I'd been hearing about how superb Emma's Country Kitchen is for the better part of a decade and yet we only just recently made the trek to check it out. The place was more than worth the wait, as it turns out. And it's still doing extremely well, given how busy it was and how long we had to wait for a table (almost a full half hour!) We knew going in that we had to try a few of the joint's most famous dishes, the Cinnamon Bun Pancakes, the Breakwich, and Emma's BLT. It was clearly way, way too much food but everything was so good that I had zero regrets. In particular, those pancakes are as flavorful and scrumptious as I would've hoped. The two savory sandwiches fared just as well, and it was clear that they had been assembled with a tremendous amount of care. The busy atmosphere was fun, and our server was friendly and helpful. Yep, I can see why Emma's has managed to stick around all these years. read more

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It had been a while since my last visit, and I was reminded right away why this place stands out. The service is incredibly warm and personable--something you don't often come across in Toronto. The biscuits were just average for my taste, but the home fries were excellent. The eggs Benedict could have used a bit more hollandaise--something I'm sure they would have happily provided if I'd asked, but I didn't. The highlight of the breakfast was the special menu collaboration with Sanagan Meat Locker. The savory cornbread pancakes were outstanding--served hot with crispy edges, layered with pimento cheese, and topped with butter and honey. Paired with the blueberry sausage from Sanagan, it was an unforgettable combination. I really loved this collaboration with Emma--it was creative, comforting, and absolutely delicious. read more

The food was phenomenal, the biscuit I still think about! Eggs were good, and the fries were sooo good, the perfect seasoning. We also got the cinnamon pancakes which were very good, not too sweet and perfect combo with the eggs. The only thing I would mention is that they barely offered coffee refills. We were there for over 2 hours and were offered 1 refill after we asked. Also the bacon wasn't the greatest. Other than that I can't wait to come again! read more

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This place has been on my to try list for the longest time! I got their eggs Benedict, and our table shared the cinnamon pancakes, which we all agreed tasted like a cinnamon bun (but flattened into a pancake) - so delicious! The service was friendly as our coffees were refilled often. It was very busy on a Sunday morning, but we got there just after 9:30 and were able to get a table. Still comfortable and nice for dining in! read more

Emma's Country Kitchen - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

A southern style brunch! Known for their biscuit. I got the omelette with fruits. The fruits tasted like canned and not fresh. Omelette was good but could have been bigger. Biscuit is also decent. Service was decently fast, small wait on a Sunday morning. read more

Emma's Country Kitchen - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

If you're looking for the best pancakes in Toronto, look no further than here. Please plan accordingly when you visit as this place has frequent lines, however, it's well worth it and the service is good once you get a table. read more

When a restaurant is only open for 28 hours a week, and still manages to thrive like nothing else, you know that it's something truly amazing. I am an individual who enjoys pancakes, and I am an individual who can eat a lot of pancakes. The pancake party excited me. There were many pancakes. I had no thought of eating all of them, but thought I could eat one of each of the four types. After one and a half I was full, and still looking at my amazing eggs benny that was being delivered. I ate every bite of it, because it was delicious. But, it was a real struggle. I feel like I was defeated by this restaurant. Each pancake was a fantastic experience, and I was glad for every bite. I was even more glad for the bites that I consumed later from the take-home portions! Also, the hot chocolate? You want to get in on that when you can. The only thing to be aware of is that if you're not there early, you're waiting in line. Again, it's only open 28 hours a week. If you want to experience these amazing sensations, you really need to plan for it. read more

I went there for brunch. All the food was delicious and freshly prepared . The service was great. read more

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During a recent trip to Toronto, I stopped in at Emma's Country Kitchen for breakfast. Nice space on the inside, good service, and the breakfast was exactly what I needed before starting the day running around the city. I ordered pancakes, sausage, and scrambled eggs. Washed it all down with orange juice. It was nice not having other diners sitting on top of me. This was one breakfast that indeed hit the mark, even though it was not a fancy breakfast. read more

