1. Lady Marmalade– Regent Park, Toronto

Serving all-day brunch in a modern, wood-paneled dining room with plenty of houseplants and natural light, Lady Marmalade has a small yet globally-inspired menu. Classic eggs benedict and bread pudding are accompanied by tortas, crepes, croque monsieur, cheddar and spinach waffles and tofu banh mi. Guests can get bottomless coffee with their meal, or choose from tea, cold pressed juices or apple cider. Lady Marmalade also sells their hot sauce and soy-ginger dressing to take home. 

Pasaj

2. Pasaj– South Riverdale, Toronto 

In a smartly-decorated space with accents of midnight green and gold, Pasaj serves Istanbul-inspired brunch delights including mezze plates, shakshuka, whipped feta dishes and stews. Each dish comes well-seasoned with delicious pepper, sumac, lemon or smoky Urfa butter. They also have a variety of pastries, french toast, pancakes and benedicts. To drink, enjoy Turkish coffee, a mimosa or some pomegranate juice. 

The Apricot Tree Cafe

3. The Apricot Tree Cafe– Sherwood Forest, Mississauga

This European-style eatery is both a restaurant and a patisserie. Grab a table on their colourful outdoor patio, or come inside to watch chefs prepare your meal behind the bar. Choose from classic poached egg and omelette dishes, sandwiches, sweet and savoury crepes or schnitzel for your main. You can add cake and coffee to your meal, or sip on an Apricot Martini. Lastly, there are also amazing sundae options here created with home-made ice cream.

The Arch Café/Bar

4. The Arch– Kensington Market, Toronto

A fusion between classic Western breakfast and Persian cuisine, The Arch is a quirky yet charming little spot in Kensington Market with a small dining room and festive outdoor patio seating. The food options range from croissant sandwiches, to Persian-inspired omelettes served with naan, to Dutch baby pancakes, to a Bazaar breakfast platter for two. Numerous delicious drink options are also available including saffron, orange blossom or honey-cardamom lattes; fresh juices; grape syrup froth and carrot juice with saffron ice cream. Oh yeah, and they also have all-day cocktails.

Nourishmoi

5. Nourishmoi– Port Credit, Mississauga

This vegan spot is located in a bright-blue building on Lakeshore Road East and serves lunch and dinner, as well as all-day brunch. The restaurant is inventive with both plant-based substitutes for traditional breakfast ingredients as well as flavours and presentation of plates. Choose from dishes like avocado toast with zaatar, chick’frea omelettes, acai bowls or banana chocolate crunch pancakes. There are also a variety of smoothies, fresh juices, coffee drinks and kombucha to compliment.

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Luckily, if you live in Toronto, there’s an answer for where you should go tonight, and it’s The Spicy Ethiopian. With five stars on Yelp and Google across over 300 reviews, this restaurant– which opened its doors in 2024– is the ultimate Ethiopian experience in the city.

The Food: 5/5 ⭐

The menu at The Spicy Ethiopian is hard to beat, featuring authentic flavours and dishes while also suiting a variety of diets and tastes. Both the vegan platter and the meat lovers platter are highly recommended by guests; beef tibs and unique beverages as well. 

Halal options are available, and the injera– traditional bread which dishes are served on and eaten with– is made from a gluten-free flour. While the restaurant’s name might suggest a lot of heat, there are plenty of plates offered without a spice factor that are equally aromatic and complex. Ginger, garlic, cardamom, cinnamon, clarified butter (and yes, chili) are among the familiar flavours involved in Ethiopian cooking. 

This place is open for breakfast and dinner, and they even offer delivery and catering! However, you’ll want to visit the restaurant in-person the first time you order to get the full experience.

The Service: 5/5 ⭐

Gelila Belete is the owner of The Spicy Ethiopian, which began as a food truck before becoming a full-service restaurant. She and her husband are said to visit and converse with many of their guests, even imparting pieces of Ethiopian culture. Gelila cooks and runs dishes out every day, despite employing a professional team of servers. 

