Best Drag Brunch in Toronto

Looking for the best Drag Brunch in Toronto?

Our gay guide to Toronto Drag Brunch features detailed profiles on the top breakfast experiences for Drag Queen lovers.

Our helpful guide shares Toronto drag brunch schedules, performance details, gay cocktail creations and menu highlights.

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Drag Brunch Toronto History

Drag brunch as it exists currently in Toronto is a relatively modern day tradition. Gay travel destinations like New York City, Montreal and Fort Lauderdale have been recognized for popularizing the lively queer breakfast tradition.

Enthusiasm for Drag Brunch in Toronto has exploded in recent years. Venues across the city now cater to the ever-growing popularity of drag culture.

Toronto’s Gay Village at Church & Wellesley is the city’s LGBT hub. For years Zelda’s (RIP) offered one of the most popular drag brunches in town. Today, Glad Day Bookshop offers the only Drag Brunch in Toronto’s rainbow flag adorned gay village.

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Best Drag Brunch in Toronto

Is it your first time experiencing a Drag Brunch in Toronto? We suggest booking a reservation as popular venues like the Gladstone Hotel often sell out 4-6 weeks in advance.

You’ll find that some restaurants offer a weekly Drag Brunch schedule, while others run a monthly program. During the Toronto Pride Festival in June, many drag brunches schedule additional performances to meet demand.

There are also venues in Toronto that host drag brunch as a seasonal offering, or every few months based on whatever celebrity RuPaul’s Drag Race personality is in town (wink wink The Rec Room).

Be sure to stuff your pockets with $5 bills so you can tip your favourite local qweens! Toronto’s Drag Queen’s are some of the hardest working performance artists in Canada. They regularly work into the wee hours of the morning at Toronto’s gay bars, then roll out of bed to perform in heels while crowds slurp their morning coffee. They’re real, live, homo heroes!

After visiting all of the top Toronto drag brunch restaurants we were impressed with the amount of culinary diversity. Guests can enjoy classic brunch staples at Glad Day Bookstore, creative vegan dishes at Gladstone Hotel, Middle Eastern fare at Bar Reyna and a Peruvian/Japanese buffet at Chotto Matte.

If you’re a bonafide drag groupie, we suggest visiting each and every one of these Toronto drag brunches to find your favourite!

The Gladstone Hotel

1214 Queen St W, 416-531-4635

The Gladstone Hotel in West Queen West first launched its Toronto Drag Brunch in November, 2018.

It’s safe to say the boutique hotel’s drag brunch is the most popular in Toronto. The celebratory Drag Queen party runs every Sunday from 11am-2pm. Seats typically sell out 4-6 weeks in advance, so brunch fans with a penchant for the art of drag should book a reservation at least a month in advance.

The Gladstone’s Hotel’s Drag Brunch in Toronto is hosted by Miss Moço. Each week she’s joined by a guest queen of her choosing.

Sam Soo, Beverage Manager at The Gladstone Hotel shared, “Miss Moço is truly the key to our success. She brings warmth and passion to the event that can’t be rivalled.”

Soo continued, “Upon arrival she walks around the room and introduces herself to each guest. She learns the names of everyone celebrating a special day, such as birthdays and bachelorettes. Throughout the show she engages with the audience on a first name basis. I can’t remember the last Drag Brunch we had where there were no tears shed.  Every Sunday is filled with special moments that come from making those personal connections in a safe and inclusive space. All of that, and a killer wig snatch!”

At The Gladstone Hotel’s Drag Brunch, each performance starts on an elevated stage. The queens also interact with the audience by dancing through the dining room.

Executive Chef Akshay Shastry is committed to supporting local farmers and offers a Drag Brunch Toronto menu that focuses on classic breakfast dishes.