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On the last morning before traveling back to Las Vegas. My girlfriend wanted breakfast so we decided to try this spot. It was a bit of a drive, but it was well worth it. She ordered herself the omelette with the biscuit and the potatoes. I went ahead and ordered the big breakfast platter if I'm not mistaken, which came with egg, bacon, pancakes, potatoes, and a biscuit. The syrup is locally sourced which was delicious. Has it had a citrusy flavor at the end after the sweetness I definitely recommend this place. The place itself is pretty spacious and I guarantee you will love it. Thank you so much Emma's country kitchen we appreciate you and we will be back. Food - 10 / 10 Service - 10 / 10 Setting - 10 / 10 Total - read more

Emma's Country Kitchen - Omelette - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Don't recommend- food was great. Everything was truly delicious. Service was also very attentive at first and then abysmal towards the end. Impossible to flag anyone down to get another coffee. I'm docking stars bc of the overcharging. I ordered an orange juice and they gave me a large glass of juice. The table next to us had small glasses of juice so I assumed that was what I was getting. the server didn't bother to ask if wanted a large or small. The server asked if we wanted ketchup or hot sauce etc with our eggs and my husband said hot sauce and ketchup. On the bill there was a $2 charge for hot sauce. I asked the server about this when she brought the bill and she said, yes it's more. Deceitful practices to make a few extra dollars. This ruined the meal for us. read more

Amazing service, good vibes and great food. I got their classic breaky. It comes with house made citrus whipped butter and jam, which was amazing. It's also nice to support a place that is a certified living wage business. read more

Emma's Country Kitchen - Classic breaky with a side fruit salad. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Had brunch on a Sunday in August. My friend arrived at 10 am and got us on the waitlist, we were seated within 20 min. Special notes that our lovely waitress shared: in the Fall time, blueberry pancakes are out, pumpkin pancakes are in. No fried chicken after Labour Day. Food: They serve classic breakfast items and also have brunch specials on the weekend. I ordered the Classic with a buttermilk biscuit, sausage (flat patty shaped), crispy russet home fries and a side of blueberry pancakes. For next time, I would opt for fruit or greens instead of home fries. Everything tasted as expected with a touch of a grandmother's love. The buttermilk biscuit and pancakes were fluffy and soft, the citrus butter and blueberry jam that accompanied the biscuit was the cherry on top. I got to try some eggs benny and baked beans and both tasted great to the point I may have that for my next order. Service/atmosphere: The ambience is lively with families and friends chatter in the air. There are floating wooden shelves with pieces from the restaurants history displayed which adds a lot of character. I like how they pay their staff a living wage. There is a washroom for customers. There is patio seating out at the front but be careful for wasps. read more

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We are from Montreal here for the weekend. Had breakfast at Emma's. What a treat. All the staff had smiles on their faces. The service was very good and fast. Best of all the food was outstanding. Great eggs, bacon and biscuits. We will be back. read more

Emma's country kitchen is the pinnacle breakfast/brunch spot, with all the classics and essentials. From their eggs however you like them or their unique one of one pancakes. A lot of their goods, like their; butters, jams, marshmallows, etc, are all homemade. Their service is extremely warm, home'y and welcoming, which serves as another reason to keep coming back. The only trouble you'll ever face is the long wait at their busiest times, but the wait is always worth it. read more

Emma's country kitchen was such a good find! While looking for a place for breakfast we came across the reviews here and liked what we saw. We were not disappointed once we arrived. I had a really delicious breakfast sandwich and home fries with their house made ketchup that I swear I wish I could take home. I also had a spiked lemonade that was so good, I could have stayed and drank them all day! The restaurant also participates in giving their staff a living way and that alone will keep me coming back anyday. read more

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When we visited yesterday, Friday 26 Aug biscuits and gravy as well as poutine were not available-bummer My cinnamon bun pancakes were even better than you can image. The absolute best of both the cinnamon bun world and pancake world that collided on a plate and produced 4 massive pancakes. The house made sausage side rocked making me think the aforementioned missing items would have been incredible too. My work colleague had the regular pancakes and bacon. Again the bacon was made in house thick and perfectly cooked. Rarely can I consume "maple syrup" in the US because it is fake. No need to worry in the land of the maple or Emma's only the real stuff is served here. I would break my fast here everyday. read more

