Lady Marmalade is a popular all-day brunch spot that serves some of Toronto’s best eggs benny and breakfast poutine.

They use free-run eggs, quality meats, sustainable fish and local produce as often as possible, and many items are highly customizable to suit gluten-free and vegetarian diets.

At 1,600 square feet, the two-level, 54-seat space dating back to 1885 is enrobed in lush but breezy light wood, thanks to design by Omar Gandhi.

5,000 square feet of Baltic birch was used for the interior, cedar cladding modernizing the exterior. Dizzyingly high skylights bathe the narrow upper floor in natural light.

Cheddar and spinach waffles ($13.50) put a savoury spin on the usually sweet breakfast dish, dense, crispy and bready but moist waffles laced with spinach, strong cheddar melted right into the grids.

A tomato cream rounds out the savoury elements and adds brightness and extra moisture, and a little roasted tomato added to your bite enhances everything with a pop of vegetal sweetness. Opt for bacon or creamy avocado on top (or both), and add two poached eggs on the side for a $3.50 upcharge.

Cochinita pibil eggs benny ($16) tops English muffins with soft and saucy Mexican-style slow roasted pulled pork, eggs perfectly poached to bursting, chunks of salty creamy queso fresco, acidic citrus onions, velvety hollandaise and an additional bright herby sauce.

A thick house hot sauce at the table is great on everything, sweet, roasty, spicy and smoky.

“A.M. Poutine” is $8.50 for the most basic version of home fries and cheese curds topped with your choice of miso gravy or hollandaise, scallions adding an aromatic hit of crunchy, oniony green.

I’ve pretty much never seen anyone go just for this or just the miso gravy: always opt for lemony hollandaise, and never skip the poached eggs ($3.50) or bacon ($2.75). 

A daily baked bread pudding ($13.50) comes in a massive portion you may want to share as a dessert or only eat on your own for breakfast if you’re starving and have a serious sweet tooth. Dense, moist layers of chunky, squishy bread pudding are studded with juicy pockets of fruit, a tart berry coulis and Ontario maple syrup finishing everything off.

Pilot is the main coffee provider, lattes going for $4.25 and bottomless drip for $3.

Lady Marmalade moved from its original spot on Queen East to this new location on Broadview in late 2018. The place is still owned by couple David Cherry and Natalia Simachkevitch.