The dining experience is described by reviewers as laid back and casual, with everything made fresh, and generous portions offered. The words “labour of love” were used by multiple patrons to describe the sense of deep care and passion behind the attentive service they received upon their visit. Despite a small dining area, the restaurant goes above and beyond to accommodate celebrations such as birthdays and anniversaries. Just make sure to reserve!

The Atmosphere: 5/5 ⭐

The Spicy Ethiopian is located on Queen Street, across the road from Moss Park. The cozy dining room is chic-ly decorated with natural wood, patterned wallpaper, and vibrant plants. Overhead lamps transform the space into a moody and appealing environment in the evenings.

The Outreach: 5/5 ⭐

On top of managing the restaurant, open Tuesday through Sunday, Gelila finds ways to stay connected to an even greater number of Torontonians through participation in food festivals. Her booth at the T.O. Food & Drink Fest was a huge hit in April of this year. Additionally, The Spicy Ethiopian is creating an online store to sell Ethiopian spices and spice mixes. They plan to ship across Canada, and customers can join the waitlist to buy from their line of products here. 

In a city with some of the best food culture in the world, there’s a tendency to only see the most hyped and viral spots pushed on social media. Why not opt for the best Queen City has to offer of Ethiopian cuisine, right on Queen Street? 

The post This Ethiopian Restaurant in Toronto is Rated 5 Stars on Yelp and Google appeared first on Northly.

Papa Giuseppe’s Pizza and Pints

Located on Lakeshore Road East, Papa Giuseppe’s is delicious Italian from stone oven pizza, to calzones, lasagna, sandwiches, and pasta. They also have a good selection of wine and beer to unwind with. Enjoy sit-down, laid back dining inside the festive restaurant or on their sunny back patio.

ShawarmaFresh Doner

ShawarmaFresh Doner

Also on Lakeshore Road, ShawarmaFresh serves Turkish style halal shawarma in the form of pita sandwiches, wraps, plates, and salads. They also have falafel, baklava, samosas, and fries. Try one of their imported Turkish sodas for a sweet compliment to this succulent lunch or late-night meal.

Chelsea Restaurant

Chelsea Restaurant

Located on John St. South inside the historical Peer House, Chelsea restaurant has a small menu of English comfort foods from Shepherd’s Pie to Chelsea curry and seafood croissants. With a soup of the day and in-house baked goods, you’ll find this lunch and dinner eatery to be cozy and nourishing. 

Samtastes and Elmariachitacos

El Mariachi Tacos and Churros

The yellow and orange painted building on Lakeshore Road West welcomes you to a world of Mexican flavours from ceviche to tacos, tortas, fajitas, and tortilla soup. It gets busy on their back patio in the summertime, so make sure you reserve! 

Sorannos Restaurant

Sorrano’s 

Located on Lakeshore Road East, Sorrano’s is another beloved spot for Italian food. Family owned and operated, their menu is a marriage between the authentic cuisine and Canadian comfort food classics. Here you’ll find arrancini, veal meatballs, and bruschetta– alongside burgers and Italian poutine!

The post Top 5 Restaurants on Mississauga’s Port Credit Waterfront appeared first on Northly.

1. Lil’ Empire, Bridgeland and Capitol Hill 

Believing that burgers and fries should be eaten in a fun environment– and also made with care and high quality ingredients– Lil’ Empire takes a playful approach to classic comfort food. From your standard beef and cheese burgers, to plant-based burgers, a chicken burger and a Korean-inspired burger, the menu is simple but serves varied tastes. Beside the sandwiches, there are also loaded hot dogs and fries, chicken nuggets, drinks and soft serve. Lil’ Empire prides itself on both secret sauce and business practices: “We provide ethically raised meat, ethically treated staff and a vision to better the communities we live in”. With two locations available for dine-in and take-out, you’d be silly not to try it out.