Emma's Country Kitchen - Menu - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Place was jammed and the wait was fairly long for breakfast. Food was good but service was unfriendly and seemed not to care that hot food was sitting on the table while cutlery was absent. not a fan of feeling that i am bothering a server. While the food was good there are certainly better places that value your business and treat you with respect to go for breakfast read more

Really a terrific breakfast. We got four pancakes per person, and really should've gotten two. They are very big. The hot chocolate with marshmallow is incredible. The oatmeal with crème Anglaise was a hit. read more

Been here several times, and always amazing. My only issue is that often it's so busy there's a line out the door! Pancakes and biscuits are exceptional. read more

My favourite brunch spot in Toronto! Everyone I know loves this place and always wants to go back. The food is amazing and the service is the best! Pictured is their classic brunch, fruit salad, and Emma's Benny. I also really love their wild berry pancakes with ricotta! Do yourself a favour and get brunch from here! The servers/hostess are so welcoming and kind as well. Also wait times are soooo worth it (pre covid of course!). read more

Emma's Country Kitchen - Classic - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

An absolute must-try in Toronto. The sweetest hostess will ensure that you are satisfied from the start. The food is incredible. Bold, fresh flavors starting with the omelettes to the fluffy pancakes. The breakfast mule was the highlight of my experience. I'd recommend this spot to anyone who loves a unique brunch experience. read more

I've heard the rave reviews and seen the long lineups for their brunch. The opportunity presented itself to try their food, and it does not disappoint. The banana pancakes are filled with roasted walnuts, toffee, whipped brown butter and real maple syrup. They come in a huge portion, which you most certainly won't be able to finish! The cinnamon bun pancakes are delicious as well, and a kid favourite. The Chai latte was a sweet addition to help complete the meal. They pay their staff a living wage, so the prices are higher than your typical brunch place. I find that very commendable, and am happy to support that initiative. We were impressed with everything and are happy they now deliver north of Eglinton. It's important to keep supporting our local businesses, they need our love! read more

Emma's Country Kitchen - Banana pancakes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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I've come here a few more times since my last review and it's about time I update. The food has always been really good, from the breakwich, to the peameal bacon hash (when it's on special), to the avocado toast. I like that their pancakes change with the season. I haven't had a chance to try them yet b/c so far they haven't had a flavour I'd like, but one day I will. The service has always been great as well. Very nice, accomodating, and attentive. I took a star off b/c although I do like their biscuits, they're a bit too hard on the outside for my liking. As a result, you have to eat the breakwich with a knife and fork so I don't hurt the roof of my mouth. Also, it's a little expensive. My partner and I both had coffees, he had the peameal hash, I had the breakwich, small fruit salad and we shared a side of bacon. With tax and tip it was $70. We like going for breakfast every other weekend, but not when we're spending that much money. read more

Emma's is a great little brunch place in midtown Toronto which is nice not having to go downtown. It does get busy pretty quickly so I highly recommend going early. The pancakes are my favourite thing there. They always have a few on rotation. The cinnamon bun and the gingerbread are delicious but if you see that the lemon ricotta blueberry (I think it was) GO. The buttermilk biscuits are made in house and are delicious. read more

I'm still thinking about Emma's Country Kitchen. Street parking is available. Upon entering, a kind and welcoming hostess seated us. Our server was friendly, attentive, and helpful. All the employees here are so kind, thank you! The ambiance is laid back. Their pancakes are so fluffy and packed with flavor. Gingerbread pancakes were on the menu the day we visited and each bite was a taste of the holidays. Emma's Benny was also a hit. Warm and fluffy buttermilk biscuit topped with house cured peameal bacon, soft poached eggs and smothered in mousseline sauce. Can't go wrong with that! Served with a side of red skin potatoes, yum. Everything tastes homemade and quality ingredients are definitely used. Their sausage is also delicious. Our little one loved it, jam packed with flavor and not overly greasy or salty. Plenty of indoor seating, but I can see this place getting incredibly packed depending on the day and time you visit. We visited a bit later in the day on a weekday and were seated immediately. Restrooms are downstairs and clean. Street parking is available. So. So. Good! read more

