Looking for an amazing gluten-free (plus) brunch venue in Toronto
October 11, 2023 6:18 PM Subscribe
A couple of us will be in Toronto on a Sunday in November and we would like to have brunch. The challenge: we need somewhere that has a decent range of gluten-free options that are also nut-free and coconut-free. Please share your recommendations!
Somewhere downtown (in a broad sense) would probably be best, though we would also be open to options in Etobicoke or Mississauga. For purposes of this question, nothing is too cheap or too expensive. We just want somewhere good, because we don‘t get to see each other often enough.
I lived in Toronto for years, but have been gone for a long time now. I have tried various types of searches but have not yet come up with anything brilliant.
Somewhere downtown (in a broad sense) would probably be best, though we would also be open to options in Etobicoke or Mississauga. For purposes of this question, nothing is too cheap or too expensive. We just want somewhere good, because we don‘t get to see each other often enough.
I lived in Toronto for years, but have been gone for a long time now. I have tried various types of searches but have not yet come up with anything brilliant.
Kensington Market - there are now a lot of African and Middle Eastern places, not to mention Thai and Vietnamese.
posted by Barbara Spitzer at 9:57 PM on October 11, 2023
posted by Barbara Spitzer at 9:57 PM on October 11, 2023
More casual options: I haven’t been but have heard good things about the Almond Butterfly Bistro on Dundas (fully gluten-free, my gluten-free family liked it). Easy (Parkdale) is pretty good, and has a good range of gluten-free options.
posted by SoftRain at 5:00 AM on October 12, 2023
posted by SoftRain at 5:00 AM on October 12, 2023
Almond Butterfly is definitely a take-out place - it's very small and there is practically no indoor seating - but has absolutely fantastic food.
I'd recommend Her Father's Cider, which is coincidentally right across the street from Almond Butterfly (Harbord/Spadina area) so you can pick up a sweet treat before or after. Their menu has gluten-free items marked on it and although there are nuts on their menu (I only see hazelnuts) they're knowledgable about avoiding cross contamination for gluten purposes so I suspect would also be good about separating nuts from other ingredients, but give them a call. I don't see coconut on their menu at all.
I've also eaten at Insomnia Restaurant and their brunch was great and they have several gluten-free options and gluten-free substitutes. It's on Bloor at Bathurst.
On this subject I will never stop lamenting the loss of Kensington Cornerstone, which was a dedicated gluten-free restaurant in Kensington Market and made such delicious food. I went every time I was in Toronto, often more than once and also got a takeout sandwich for the train ride home. For some reason they still have a website?
posted by urbanlenny at 10:00 AM on October 12, 2023
I'd recommend Her Father's Cider, which is coincidentally right across the street from Almond Butterfly (Harbord/Spadina area) so you can pick up a sweet treat before or after. Their menu has gluten-free items marked on it and although there are nuts on their menu (I only see hazelnuts) they're knowledgable about avoiding cross contamination for gluten purposes so I suspect would also be good about separating nuts from other ingredients, but give them a call. I don't see coconut on their menu at all.
I've also eaten at Insomnia Restaurant and their brunch was great and they have several gluten-free options and gluten-free substitutes. It's on Bloor at Bathurst.
On this subject I will never stop lamenting the loss of Kensington Cornerstone, which was a dedicated gluten-free restaurant in Kensington Market and made such delicious food. I went every time I was in Toronto, often more than once and also got a takeout sandwich for the train ride home. For some reason they still have a website?
posted by urbanlenny at 10:00 AM on October 12, 2023
I can't get their website to load but I'd also recommend El Pocho Antojitos Bar, which is a Mexican place in The Annex (Bathurst/Follis). It is SO delicious and their menu is entirely gluten free. This is a photo of their weekend brunch menu at one point, via Google Maps, to give you an idea of what they serve. They take reservations for brunch, too, which is nice.
posted by urbanlenny at 10:10 AM on October 12, 2023
posted by urbanlenny at 10:10 AM on October 12, 2023
The Almond Butterfly on Dundas indeed has dine-in seating, unlike the one on Harbord.
posted by avocet at 10:25 AM on October 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by avocet at 10:25 AM on October 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
There are TWO Almond Butterflies? I had no idea - in that case, since you can sit down at the Dundas one I throw my vote behind Almond Butterfly as well. Yum. Their brunch menu looks amazing.
It's also going on my list for my own next visit to Toronto.
posted by urbanlenny at 10:38 AM on October 12, 2023
It's also going on my list for my own next visit to Toronto.
posted by urbanlenny at 10:38 AM on October 12, 2023
I recommend Kupfert and Kim. https://www.kupfertandkim.com/#kupfertandkim you can go to the Richmond and Spadina one, then walk to Kensington and get gluten free cupcakes and goodies from Bunners. https://g.co/kgs/mBDwqG
posted by foxjacket at 4:31 PM on October 12, 2023
posted by foxjacket at 4:31 PM on October 12, 2023
Response by poster: Thank you all for the suggestions. There are some brilliant options here, and they are all new to me. We haven‘t decided on a spot yet, but we are excited about the choices.
posted by sueinnyc at 5:24 PM on October 16, 2023
posted by sueinnyc at 5:24 PM on October 16, 2023
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posted by drowsy at 9:02 PM on October 11, 2023