Boogie’s

2. Boogie’s, Marda Loop and Renfrew

“Slangin Burgs since the summer of 1969”, Boogie’s is one of the oldest burger joints in the city. An ode to diner culture, the dining rooms are 70s and 80s themed– complete with arcade games and kitschy-yet-cool retro decor. Boogie’s in Renfrew has a dog-friendly outdoor patio, perfect for sipping a milkshake on a summer day. Speaking of the milkshakes, there are an incredible 36 flavours ranging from classic vanilla to “Fat Vader”:  a combination of chocolate, liquorice, and bacon. Boogie’s also has a monthly featured shake if you get bored of the other choices. As for the burgers, there are four classic options (beef, mushroom, chicken and salmon) as well as 17 other pre-set varieties and the option to customize. Check out their Instagram to get a sense of their vibe. It’s nothing if not enticing!

Class Clown

Class Clown, southern edge of Downtown

A cozy little spot on 18th Ave and 4th St SW, this place makes “Nice drinks” and “Tasty food”. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 11 to 11, Class Clown evokes whimsy in all areas– from their cutely designed menu and burger names, to their tall and squishy sesame-covered buns. The restaurant offers snacks, sundaes, and slushy drinks that are uniquely flavoured and seasonal. Class Clown is so popular that you can’t make reservations, but there is a waitlist you can join. Pop-ups and events seem to be another forte, as they host one almost weekly. Find out more about specials and happenings on Instagram.

Clive

Clive Burger, 17th Ave SW

Amid the bustle of bars and shopping, Clive Burger offers a happy refuge for burgers, dogs, and poutine (with gluten free and vegetarian options available by request). They’re known for their house-made custard shakes, which come in unique rotating flavours and can be made boozy. Open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and 11 PM on weeknights, the servings are generous and the fries are crispy. What more could you ask for in a casual lunch or late night snack?

Blue Star

Blue Star Diner, Bridgeland-Riverside

A beloved neighbourhood restaurant, Blue Star stands apart from other joints on this list for focusing on brunch and dinner. It is open daily at 8 AM, closing at 3 PM on Sunday and Monday, and 9 PM the rest of the week. The brunch menu features eggs, sausage, potatoes, pancakes– even fried chicken and poutine. Dinner is everything from burgers and sandwiches to fish and chips, tacos, salads and speciality bowls. “We believe you should know where your food comes from. This is why we have a strong connection with local farmers and suppliers”. Blue Star is proud to be locally owned and supplied completely by other Albertan businesses. Try out their Blue Star Blonde beer, on tap during happy hour (3-5 PM) for $6. Or, bring the whole family out for a breakfast they’ll never forget.

The post These Are the Best Places to Eat an Alberta Beef Burger in Calgary appeared first on Northly.

1. Siegel’s Bagels, 1883 Cornwall Ave 🥯

Siegel’s, located near Kits Beach, is a Montréal-style bagelry established in 1990. Their selection of bagel flavours includes all of the classics, plus a rosemary rocksalt variety. They offer breakfast sandwiches for as low as $6.95, and hearty lunch sandwiches starting as $12.95. Siegel’s gets deli items fresh from Montréal each week, including smoked meats, beef salami and flavoured cream cheeses. To complement your classic bagel, you can also get veggie lox, a side of fries or some rugolagh to take home. Siegel’s also has a booth in the Granville Island Public Market with a smaller selection of items. At either location, you’re sure to receive a freshly baked, thin and slightly sweet bagel, with a crispy exterior and chewy middle.

2. Solly’s Bagelry, 368 W 7th Ave 🥯

“Solly’s offers a wide variety of freshly prepared traditional Jewish bagels, baked goods, delicious soups & sandwiches, and groceries to take home”. Their bagels are Brooklyn style: boiled and then baked in a stone hearth. Solly’s regular in-house selection includes an all-dressed variety, and there’s always a special flavour-of-the-month. Here you can also buy cinnamon buns, babka, doggels, knishes and traditional baked goods for Jewish holidays. Matzo ball soup, hot meat and bagel sandwiches, hummus, challah, pickles and more are available at the deli counter. Solly’s is known for their copious servings of cream cheese (they schmear both sides) and their neon sign. They also have a second location in Mount Pleasant, “Up Main”.