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Let me preface this review with the fact I was somehow wearing a navy shirt with black jeans today. That should say it all. I finally had time to head down to Emma's this morning. Closed for many months at the start of the pandemic, I knew that they had to be hurting. Emma's has a takeout portal on their website so I had ordered 30 minutes in advance. Ready for some cinnamon biscuits to christen my new freezer at home and to later enjoy Christmas morning, I also ordered some of their plain buttermilk biscuits. Heck since I was there anyway, a side of their delicious coffee and side of pancakes were in order. Service was friendly and quick which was great because of my parking job out front. I realized that the pancakes would not be as delicious when I would eventually get home, so I reluctantly found a nearby street to eat my pancakes. As I opened the bag I realized that I forgot to ask for cutlery. Noooooo! So I looked around the car and found 1 wrapped (clean) Starbucks straw and some napkins. Flashing back to my childhood I decided to burrito my pancakes. I used the straw to butter my pancakes and poured a tiny bit of syrup on. So burrito-ing pancakes works well with brown sugar or jam, but it is a disaster with syrup. Merde! Miraculously I had a bottle of hand sanitizer in the car, so then my whole car smelled of vanilla and candy canes. Somehow my shirt and jacket emerged unscathed. Unfortunate the coffee wasn't well suited to drinking and driving on Dufferin. Thank goodness my jeans are black and my coffee not. I share my shame to encourage you to please go to Emma's and keep this gem in business. :) read more

I was a longtime visitor of Emma's going back to the old location. I hadn't been in several years but recently got a chance to drop in for brunch. Prices are higher than they used to be, but still worth every penny. Portions are gigantic, and almost everything is homemade. Biscuits and gravy were perfect, especially with the additional hot sauce. Even better was the classic breakfast. Bacon, eggs, toast, everything is the best version of what it could be. Their various pancake flavours are usually excellent as well. In my opinion, Emma's remains Toronto's best brunch. Make sure you budget some extra time. Emma's is BUSY on the weekends and you will likely have to wait at least half an hour. They'll take your name and give you a call. read more

Nice polished joint in a hip neighborhood. It was a quiet weekend morning and a short 15 min wait. I love the cinnabun pancake and so did my guest. The cinnamon swirl was glazed and carmalized into the flat top, so it was a additonal flavor level. It was nice and dense flapjack served with some cinnamon butter and real maple syrup. I got the biscuit breakfast sando and i was expecting a biscuit with a soft crumb but this was a different style than my southern palette liked. In addition, hot sauce is not complimentary cus it was made in house so it was a little pretentious for my usualy breakfast digs. The bacon was delish and nicely sweetened when served with the eggs benny. Potatoes seasoned well. read more

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A neighbourhood gem! This place has been on my list for years, but I've never gone, until today. Stopped in for a nice solo brunch on my day off. I had the Benny with sausage and home fries - so tasty. The staff were friendly and efficient. I will definitely be back - with friends! read more

Emma's Country Kitchen - Emma's Benny - with sausage and home fries - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Emma's country kitchen is great for an upscale dining experience if you want a nice breakfast/brunch but I would say it's a little bit pricey the pancakes are amazing that eggs Benedict and all forms are so good and the juices , coffee's and teas are to die for. Don't skip out on the scones or the gravy !!! Or fresh juices !! I'm not sure if they still do this but they used to make donuts and other desserts... so good! read more

Wow everything homemade. Food is satisfying and the staff is very pleasant. The restaurant had a good feel and welcoming atmosphere. We're definitely going back read more

