Cluny Bistro for brunch (Toronto)


Despite this being a return visit, I still get entranced with Cluny Bistro’s dining room. It’s charming, elegant, intricate and beautiful … so French that Carrie Bradshaw would certainly approve. If only the restaurant were opened earlier, what a perfect place it would have been to host my bridal shower. Brides of today, take note.   


At first, I was a little worried if Cluny was a serious brunch establishment - our waitress was unsure whether they carried English Breakfast. Yet, one sip of the flavourful Tea Squared brew ($4) eased away any fears and I was ready for food.


Their weekend brunch menu includes French favourites (onion soup), traditional breakfast offerings (omelets), and then there’s classics with a twist. The pork banh mi benedict ($19.75) seemed out of place at a bistro, yet the promise of roasted porchetta and ultra-thin frites were too hard to resist.

Something about the combination of roasted pork, crispy crackling, pickled vegetables and well toasted sourdough bread … the aroma is hard to describe and incredible. The runny poached eggs went nicely with the ample chunks of porchetta, although I found the pickled vegetables were best eaten on their own. The thick slice of grilled sourdough soaked in all the delicious juices, but required a utensil sharper than a bread knife to cut through.

Cluny’s adjoining boulangerie is fantastic and after having a taste of the freshly baked breads during brunch, we had to stop into the bakery for things to go. Get the roasted garlic focaccia ($3.50), it’s not overly oily but still has a lovely sponginess; the liberal sprinkling of salt and sweet cloves of garlic topping the focaccia meant I didn’t even need butter. Brunch and groceries all procured in one spot, what an efficient start the day.

Overall mark - 7 out of 10


How To Find Them
 Location: Toronto, Canada
 Address: 35 Tank House Lane

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Gastro World's Grading System

  • Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
  • 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
  • 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
  • 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
  • 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
  • 10 - absolute perfection!


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