Saving Grace Toronto: Brunch on Dundas West

Saving Grace Toronto is regularly ranked as one of the city’s best all day breakfast restaurants. It was the first brunch restaurant to open on the now very trendy Dundas West. Today, the neighbourhood fills up on weekends with breakfast lovers at nearby Old School, La Palma, and Patois.

All Day Breakfast at Saving Grace Toronto

The wildly popular no-reservation brunch restaurant in Toronto first opened its doors in February, 2000.

Saving Grace Toronto’s owner Monica Gellar explains the history of the restaurant, “The first weekend I opened only friends came. The second weekend nobody came. Then I got my first review and so began the chaos of brunch.”

While weekends are the restaurants busiest days of the week, you’ll often find lines running down the street on weekday mornings. Arrive early or prepare to wait. Once you’ve arrived outside of Saving Grace Toronto, skip over to the front door where they hang a reservation list. Jot down your name and wait for the hostess to chirp your name.

During my first visit, twenty brunch lovers, mostly lady friends and gays, could be spotted waiting in the cold clutching their morning ritual Starbucks coffee. People politely and patiently wait, anticipating to soon devour a plate of perfectly poached eggs.

Join local brunch lovers at Saving Grace Toronto on Dundas West.

Step Inside Saving Grace Toronto

The intimate Dundas West restaurant is divided up into upper and lower dining rooms. The vibe feels a bit like you’ve been invited to a hipster apartment.

Saving Grace Toronto’s owner Monica Gellar explains the history of the space, “The address was once a hairdresser but before that a dry good store named Ruta. The Ruta sign is still visible in reverse from inside our dining room but the language I’m not certain…perhaps Lithuanian?”

Monica adds, “Financial constraints dictated my choice of furnishing. Plywood tables and benches, second hand table bases, found mixed-matched chairs, dishes from goodwill and yard sales. A Toronto Life reviewer once described it as “your crazy aunts apartment but without the cats”. We left the minimalism movement behind a long time ago. We can now seat 30 comfortably but do squishing of more on the weekends.”

Start your morning right by digging into Saving Grace Toronto's all day breakfast. — Start your morning right by digging into Saving Grace Toronto’s all day breakfast.

Saving Grace? The Brunch Restaurant’s Name Explained

Monica explains the meaning behind her restaurant’s name, “Saving Grace has many connotations for me. First, my middle name is Grace. Then there’s the reason I opened the business. I hated my job and I had to seriously think about what I really wanted to do. I’d worked in restaurant kitchens and as a server for at least 25 years. I knew I was a good cook and I loved it. So you might say opening the restaurant was my “saving grace.” The final ‘sign’ was the restaurant’s location. Just one block away from Grace Street.”

Saving Grace features its daily brunch specials on a chalk board in the dining room.

Saving Grace Toronto Menu

Monica offers the daily culinary inspiration for all of the restaurant’s brunch menus items.

Toronto’s OG brunch queen explains her culinary thought process, “I’m just trying to keep things interesting by constantly changing the menu, looking for the next unexpected thing. My regular customers have trust in me and what I decide to write on the chalkboard any given day. I feel so fortunate to live in Toronto where you can easily get almost any ingredient your heart desires. I obsessively read a lot of cooking magazines, cookbooks and newspapers for inspiration. And then there’s always Pinterest…and travelling!”

While Saving Grace Toronto does have a regularl menu, Monica notes, “Most of our customers order from the chalkboard, which we change almost daily.”

Monica’s magical mind is always dreaming up new brunch dishes. The sample menu below simply offers an idea of what flavours you might expect. Be sure to check the chalk board for the latest and greatest brunch dishes on offer. We highly suggest adding to your order any of Saving Grace Toronto’s gourmet sausages such as Spicy Italian, Smoked Turkey, Jalapeno Cheddar and Debrazini.

Saving Grace Toronto Drinks

Espresso, Americano, Cappuccino, Latte, Mochaccino, Hot Chocolate, Tea
Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Avocado Espresso Smoothie
Banana Mango Smoothie
Banana Strawberry Smoothie
Mango Ginger Smoothie
Rhubarb or Lavender Soda
Freshly Squeezed Juices

Saving Grace Toronto French Toast, Pancakes and Waffles

French Toast with Caramelized Bananas
Savoury French Toast: apples, balsamic roasted red onions, gruyere
Waffles: caramelized pear with lemon ricotta
Churro Waffles: dulche de leche, bananas
Oatmeal Pancakes: dates and caramelized banana
Blueberry Lemon Pancakes

Perfectly poached eggs with fresh green and roasted potatoes.

Saving Grace Toronto Egg Dishes

Eggs Rajasthani: spicy scrambled eggs, red onions, tomato, chili powder, chickpea masala, yogurt drizzle, spicy paratha
Scrambled Eggs: cheddar toast and greens
Plain Eggs: scrambled, fried, or poached with toast, greens, bacon and breakfast sausage
Poached Eggs: rapini, tomato, provolone, bruschetta
Fried Egg Topped Flat Bread: eggplant, zaatar, pomegranate, feta, beet hummus, avocado, feta, tahini
Frittata: roasted broccoli, red rice, swiss cheese

Saving Grace Toronto Sandwiches

Warm Brie Sandwich: pear, walnut, honey, baguette
Old White Cheddar Sandwich: avocado, tomato, greens, mayo, bacon, toasted whole wheat raisin bread
The “Angela”: bacon, tomato, greens, red onion, tomato chutney, toasted rye, old white cheddar
Papusa Corn Torilla Sandwich: patacones, coconut rice, beans, gouda, tomato salsa, lime chili cream
Toast: jam, honey, peanut butter, nutella