Grabbed brunch at Emma's and really enjoyed our food and service. Our server was Lisa according to the receipt. Incredible service and super friendly personality which made our experience at Emma's great. Would definitely go back to Emma's Country Kitchen. read more

One line to summarize my experience here - humble brunch done just right, delicious and hearty. I came here twice this year, one time with a larger group and another time only two of us. Tried two different items of them: first time was the Egg Benedict with peameal bacon, the second time was a stack of pancakes. Egg Benedict was done nicely: peameal bacon had crispy parts but not dry, muffin was of the right thickness, egg was runny and sauce were rich. Nothing was missing at all :D For the pancake, I especially liked that they had ricotta cheese with lemon zest on top of pancake, it tasted refreshing and only with a subtle hint of sweetness. To me that was much better than piling up overly sweetened and fattened whipped cream which is more commonly seen for pancakes. Given the experience I can say this place scored points for both savory and sweet plates. Serving portions were generous - they kept me full for the entire morning and a half of the afternoon. Good for people with a large stomach. They also have a lot of side dish options that essentially can give you a mini version of their food - for instance, one Egg Benedict. Probably it's also fun to do some mix and match. One last note - this place gets very busy on weekends, and from what I recall they don't take reservations. So do be there early or you'll probably have to wait in the lineup. read more

Emma's Country Kitchen - Egg Benedict with peameal bacon, every element was nicely done. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

A country diner in urban Toronto? No way! Loving the small town, country diners, I was hesitant about coming here. You can't replicate country diners, cafes and bakeries in a large urban centre like Toronto. You can however put a country spin on a local restaurant making you love the food and satisfy your need for freshly baked biscuits and farm grown meat and eggs. My friend and I decided to try this place earlier this week and we were not disappointed. It was a Wednesday morning and yet there was still a packed restaurant with a 5-10 minute wait to be seated. Once seated, the menu covers the basic breakfast and brunch staples. I tried the classic breakfast with a biscuit. Eggs were cooked perfectly, the sausage patty was seasoned very nicely, the roasted potatoes MELTED in your mouth, and the biscuit topped it all! Warm and flaky, it just completed the experience! Price point was very reasonable. Servers were friendly and checked on you often. And there is a counter at the front for those who want to experience the country from the comforts of home. The place definitely has an urban twist on country but you need that in the world of Toronto, it's the only way to survive and thrive. I would definitely return here in the future for a filling and savoury breakfast! read more

