HolmPei Cafe is a specialty coffee and fusion eats spot near Bay and Dundas that showcases brunch as anything but boring. Don't expect to find your typical all-American breakfast of waffles, bacon, and scrambled eggs here.

Chef and Owner Henry Yang, alongside co-owner Michelle Zhang, devised a menu full of fun, flavour, and creative twists with everything from souffle-style pancakes to a yuzu benedict.

"I realized that at a lot of (brunch) places the food was pretty similar," shares Yang with blogTO. "The benny is always on an English muffin, with fried potatoes and a hollandaise. That gave me the inspiration to create a menu that's more colourful, light, healthy, and focuses on the ingredients."  

The self-taught chef has over 10 years of experience in the culinary industry, specializing in Asian fusion cuisine. For Yang, prioritizing fresh ingredients and unique flavour combinations doesn’t stop at the food—the drinks receive the same level of care and creativity.

The signature Biscoff Latte ($6.75) is rich, creamy, and sweet. It features the cookie's signature buttery caramelized taste. 

The Iced Coconut Matcha ($6.95) features matcha sourced directly from Kyoto, Japan. Yang met the supplier at a matcha festival. The freshness of the matcha is apparent, giving the drink a vibrant green colour and deeply earthy flavour. It pairs well with the sweetness of the coconut. 

One of my favourite brunch items was the Wild Smoked Salmon Cornbread Waffle Benny ($23). The corn waffle is tender and soft with a sweet, nutty flavour, similar to cornbread. It comes with a poached egg and slightly citrusy yuzu hollandaise. It also features slices of Atlantic smoked salmon and creamy whipped labneh yogurt. 

Each dish is plated beautifully, and the careful attention to detail doesn't go unnoticed.

The Roasted Chili Peach Crostini ($19) was a seasonal chef special. The roasted peaches were served on a bed of creamy burrata and drizzled with hot honey.

Topped with fresh basil and mint, it was bright and refreshing, with a lovely balance of sweet and spicy. It came with a sourdough crostini from Toronto favourite, Blackbird Baking Co.

Another chef special was the Smoked Duck Breast Tartine ($20). The smoked duck was served crisp like bacon and sat atop toast with whipped burrata, baby arugula, roasted strawberries and blueberries, and crunchy pecans. Each bite offered a blend of savoury and sweet.

If you like trying more than one thing, the Avocado Confit Tomato Tartine ($20) is a great choice. One slice of toast is layered with smashed avocado, grilled halloumi, and a poached egg. The other features a base of cottage cheese and confit garlic, topped with buttery confit tomatoes infused with rosemary and thyme.

A dish I'll be returning for is the Holmpei Pancake ($21). It has a similar texture to a souffle, where it's light and fluffy on the inside but is served in a cast iron pan, giving the pancake a crispy exterior. Shaped almost like a bowl, it's perfect for holding a generous amount of fillings. 

The vegetable pancake comes loaded with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, peppers, and caramelized onions. It's topped with a sunny-side-up egg and grilled halloumi.

Like many of HolmPei Cafe's offerings, the portion is large and reasonably priced.

Of course, it wouldn't be brunch without Steak and Eggs ($28). But depending on the time of day and your mood, you can swap your eggs for a pile of crispy truffle fries and a truffle mayo. The 6oz Bavette steak was tender, well-seasoned, and topped with a flavorful, in-house chimichurri.

The restaurant embraces a minimalistic design, with warm lighting and a neutral colour palette that creates a cozy, casual atmosphere. 

Where the decor leans subtle, every dish is packed with vibrancy, making the food the true standout of the dining experience.

HolmPei Cafe is located at 122 Dundas Street West.