• The Eggs Benny: poached eggs, red wine braised mushrooms or local porchetta, english muffin, hollandaise, crispy baked home fries
• The Gladstone Cowboy: maple braised beans, pork belly, fried egg, charred sourdough
• Curry Chickpea Doubles: spicy Caribbean lime coconut chickpea and potato curry, tamarind chutney, turmeric, sweet potato crema, pickled cucumbers, shishito peppers
• Baked French Toast: compote and maple caramel

Glad Day Bookshop

499 Church St, 416-901-6600

Sunday drag brunch at Glad Day Bookshop launched in June, 2018 in Toronto’s Gay Village. The popular drag brunch on Church Street is hosted by Erin Brockobić, creator and star of “Sippin’ T with Erin B.”

Glad Day Bookshop is a hallmark of queer heritage and LGBT culture in downtown Toronto. Founded in 1970, in the early days of gay liberation, Glad Day Bookshop is the longest surviving LGBTQ bookstore in the world and the oldest independent bookstore still operating in Toronto.

The Church Street bookstore wears many hats. Skip inside the front door and you’ll find bookcases stacked with LGBT literature inside a cute cafe that transforms into a cocktail bar at night.

Glad Day also operates a non-profit foundation called Glad Day Lit. The queer Toronto charity offers support for teachers looking for advice for transitioning students and hosts a series of monthly events such as open mic, drag king night, gay book launches and community fundraisers.

Brockobić shared, “The staff at Glad Day Bookshop are some of the kindest folks I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Glad Day’s history of social activism also plays a role in the atmosphere of the show. We are always inclusive of diverse races, gender expressions and sexualities. My special guests also come from diverse backgrounds and I love to feature talent from Toronto’s Village scene, Toronto’s Queer West scene and even performers from other parts of the country and the world.”

Brockobić starts each drag brunch with a hilarious comedy set. She hosts drag brunch at Glad Day Bookshop each Sunday with a special guest over two seatings at 11am-1pm and 2-4pm. Glad Day’s drag brunch host added, “We perform throughout the bar, on the counter of the bar, we go into the street, we go across the street, we get into cars and trucks, the world is our stage!”

Glad Day Bookshop’s drag brunch in Toronto operates as an all-you-can-eat buffet. The flat rate for the AYCE brunch, which includes a ticket for the show, is $22.10. The cost for just the show is $15.

Glad Day Bookshop’s drag brunch buffet features lots of vegan and gluten-free options. The core menu features scrambled eggs, homefries, bacon, sausage, baked beans, toast and fresh fruit.

Lula Lounge

1585 Dundas St W, 416-588-0307

Lula Lounge is a Latin American restaurant and dance club located on Dundas West. Ranked as one of the best live music venues in Toronto, Lula Lounge is famous for hosting the city’s best Cuban and Brazilian dance nights.

Lula Lounge’s Drag Brunch Extravaganza was first launched in December, 2018 by Nicole Enman and Francisco Palacios. The monthly drag brunch in Toronto costs $49 and includes a ticket to the show, brunch dish, coffee/tea and a mimosa. The cost for just the show is $20.

Palacios shared, “We don’t have a regular drag host because we want our customers to have a different experience each show. We want to give all the amazing drag queens in Toronto the opportunity to perform at our drag brunch.”

Lula Lounge offers an elegant and colourful theatre experience that feels intimate. For local drag queens, the Dundas West theatre offers an opportunity for them to take their performances to the next level thanks to props and lighting effects.

Enman added, “We make the show as interactive as possible. People often end up singing and dancing along with the show and we include a lip-synching contest with some very special prizes for audience members to take home. Many people choose Lula Lounge for their first Toronto drag brunch experience because they’re familiar with our salsa nights.”

Each month the kitchen at Lula Lounge creates a new drag brunch menu. You’ll always find a vegetarian option, sweet and savoury dishes and a classic breakfast dish.