Delicious breakfast! You want that in your life. Emma's specializes in breakfast seven days a week and will make sure that you leave their restaurant satisfied and happy. You might have seen them on season 4 of You Gotta Eat Here! or noticed that blogTO named them the #1 Best All-Day Breakfast in town. They're open from 8am to 3pm every day of the week - don't expect to find any sort of dinner menu here - it's breakfast and brunch comfort food all day, every day! When visiting on the weekend you can typically expect to be met with a bit of a wait to get in. They tend to move things along pretty quickly, but obviously the later that you arrive, the longer that the wait will likely be. I stopped in on a holiday Monday and the place was bumpin'. You'll usually find them open on statutory holidays when lots of other spots opt to remain closed. The restaurant is fairly unassuming from the street, with their brown signage. On the inside you'll find that the room is quite spacious, with a few tables up in the front and quite a lot more in the back. They underwent a renovation a few years ago which has really helped to maximize their space. The decor is minimal and the ambiance is warm, buzzing and welcoming. After a reasonable wait, we were seated at a table in the back section and were promptly served by the friendly wait staff. Emma's wants you to enjoy fresh comfort food and that includes; bakery items that are made fresh in-house daily, using only local meats that they cure and smoke themselves, and freshly fried donuts. The menu is filled with the delicious classics that you crave and each one is done really well. As a tea drinker, I asked for Tea ($3.00) and chose English Breakfast since I enjoy black tea in the morning. Their tea is provided by Tea Squared, a company from Canada. I prepare my black tea with milk and sugar and enjoyed a perfectly warm and pleasant cup. Can't go wrong with that! I also noted that Emma's offers some pretty awesome brunch cocktails, and the Emma's Caesar especially caught my eye. On another day when I'm feeling more "fun" I will certainly give it a try! There are lots of items on the menu; from their rotating (and usually seasonally appropriate) pancake flavours, to a daily quiche, to the classically southern biscuits and gravy. They've even got avocado toast for the millennials. However, their most renowned item has to be the Emma's Benny (Warm and fluffy buttermilk biscuit topped with house cured peameal bacon, soft poached eggs and smothered in mousseline sauce. Served with a side of red skin potatoes - $16.00), a must-try. The food arrived fairly quickly and I eagerly sliced into my perfectly poached eggs. Emma's signature buttermilk biscuit is impossibly buttery and absorbs the surrounding egg yolk and mousseline mélange decadently well. The peameal bacon is truly something special, utilizing Toronto's famous meat so well. Hormone and antibiotic free, their meats come from the best butcher in town; Sanagan's Meat Locker. Their peameal is salty and tender, a delicious protein base. What's the difference between mousseline and hollandaise sauce? It's a richer version of the classic that uses whipped cream. As if hollandaise could get any better. This benedict is like a hug of happiness for your stomach. The potatoes were fine, a little bit plain. I could have used a bit more crisp on them, but they tasted good with salt and ketchup. Emma's is pretty well-known for serving up some of the best donuts in town. Chances are that after eating a big, filling breakfast that you might not think that you have any room left for a donut. So take your donut to-go! You don't want to miss out! Their flavours change all the time (Instagram is a reliable source to find out what they've got in the case each day) and on my visit they had one of their best ones; Maple Bacon ($3.25). A lot of people are doing a maple bacon donut. It's a pretty trendy flavour. But it's my opinion that Emma's is doing the best version of it that I have ever tried. The way that they handle the bacon on this donut is by far the best. It's ultra abundant and crumbly, capturing the salty and sweet combo expertly well. If your a fan of the maple bacon donut, this is the beginning and end of it right here! Emma's Country Kitchen is a perfect little breakfast (not so) secret. They bring country flavours right into the city and serve up what you dream of for a classically delicious breakfast. You want this! read more

Emma's Country Kitchen - Banana Pancakes (15.00) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Good breakfast But long wait time. Prefer to visit again Environment is friendly and good read more

Watch out. I ordered the pancakes (4) and they only give you a tiny (1 ounce) cup of maple syrup with the order. Based on that volume of food, you would need at least 4 cups of syrup. When you ask for additional cups of maple syrup, they CHARGE you $3.00 per cup! Outrageous! I travel all over North America (on business), eat in countless diners, and I have NEVER encountered such an absurd policy as this before. Disgraceful! read more

I loved this place! The staff were very friendly and the food came out quick. Everything is made from scratch! I had the best pancakes and REAL maple syrup I have ever tried. If you are visiting Toronto it is a must try. read more

Emma's Country Kitchen - Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I've gotten take-out a few times here over the past couple years. I can say that Emma's offers something very hard to get on St. Clair: artisan southern cooking. Their signature biscuits are pretty good, though I must guiltily confess that I prefer Red Lobster ones. Also very laudable: they pay their workers a living wage (see the 2019 globe and mail article about living wages that spotlights them). But this brings me to what unfortunately holds me back from coming here more often: the price-value ratio. To take one example, 30 dollars for a "belt buster" (that will bust few belts)? This is even worse because Southern breakfast food doesn't particularly lean on expensive inputs (the Center pieces are biscuits and pancakes, after all) and they are not very generous with meat or accoutrements for the pancakes. Emma's is especially hard to recommend to vegetarians. If you don't eat meat, your alternative is usually a griddled tomato. Or the pancakes, which I found good, but I find it hard to get excited about pancakes. So I would love to see them jump into the new world of beyond meat. Altogether, I think I can only recommend Emma's to the narrow group of serious southern breakfast enthusiasts with lots of money to spend. But bear in mind I am somewhat picky about my four and five star reviews. read more