot for a casual weekday breakfast.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

By The Way

6
400 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1X5

This intimate diner is a great spot to have a hearty breakfast with friends after a long night out. There’s limited seating, so it tends to be very quiet and makes for relaxed dining. The extensive menu has plenty of breakfast and brunch options for all tastes and appetites, including Eggs Charlotte, omelettes, hash browns and bagels. The wait staff is always happy to refill your cup, so it’s an ideal spot for some caffeine therapy when you're still trying to wake up.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:
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