wa.bagel

3. WA-BAGEL, 666 Burrard St Unit No. B09 🥯

A product of Abure restaurants, a franchise bringing Japanese ingredients and cuisine to Vancouver, WA-BAGEL is a very unique blend of New York style with Japanese flavours. Their specialty are filled bagels, many of which have a subtly-sweet taste and are made with Koji (an active fermenting ingredient). On the menu are such combinations as sweet potato & black sesame, red bean & cream cheese, mochi matcha, ume bacon and more. This spot also offers bagel-making classes with Head Baker Yukiko, so enthusiasts of any baking level can learn about the craft. As a note, this location has limited hours to grab your baked delicacies. They are open from 8AM to 3PM, Monday-Friday only. 

4. Mount Royal Bagels, 701 Queensbury Ave 🥯

Located on the North Shore since 2000, Mount Royal Bagels is a small brick-and-mortar that also supplies 6-packs of their favourite flavours to nearby grocery stores. These bagels are Montréal-style, with a nice chewy interior. Mount Royal Bagels has a classic selection of bagel varieties, and their own flavoured cream cheeses. Their honey-vanilla cream cheese is especially popular, and also sold in containers for home use. Lastly, Mount Royal Bagels also sells coffee and their own brand of granola. Make sure to arrive early, before they sell out of their daily small batch!

The post Where to Get a Good Bagel in Vancouver appeared first on Northly.

Congress Coffee Company

• Congress Coffee Company

Tucked away in an industrial area on 36 Ave NE is this quirky coffee spot and event space. With a focus on rich roasts and uplifting local artists, Congress Coffee Company “programs community-driven initiatives including music, visual art, drag, poetry, burlesque and more” for their live-sound stage. The ambiance inside reflects 80s and 90s nostalgia, and artworks for sale line the walls.

Congress’ menu includes classic espresso drinks, plus “pay what you feel” drip coffee, and specialty drinks. These include seasonal frappes, tea lattes and iced beverages. They also offer housemade food including breakfast burritos, pastries, paninis and a soup of the day. Everything is made with a great deal or care, contributing to a sense that guests are more than welcome to hang out. Check out Congress Coffee’s website to preview the menu, or check them out on Instagram to find out about upcoming events.

• Xin Chao Coffee

Across the road from Sunridge Mall in Northeast Calgary is this Vietnamese-owned spot with unique food and drink items. Xin Chao means “hello” in Vietnamese! This is no place to order a regular latte, though they are available. Instead, why not try out Egg Coffee, Salted Coffee, Coconut Coffee, or Roasted Milk Tea? If you’re sensitive to caffeine, give one of their beautiful fresh fruit teas a go. Feeling hungry? Xin Chao serves spring rolls, salad rolls and a variety of desserts. The spacious cafe has two floors of seating, with a loft suited to working and a lower floor to socializing. Check out Xin Chao’s Instagram for a better sense of their vibe!

Frida’s Coffee Home

• Frida’s Coffee Home

On 9th Ave SW near the Beltline, this coffee shop brings authentic Mexican flavours and desserts to Calgary. Using Arabica beans sourced from three regions of Mexico, Frida’s Coffee Home sells house-made coffee blends along with hot and iced coffee drinks. Their menu features Cafe de Olla Lattes (similar to cappuccinos), Mazapán Lattes (caramel/ almond flavour), Horchata and Jamaica: a hibiscus flavoured juice. The food selection includes classic Canadian breakfast items, tamales, flan, tres leches cake and concha pastries like those found in Mexican bakeries.

Frida’s Coffee Home is owned by Frida Murillo and Zaheen Hamadani, who have created a cozy yet colourful environment for guests. Check out their website to read more about the story Frida’s Coffee Home and how they source coffee beans. Check out the Instagram to stay up to date on menu items and happenings around the store.

