Exploring the best of Toronto and Southern Ontario.

Happy Wednesday, all! I hope you’re having a great week, and that you enjoyed my last post about our Barbie-themed brunch at Café Landwer. I don’t know about y’all, but brunch is definitely my favourite meal to go out for. I don’t know whether it’s the leisurely feel, the variety of dishes (Sweet? Savoury? Anything goes!) or simply the excuse to drink champagne before noon, but brunch just makes me happy. If you’re a brunch fan too, then you’re in luck, because I’ve got another brunch-y post coming your way today! This one may not be Barbie-themed, but I promise you, it’s just as fabulous. Last month, Tania took me for brunch at MARBL to celebrate my birthday, and let me just say… if you’re looking for a decadent, celebration-worthy brunch spot in Toronto, look no further!

Ever since it opened in 2018, MARBL has been one of King West’s trendiest resto-lounges. It’s known for its innovative menu – which features modern, elevated takes on American classics – along with its chic décor and nightlife. (Every year, MARBL hosts some of the buzziest TIFF events in the city!) While primarily known as a dinner and nightlife spot, they also happen to serve a fabulous brunch on the weekends. I was so excited to check it out, and it did not disappoint!

MARBL’s interior is bright, elegant and spacious. It seats 180 people, and its tall ceilings and large windows give the space a lofty, airy feel. There’s even an open kitchen so diners can see the action taking place! True to its name, marble is incorporated throughout the restaurant: from counters and tabletops to pillars and fireplaces. Fashion also plays a key role in the restaurant’s décor, from stacks of fashion-centric coffee table books to framed fashion photography and quotes by famous designers on the walls.

My favourite wall in MARBL, however, happens to be in the basement! When you head down to the lower level where the washrooms are, you’ll find an entire hallway covered in whimsical flamingo wallpaper. It makes such a fun backdrop for photos!

As lovely as MARBL’s interior is, we decided to sit outside on their patio. Us Canadians are only blessed with a precious few months of patio weather, so I always want to take advantage of it! Luckily, MARBL’s patio is just as pretty as their indoor space. Tucked away from the street, it’s an intimate refuge from the hustle and bustle of King West. Pendant lights and hanging greenery give the patio a charming ‘secret garden’ feel, while white tablecloths and Parisian bistro chairs bring the indoor elegance outside. Best of all, it’s fully covered, so even if it’s drizzling (which it was on the morning we went) you can still enjoy your meal al fresco.

MARBL has a few different brunch cocktails to choose from, but I went with a classic mimosa, which you can get with your choice of orange, grapefruit or pineapple juice (I chose pineapple.)

Tania ordered the Hogtown Breakfast, which comes with two eggs, bacon, breakfast sausage, hashbrowns, toast and a side salad. Tania doesn’t like breakfast sausage so she asked for a double order of bacon instead, which they kindly substituted for her.

I must admit, I’m always torn between the sweet and savoury options when I go for brunch, but I usually end up on the sweet side. (Just like brunch is a great excuse to drink champagne before noon, it’s an even better excuse to have dessert for breakfast!) I ordered the 6ix Pancakes: a stack of six vanilla buttermilk pancakes topped with lemon blueberry compote, lemon balm and… wait for it… gold flakes! I love a meal that looks as decadent as it tastes, and this dish definitely fits the bill. Now, I know what you’re thinking – six pancakes sounds like a heck of a lot! While it was definitely a tall stack, the pancakes themselves are on the smaller side, so don’t be scared to order it: the portion is generous, but not gargantuan. That being said, you could definitely order a savoury entrée and split an order of pancakes with your dining partner for ‘dessert’ – we saw a few tables doing this!

If you’re looking for a spot where you can impress a date, enjoy a decadent brunch with girlfriends, or just treat yourself, I highly recommend MARBL! (After all, don’t we all deserve gold flakes on our pancakes every once in a while?) MARBL is open for brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 11:30am – 4pm, and reservations can be booked via OpenTable. If you try it out for yourself, please let me know how you like it – I’d love to hear your reviews!

Do you have a go-to Toronto brunch spot? Recommendations are always welcomed – and much appreciated!