Toronto’s brunch scene is no stranger to a good eggs Benedict or a stacked pancake moment, but lately, there’s a different kind of breakfast quietly stealing the spotlight, and it’s one that’s meant to be shared.
Turkish breakfast, known as kahvaltı, has been gaining global attention after being ranked among the best breakfasts in the world and entering the conversation for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. It’s not just about what’s on the table, but how it’s experienced: slowly, socially, and with a little bit of everything.
And while a trip to Türkiye might be the dream, you don’t actually have to leave the city to try it. From cozy cafés to full traditional spreads, there are several spots across Toronto serving up their own take on this beautifully abundant morning ritual, and yes, it makes for a perfect date.
What makes a Turkish breakfast so special
Turkish breakfast isn’t built around one main dish — it’s a full-table experience. Think small plates layered across the table: cheeses, olives, eggs, fresh vegetables, breads, spreads, and something sweet to finish. There’s always tea (served in those iconic tulip glasses), and the entire meal is designed to be shared.
It’s the kind of breakfast where you settle in, try a bit of everything, and stay longer than you planned, which is exactly why it’s been gaining global recognition, including its recent campaign for UNESCO cultural heritage status.
Across Türkiye, the details shift depending on the region, but the essence stays the same: abundance, connection, and slowing down.
A Toronto morning inspired by Türkiye
That sense of connection was exactly what Turkish Airlines brought to life during a recent Turkish breakfast experience in Toronto.
Hosted at Soho House Toronto, the event showcased a traditional kahvaltı spread with dishes like menemen (soft scrambled eggs with tomato and pepper), çılbır (poached eggs with yogurt and chili butter), fresh breads, cheeses, olives, and an array of mezze.
It was immersive, intentional, and a reminder that this style of dining is just as much about the atmosphere as it is about the food. The kind of morning that turns into an afternoon without anyone noticing which is the best kind of date.
Why Turkish breakfast is the ultimate date idea
If you’re looking to switch up your usual brunch plans, this is it. Turkish breakfast naturally creates a more interactive and relaxed experience. Instead of ordering individual plates, you’re sharing everything, passing dishes, discovering new flavours together, and stretching the moment out over multiple cups of tea.
it hits that sweet spot between trying something new and feeling effortlessly cozy from a first date, a catch-up with your best friends, or a slow weekend with your partner.
Where to find Turkish breakfast in Toronto
If you’re ready to experience it for yourself, these Toronto spots are serving up everything from traditional kahvaltı spreads to modern takes on Turkish breakfast favourites.
Liu Loqum Atelier
533 College St.
Liu Loqum offers an authentic Turkish breakfast (Serpme Kahvalti) experience in Toronto. Their menu features artisanal Turkish delight, imported baklava, and savory items like simit and cheese-filled börek, often enjoyed with coffee or tea in a cozy, European-style setting
Pera Cafe
62 Nassau St.
A cozy corner in the heart of Kensington Market where tradition meets comfort. Inspired by the rich flavours of Turkish cuisine, we bring a taste of Turkiye to downtown Toronto.
Good Fork
1550 Dundas St. W.
Good Fork has been a staple in the Little Portugal neighbourhood since 2019 with its doors officially open since 2011. Good Fork brings a unique blend of Toronto’s culinary diversity and the rich flavours of Anatolia (modern day Turkey.) Offering Turkish brunch or dinner, with dishes that celebrate the best of both worlds, crafted with love and inspired by generations of tradition.
Lokum Eats
23 St Johns Rd
Lokum Eats is a boutique company that creates unique dining experiences focused on Turkish cuisine as well as middle eastern cooking. Their Serpme Kahvalti is $38 per person and it’s the perfect brunch date!
MADO
Five Ontario locations
From exquisite breakfast platters to simit, baklava, sandwiches, kebabs, salads, and traditional maras dondurma, or Turkish ice cream, MADO has a lengthy menu with enough eats to satisfy a host of cravings.
The Grand breakfast trays are intended for two people, and the set includes:
- Feta cheese, kashar cheese, mozzarella cheese
- Kaymak with honey
- Tahin pekmez
- Jams
- Green olives, black olives
- Su Borek
- Ajuka (hot pepper paste)
- Seasonal fresh fruits
- Seasonal fresh vegetables
- Dried apricot, fig, walnuts
- Menemen (Turkish egg omelette with tomatoes) and fried eggs
- Fries, a skewer of halloumi cheese and sujuk, a basket of handmade bread
- Unlimited tea
Sultan Ahmet Turkish Cuisine
Six Ontario locations
Sultan Ahmet brings the rich flavours and cultural heritage of Türkiye to your table. With a commitment to authentic cuisine, traditional sweets, and a welcoming atmosphere, they offer an unforgettable dining experience that celebrates the essence of Turkish hospitality.
Their Sultan Ahmet Breakfast Buffet is a true weekend feast featuring over 50 freshly prepared Turkish traditional dishes. A rich variety of savoury favourites, freshly baked bread, cheese, olives, eggs, and hot dishes, alongside sweet treats, fruits, cereals, and more – all made for sharing and enjoying together.
Available Saturdays & Sundays only, 9 AM till 2 PM
Meat Point
1021 Wilson Ave, North York
They combine tradition with modernity in an exceptional way. Its interior is unique because fragments of old walls have been preserved and they have been ingeniously blended with the modern decor.
Their Exclusive Authentic Turkish Breakfast includes:
- Cheese Platter (Feta & Kashar)
- Olive Platter (Green & Black)
- Tomatoes and Cucumber, Cream Cheese (Philedelphia)
- Pepper Paste, Butter
- 2 Kinds of Jam, Honey, Nutella and
- One hot platter of: Sucuklu Yumurta (Sujuk w/ Eggs), Menemen (Shakshouka), Feta Cheese Rolls, Boiled Egg and Fries.
$59.99 for 2 people, with $29.99 per additional person.
With global recognition growing and more Toronto spots embracing the tradition, Turkish breakfast is quickly becoming one of the most exciting ways to do brunch in the city.
And while a future trip to Türkiye (ideally with Turkish Airlines, just saying) might be the ultimate version of this experience, for now, you can get a pretty incredible taste of it right here at home.
Get in the mood for travel here!