Cafe Du Park

• Cafe Du Park

Inside a repurposed storage container in North Glenmore Park is Cafe du Parc: an outpost selling drinks made with locally-roasted Devils Head Coffee. Along with classic espresso-based drinks, Cafe du Parc also sells seasonally flavoured lattes, pastries from Butter Block & CO. and even ice cream in the summertime. Hello, affogatos!

The stand is located in an outdoor park that gets chilly in the Calgary winter. Luckily, Cafe du Par has a few benches and an outdoor heater, so adults can be comfortable in the winter while children play. Calgarians appreciate this spot for its convenient location in the park and for the owner, who often strikes up conversation with guests.

The post Small Coffee Shops Calgary Locals Swear By ☕ appeared first on Northly.

Bread- Brodflour, Liberty Village

When it comes to the perfect bread, Brodflour believes freshness is key. They make a completely Canadian product, starting with grain harvested in Manitoba that is supplied to the bakery for in-house flour milling. Brodflour breads are less processed and more nutrient-dense than your average loaf. “Ancient and heritage grains” are used to create every variety from white to rye– plus challah, English muffins, pizza dough and more.

In addition to selling fresh loaves to-go, Brodflour serves a few pastries, made-to-order toasts and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. You can also find their flour and bread at a few local grocers. 

Fleur du Jour

Croissants- Fleur du Jour, Wychwood

A classic French patisserie, Fleur du Jour makes everything from scratch in the morning and closes when they sell out. Their menu features 18 varieties of viennoiserie: breakfast pastries made from laminated dough that originated in Austria but are common in French bakeries. Included in these 18 viennoiserie are 7 croissant varieties described as “heavenly tender” and “absolutely delicious”. 

Fleur du Jour also creates a very impressive patisserie items, almost all of which are gluten free. They have been recommended in Toronto Life Magazine, and excellently reviewed by BlogTO and French-speaking radio station CHOQ FM 105.1. Check out the website and menu here. 

Bà Nội

Buns- Bà Nôi, Koreatown

This casual take-out spot stands apart for its sweet and savoury milk buns, made with a Vietnamese influence. Named for the owner’s grandmother, Ba Noi sells these uniquely flavored items alongside Canadian classics and coffee drinks. Their highly popular chocolate chip cookie is made with big chocolate chunks and sea salt, and their butter tart is flaky and golden brown. Ba Noi also makes galettes with sweet or savoury filling for breakfast.

A small and unassuming shop, people say you can pass by it easily on the street without realizing. However, reviewers insist that the quality at Ba Noi is some of the very best in Toronto. Here’s the address so that you won’t miss it.

Gryfe’s

Bagels- Gryfe’s, Lawrence Manor

“Not a New York Bagel, not a Montreal Bagel—it’s a Gryfe’s Bagel! Light and fluffy with a thin crisp crust, it’s a one-of-a-kind bagel that has had loyal customers coming back generation after generation”. This family bagelry opened in 1915 when Jewish-Romanian immigrant Schlome “Sam” Gryfe perfected his recipe and enlisted siblings to help him bring the dream of running his own store to life.

Still running on Sam’s recipe, Gryfe’s makes all the classic bagel flavours– plus pizza bagels, challah, sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies. Here you can also expect great prices. The store was recently renovated, but maintains its classic look inside. Today you can also get fresh bagels delivered to your home on a recurring basis if you live far away, or just can’t get those things fast enough.

Cafe Serano

Sit-down experience- Serano Café, East York

Finally, for a great all-around bakery experience, we recommend family-owned Serano Café.  The sister branch of Serano bakery (one of the highest rated on Google), this place specializes in serving up “Greek Pies, Pastries, Breads, Gelato and delicious coffees”. Specific items on the menu include filled donuts, cheesecake slices, bougatsa, cinnatsoureki, spanakopita and similar pies with different fillings.

Serano offers plenty of seating, including shaded patio tables in the summertime. Reviewers describe it as a great spot for people-watching as you enjoy a meal, snack, dessert or coffee. 

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