• Huevos Rancheros: salsa, refried beans, avocado, poached eggs, sausage, queso fresco, tortilla
• Eggnog French Toast: maple syrup, sausage, home fries
• Lula’s Scrambled Eggs: sausage, onion, peppers, tomato, toast, home fries
• Mascarpone & Provolone Smoked Salmon Grilled Cheese: salad and home fries
• Vegan Sweet Potato “Toast”: oven-baked sweet potato, avocado spread, roasted veggies, salad, home fries

Brickworks Ciderhouse

709 Queen St E, 647-341-4500

Brickworks Ciderhouse in Leslieville first launched its drag brunch in Toronto in August, 2019. The popular craft cider house and restaurant at Queen and Broadview offers drag brunch the last Saturday of the month from 11:30am-2pm.

Brickworks Ciderhouse’s current claim to fame is that it’s the only ciderhouse in Ontario hosting a drag brunch!

Drag Queen Jada Shada Hudson is Brickworks Ciderhouse’s monthly host. A live DJ and two Drag Queens perform throughout the restaurant during brunch service. The restaurant features two elevated stages, one located on the main floor and the second upstairs. Jada Shada Hudson and her plus one Queen perform throughout the 2-story dining room, allowing all guests to enjoy a fun-filled show.

Owen Gazel, Marketing Manager for Brickworks Ciderhouse shared, “Our seasonal brunch menus are updated monthly to ensure the freshest seasonal ingredients, celebrating the hard-working local farmers and producers of our community. As a Feast On certified restaurant, the kitchen proudly pairs fresh, locally-sourced dishes with new, exclusive ciders alongside our classic line-up.”

Are you a cider lover looking for the best drag brunch in Toronto? Brickworks Ciderhouse offers an entertaining drag show, paired with creative brunch dishes and slew of locally brewed cider. We suggest ordering the Leslieville restaurant’s “cider mimosa for two,” which includes 750ml of cider and a carafe of orange, grapefruit or cranberry juice.

• Chilaquiles: sunny-side eggs, pulled pork, black beans, goat cheese, avocado, salsa
• Iron Skillet Baked Brie: figs, apples, cranberries, pistachio, jalapeño honey
• Ciderhouse Salad: kale, bacon, quinoa, apples, beets, pecans, goat cheese, dried cranberries, apple cider poppy seed dressing
• Fried Chicken Sandwich: honey, spicy mayo, apple & kale slaw dressed in cider poppy seed dressing on a Fred’s Bread brioche bun
• Pork Belly Benedict: poached eggs, spinach, sriracha hollandaise, English muffin, hash brown

Bar Reyna

158 Cumberland St, 647-748-4464

Bar Reyna is the thoughtfully realized restaurant dream of Toronto food writer turned restauranteur Nicki Laborie.

Reyna means queen in Spanish, offering a playful homage to strong, powerful and inspiring women. Laborie explained, “At the time, many Toronto restaurants felt very masculine. So I wanted to create something unique and feminine – somewhere I would want to hang out.”

Mike Saunders, General Manager at Bar Reyna, launched the Yorkville restaurant’s first Toronto drag brunch in October, 2019.

Saunders shared, “We offer our Unapologetic Drag Brunch once a month. It falls on the last Sunday of the month, with two seatings at 11:30am and 2pm. We offering a rotating list of Drag performers each show, with one queen here constantly as our shooter girl. Molly Poppins is our in house Rainbow Railroad representative.”

So what makes Bar Reyna’s drag brunch in Toronto stand out? Saunders explained, “We are currently the first and only drag brunch in Yorkville. We get to offer incredible food and drink options, as opposed to basic bacon and eggs.  We’ve teamed up with Absolut Vodka and our shows are always fun, interactive and energetic!”

During the winter, Bar Reyna’s drag brunch is held inside the restaurant’s secret garden back patio and upstairs Moroccan lounge. In the summer, the windows and doors open and performances take place on the restaurant floor.”

• Smoothie Granola Bowl: greek yogurt, fresh berries, chia, goji berries, granola, manuka honey
• Salmon Benedict: pain de mie, burnt lemon aioli, poached egg, brown butter hollandaise, herb salad
• Croque Madame: challah bread, labneh, smoked salmon, fried capers, pickled onions, fried egg
• Baklava French Toast: baklava crusted challah bread, orange blossom, vanilla ricotta, candied pistachio
• Shakshuka: charred tomato, pepper, feta, egg, onion sprouts, sourdough

Chotto Matte

161 Bay St, 416-988-8097

Chotto Matte in the Financial District first launched its Toronto Drag Brunch in February, 2020. The Peruvian/Japanese restaurant calls its drag brunch “Queens of the Jungle” and takes place every third Saturday of the month.

Upon arrival, guests check in with the restaurants hostess and are given a wristband if they’ve selected the $40 bottomless cocktails and prosecco package. Once seated in the Peruvian jungle-themed dining room, a server arrives to take your drink order and explain the a la carte menu.

Brunch at Chotto Matte is a three tiered affair. The $69 price tag includes an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet, a savoury entree and eye-popping dessert platter. Chotto Matte’s kitchen specializes in Nikkei cuisine, Peruvian ingredients such as tropical fish, quinoa, aji amarillo peppers, that are crafted using classic Japanese techniques. Many chefs cite the modern preparation of ceviche as indicative of the Nikkei style.

Looking to feast on fresh and healthy flavours at your next drag brunch in Toronto? You won’t find pancakes topped with syrup, eggs slathered in hollandaise or waffles dripping in warm Nutella at Chotto Matte. Instead, the breakfast menu features vibrant salads, citrus-spiked ceviche, supple sashimi and perfectly charred barbecue chicken.

For Chotto Matte’s inaugural drag brunch in Toronto, The Queen Priyanka and Champagna danced and death-dropped to a series of lively pop songs. The duo minced throughout the dining room, offering an early morning energy quenched with coffee. Chotto Matte’s drag brunch talent will rotate each month to showcase some of Toronto’s most talented Queens.

• Chotto Ceviche: sea bass sashimi, sweet potato, Peruvian corn, cilantro, chive oil, citrus sauce
• Maiz Huancaina: corn, yellow chilli, queso fresco
• Salmon Tiradito: salmon sashimi, fresh wasabi, aji amarillo, mango yuzu sauce
• Barriguita de Chanchito: pork belly, nashi pear, yellow tomato salsa
• Pollo a la Brasa: hargrilled chicken marinated in Peruvian spices

Soho House Toronto

192 Adelaide St W, 416-599-7646

In the heart of TIFF-town, tucked away on Adelaide Street, in the shadow of the Shangri-La Hotel sits Soho House Toronto.

The 10,000 square-foot space has a permanent home on Bishops Block inhabiting a building dating back to the 1800s, which was restored, brick for brick. Each floor of Toronto’s exclusive members only club features Soho House Toronto’s unique art collection with standout pieces by international artists Jacob Kassay, JR and General Idea and Canadian artists Shry Boyle and Douglas Coupland.

Drag brunch launched at Soho House Toronto in March, 2019. The monthly drag brunch in downtown Toronto is hosted by Miss Moco and takes place on the main stage on the club floor.

Miss Moco is the Soho House Toronto Queen, hosting drag brunches and the popular monthly party called Frigays with head of queer programming Alex Dooley. Dooley shared, “Alongside Moco’ wig snatches, we offer bottomless mimosas to really get the party started!”

The kitchen offers a selection of dishes for brunch lovers including plenty of healthy salads and dips. We suggest veering for the calories in flaky chocolate croissants, beefy burger and crispy fried chicken.

• Yoghurt: granola and berries
• Chopped Salad: chicken, cheddar, bacon, beets, egg, romaine, avocado
• Ahi Tuna Poke: avocado, cucumber, fresno, brown jasmine rice
• Dirty Burger: cheddar, mustard, iceberg, tomato, pickle, fries
• Club Chicken Wrap: bacon, lettuce, tomato, egg, chili, dijonnaise, fries

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